Just saying hello

Librarian · #1 (**permalink**) 01-02-03, 01:51 AM

I found out about this site on the GM Cad forum. I thought I'd try it out. I live in a small town in S. E. Ohio. I retired from education as of July 1, 2002 after 30 years at the same High School. Both my wife and I love cads. We started with a '94 Eldo and then traded that one for a 97 Deville, which we still have. Summer before last we also bought an old 81 Eldo with the 8/6/4 motor in it. We had to put a tranny in it, but we got a good used one for the princely sum of 100.00. It cost 400.00 to put it in though, but it has been excellent for the last 15k and is still going strong. We have had some brake work done on the old eldo, but it hasn't been too expensive. The motor itself is running like a champ at 136k. I would love to keep it, but the day after Christmas, we bought a 90 Brougham 5.0 with 62K miles on it in excellent condition, so the Eldo will have to go. Besides the cads, we have 2 4x4 pickups, a Goldwing, and ATV and a boat. I hope to see some activity on this Forum. I especially would love to hear from other Brougham owners. I've always wanted one and now I have realized a dream.

BeelzeBob · #2 (**permalink**) 01-02-03, 01:57 AM

Hi Librarian! Thanks for signing up! Retired, huh? Lucky!! Oh, you have a 4/6/8? It's doing good for you? I used to hear a lot of bad things about that engine.. The concept was really cool, though.. How is it on gas? Those old Eldorados will always be good-looking cars. I had a couple and loved them both. So comfortable! Congratulations on the new purchase.. I see you're definitely a fan of Cadillacs.. I'll be on my 5th at some point this year... An '01 or '02 STS if everything works out right...

Librarian · #3 (**permalink**) 01-02-03, 02:34 AM

Yeah, I heard a lot of bad things about 8/6/4's too. I knew I was taking a chance on the car when I bought it, but I got it for 750.. and even with the transmission change, I still don't have a fortune in it. So far, the 8/6/4 system has given no trouble at all. It is pretty cool to have much of the same information we take for granted in 90's and later cads all the way back in an 81. I get avg and inst. mpg, travel range, and a readout on whether the engine is in 8, 6, or 4 cyl. mode. The body on the eldo is fairly solid overall, but there is some rust here and there. No perforation yet though. As for gas mileage, I can get about 22 mpg on the highway and that drops to about 20 overall. Not bad for an old 368 c.i. motor. I add a quart of olil about every 2K miles. I love to drive the car. The leather pillow top seats are extremely comfortable. When I bought it, I got complete service records with it going back more than 10 years. It belonged to a guy whose kids had been my students years before. He got it when his mother died. He had bought another vehicle and needed to sell it. He got a little misty eyed aobut it when we got in it to drive it away. As I said in my first post, I'd love to keep it, but we just can't afford the insurance on 5 road vehicles. Besides, a young girl who works for my wife at a local company is in need of a decent car. She is a single mom with 3 kids. We're letting her have it for considerably less than it is worth and we've made it clear that although it is a good car, anything can happen to an automobile that is over 20 years old. She will be taking it when her income tax return check arrives.

We will probably eventually sell the Deville too. Not because we don't like it, but we were able to do a cash deal on the Brougham and it has 10 K less miles on it than the Deville. No car payments at all is our goal.

I guess I have a thing for the older cads. Some day, if I can find a nice one, I'll pick up a big block cad, maybe even a 500 eldo. I know they are gas hogs but I have no doubt it is fun to drop the hammer on one once in a while.

BeelzeBob · #4 (**permalink**) 01-02-03, 02:43 AM

Yes, those pillow top seats! I want them back!!

I had a 368 v8 on my '79.. The car moved.. But a 500?! I can't imagine how powerful that must be. Sure, it takes gas - but doesn't everything that's got power? I know where you're coming from regarding payments.. Bills, bills, bills.. How many of us would live rich without bills? I'm trying to accomplish this now - no credit card bills.. With my regular salary from my job, I could live like a rich man without unnecessary bills...