Thoughts on Two Classic Cadillacs Appreciated

[Cadillacfan16]

Considering a very clean 1985 Cadillac Seville, low miles, great condition, late 85 manufacture date, all maintenance records (50k)

Or  1977 Eldorado (not Biarritz), sunroof, great shape and well maintained,
80k

Which car would a Cadillac owner and fan recommend to a new-to-Cadillac
Owner?   

Car would be used for light travel ( maybe once a week about 100 miles) and as a local weekend cruiser on pretty days.
Ideally, I'd love to visit family (two states away) for the holidays in a classic Caddy.   

I'm one who maintains my car.  I want a Caddy because they remind me of
happy times and younger days -  and they are beautiful.   

Thanks for your insight.  👍

[D.Smith]

Run fast from any 1982+up with the HT4100 motor. That is in the 1985 Seville. 

So the 1977 Eldorado is your best choice.   It has a good, cast iron 425 cu.in motor.

[76eldo]

No question in my mind, the '77 Eldo.  I have owned and driven them all, and it's a much better car for your intended use.

You haven't mentioned the prices, conditions in detail, colors and options, so you will get answers here strictly on mechanical reliability and longevity.

They are completely different in every way but as an experienced Cadillac owner and driver I would go with the 77 Eldorado.

Brian

[Dan LeBlanc]

If those were your ONLY two choices, hands down, any day, all day the 77 Eldorado.  There are only two types of HT4100's that the Seville (and other Cadillacs so equipped) out there - ones that have failed, and ones that haven't failed yet.  Plus, even when they work well, they are severely underpowered and the car has a hard time getting out of its own way.

Now, if you're thinking late 70's two door as indicated by your 77 Eldorado on the list, another good bang for the buck would be the 77-79 Coupe de Ville.  RWD, bulletproof platform, and an all around very drivable car.

[Cadillacfan16]

Thank you for your responses.   I love the 80's Eldorado and Seville, but I'm not a mechanic and not wealthy enough to pay one often.    I'm trying to let go of
this dream. Lol

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

As Dan said,  RWD 77-79 DeVille w/4bbl will likely be less expensive to maintain than either of the other two options.

Under no circumstances would I ever consider any HT4100 powered Cadillac. While some owners have obtained good service with the engine, the price differential between a 4100 and a 425/368 car is negligibly small for the tremendous improvement in longevity and reliability, not to mention performance & enjoyment.

[64\/54Cadillacking]

Definitely the 77 Eldo, plus it looks way better IMO. 80's Cadillacs for the most part had too many mechanical issues, but the 70's and even into the late 70's models were still very good cars.

[Cadillacfan16]

Thank you!

[chrisntam]

Two states away like Texas, New Mexico & Arizona or Vermont, New Hampshire & Rhode Island?

[Dan LeBlanc]

Good point, Chris.  On my way south, I can blow through Maine in 5 hours but only 15 minutes through NH on I-95, so yeah, it's all relative.

[Cadillacfan16]

In Louisiana.     Car is in southern Florida

[Gene Beaird]

So, a LONG day's trip, or leisurely two? 

[TJ Hopland]

What got those 2 cars to the top of the list?   It looks like you are not limiting yourself to close to home and they are different enough that I would not normally expect them both to come up in a search.   

[66 Eldo]

I agree with the 1977 as the most reliable choice, HOWEVER, it sounds like the OP prefers the style of the later Seville and Eldos.

How about a 79 or 80 Eldo or an 80 Seville? Still not as good as a 77, but No HT4100 engine in those years.

[Scot Minesinger]

Agree with all other posts, even if the 4.1 engine powered Cadillac was free and delivered to my house with a full tank of gas, I would buy the 1977 Cadillac w/425 engine.  The reason you are buying this car is for enjoyment, and the 4.1 is a strong source of misery.  The 4.1 is timed with a calendar 0-60mph, it is very unreliable, and cannot be worked on (remove head bolts and aluminum block might break) sometimes.  The 4.1 throttle linkage (full throttle at 1/3 pedal travel) was set up along with gearing to make it relatively decent at speeds 30mph and less, so at speeds above that it is a major dog.  Do not buy a 4.1 power Cadillac, especially if you are not a mechanic. 

The only reason I would buy a 4.1 powered Cadillac is if I was going to change the engine out because the rest of the car was so nice, but that is a job to get everything working - not really worth doing.

[dochawk]

Good point, Chris.  On my way south, I can blow through Maine in 5 hours but only 15 minutes through NH on I-95, so yeah, it's all relative.

Gee, I can be in two other states within half an hour or so (but not anywhere useful). 

I could also drive north for almost ten hours ere hitting the state line . . .

Probably 15 hours or so to the northern border of CA . . .