Okay, help me figure this out. I have been looking at the Allante regional clubs, and many have specific scenic drives or runs on a track where members bring their Allantes to participate. I think all that is great, but in my search for an Allante, every person (owner/dealer) I met stressed the importance of keeping the miles low on these cars, occasional use only (not a daily driver by any means). So, what do you guys think? How do you use your Allante? What would be considered acceptable mileage? Is it something you consider when you drive your car -- or not? Thanks! (Newbie, of course)
Drive an Allante or Keep it Low Mileage?
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It really depends on the person, my 1993 is a 'weekend driver' but my buddy uses his ,93 as a 'daily driver' and he loves it! I've got 29K miles on mine and he is up to 117K miles on his Allante and the car runs absolutely great! So, it really all depends on your needs! 
Peace,
Chief
Peace,
Chief
Cars were meant to be driven.
That being said, since buying my Allante about a year ago, I've only put about 1,000 miles on it. I wouldn't advocate the use of an Allante as a daily driver, but I don't think it should be mothballed up and hidden from sight. When it's a sunny day, I try to take a drive (even if only a few miles) just to keep the fluids circulating.
Most collector car insurance only covers a certain amount of mileage per year. I know J.C. Taylor's limit is 2,500 miles; other collector car insurances are probably comparable.
I suspect those people urging you to keep your car low mileage might be more concerned about its value come resale; a low mileage car will almost always be more valuable than its high mileage counterpart.
With all that said, it is your car, not anyone else's. Drive it as you see fit.
That being said, since buying my Allante about a year ago, I've only put about 1,000 miles on it. I wouldn't advocate the use of an Allante as a daily driver, but I don't think it should be mothballed up and hidden from sight. When it's a sunny day, I try to take a drive (even if only a few miles) just to keep the fluids circulating.
Most collector car insurance only covers a certain amount of mileage per year. I know J.C. Taylor's limit is 2,500 miles; other collector car insurances are probably comparable.
I suspect those people urging you to keep your car low mileage might be more concerned about its value come resale; a low mileage car will almost always be more valuable than its high mileage counterpart.
With all that said, it is your car, not anyone else's. Drive it as you see fit.
If you bought it to sell in 2 years then dont drive it! If you bought it and plan to enjoy it, drive it. I first bought an 88 with 40,000 miles, and was reluctant to drive it because of the miles and potential road rash. I sold it 2 years later and bought a 91 with 130,000 miles. Drove it everday and rarely had any issues. The problem with low mileage Allantes is frequent electrical issues because of lack of use. So, decide if you bought it as an investment which right now is not a viable question, or you bought it to truly enjoy this great driving car.
I bought my 88 last fall and it has 122k. That works out on average to 6k per year...That's not much road action when you look at it on those terms. My Allante had a rough past and I am enjoying putting it back into decent shape. I plan on driving it every chance i get on the weekend. It's a great beach car...
The cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed. I hope I live long enough for them to go up in value, but I do not think I will live to be 200! my 93 Montana blue has 167,000 it looks and runs like new, strict maintenence is the key to any car lasting. People tend to look at mileage and not the condition of the car. a 50,000 mile car from upstate new york exposed to snow and salt is much worse than a 100,000 mile car from palm springs calif. in my humble opinion.
You'll find that most of the Allante Gurus say these cars NEED to be driven.. my 88, although not a daily driver, is driven alot a few times a week usually and it has just under 200k on it ( engine and tranny rebuild right around 170) and everything works perfect and it looks damn good IMHO... (Ok, one of my visors does droop and requires the chip clip to keep up, and the turn signal chime works intermittenly, to me that's a good thing because I think it sounds annoying) but othrwise everything works. Most folks in the know seem to think the value is gonna stay pretty low on these cars for the next several years, so you should buy it cause you always wanted one and drive while you can.
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Truly beautiful, excellent example of a car that has been enjoyed, and maintained. Also the motor and trans. are the least of an Allante owners concern. if you can keep everything else in order and drive your car, properly maintained there is no reason your car will not look just as good at 300,000 miles.
I thoroughly agree with you Mike, even though I am 100% guilty of not driving mine as often as I should. I really enjoy the hell out of it when I do, but it's just not nearly often enough. But I regularly change the fluids and keep up all the maintenance up on it, and drive it intermittently to charge the battery. Every year I always say I'm going to do better!
Chief
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Chief
I am a New Owner of a 1992 Allante`, I've wanted one since their introduction... computer problems helped me lose a Low milage '91... I still found a 99k '92... checked it completely out and have very minor stuffz to do t it... so much was already done as well... I am replacing a '77 Vette Coupe with 74k all original with it... I'm a Blues Vocalist and some of my shows don't require me to bring PA, so I cruise... needed a trunk and Now I Got One... and a Lovely ride to boot... plan to sell the Vette and sink all the money into the Allante` and drive her everywhere ~ everytime I can... I'm looking for a Phase 2 Top, black or Red, but will take what I find and paint it Black... car is Red... have what I've been told is an unusual Chrome wheel... would like to replace one and can't find any reference anywhere for a match...any idea's..? if not may go to an after model market style... any suggestions..? Anyway, Pleased to own her now and hope to enjoy her for the duration... then leave her behind for my son to decide... I want my Carbon Foot Print to be a Two Tone WAng Tipped Shoe, so I enjoy the V-8 and the Cadillac ride...
Happy New Year, Motoring and Adieu
Rj
Happy New Year, Motoring and Adieu
Rj
Welcome to the ride of your life (and maybe wallet) :welcome: It would be great to see some pictures! In regards to your chrome wheels, the only year to offer chrome was 93, so if you have chrome wheels they are from another Cadillac, after market, or a 93 Allante.
You will find a lot of great information in the forum to help keep the car running and maintained for the hand-off to your son.
What is the sense of owning it, if you do not drive it? These cars cry out to be driven. That does not mean everyday, day-in and day-out. I sure would not be driving it in winter weather.
As for value, these cars are able to be bought for next-to-nothing, in comparison to the MSRP at the time. It will take decades and decades for the price to rise. That being so, the increase in value by keeping it low mileage is not great.
Drive it, and enjoy it!
As for value, these cars are able to be bought for next-to-nothing, in comparison to the MSRP at the time. It will take decades and decades for the price to rise. That being so, the increase in value by keeping it low mileage is not great.
Drive it, and enjoy it!
RJ... Welcome!!! We are a very visual group, please post some pix of your new baby. We can also determine what kind of chrome wheels you have on it. You are really going to enjoy this automabile, I owned three Corvettes and I love my Allante better than all three of them put together.
Chief
Chief
Chief,
I came across your post recommending an Endurance Braille battery that you installed on your 1993 Allante-Northstar.
Could not locate the post now (it was also dated jan. 06, 2010).
Can you identify the part/battery number that you installed.
I'm in need of the same remedy...
Steve
moderator edit: Chief hasn't logged on in almost 8 years so not likely he'll see your question =1969byrdman
I came across your post recommending an Endurance Braille battery that you installed on your 1993 Allante-Northstar.
Could not locate the post now (it was also dated jan. 06, 2010).
Can you identify the part/battery number that you installed.
I'm in need of the same remedy...
Steve
moderator edit: Chief hasn't logged on in almost 8 years so not likely he'll see your question =1969byrdman
Good to know.....
I had the Endurance Braille Battery installed in my '93 Allante.
Part No is BA B6034 An additional part is needed to side mount the terminals Part No BA 201.
My Cadillac dealership did the install..... went smoothly.
Steve
I had the Endurance Braille Battery installed in my '93 Allante.
Part No is BA B6034 An additional part is needed to side mount the terminals Part No BA 201.
My Cadillac dealership did the install..... went smoothly.
Steve
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