DopeStar 156
01-18-05, 06:41 PM
1989 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham d'Elegance
http://www.cadillacforums.com/photopost/data/506/6136DSCI0003-med.JPG
Love at first sight.
Interior: Gorgeous, covered in wood, leather, chrome, and those little tiny Cadillac emblems strewn all about the interior tastefully along with the "Cadillac" and "Brougham d'Elegance" chrome script on the dash and the "d'Elegance" embroidery on the doors. The d'Elegance pillow seats are the most comfortable seats I've ever sat on, not even the seats in a new Cadillac are as comfy and relaxing as these. The only thing is with all that wood and chrome, there's a few rattles. That and the rear window doesn't permit too much rear visibility.
Exterior: Once again, gorgeous. I particularly love the rear and front of the car. I love the taillights and the shape of the back of the car, and the huge trunk, I'm also a huge fan of the rear fender skirts that are really more lowered wheel wells that cover a little bit of the top of the rear wheels creating a skirt-like illusion with still giving 100% access to the wheels. The front is another great part of the car. The hood features two chrome lines coming to a point in the front running right into the pointed grille passing the standing hood crest. The hubcaps are also pretty cool in the sence that they lock to the rim so it's pretty difficult to lose one on the highway. The only exterior flaw would be the mirrors, although very nicely decorated with a "Cadillac" script and done in chrome, are pretty small for a car of this size. They take some getting used to, but they'll shock you at first glance.
Ride: I would rate the ride very good. The suspension keeps things smooth without that waterbed on wheels feeling and finally, level shocks done correctly! Being a former Lincoln owner, I was skeptic about buying another car with air ride but rather than having four wheel air shocks like a Lincoln, Cadillac has only given you two level shocks that are in the rear and supported by coils so if there's ever a problem, your chassis doesn't hit the pavement. Mine has also never given me an inch of trouble.
Engine: With a 4,000+lb. weight, and a 5.0 Liter 307 under the hood, you'll be able to get around, but don't expect to leave any rubber marks behind at green lights. I wouldn't call it underpowered when compared to the HT4100 Broughams and the 307 is a great replacement, but it could've used the 5.7 Liter 350. However if the 307 ever needs servicing, there's lots of room and parts are cheap since they're Oldsmobile parts. With a four barrel carburetor winter starting might take a few cranks and pumps of the accelerator, but offers very good performance being able to just dump gas into the engine. All in all, it's an a-ok engine.
Comments: If you're a fan of the older Cadillac stylings and don't want to have to restore one, the '89 still carries the same late 70's and early 80's styles Cadillac is famous for with the dependability of a newer car. Even in a high mileage state, the car still proves to be reliable. If you're looking for a Fleetwood Brougham, shoot right for the d'Elegance packaged ones. You'll thank yourself later when you sink into those seats.
My Rating: With many pleasing aspects and some minor flaws, I'd give it 90%.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/photopost/data/506/6136DSCI0003-med.JPG
Love at first sight.
Interior: Gorgeous, covered in wood, leather, chrome, and those little tiny Cadillac emblems strewn all about the interior tastefully along with the "Cadillac" and "Brougham d'Elegance" chrome script on the dash and the "d'Elegance" embroidery on the doors. The d'Elegance pillow seats are the most comfortable seats I've ever sat on, not even the seats in a new Cadillac are as comfy and relaxing as these. The only thing is with all that wood and chrome, there's a few rattles. That and the rear window doesn't permit too much rear visibility.
Exterior: Once again, gorgeous. I particularly love the rear and front of the car. I love the taillights and the shape of the back of the car, and the huge trunk, I'm also a huge fan of the rear fender skirts that are really more lowered wheel wells that cover a little bit of the top of the rear wheels creating a skirt-like illusion with still giving 100% access to the wheels. The front is another great part of the car. The hood features two chrome lines coming to a point in the front running right into the pointed grille passing the standing hood crest. The hubcaps are also pretty cool in the sence that they lock to the rim so it's pretty difficult to lose one on the highway. The only exterior flaw would be the mirrors, although very nicely decorated with a "Cadillac" script and done in chrome, are pretty small for a car of this size. They take some getting used to, but they'll shock you at first glance.
Ride: I would rate the ride very good. The suspension keeps things smooth without that waterbed on wheels feeling and finally, level shocks done correctly! Being a former Lincoln owner, I was skeptic about buying another car with air ride but rather than having four wheel air shocks like a Lincoln, Cadillac has only given you two level shocks that are in the rear and supported by coils so if there's ever a problem, your chassis doesn't hit the pavement. Mine has also never given me an inch of trouble.
Engine: With a 4,000+lb. weight, and a 5.0 Liter 307 under the hood, you'll be able to get around, but don't expect to leave any rubber marks behind at green lights. I wouldn't call it underpowered when compared to the HT4100 Broughams and the 307 is a great replacement, but it could've used the 5.7 Liter 350. However if the 307 ever needs servicing, there's lots of room and parts are cheap since they're Oldsmobile parts. With a four barrel carburetor winter starting might take a few cranks and pumps of the accelerator, but offers very good performance being able to just dump gas into the engine. All in all, it's an a-ok engine.
Comments: If you're a fan of the older Cadillac stylings and don't want to have to restore one, the '89 still carries the same late 70's and early 80's styles Cadillac is famous for with the dependability of a newer car. Even in a high mileage state, the car still proves to be reliable. If you're looking for a Fleetwood Brougham, shoot right for the d'Elegance packaged ones. You'll thank yourself later when you sink into those seats.
My Rating: With many pleasing aspects and some minor flaws, I'd give it 90%.