Hi, my first post. I am thinking of buying a 95 Fleetwood, and so I emailed Katshot for some advice.

I saw that he is a member here, and so I thought I would post and see what you all think too.

Here is what I sent:

Hi, I am DeanstuD on impalassforum. I wanted a Fleetwood sooo bad, but the
guy wouldn't deal, and so I let my wife talk me into buying an SS. I have
really enjoyed my SS, and plan to keep it. However I am often wishing I had
gotten the Caddy.
Well I have another opertunity, for a black 95.

I am worried though because it is 3k miles from me in NJ, and it is SO cheap
under $2800.

I value your opinion after reading many posts and especially since you have
so much specific experiance in Fleetwoods.

Here are some pictures. http://community.webshots.com/album/63519415LxZFsW

Supposed to be a nice overal car. The guy who is selling, usually buys 9C1s
at auction. He saw this LT1 caddy and just wanted to "rescue" it. Says he
got it for a good price and is just passing it on. Says he really believes I
could drive it home. It has 117k miles.

I have been looking into transport companys, and it looks like it will cost
me about $1k to get it shipped to me here in Oregon.

I would like any input and advice you could offer.
link to pics (http://community.webshots.com/album/63519415LxZFsW)

117,000 miles? only$2800? That's a pretty amazing deal! I'd be inclined to buy the thing.....Did he give you the V.I.N.?Can you run a car fax? If you get a clear car fax report on it, It's probably well worth taking a chance on! I'd buy it if I got that. Hell, I'd probably buy it anyway!

Sorry dude, I don't remember getting an e-mail from you.
Anyway, I'm gonna tell you something that you might find hard to believe. This car is a livery car and I THINK that it may have been one of my fleet cars. If so, the mileage has been altered. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen one of my old fleet cars on a car lot with LESS mileage than it had when I sold it. I sold them with roughly 200K miles. Some a little more, some a little less.
I have the vin and will TRY to look it up in some of my old paperwork.
Talk about a small world ;)

This isn't carfax, but here is some info I got from Vinguy:

VIN: 1G6DW52PXSR705218
VEHICLE INFORMATION
Merchandising Model: 6DW69 - 1995 FLEETWOOD Warranty Start Date:
02/03/1995
BARS Order Type 70 - RETAIL - STOCK
Delivering Dealer : POTAMKIN CADILLAC-BUICK-CHEVROLET-PONTIAC-GMC
798 11TH AVE
NEW YORK, NY 10019-3575
(212) 399-4400
Selling Source: 12 - CADILLAC
Site Code: 23026
Business Associate Code: 119086
Service Contract: No Branded Title: No Warranty Block: No PDI Status:
Paid
CAMPAIGN ELIGIBILITY
Campaign Number Description Owner Notified Campaign Status
95073 ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY N/A Open
APPLICABLE WARRANTIES
Description Effective Date Effective Odometer End Date End Odometer
48/50000 BUMPER TO BUMPER - NO DEDUCTIBLE 02/03/1995 0 miles 2/3/1999
50000 miles
72/100000 SHEET METAL RUST-THROUGH 02/03/1995 0 miles 2/3/2001 100000
miles
48/50000 SHEET METAL CORROSION 02/03/1995 0 miles 2/3/1999 50000 miles
96/80000 PCM/CC EMISSIONS 02/03/1995 0 miles 2/3/2003 80000 miles
CLAIM HISTORY
R.O.
Date R.O.
Number Type Labor Operation Odometer
Reading
03/19/1997 098273 # E9050 - POW STEER PUMP RPL 24187 miles
07/25/1995 060827 # N6270 - ENGINE WRG REP 5826 miles
07/25/1995 060827 # Z7903 - 3-DAY COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 5826 miles
07/25/1995 060827 # J4226 - SPARK PLUGS - REPLACE. 5826 miles
11/04/1994 705218 I Z7000 - NEW VEHICLE INSPECTION ALLOWANCE 0 miles

VIN: 1G6DW52PXSR705218
VEHICLE BUILD
Merchandising Model: 6DW69 - 1995 FLEETWOOD
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 2565 kg (5656 lb) Order Number: Q158ZL
Build Date: 10/19/1994 Build Plant: 1SRD - ARLINGTON ASSEMBLY PLANT
OPTION CODES
AK5 AM6 - SEAT - 60/40 SPLIT FRONT BENCH
ARL - ARLINGTON, TX, USA A75 - BACK FRT, HD
C68 - ELECT AIR CONDITIONING DE5 - DR/PASS PWR HTD FOLDING
FE2 - TOURING CAR SUSPENSION FE9 - FEDERAL EMISSIONS
GW9 - 2.93 REAR AXLE RATIO IQ2 - INTERIOR DESIGN (Q2)
JA2 - POWER BRAKES JM4 - ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
KC4 - ENG OIL KD1 - TRANS, OIL
KG9 - 140 AMP LT1 - GAS, 8 CYL, 5.7L, MFI, HO
MX0 - 4-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION M30 - 4L60 AUTO TRANS
NA5 - EMISSION SYSTEM, FEDERAL TIER 0 NP5 - STEERING WHEEL- LEATHER
WRAPPED
NV7 - POWER STEERING VARIABLE N08 - FUEL FILLER DR, REM CONT
N81 - FULL SIZE PA3 - ALUMINUM WHEELS
QMV - P235/70R15-102S WS1 R/PE ST TL R1P - HEAVY DUTY,
COACHBUILDER/LIVERY
R8P - SALES ITEM NO. 65 UA6
UW6 - 6, CUSTOM U02 - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
U1H - AM/FM STER COMPACT DISC U75 - POWER ANTENNA
VK3 - FRT MOUNTING PKG VL7 - BUMPER IMPACT, 5 MPH, FRT & RR,
V03 - EXTRA CAPACITY V4R - VEHICLE SECURITY
V73 - USA/CANADA YL1
YN3 - STATE OF NEW YORK YN6 - DOMESTIC ORDERS
YN7 - CENTRAL OFFICE ORDERS Y34 - SALES ZONE, NEW YORK
19I - BLACK (I) (96) 192 - BLACK LEATHER
41U - BLACK 6TP - COMPUTER SEL SUSP (6TP)
7TP - COMPUTER SEL SUSP (7TP) 8HF - COMPUTER SEL SUSP (8HF)
9HF - COMPUTER SEL SUSP (9HF)

Originally posted by deanstud
FE2 - TOURING CAR SUSPENSION

Hey Katshot,

What is this? The limo control arms and heavier springs and sway bars?

How does a livery car ride and handle compared to a stock civilian car?

As I recall, the FE2 is the package that comes with the R1P package. It's just slightly higher rate springs I think. The FE7 is the package that comes with the V4U limousine chassis. That is the one with the bigger components (BJ's, center link, tie-rods, etc.) It's been awhile since I looked it up so don't hold me to this.

I ran a car fax on it and here is what it said.


CARFAX searched over 2 billion records from nearly 800 sources and found 9 record(s) for this 1995 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD/BROUGHAM (1G6DW52PXSR705218).

Date:
Odometer Reading:
Source:
General Comments:


02/01/1995 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
New York, NY
Registered as
commercial vehicle


02/03/1995 U.S. State Department
New York, NY
Registered as a diplomatic vehicle


02/13/1995 59 Inspection Co.
New York
Vehicle Inspected
Anti-theft device present
at the time of inspection


02/19/1998 35,153 New York
Inspection Station
New York City Area
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection


03/04/1998 36,593 Inspection Co.
New York
Vehicle Inspected
Anti-theft device present
at the time of inspection


03/15/2000 74,044 New York
Inspection Station
New York City Area
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection


07/04/2001 107,870 New York
Inspection Station
New York City Area
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection


08/06/2002 117,022 New York
Inspection Station
New York City Area
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection


01/22/2003 117,717 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Eastern Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle

Definately NOT one of my old cars. It was registered in NYC it's whole life. I can tell you that it has had a HARD life. Strangly low mileage for the last year or so. Look for evidence that it spent some time sitting in a body shop. Also, if the car sits like that for long periods of time with the battery connected, expect a lot of rust and corrosion.

Originally posted by Katshot
It was registered in NYC it's whole life. I can tell you that it has had a HARD life.

I has had a hard life, you can see that just by the damage in these photo's. That will cost you.

Mechanically, it's a Chevy so Chevy prices will mainly apply. But the trim is all Cadillac, so Cadillac prices will apply.

If your good at body work then this might be a vehicle to consider. It is, IMHO, the best color combination they made. The black interior especially helps keep them from looking dirty and old.

I was thinking, that since it says it was a Diplomatic vehicle, it wouldn't be as trashed as a regular Livery car. The price even after shipping is less than half of what I can find them for.

I'd be willing to take a chance on it if I were you. That's what I think!

That is a sweet Caddy! Diplomatic Vehicle huh? I can picture the flags on it, lol! Looks more like a mob boss car. :) Where is it listed for sale?

Hey Dean,

Caddy looks pretty good. I wonder why it squats a bit in the rear. Check for bodies in the trunk. If its clean I'd be tempted to buy it myself. Keep us informed on what you do.

It sounds like a good deal, obviously it will need some cleaning up.....

Correct me if wrong, but if it is a fleet vehicle, then wouldnt it be more properly maintained, or at least fluids changed timely? That is the most important, if these cars are taken care of, they are solid. If not, well you get the idea.

All in all, looks good. Have you taken a look at my fleetwood? If not, it is the fleetwood section, under pics of 95 fleetwood, or you can go to my website!

The most common reason for a sagging butt in a Fleetwood is the springs SUCK and sag within the first 50K miles, and then the air-ride is probably inop.
As for the fleet vehicales being BETTER maintained, you might think so but most fleets are small and run the hell out of their cars. The basic train of thought is run 'em 'til they break, fix 'em cheap as possible, and get 'em back on the road. Add to that the fact that the New York area is BY FAR the worst area in the country to own a car as far as deterioration that occurs due to the weather, roads, and piss-poor drivers and you got a built-in accelorated wear testing area. Generally, cars that come from the northeast (Boston to Washington metro area), are the most deteriorated.

I was thinking, and it may look good, but not run good. I would have someone inspect it. If anything is found, I wouldnt get it. Even if that one thing isnt major, that could have a reflection on how the car was taken care of. If it sound mechanically, it is a great deal, if not, well then the shop is going too see it more often then you!!!

some fleets are immaculate about caring for the cars and othere rull the heck out of them and beat 'em because they know they won't have it too long

That is true. With that being said, stay away from all fleet vehicles. You could get lucky and get a real gem, but more likely than not you are going to get a lemon.

Originally posted by elwesso
Have you taken a look at my fleetwood? If not, it is the fleetwood section, under pics of 95 fleetwood, or you can go to my website!

I did see yours. I think on GMForums.com too?



I sent the check, and arranged for shipping today. Expected to be delivered around the 14th of March.

I made up a Sig pic from the American Racing Wheels website. I have SS wheels I want to put on it, but the tires are bald. I made it up with some Smoothies I have laying around. Gotta get rid of the stock Cad wheels ASAP.

Flames?!?!?

whats wrong with the stock caddy wheels?

Originally posted by elwesso
whats wrong with the stock caddy wheels?


They're flat on one side!......Or he doesn't like them and wants something else!......OK, I've got to lie down. working that out took all my energy!:D

Originally posted by deanstud
Flames?!?!?

Yea, flames would look cool on the black car! :D

Unless you meant you were expecting flames for replacing the stock wheels. :halo:

Originally posted by elwesso
whats wrong with the stock caddy wheels?

They are 15" and they don't look aggressive enough, at least for my tastes.

I generally like the stock wheels on Cadillacs but I've seen some nice aftermarket ones too. It's very much a personal choice!
What do you think about Ghost Flames on black? My opinion. Subtle but very cool!

that would be sweet, maybe a little reflective window tint.....

Originally posted by kcnewell
I generally like the stock wheels on Cadillacs but I've seen some nice aftermarket ones too. It's very much a personal choice!
What do you think about Ghost Flames on black? My opinion. Subtle but very cool!

Yea, it depends on the year, model and color. Personally, I think the 15" wheels that came stock on the Fleetwood are too small for the car.

I think ghost flames would look very kewl.

Originally posted by elwesso
that would be sweet, maybe a little reflective window tint.....

Now your pimpin Wess!! :p

I was thinking Flames more like this, but not so long.

http://deanstud.com/permanentpics/flamed-2.jpg


But I see what you mean about being flamed :)


I think the Brougham SP? wheels are OK, but the fleetwoods are ugly ESPECIALY without the centercaps, which this car has/hasn't.

Those look good! Is that car also flat black? I've been kicking around the flat black idea for my Fleetwood. Hmmm...

Buffed out black primer with clear coat over it is a nice look! Ever seen it?

Originally posted by kcnewell
Buffed out black primer with clear coat over it is a nice look! Ever seen it?

Yea, I've seen it and I like it. It looks very cool.

Is that how it's done? I thought they came out with actual flat automotive paint. I've seen it in other colors that primer doesn't come in. I've never inquired as to how it was accomplished.

ive never seen it......

Originally posted by elwesso
ive never seen it......

Me either :(

Originally posted by HotRodSaint
Yea, I've seen it and I like it. It looks very cool.

Is that how it's done? I thought they came out with actual flat automotive paint. I've seen it in other colors that primer doesn't come in. I've never inquired as to how it was accomplished.


Such as Purple, Red, Yellow, Blue....? These are all colors that you can get primer in! I've done some bikes in different primer colors. It's really a hot item among hot rodders out here.

Originally posted by kcnewell
Such as Purple, Red, Yellow, Blue....? These are all colors that you can get primer in! I've done some bikes in different primer colors. It's really a hot item among hot rodders out here.


Yea, I also saw a cool green on a lead sled. Kinda of like a Viper green.

I also saw a Canepa Suburban, and they had painted the lower bumpers in a matching flat paint. Thats why I thought it was flat paint.

So maybe the rodders invented it and the paint companies followed.

Either way, it looks cool.

I first saw it done well about ten years ago. I saw a Vega dragster at a car show with the most unusual paint and asked about it. The guy said he had it primered for the longest time and the primer started to shine a little bit in some spots and he got to thinking that it looked kind of cool. He just took his buffer and polished it out and it looked so cool that he figured he'd try to do a clear coat over it and that was what I was looking at! It was an odd looking blue primer that I had never seen before and that was when I started learning about different colored primers!

Could someone post some pics of what this looks like?

Yeah, I'd like to see some pictures too...

Yeah, I'd like to see some pictures too...


I'll try to find a better picture of a car, but this shows the look. This is a Dyno Cruiser web catalog photo froma few years back. They went out of business. I kept it because I own one of these cruisers.

http://images.cardomain.com/member_img_b/289000-289999/289674_9_full.jpg

That guy looks like the fella with the group Los Lobos.