Well, I'll be honest, I didn't deserve a Cadillac for my first ride at 16, and I'm not sure if I do even now. I had to learn everything about vehicles from my '85 Parisienne. I don't think I would have respected the Caddy enough at 16 yet. But an '81 coupe sounds bad-ass!
Peer pressure needed......
Hi..
This is my first post in this forum although I have been lurking awhile doing research on a 1981 coupe deville we are considering for our 18 year old son. (first car of his own).
368 / 864, new paint, good interior, good driver, most everything works,
150,000 kms, new tires, runs excellent.
I'm pretty much sold and like the 468 system for it's simplicity and the ability to simply disconnect it if it gives trouble; also i like the idea of the bulletproofness of the caddy big blocks. I am a fan of late seventies / early eighties simplicity and ruggedness.
My boy is sold just because of the cool factor, the size and the fact that it's "pimpin' ".
His mom is ambivilent simply stating it's nice to drive albeit "huge".
The grandfather wants to pitch in on a car for my son but does NOT like this car simply because as he puts it; "its too much car for the boy". He thinks that it is simply too old and is trying to steer us into something alongthe lines of a '93 crown vic, or a '95 lumina. I'm not a big fan of either of these rides.
I realize in the end it is our decision but hate like hell to end up on the "I told you so" end of the stick.
We are a mechanically inclined lot and I understand the engine and the variable displacement. I am not intimidated by it and like the idea even if it is a little finicky.
Anyway i would like to see what a few here think of a boat like this as a semi-new driver's first car. Any opinions?
I remember my first rides and know that this car will be something the boy remembers for most of his life. I'd like it to be a pleasant memory. He's anticipating some memory generation already..."the back seat is HUGE!!":lildevil:
Well....any and all opinions of the car and / or the situation would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bob
This is my first post in this forum although I have been lurking awhile doing research on a 1981 coupe deville we are considering for our 18 year old son. (first car of his own).
368 / 864, new paint, good interior, good driver, most everything works,
150,000 kms, new tires, runs excellent.
I'm pretty much sold and like the 468 system for it's simplicity and the ability to simply disconnect it if it gives trouble; also i like the idea of the bulletproofness of the caddy big blocks. I am a fan of late seventies / early eighties simplicity and ruggedness.
My boy is sold just because of the cool factor, the size and the fact that it's "pimpin' ".
His mom is ambivilent simply stating it's nice to drive albeit "huge".
The grandfather wants to pitch in on a car for my son but does NOT like this car simply because as he puts it; "its too much car for the boy". He thinks that it is simply too old and is trying to steer us into something alongthe lines of a '93 crown vic, or a '95 lumina. I'm not a big fan of either of these rides.
I realize in the end it is our decision but hate like hell to end up on the "I told you so" end of the stick.
We are a mechanically inclined lot and I understand the engine and the variable displacement. I am not intimidated by it and like the idea even if it is a little finicky.
Anyway i would like to see what a few here think of a boat like this as a semi-new driver's first car. Any opinions?
I remember my first rides and know that this car will be something the boy remembers for most of his life. I'd like it to be a pleasant memory. He's anticipating some memory generation already..."the back seat is HUGE!!":lildevil:
Well....any and all opinions of the car and / or the situation would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bob
1 - 20 of 33 Posts
My first ride was a 1976 Delta 88 Royale. 350, 2.73's, that bright green with white vinyl top. White interior too!
And big? longer wheelbase and overall length than my 94 Fleetwood!! Yeah baby! (then again, in 1976 Cadillac dwarfed my Olds anyway....)
Yup, I wasn't ready for a Cadillac yet, that I know. Drove a friend's dad's 78 Eldo T-Top car w/425 EFI. Nice ride!
And big? longer wheelbase and overall length than my 94 Fleetwood!! Yeah baby! (then again, in 1976 Cadillac dwarfed my Olds anyway....)
Yup, I wasn't ready for a Cadillac yet, that I know. Drove a friend's dad's 78 Eldo T-Top car w/425 EFI. Nice ride!
Well I'm 17 and my first car was a '84 Ford LTD which I still drive regularly, and my second car is a '70 Sedan Deville, which I drive in the summer. As long as hes been driving for at least a year to work out all the speed and thrill of being able to drive, (I guess that depends on the person; it took me about a year though, I drive slower and slower everytime I go anywhere now because I get scared by what I see dumb people do around me 
) then I don't see the problem. That 368 won't provide so much power that he'll run into a power pole, and its more of a cruising car anyway. Just don't be surprised if he does plant a dent somewhere on that car by accident, I know I did... luckily on my LTD and not the Caddy. One thing to consider, I don't know what its like up there in the Yukon because I've never been, but a somewhat torquey RWD sedan is not always the best match for winter roads, especially if theyre anything like I would think they would be way up north there. All that aside, I'm sure he'll be very happy to have such a car so young, I loved getting my Caddy, I don't ever plan to sell it.
) then I don't see the problem. That 368 won't provide so much power that he'll run into a power pole, and its more of a cruising car anyway. Just don't be surprised if he does plant a dent somewhere on that car by accident, I know I did... luckily on my LTD and not the Caddy. One thing to consider, I don't know what its like up there in the Yukon because I've never been, but a somewhat torquey RWD sedan is not always the best match for winter roads, especially if theyre anything like I would think they would be way up north there. All that aside, I'm sure he'll be very happy to have such a car so young, I loved getting my Caddy, I don't ever plan to sell it.While I would agree that the car is nice, I'd shy away from it for a kid for a couple basic reasons:
1. Poor fuel mileage.
2. Lack of available parts
3. Lack of any modern safety systems like SIR
Besides, if that car is in as nice a shape as the mileage would point to, I'd think an adult might like it for a nice "project" car.
1. Poor fuel mileage.
2. Lack of available parts
3. Lack of any modern safety systems like SIR
Besides, if that car is in as nice a shape as the mileage would point to, I'd think an adult might like it for a nice "project" car.
There'll never be any "I told you so" comments. He's going to love Caddies for the rest of his life if you get him the Coupe Deville. But you already knew that. My first car was a hand-me-down 1987 Cadillac Brougham from my dad and I won't drive anything but Caddies now. I was 20 and took very good care of her until it was vandalized recently. But I'm going to replace her with a very nice Brougham.yukondeville said:I realize in the end it is our decision but hate like hell to end up on the "I told you so" end of the stick.
Hello!
I say what the heck - - do it! It is an old car, you already seem to have the enthusiasm and fascination for it and the son sounds pretty turned on about it! Plus, I'm guessing the purchase price is not a zillion dollars so it probably will be a lot of flash for not alot of cash! Why not?!
I have a 1981 Fleetwood Brougham Coupe and recently had a ton of work done and mechanics can figure out the car, especially with the factory service manual, and there was no problem finding parts from either the local parts store or, in a couple of cases, from Cadillac.
Let us know what happens!
Good luck!
Dave
I say what the heck - - do it! It is an old car, you already seem to have the enthusiasm and fascination for it and the son sounds pretty turned on about it! Plus, I'm guessing the purchase price is not a zillion dollars so it probably will be a lot of flash for not alot of cash! Why not?!
I have a 1981 Fleetwood Brougham Coupe and recently had a ton of work done and mechanics can figure out the car, especially with the factory service manual, and there was no problem finding parts from either the local parts store or, in a couple of cases, from Cadillac.
Let us know what happens!
Good luck!
Dave
You got your first car at age 20? I guess you could do worse than a 4-5 year old Cadillac huh? Nice dad, would he adopt me?caddieboy said:There'll never be any "I told you so" comments. He's going to love Caddies for the rest of his life if you get him the Coupe Deville. But you already knew that. My first car was a hand-me-down 1987 Cadillac Brougham from my dad and I won't drive anything but Caddies now. I was 20 and took very good care of her until it was vandalized recently. But I'm going to replace her with a very nice Brougham.
YukonDeville, get it!
My first car was (back in 1974) a 61 Jaguar E-Type gien to me by my dad, it was a big car for me handle, but it made me learn how to love cars!
My first car was (back in 1974) a 61 Jaguar E-Type gien to me by my dad, it was a big car for me handle, but it made me learn how to love cars!
Hmm. Personally I would wait until the second car for the Cadillac.
I am not much of a car techie, but I learned to treat (and the consequences of not treating) a car right on my first car, and I think it would be ashame to have those negative consequences (accidents, lack of attention to maintanence, lack of attention to tires, etc) play themselves out on an old Cadillac. I started on an '87 Ford LTD Crown Victoria with 160K at age 17.5, drove it to 192K at age 21. I liked that car a lot but I have been much kinder and much more responsible with my FWB because a)it's a Cadillac and b)I learned a lot of lessons from mistakes made with the Crown Vic.
What if he gets in a costly accident? While that obviously could happen to anyone, it would be ashame if it happened on the first car and the first car was so nice.
That said, I still think you should get him a big boat but just not something as elegant (and therefore upsetting to see damaged) as a nice old Cadillac.
I am not much of a car techie, but I learned to treat (and the consequences of not treating) a car right on my first car, and I think it would be ashame to have those negative consequences (accidents, lack of attention to maintanence, lack of attention to tires, etc) play themselves out on an old Cadillac. I started on an '87 Ford LTD Crown Victoria with 160K at age 17.5, drove it to 192K at age 21. I liked that car a lot but I have been much kinder and much more responsible with my FWB because a)it's a Cadillac and b)I learned a lot of lessons from mistakes made with the Crown Vic.
What if he gets in a costly accident? While that obviously could happen to anyone, it would be ashame if it happened on the first car and the first car was so nice.
That said, I still think you should get him a big boat but just not something as elegant (and therefore upsetting to see damaged) as a nice old Cadillac.
Hello!
We have a Dad who is excited about buying this car and keeping it up well. We have a Kid who is loving the thought of having such a neat car. What better combination of people could a 150k mile 1981 car ever have as owners?! Buy it, enjoy it, and be well with your decision!
Dave
We have a Dad who is excited about buying this car and keeping it up well. We have a Kid who is loving the thought of having such a neat car. What better combination of people could a 150k mile 1981 car ever have as owners?! Buy it, enjoy it, and be well with your decision!
Dave
Excellent responses....
If it were totally up to me and my son it would be in the driveway right now; that being said it's obvious that we are trying to reach a compromise with my father in law (which is tough). He wants to help my son pay for whatever he buys but in reality that means he has to approve.
Myself I can still appreciate the "coolness" factor that is so important when you are young. Doesn't have to be the hottest or the fastest; just knowing that there are only a couple running around town makes it cool.
The winters up here are a factor but he is also looking at a couple of pickups which handle like crap with no load; traction in the caddy would be addequate compared to an empty pickup.
Mileage is a problem but the 8-6-4 may help somewhat there provided it's working. We are also looking at a '92 bronco eddie bauer that's in great shape but also gets pretty bad mileage.
My son has saved up pretty near the price of the caddy on his own (3000 for the cad) and with his grandpa is looking around the 5000 neck of the woods.
Kind of funny that for me I would rather take the caddy for 3000 than the other choices for 5000 even though the 2000 difference is a gift.
Anyway....thanks for the input and I'll come a crowin' if we grab the cat.
If it were totally up to me and my son it would be in the driveway right now; that being said it's obvious that we are trying to reach a compromise with my father in law (which is tough). He wants to help my son pay for whatever he buys but in reality that means he has to approve.
Myself I can still appreciate the "coolness" factor that is so important when you are young. Doesn't have to be the hottest or the fastest; just knowing that there are only a couple running around town makes it cool.
The winters up here are a factor but he is also looking at a couple of pickups which handle like crap with no load; traction in the caddy would be addequate compared to an empty pickup.
Mileage is a problem but the 8-6-4 may help somewhat there provided it's working. We are also looking at a '92 bronco eddie bauer that's in great shape but also gets pretty bad mileage.
My son has saved up pretty near the price of the caddy on his own (3000 for the cad) and with his grandpa is looking around the 5000 neck of the woods.
Kind of funny that for me I would rather take the caddy for 3000 than the other choices for 5000 even though the 2000 difference is a gift.
Anyway....thanks for the input and I'll come a crowin' if we grab the cat.
Personally, I'd suggest something with an airbag. The more metal around them is good old-school thought but it's just not enough, especially when airbags are so plentiful these days. I'll take a big RWD (read full-frame) with an airbag.
SCREW GRAMPA! Obviously the old man has no taste...
The kid wants it, you want it, mom seems okay with it... so get it.
The kid wants it, you want it, mom seems okay with it... so get it.
Sorry to hear that your Brougham was vandalized. But I was in your situation when I was 17, hand me down 85 Fleetwood Brougham from my dad, and every since I have been set on Caddys. But at that age I already liked the big body Caddys so I didn't have a problem driving the car. All my friends thought I was a pimp or something and always wanted to go for a ride in my car.caddieboy said:There'll never be any "I told you so" comments. He's going to love Caddies for the rest of his life if you get him the Coupe Deville. But you already knew that. My first car was a hand-me-down 1987 Cadillac Brougham from my dad and I won't drive anything but Caddies now. I was 20 and took very good care of her until it was vandalized recently. But I'm going to replace her with a very nice Brougham.
Solution: 94-96 Fleetwood rwd, ABS, airbags, full size sedan, traction control, steel frame, LT-1 350, only pitfuls known are the opti and tranny, but if they have been replaced your fine, they are wear items. You can get them cheap, even cooler.
yukondeville said:Hi..
This is my first post in this forum although I have been lurking awhile doing research on a 1981 coupe deville we are considering for our 18 year old son. (first car of his own).
Bob
Hi!
Get the '81. How many B I G coupes are around any more?! It's a classic Cadillac and the ultimate pimpmobile! To my eye, the mid-90's less distinctive models are not as timeless. You can either play tennis on the long hood of the '81 or the long dash of the '93+. You decide.
Have fun!
Dave
Get the '81. How many B I G coupes are around any more?! It's a classic Cadillac and the ultimate pimpmobile! To my eye, the mid-90's less distinctive models are not as timeless. You can either play tennis on the long hood of the '81 or the long dash of the '93+. You decide.
Have fun!
Dave
Yeah get the '81!!!
My first car was a '95 Buick Roadmaster with the 350LT1, a car almost as massive as the '81 CDV, but much more powerful. The only times I got near an accident is when it was raining out, and I would give it too much throttle around the corners just for fun, and the rear end would sway around and I almost slid it once. :/
If you can drive a RWD car with a lot of torque around in deep snow, you can pretty much drive anything is what I always felt.
My first car was a '95 Buick Roadmaster with the 350LT1, a car almost as massive as the '81 CDV, but much more powerful. The only times I got near an accident is when it was raining out, and I would give it too much throttle around the corners just for fun, and the rear end would sway around and I almost slid it once. :/
If you can drive a RWD car with a lot of torque around in deep snow, you can pretty much drive anything is what I always felt.
He was a great dad, that's for sure. He bought the Fleetwood because it was owned by a man who was so anal and kept the car in amazing shape. Evidenced by the shape it's still in. When he got it, he gave me a choice between the car he just got or the car we already had. I didn't much care for the Fleetwood and still don't like it very much. And the Brougham is in really bad shape since it was vandalized. *sigh* Time for a new Caddie!!! Brougham all the way!Katshot said:You got your first car at age 20? I guess you could do worse than a 4-5 year old Cadillac huh? Nice dad, would he adopt me?
All my friends lived the ride and it was great when I was younger. I was driving Caddies from the age of 16, and it was great to be able to pack so many friends into the car. We managed 10 kids once. 4 in the front and 6 in the back. It was just a short trip a few blocks, but still. Other than that I managed 8 easy, 3 in the front and 5 in the back. When I was apassenger in my friends 5.0 Mustang that felt every pebble in the road, it turned me off to sports cars. I was raised in luxury. When I was a little kid it was 70s Buick Electras and then a 79 Caddie (the first car I ever drove).AElayyat said:Sorry to hear that your Brougham was vandalized. But I was in your situation when I was 17, hand me down 85 Fleetwood Brougham from my dad, and every since I have been set on Caddys. But at that age I already liked the big body Caddys so I didn't have a problem driving the car. All my friends thought I was a pimp or something and always wanted to go for a ride in my car.
It's just as well the 87 Brougham was vandalized. I needed something with more power and a little more my style (white leather interior).
1 - 20 of 33 Posts
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