While browsing through the local Craigslist, I happened upon this '89 Allante:

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/car/761832271.html

And I can't help but be somewhat smitten with it.... especially those two-tone seats (I'm a sucker for good seats... it's a weakness)... Are they stock or did the guy redo them as such?? I've just never seen an Allante with seats like that...

Anyway... talk me out of even considering such a thing... I beg of you.

It comes wih a hard top too, how can you say no?

Sure is a looker, but I'd atleast hold out for one with the 4.5L V8. I've never heard of two tone leather in one of these, but with the way the dash is also two tone, it looks factory.

Sure is a looker, but I'd atleast hold out for one with the 4.5L V8. I've never heard of two tone leather in one of these, but with the way the dash is also two tone, it looks factory.


It's a looker indeed, especially with that interior - that's the biggest reason I'm even entertaining the notion.

Anyway.... I thought '89 was the first year for the 4.5L in the Allante?

Oh...I don't know what year the Allante switched engines, you're probably right.

93 w/ 4.6 N* FTW

Yeah, I'd have to go with a Northstar if I wanted an Allante.

I believe those seat covers are not stock. If you haven't already, do some reading in the Allante forum. Here are some quick facts:

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-allante-faq-forum/136137-allante-phase-i-ii-iii-facts.html

Good luck with whatever you decide. I enjoy my 91 Allante as a summer fun car.

Yes... I'm well aware the '93 Allante introduced the Northstar to the Cadillac line. However, I'd have zero desire to own a Northstar powered Allante for a few different reasons... Either way, that wouldn't be a selling point.

While I'm certainly not against getting another Northstar Cadillac, a '93 Allante isn't even on the list of possibilities. Were I to pull the trigger on something as unnecessary as an Allante, it would have to be something unique which stands out (much like this one which caught my eye) and would also have to be a 4.5L '89-'92.

The Ad says "New Interior", and I've never seen an Allante with two tone. Chances are the dash is the original color and the lighter shades were added.

I believe those seat covers are not stock. If you haven't already, do some reading in the Allante forum. Here are some quick facts:

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-allante-faq-forum/136137-allante-phase-i-ii-iii-facts.html

Good luck with whatever you decide. I enjoy my 91 Allante as a summer fun car.

If that's the case, do you think he had the dash dyed as well to go along with the custom seats?

I'll be honest.... it's that interior that really caught my eye - plus the fact that he has the hardtop with it. I'm also keen to the idea of having a convertible again... After having our Sebring for almost a decade, I do miss not having a 'vert to tool around in anymore.

Damnit... I have this bad feeling that I'll be taking a drive up to Mantua to check this thing out...

You're supposed to be talking me out of such an idea!

I dunno, 6800 bucks is quite a bit of dough for one of these in mystery condition. You really want to hold out for one that has been METICULOUSLY maintained. This one merely looks "clean".

It is indeed, at least worth a look. And I'm with you, the less N* the better. 4.9 was the best motor in those, and all the years prior to '93 weren't subject to the cost cheapening measures '93 was. Just gotta watch out for some of the complicated, almost Mercedes-like items like the Bosch ABS system.

I LOVE those tail lights, and does that have the funky digital dash or the regular analog one?

The car is pretty, no doubt about it. The interior is good looking too, though it doesn't look stock to me. Try to get the price down a bit, $6800 sounds a bit steep.

Looks like a hit and miss restoration to me, would have to see alot of documentation to substantiate conditiomn.

If that's the case, do you think he had the dash dyed as well to go along with the custom seats?


I think the original interior color was beige.

If you want an Allante, I'd look for an unmolested one with medium number of miles (say 50-70K), that has been driven regularly in nice weather only, and has full maintenance records. I bought a 33k mile unit and it needed a fair amount of work from sitting.

From what I've read, a 91 or 92 are the best years to get if you don't want the N*. That interior looks nice, but I don't think it's stock.

One of the best features about the Allante is supposed to be the braking system and the Recaro seats -- both of which went away w/the '93 N*.

Depending on the mileage and if they'd be willing to negotiate on the price, it would still be worth a look.

the ABS pump on a pre 93 Allante costs almost as much as a HG job...
that pump was horrid to begin with and unless the fluid was changed i think once every 2 years kiss it goodbye

the ABS pump on a pre 93 Allante costs almost as much as a HG job...
that pump was horrid to begin with and unless the fluid was changed i think once every 2 years kiss it goodbye

Yea you've got a point there. If it wasn't maintained it will never work right, BUT if the fluid is changed regularly they do last along time. As far as I know the brakes still work if the ABS is shot though.

yea
and its got a brake pedal comparable to a Hurst shifter
best slam that thing to the floor

Holy god, I heard prices were bad, but that's exhorbitant!

If you want an Allante, I'd look for an unmolested one with medium number of miles (say 50-70K), that has been driven regularly in nice weather only, and has full maintenance records. I bought a 33k mile unit and it needed a fair amount of work from sitting.

Greg, you sure got that right. I had to laugh the first time a friend referred to the $2000 initiation fee to join any Allante group. His explanation was that was the amount that you'll spend on any Allante after you buy it to get it just the way you want it.

Love my '89 and am looking for a pearl white car. $6800 seems a little steep. Your comments on the brakes were right on also. My car stopped well for three years with the anti-lock disabled message and spent the $1000 to get a re-manufactured Bosch unit.

Great great PITA cars!

I wish I knew you were looking for an Allante I just traded in my 92 pearl white with hardtop last week and got $8000 for it. It is now on Automart for $13,500. It was super clean with only 63,000 miles on it.I'm not complaining seeing it left me for an 05 STS4 with the 1sg performance package.( no more Allante repair bills,YEAH). I loved my Allante but they always seem to have some sort of issue. Whatever you do good luck.:thumbsup:

Jono

Greg, you sure got that right. I had to laugh the first time a friend referred to the $2000 initiation fee to join any Allante group. His explanation was that was the amount that you'll spend on any Allante after you buy it to get it just the way you want it.


I've paid my mechanic $1,500 so far, but he hasn't tallied up the whole bill. He doesn't worry about me running a tab, since he knows I'll be back soon. :histeric:

a couple of things ...

- the '89 Allantes came with the 4500 engine and all had hard tops.

- i keep looking at it and I keep thinking '88 .. not sure.

- the Recaro seats are OEM factory SADDLE TAN but the seat center panels repainted to match the stock moca brown dash. takes all but 30 minutes to make that change, back and forth. ditto for the arm rests, all three.

- the dash has the wood veneer, which IMO makes the car look like a old man's car. not a factory item.

- the steering wheel looks wrong and so do the Deville rims.

- a northstar allante (only '93) ? way too many pitfalls, its good until it goes then its all done.

- at $6,800, overpriced. should be in the $3,000 range.

A '92, which is levels above the '89 in many aspects, can be had in the $4k to $5k range.


http://images.craigslist.org/01150201020301030720080719c5a9b5ff364327e627008d0e .jpg



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Seat centers are not original color, but look OK. 89 was the first 4.5. Virtually bullet proof engine. what odometer mileage? Make sure that brake fluid has been changed at a minimum of 2 years, if not you do it ASAP. Master cylinders are approx 1500.00 to replace. Be prepared to have a close relationship with this car!! I've owned 2. They can be frustrating electrically unless you have the factory manuals and are a better than average wrench.A couple of grand too much, I believe.

Seat centers are not original color, but look OK. 89 was the first 4.5. Virtually bullet proof engine. what odometer mileage? Make sure that brake fluid has been changed at a minimum of 2 years, if not you do it ASAP. Master cylinders are approx 1500.00 to replace. Be prepared to have a close relationship with this car!! I've owned 2. They can be frustrating electrically unless you have the factory manuals and are a better than average wrench.A couple of grand too much, I believe.

AND

you can learn to read GM TECH language, all 3,000 pages of the FSM.


"The car has 86,369 original miles and the letters of the vin are KU"

KU verifies it to be an '89.






.

what's the attached worth guys and please save me from myself! Drove 110 miles to see it. Description tells of bad items. Runs strong and straight. Reman for GM sticker on MC, paint from 5 feet excellent. closer and you see it went to thru a car wash once to often. but remarkably free of dings.

He wants to sell only at $3600. I've offered $3k. Thoughts? Don't be afraid of damaging my fragile ego!


http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/car/771665762.html

oil leak- he has new pan to be installed.
air--line is off -pinhole size leak, system was capped off correctly
rear pull down--cycles doesn't latch--have new plastic and motor sitting in spare parts cabinet.

You know what you're getting into. I think the car deserves to move into your garage.