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Opinion's on a 2001 Eldorado Convertible

Started by Caddyholic, January 23, 2016, 11:21:15 PM

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Caddyholic

I got a call today from The guy I bought my 61 from. He wants to sell His 2001 eldorado Convertible. It is Burgundy with a tan interior. The conversion was done by united coach works. He is not the original owner. he has owned the car about 7 years. The car has 19k miles on it and is in perfect condition. my questions for the group are.

1. How do your value a car like this? Search eBay, Craigslist of similar?   

2. Does anyone have an opinion or experience with this year eldo.

3. What does it cost to remedy  the Northstar issues. The car does not show any I am just looking down the road.   
I got myself a Cadillac but I can't afford the gasoline (AC/DC Down Payment Blues)

1961 Series 62 Convertible Coupe http://bit.ly/1RCYsVZ
1962 Coupe Deville

76eldo

I'd look for others that have sold but there are not that many around so it's hard to get a comparison on a car like that.

With 19,000 miles on it its probay pretty mint but it's still 15 years old.  Get the car up to full temp and the gauge should sit in the middle pretty much right on the line. Drive the car for at least 20 minutes and do a couple of full throttle pulls. If the gauge starts to creep up you have a head gasket issue.

The threads in the block start to give up their holding power after thousands of heat cycles and the heads are not held down properly if a bunch of them start to let go. It's not the actual gasket that goes bad it's the whole sealing situation.

It's about $4000 to have the heads removed and have the block retapped for the coarse inserts and new bolts. Most good mechanics drop the whole cradle and work on the engine out of the car.

Oil leaks from the crankcase seal and pan are another set of issues. Look underneath for any oil leaks.

Value on a really mint car would be in the $15,000 range but that's a range. If he bought the car a long time ago when it was almost new he paid a lot.

Good luck

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

Dave Shepherd

Remember this is an aftermarket convertible, so check out build quality. Plenty of info out there on N'Star issues. Leaks are a big issue also head bolt/ gasket problems.

wearymicrobe

Going to have to disagree on the 15K valuation. Maybe for insurance or appraisal but you can get MINT 2001's here for 5-7K USD with minimal miles in perfect mechanical condition.

The convertible is a crap shoot depending on the conversion company and in most cases they decrease the value over stock unless it has historic significance or is 100% perfect near factory quality conversion.

76eldo

You can't compare a standard Eldorado coupe with a 19K mile convertible.  I said it's a range.  I have seen some of these on ebay in the $10,000 to $12000 range with close to $100K miles.

If he can get the car for under $10,000 I'd be amazed.

If the top is in good shape and everything functions properly it can be a really fun car.

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

Scot Minesinger

I agree Brian, no comparison between a 19k miles convertible and a standard coupe.  15k range sounds right.  If you had to choose between a 19k miles convertible and a coupe, both 15 years old, most would select the convertible, thereby making it more valuable.  If You want a Cadillac convertible with a back seat in a recent version, there are not too many choices.  To me this would be way better than the 84-85 Eldorado convertibles because it has a better engine and is fifteen years newer.  However, the quality of the conversion is probably the most important factor in this price.

The main reason I got into this hobby when I bought my 1970 DVC is that I just wanted a RWD V-8 American convertible with a back seat.  Had to go back to 1970 to find one.  If they made them today never would have entered the hobby - glad I did though!
Fairfax Station, VA  22039 (Washington DC Sub)
1970 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
1970 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1970 four door Convertible w/Cadillac Warranty

Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621

#6
Last year, I sold a stock 2000 ESC, Pearl Red in flawless, as-new condition with 20,000 miles for $14,000.

I could see double that for a convertible - provided in the same condition in good colors.

My local Cadillac expert does Northstar head gasket job for < $2,000 however I doubt this includes correcting oil leakage.

A Cadillac Motorcar is a Possession for which there is no Acceptable Substitute

76eldo

Eric,

When my 99 needed the head gaskets done I was very fortunate to find a Cadillac tech with his own shop for side jobs.  He takes down the entire front cradle and works on the engine on a bench.

I got an exceptional deal.

He did the head gaskets, new water pump, new metal coolant lines behind the engine, resealed the crankcase (only had a slight leak but for another $400.00 I had it done) new water pump and belt and a few other things for under $3000.00.

He is in Limerick, PA if anyone needs contact info.

These Eldo's, 90's to 2002 are well under $10,000 for a nice coupe, but the convertibles are worth much more.

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621

I'd reckon a convertible is roughly double coupe money - all else equal.

Pretty much holds true whether a '59 or '99.  ;)

E
A Cadillac Motorcar is a Possession for which there is no Acceptable Substitute

Art Director

I used to own a 2001 Eldorado ESC. It was totaled in a crash a couple of years ago by a drunk driver, and at that time the other driver's insurance company valued the car at around $6,500, retail NADA value. It had 112,500 miles on it then. That was my settlement check and I couldn't argue due to the NADA value.

The car had oil issues as described by earlier posters, and had to add a quart at 1,500 and 2,500 miles before the 3,000-mile oil change.
Tim Coy
CLC Southwestern Regions Vice President
Interim Western Regions Vice President
Art Director, The Self-Starter, International Membership Directory
Life member, Rocky Mountain Region
CLCMRC Benefactor #102

1963 Six-Window Sedan de Ville
1972 Fleetwood Brougham - RIP
1988 Sedan de Ville - RIP
2001 Eldorado ESC - RIP
2003 DeVille DTS - sold

Bmoreindy

In 2001, I worked for the dealer. We sent 2 2002 ETCs out for conversion. One was White Diamond and the other Crimson Pearl. The cost of the conversion was $20k each, and was marked up to $30k. That's right, $80k Eldos.
I don't recall the Company, but it was in Ca, and looked very boxy with the top up.
The Crimson Pearl sold right away, the White Diamond took awhile and was discounted considerably.
When we traded the white one back in 5-6 years later, we figured the value of the conversion depreciated at the same rate as the car. With that in mind, I agree with the $10-15k value range. Good luck!

Caddyholic

Well he sold it to a Collector car dealer Before I got back to him. The dealer has a 19,995 price on it now.,
Just goes to show that like most good/fair deals don't hesitate.
I got myself a Cadillac but I can't afford the gasoline (AC/DC Down Payment Blues)

1961 Series 62 Convertible Coupe http://bit.ly/1RCYsVZ
1962 Coupe Deville