I was cruising through town today and saw 2 "golden oldies" Cadillacs for sale. Obviously, I don't own them, but thought it might be a good thing to share the news with you guys/gals. I think I've seen threads locked or moved for trying to sell stuff on this forum, but since neither vehicle is mine, I am not sure where to post... One is an '88 Fleetwood Brougham D'Elegance, the other an '84 Eldorado Biarritz convertible. I have info on both. If a moderator would "tell me where to go" so to speak, I'd be happy to give more details. I go to drive the Brougham today at 4 pm Central time.

JRau in central Iowa

just share the news in the proper forum for the cars! sound like cool old rides

Great! Thanks, Urby!

The '88 Fleetwood Brougham D'Elegance is a dark grey metallic with a black vinyl roof. Interior is also grey, and it's velour, for those of you who prefer that over the leather. Interior has no visible cracks in any plastic, or on the dash, etc. Just normal wear on the drivers seat. No rust on the exterior, although the paint has oxidized a bit and there are a few minor dings/dents/chips. Part of the grille is loose--it's all there, just must have a couple bolts missing, as it just flaps around. One high beam headlight is cracked, and the cornering lamps are frosted over real bad. It has the 5.0 L engine with 150,000 some odd miles on it. The lady said it has had about $600 worth of engine work done on it (not sure what--I'll ask) and it has new battery and brakes all around. The tires are in decent shape with good tread left. It has the locking wire wheel covers, and they appear to be in good shape. She did say it uses a fair amount of antifreeze--for those who know what that means, there you go...

I'm gonna go drive it this afternoon. She's askin' $1800, but wants to unload it, as she has a new car. I'm gonna try and sell her on my detailing services to try to clean it up. I think it has pretty good potential to look nice.

I'll post results of my drive later. I'll take pics, but since I'm not a supporting member yet, I don't want to waste my mb on someone else's car. Maybe I can upload to Photobucket... PM me if you are interested in the car. Oh, it's in Newton, Iowa, 35 miles due east of Des Moines on Rt. 80.

JRau in central Iowa

Sounds nice, I love black and grey. you should put the pics on photobucket and post them.

Sounds nice, I love black and grey. you should put the pics on photobucket and post them.

Yea, I will tomorrow. The car is dirty, so the pics won't be that great. I wasn't quite able to sell her on my detailing--I think she just wants out of it.

Anyway, I drove it. It has some exhaust pipe issues--she's a bit loud for a Caddy of her stature. Has some relatively minor mechanical issues, but most everything works fine--power seats, Twilight Sentinal, Automatic temp controls, stereo/tape, door locks. The trunk won't open from the inside, but the pulldown feature works. I did forget to try the windows though. Wipers need replaced, and she's put on a new wiper motor recently. Couldn't get the washer fluid to shoot up on the windshield either. 4 note horn sounds like it's missing a note or two.

Driving it: Seems like drivetrain is ok, some sluggishness in the acceleration department above and beyond what is typical in the 5.0 L. Probably could use some filter changes or spark plugs. Steering pulls very slightly to the right.

Overall impression: Has alot of potential. Someone who likes these will have a pretty decent automobile for the money, imo.

JRau in central Iowa

Benzilla,

I see your Brougham everyday now on my screensaver--looks real nice. Where do you get those Cadillac crest license plates on the front of that thing? Doesn't Tennessee require 2 plates?

Benzilla,

How coincidental is this!!! We joined CadillacOwners.com exactly one year apart, on October 8th! Haha.

I'm gonna try to give you rep points for that, if it will let me. I think I gave you some good rep earlier today...

JRau in central Iowa

That's cool, I'd give you points, but it says I have to spread some around before I give back to you lol.

Thanks for putting my Brougham on your screen saver, it's an honor. I bought the front plate off eBay of all places. Tennessee only requires a rear one, I'd kinda be screwed if they wanted both because my '83 doesn't have a front mount. You've seen my other Caddys right?

So how does the 307 compare to the 305?

So how does the 307 compare to the 305?

140 HP to 170 HP I believe. 305 has quite a bit more pep I'd imagine.

Yes, but I wonder if the extra 30hp really feels like 30 more hp considering the weight of the car.

Yes, but I wonder if the extra 30hp really feels like 30 more hp considering the weight of the car.

I'd say it does. My '92 at 185 hp is only 45 more hp and it's WORLDS different than the 307 at 140 hp I used to drive.

Yeah, but theres a lot more torque there too, along with different gearing. The 307 and 305 both make 255 lb/ft of torque, the 350 in your '92 makes 300 lb/ft.

Yeah, but theres a lot more torque there too, along with different gearing. The 307 and 305 both make 255 lb/ft of torque, the 350 in your '92 makes 300 lb/ft.

Yeah, that's what really throws you into the seat. I'd love to put the tranny from my '87 Brougham into a car with the 5.7. Not sufre how easy that would be.

The 307 has the 700R4..a rather weak tranny. The 350 has either the 4L60-E or the THM400...damn, now I can't remember. Either way, the 350 would tear the 700R4 apart like Ron Jeremy thru a 16 year old virgin.

The 307 has the 700R4..a rather weak tranny. The 350 has either the 4L60-E or the THM400...damn, now I can't remember. Either way, the 350 would tear the 700R4 apart like Ron Jeremy thru a 16 year old virgin.

The 350 has a 4L60 not a 4L60E. And thats the same as the 700 one.

The 350 has a 4L60 not a 4L60E. And thats the same as the 700 one.

So I could swap them easily and not have many issues?

btw 307s have 200-4r transmissions:)

Oh, well, I was hopin' a few of you might have been interested in this '88 FWB. I think the lady wants to unload it, and I was hoping it would go to a Cadillac afficianado. Probably you have plenty in your own cities, and it's a bit far for a $1800 car. I told her I'd at least try...

JRau in central Iowa

If my space wasn't already full I'd be really interested, I love that color combo. Maybe more people would take interest if you posted some pictures?

Ahhh gotcha! 4L60/700R4=good, 200R4= Bad.

I don't know that I would call a 700r4 or 4l60 good, but certainly better than a 200-4r. 4L80e is where it's at for an OD, too bad they didn't use them in these cars.

If my space wasn't already full I'd be really interested, I love that color combo. Maybe more people would take interest if you posted some pictures?

Yeah, I'll try to get out there today. I will upload to Photobucket so I don't use up what little photo space I have left, especially since I haven't become a supporting member yet. I'm close to my max!

JRau in central Iowa

I don't know that I would call a 700r4 or 4l60 good, but certainly better than a 200-4r. 4L80e is where it's at for an OD, too bad they didn't use them in these cars.

Exactly. The 4L80-E is the best of the bunch, but they never offered that in any of the B or D bodies. The best they ever had was the 4L60-E or the THM400 back in the '70s, as far as durability goes.

Not bad, but not as strong in stock form. It's actually "700-R4" and "200-4R" I'm not sure why they switched the R and the 4, but the 200-4R has slightly different ratios than the 700-R4 does. The 700 is stronger, but 200's can be built up to take massive power as well.

Not bad, but not as strong in stock form. It's actually "700-R4" and "200-4R" I'm not sure why they switched the R and the 4, but the 200-4R has slightly different ratios than the 700-R4 does. The 700 is stronger, but 200's can be built up to take massive power as well.

I had my 200-4R rebuilt. Might they have done anything different? I did notice a different feel, and possibly more oomph after it was rebuilt.

The 4L80 is a heavy SOB. In a light enough car (not a Cadillac, motor swap) I'd try to use a built 4L60. They can be made to handle a suprising amount of power, and came behind some pretty quick cars stock.

As far as the 200-4R, you can make those handle a decent amount of power too. Take a look at any built Grand National for an example.

That said, how did everybody start talking about transmissions??

I know... I think it's funny! Here I'm thinkin' I'm getting a bite on this lady's car, and the new post is all about transmissions. I know NOTHING about trannys, I'm as unmechanical as it gets. Nevertheless, I'm cool with it. I'm learning things.

JRau in central Iowa

I know... I think it's funny! Here I'm thinkin' I'm getting a bite on this lady's car, and the new post is all about transmissions. I know NOTHING about trannys, I'm as unmechanical as it gets. Nevertheless, I'm cool with it. I'm learning things.

JRau in central Iowa

My apologies, I hijackd the thread. First it was comparing engines, and then trannies. I'll :thehand: now.

My apologies, I hijackd the thread. First it was comparing engines, and then trannies. I'll :thehand: now.

It's ok, dude! Really it is... :)

On another note, the lady did get back to me. She's very willing to negotiate on the $1800 price tag just to unload the car. I still haven't had time to go take pics of this thing, as I've been too busy at work. By the time I'm off work, the sun is down--(winter's coming-geesh, in December, we lose the sun at 4:30 pm!). I think I have more time today, but she doesn't want to invest in my detailing to get a better price, so the car has lots of dust on the outside from sitting in this parking lot...

I'm not getting any commissions or anything, I'd just love to see this thing go to someone who cares about Cadillacs. I'd buy it myself, but as I've said before, I'm not mechanical, and I just don't want to spend my money on another car when I have other financial priorities right now.

JRau in central Iowa