New Fleetwood Owner how are they compared to Devilles and STS ect?

The LT1 engine will provide more low end power, and a steadier power throughout the band than the Northstar. The N* will provide more of a punch in the higher revs, and the change from 2500 rpms and 3500 rpms will be a very sharp change in acceleration. The Fleetwood will feel every inch of 225.1 inches, and every ounce of 4450+ lbs. The STS and Eldorado both can sometimes feel lighter and more agile than they are. The Fleetwood will never surprise you, but she'll also never let you forget she's a big girl. On speed differences, with the right gears, a Fleetwood is damn lively. The factory base 2.56 open diff is a dog, but the towing 3.42 is a great ratio for the car. I built in a 3.42 posi later. Common issues on the LT1 are the optispark, the water pump, and the bolts on the driver's side exhaust manifold. Water pump's cheap, the bolts are $8 if you catch them before they break. If not.... Well, it's not something you'd really notice. Opti's a $300-500 fix, but liveable. It's usually good for 100 to 110k. The other thing, a Fleetwood is a much older basis than the N* cars, expect less of the electronic gadgets that many new cars have. The gizmos are few, but good ones. More than that, is up to you.

The biggest difference not already mentioned is the inside electronics. You're going to get the dreadful digital dash with all that room and what do they put? a fuel gauge - which LIES to you - and a HUGE speedo - that's it other than a little trip odo and an eng/met switch which I finally figured out was an english / metric switch so you can have your speed say 155 :thumbsup:

No trip computer, no driver info center, no gauges...
Also no compass option on the mirror. I like the sales brochure for 1995 - "a compass is available on all front wheel drive 1995 Cadillacs" - WTF
No bose stereo system either, although the CD player option does come with 6 speakers and is pretty nice.
The memort system is pretty primitive too, onlt seat forweard and up / down is remembered - IF it doesn't get amnesia. no tile remembering or mirrors, etc.

The seats are GREAT though and it's quiet

True dual exhaust too, with two cats two pipes two mufflers and two huge resonaters - which make this car nice and quiet. I wish I could get my 1968 to be this quiet...

I've always thought that the last generation of Fleetwood felt more like a really really great Chevrolet than a Cadillac, but I don't know that's necessarily a bad thing.

Compared to the same-vintage Eldos and STS, the Fleetwood is a primitive car lacking in a lot of the refinements of it's bretheren. You can tell it's a rebadged Roadmaster/Caprice rather than a purpose-built highline like the Eldorado. At the same time, I think it's also a much more satisfying experience for the Cadillac owner who's inclined to wrench on their car themselves and take advantage of the vast aftermarket potential.

That LT1 has a simply *enormous* aftermarket base, the 350 SBC (Small Block Chevrolet) actually probably has more aftermarket support than any other engine on the planet. I guess the previous holder of that crown was the Ford Flathead V8, but those are prehistoric now.

Anyway, well taken care of, I think the LT1 Fleets offer the very best Cadillac ownership experience to be had at the moment. They aren't yet so old that they're all falling apart, and they're simple and easy to modify and repair. They ride VERY well and they accept a lot of parts from elsewhere in the Chevy lineup (i.e. Impala SS, Caprice Police Car, Corvette, etc...)

With the right (surprisingly affordable) modifications, you can have a car that will blow the brakes off a Northstar Caddy (other than a V) while being more reliable than arguably any one of them.

Anyway, I'm rambling, but I have a very high opinion of the cars. It's what a true Cadillac should be. Give me a monstrous but simple OHV V8 and body-on-frame construction any day of the week.

How is your car optioned? Did you get the tow package? Slicktop or Landau? Was the center console available in 1994? (I prefer without)


EDIT: HANG ON. 25,000 original miles?!?! What are you paying for it? Low-mileage LT1 Fleets are $10k++ cars on eBay.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. Yes I paid quite a bit for it. Not 10K though. I paid almost $8K but the miles are guaranteed. I think it has the landau top. It is like a carriage top/vinyl. No center console. I have always loved Cadillacs. I think I have owned 14 Caddys. I have owned many other more expensive cars and I still prefer Cadillacs. I like the way my Cadillac drives over a BMW 740il (01 model), over a BMW 750, towncars, and many more. I have always been impressed with Cadillacs. I really like N*s and never mind working on them but I am always scared of the HG leaks. So I bought a 94 4.9L Deville. It is a great car. I service it regularly and it has been unbelieveably reliable. I love the way it drives. It drives like a car half its size. Has good power to and is very smooth. I hope the fleetwood will drive and handle as nice as my Deville. I have been looking at fleetwoods off and on for a few years. I had wanted to get one but just had to find the 1 in a million one. I have driven a few roadmasters but never owned one. I liked the way it drove. It did have a lot of body roll but it felt smooth. I can't wait til it arrives.