[bbshriver]

Hi All,
I'm not new here, but haven't been around for a while. I had a 2005 STS that got swapped for a 2012 Chrysler 300C, and now I'm pondering (not sure how serious yet) selling that and looking for a Fleetwood.
I've loved the 93-96 Fleetwood since they were new (I was a young child) and always hoped to own one someday, but when I've had the opportunity got lured in by more modern cars with warranty and features... at the cost of having a car loan.

Unfortunately since these cars are 20 years old now I'm struggling to find real solid information... what options were there, how do you identify what has certain options or not, what are the common fault areas etc and so on. I did not do that research before buying my STS and always regretted it.

I'd miss lots of what my 300 has, like cooled seats and adaptive cruise control, but I'd enjoy having a car that I assume is simpler to maintain, roomier, and of course no car payment. Interestingly according to EPA I'd save about $200/year on gas too because the 300 requires mid-grade. And I've just always loved Cadillac!

So fire away!

 

[1995 Fleetwood Guy]

'96 added OBDII, which while it's a great thing in term of diagnostics, also complicates emissions stuff.

That's the main reason I bought my '95.

 

[bbshriver]

Yes, that's one thing I'm aware of.. 95 has been my preferred year, as I believed there were some improvements over 94, and no OBDII which means no emissions inspection here in NC.

 

[silverfox103]

I've owned five LT1 cars. The first two were daily drivers, the last three are not; I presently have a Roadmaster wagon, Caprice wagon and a 96 Fleetwood with 67K. These cars are 20+ years old. True, they are dependable, but not daily driver dependable. If it is going to be your weekend / fun car, then go get it. But, if it is going to be your daily driver, I would not buy it.

My 2 cents, for what it's worth.

Tom

 

[bbshriver]

Thanks for the input... for what reason are they not dependable?
And yes this would be my 30k mile/year daily driver.

 

[silverfox103]

They are just old, too many things can go wrong and do go wrong. Off the top of my head, transmissions, fuel pumps & sending units, various oil leaks, heater core problems and coils to name a few. I've had to be flat bedded 700 miles when the tranny went and flat bedded 200 miles when the fuel pump gave out while moving my daughter back from college. Like I said, the days of them being a dependable daily driver are in the past. Sure if you drive 2 miles to work, the grocery store and church, it would be fine; but not 30K per year. I live in NH and winter in GA, I would not dare to drive one down there and have to depend on it.

Tom

 

[1995 Fleetwood Guy]

I drive mine year round, have put 25K a year on it for the last 2 years, it's never left me broken down once.

Regular, and preventative maintenance only.

It doesn't hurt that the previous owner also owned a Cadillac dealership, and kept the vehicle in perfect working order.

But I consider mine one of the most dependable daily drivers I've ever owned, it's certainly been more reliable than my Suburban or my F250 were when new!

 

[bbshriver]

Strange, I still see tons of Roadmasters and Caprices on the roads here, never thought about there being any issues. My truck is a 1990 and only problem I've had was that I had to replace the batteries.. of course it's a diesel with a 5 speed

 

[1995 Fleetwood Guy]

Might be for sale soon!

 

[bbshriver]

mm Torque thrust on a Fleetwood... 2 of my favorite things.. also no vinyl top.
how many miles, cost, options?

 

[1995 Fleetwood Guy]

MB Motoring "old school", they just look like Torque Thrusts.

130K, second owner, not a Brougham, so pretty much power everything, remote start, flowmastsers, nice system with a touch screen, DVD and Alpine sub.

Haven't really pondered price, even though folks try to buy the car in traffic all the time. Could probably make out pretty good on it since it's a Georgia car. You just NEVER d=see 20 year old cars up here without rust.

 

[bbshriver]

Interesting, there are a lot of copies out there..

You bring up a point I was trying to get at earlier.. what's the difference between a Bougham and not Brougham?

Sounds pretty nice. There's one I found locally, also no vinyl top though advertised as brougham (maybe ignorance), 112k miles, looks virtually new from the pictures, though that can be deceiving.. doesn't have the upgrades you mention.

 

[1995 Fleetwood Guy]

Not sure about all of the differences, but I couldn't find a hardtop Brougham. So I bought this one. Many Broughams have heated seats also, mine doesn't.

 

[silverfox103]

I drive mine year round, have put 25K a year on it for the last 2 years, it's never left me broken down once.

But I consider mine one of the most dependable daily drivers I've ever owned, it's certainly been more reliable than my Suburban or my F250 were when new!

I think Mr. Fleetwood Guy has forgot some of his posts, including one today:

1. Rear main seal: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/rwd-19xx-1984-deville-fleetwood-1985/668986-lt1-oil-leak.html

2. Axel shafts: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...-1995-fleetwood-axle-shafts.html#post13150314

3. Intake manifold & pan gaskets: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...-95-fleetwood-anyone-have-service-manual.html

Tom

 

[jayoldschool]

I agree with Tom 100%, and I was as die hard as they come. I daily drove B bodies exclusively from age 16 to age 41. I'm now 42. I held on as long as I could, but they're just getting too old for daily use. I still have many, and they will continue to get regular summer use, but the days of driving to work in a twenty year old car are over for me. Now, I drive a ten year old car, and get double the gas mileage (and no concerns about breakdowns).

If you want a nice Fleetwood, buy a good one for weekend/summer use. Spend a little bit to buy a reliable/good mileage driver for work.

 

[Stingroo]

Brougham vs non-Brougham:


Non-Brougham has no vinyl top standard. These are hard to find now. They also have different seats that aren't heated. Beyond that, I don't think there are any differences.

 

[1995 Fleetwood Guy]

I haven't forgotten anything.

I replaced the shafts, car was down for a day. I had a slight vibration I didn't care for, it certainly didn't leave me stranded.

I replaced the intake manifold gasket a few months back, and I'm fixing some other oil leaks this weekend.....so?

I never claimed the car has never needed a repair, I said it's been reliable. And it has!

I also have done breaks, suspension, and electrical work too ... again, none of these things ever left me on the side of the road.

So what was the point of the snarky post?

 

[silverfox103]

The more you talk, the more you prove my point; just going by your posts.

Tom

 

[jayoldschool]

Brougham vs non-Brougham:


Non-Brougham has no vinyl top standard. These are hard to find now. They also have different seats that aren't heated. Beyond that, I don't think there are any differences.

Gears, too. Non-Broughams have higher gears. 2.56 IIRC

 

[Bro-Ham]

If you want to daily drive an old car you will have pleasure and joy that no new or newer car can provide.

My 1979 Cadillac Sedan deVille d'Elegance is 36 years of age and it starts and goes every time as daily transportation in the nine years I have driven the car over 70,000 miles and it has never been on a tow truck or left me stranded except for a flat tire I had to have AAA rescue me (they disappointingly didn't bring me a fresh refill shaker of martinis as I requested of the dispatcher however).

Maintaining a car properly, regardless of its age, is essential for eliminating as many possible problems down the road.

The only other two cars I own, which are also driven regularly and I would drive anywhere, are a 1982 Buick Electra Park Avenue diesel and a 1978 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency with 403. Also, my Cadillac goes cross country from Florida to Wisconsin every year, I wouldn't travel in anything else!

Don't be afraid to drive what you really want, if you don't try you will never know!