Consumer Report: What's YOUR opinion? We'd like to know...

[BeelzeBob]

Okay. So what's your opinion on these cars? Which do you own? Which HAVE you owned? Let's hear it from the people who can tell it...

[Ralph]

I hope I can give you the information you want. Keep in mind I have only owned my 1991 Fleetwood FWD for a month, but because of the very low miles it has, (21,000) and the fact that my stepdad bought it new, I know the whole history, here it goes. Under warranty, my dad had to get a new oil seal on the pan. He only played a tape a couple of times, and after he did, the radio failed to function, as well as the clock. He had it fixed then. Now, roughly ten years later I have had the same problem with the radio not functioning, which is strange because the tape plays. It does not have the optional Bose, it is marked "symphony sound." The radio/cassette has been out twice in two weeks and I am still waiting to get it repaired. It is very frustrating and time consuming for me, and I am going to inform Cadillac Division that this mint/stored car should NOT have this problem. Other than these, the car is very dependable and a pleasure to drive. Thank you.

[Angstrom]

I have owned a 91 Fleetwood since 1994. It has been a very good car. Logged about 100 miles on it and it is still running strong. The only real problem was losing a couple of air ride struts, but luckily they were both covered by extended warranty that I purchased. Also had some ECU updates done under warranty.

Not great resale value on these cars. I have mine stored now for about a year. I couldn't get any reasonable money for it. So I've decided that it will become a project car some where down the road, maybe ten years or so from now.

[zippy8792]

I have owned my '97 DeVille for 4 years now. Bought it with 24,700 miles on it. Only thing I had go wrong was the electronic EGR valve go bad(warranty took care of it) and the rest have been trouble free miles. By the way it has 84,000 + miles now. I could decribe it as driving your living room sofa down the road. Very comfortable and pretty good MPG . I added a six cd changer and a Crime Stopper Plus auto start. In January of this year I added 2003 DTS wheels and tires I thought it looked real good. I added 3 pictures in the photo section take a look. GB

[Ralph]

Zippy, your car is even more beautiful than my dad's new DTS!!

[zippy8792]

Ralph, thanks I try to keep it clean and looking new.

[LymanSS]

I've had my DTS for about 15 months now. I bought it new in January 2002. It has every option except the sunroof (I wanted more headroom) and the cellular integration package (wouldn't work with my phone). I got the adaptive seating, night vision, navigation system, zebrano wood trim package, side airbags, etc etc. The first thing I did was have the interior gutted, and I added 432 square feet of noise damping material, along with a few layers of acoustic foam. The car is dead silent. 63 Db at 70 mph. It gained a little weight, but performance didn't seem to suffer too much. I did experience a couple of problems (before the modifications, so those can't be blamed on the modifications). The navigation system has worked great with one exception. Maybe once or twice a week, I start the car, and all I hear is a buzzing sound from the stereo. It's loud, and annoying and it won't go away untill I turn the car off for about two minutes. Other than that, no problems with the nav system. I had a little trouble with brake squeal, but I got over that by trying to drive more like an old man. I had to have a wheel speed sensor replaced (under warranty) and one factory recall (again, no cost). Overall I've been happy with the car and the service I've received.

The acceleration isn't quite "fast" but "authoritative" wouldn't be a bad discription. Braking is a little weaker than I'd like and it could use some more grip in the corners, but in general it handles very well for a car of it's size and weight. I drive my cars hard. This car is NOTHING like my Z06, but when pushed to the limit it has a nice feel to it and the stabilitrac does a good job of keeping things under control if you get a little crazy. I plan on replacing the tires with something wider and stickier, which will hopefully improve my cornering. I'm also seeking thicker sway bars to quell the body roll.

Performance in the snow is fantastic, easily allowing me to go out under almost any conditions I've seen in my area (Massacusetts).

I've done several road trips with it. I haven't found a car that's better for long drives in terms of comfort an smooth easy cruising (although I sat in the new Rolls Royce, and i'm pretty sure that'd be one hell of a road tripper). Much nicer on long trips than my brother's Audi A8L. However at high speeds (say over 115) it feels too mushy. Not enough grip, and not stiff enough suspension....especially when the car is loaded. But if you plan to cruise at even vaguely legal speeds it's fantastic. There's plenty of room for four in the car. Five is ok if the third person in the back is small, or you aren't travelling too far. Trunk space is generous, but not mind blowing. Interior appointments are excellent, and everyone likes the seats (nice leather in my opinion), the seat heaters, the multizone climate control, and the reading lamps that are well placed to prevent glare to the driver. The trim impresses most people, but there are a few pieces that get on my nerves. The plastic panel surrounding the climate controls and the nav screen is really cheap and doesn't fit flush. Some of the controls on the dash look and feel cheap (although ergonomics are great) and the center console isn't as rock solid as those of other high end cars (it creaks if you lean on it).

I've got 24,000 miles on the car now and I've driven it under virtually any sort of circumstances. I've been please over all with the car and with all of it's features. Even the night vision has made itself useful, saving me from a definite collision with pack of three moose on one occasion and several times with deer. If I could change a few things about the car, this is what they'd be:

1. Dual pane windows...a good bit of the cabin noise comes from the windows

2. Another 50 hp

3. Stiffer swaybars

4. Slightly better interior trim

5. Slightly stiffer suspension

6. 255/45/18 tires (I think that'd be about the right width and would maintain enough sidewall to be comfortable.

If anyone has any specific questions about my car or my experience with it, feel free to ask.

Scott

[Ralph]

Scott, I'm curious how much weight you added to the car by installing sound deadening material, what it cost, and if you think it was worth it? I would be leary of rattles after a big job like that. I had my dad's new DTS up to 120 kph, and there was only a whisper. I know what you mean by trim pieces that get on your nerves. I have a low mileage Fleetwood (21,100 miles orig.) and there were bolts not snug, maxifuse panal doesn't fit or twist down properly, etc. I also noticed a little creaking at low speeds from the rear suspension. (could be from storage, age, rubber bushings going dry?) What color is your DTS?

[LymanSS]

I probably added about 200 lbs. It seems like a lot, but it's only about 5 percent of the weight of the car. Roughly equivilant to one large male passenger. I can feel the difference (just as you could feel the presence of a passenger) but it's not that severe. So far, no squeaks or rattles. The work was done by very talented guys at a local shop, and I monitored all stages of the process. Since I used brand name Dynomat, the cost came out to be quite high. Just under ten grand. But it's quieter than any production car on the market (according to Car and Driver's reports on noise levels at 70 mph). I've been satisfied with the sound proofing work and if I had to make the choice again, I would definitely do it. However I think most of the effect could be had with about half the cost and weight. I'm working on getting the dual pane windows made for it, which should make a significant difference, if I ever get it done. I drove the car around stock for a while, and I have to say it was a fantastic machine for the price. The insulation work just brought it to a new level in terms of peaceful high speed cruising.

Those Fleetwoods are HUGE!!! I rode in one once and thought it was awesome. I thought about getting a late one instead of my DTS but living in DC half the year, I just couldn't deal with the size. Awesome car though.

Scott

[Ralph]

Actually, I should have mentioned that my Fleetwood is a FWD, so not really that huge. If you want huge try on the 91 Grand Marquis I had. I wouldnot want to hit a deer with the Caddy, it is so low to the ground I will probably be pushing snow around in 6 months! I have to admire you making your car right for you. There have been issues with many of my cars that I wish I took enough initiative with. PS, you can always get some level 2 bullet resistant glass from a Brinks Armored truck. Man, that stuff is thick, any thicker and you will not need bi-foculs. LOL