First Cadillac.. Will I be disappointed

I'm sure Akku or Motorama will be along shortly to give you a full run-down, but it sounds to me like you pretty much have the measure of the ownership experience.

Story rehash 1988..i bought a 73 coupe de ville-7.2litre in Arizona for $500..and thought we'd make it back to Miami..it had an electrical gremlin..it just died every time we stopped..it ate up all our money..but the backpackers in Houston sorted it out..owners son was an electrical whiz..he traced it to a cracked earthlink on the chassis..for free..and gave us push button start..starter motor died in New Orleans..we were completely sick of it..so sold it to some street hobo's for $100 and got the bus back to Miami..now..i actually think their awesum..but daunting! It was also my very 1st car!

I don't think they are curse word. They are just different.

The '86 Fleetwood is a heavy car for the first gen emissions small block V8 it is fitted with, so don't expect it to be quick. But its perfectly drivable performance-wise. Its also not bad on fuel for a car of the class it is. I got 16mpg from mine. The engine is built by Oldsmobile and is about bullet proof. Trans is a T200-4R which is a nice box, up to the job.

Handling on the Fleetwoods is reasonable for a car of the size and type. They have air suspension at the rear and if this doesn't work right then the car won't sit, ride or handle right. Also there is a steering damper which after 20+ years of use may be leaky or weak which can also cause the car to have handling malaise.

Ride quality should be excellent.

One of the ways Cadillac got the weight of their flagship ride down was to use a lot of plastic in the construction. Door fillers, fender end caps and so on. These are prone to cracking with age. Seats are great. Super comfy. Leather or velour. Both are lovely. By the 1980s Cadillac interiors featured a lot of GM parts-bin sourced parts so it doesn't have quite the same exclusive feel inside as a 50s or 60s Cadillac does. But I'm assuming you didn't pay £10-£25K for it, so...

If you really want, you can make it handle sharp and all that. Jeff Schwartz races one in US road course racing where it wins against modern BMWs and Porches. I suspect it has lost its cushion-soft ride though...

I hear "dodgy electrics" talked about in yank cars, usually by people who have never owned one. I've owned plenty of yank stuff and I can't say I've had many electrical problems. Certainly no more than I would running any other car of that age. You will find some "interesting ideas" on wiring layout on some classic/retro American cars but reliability is about par. Theres a lot of electric do-dads in a Cadillac, so more stuff to not work I guess.

Beware anything operated by vacuum. This is one of our TransAtlantic Cousin's weirder ideas. Using manifold vacuum rather than electrics or cables to operate stuff like the trunk release or parts of the heater...

To be fair an '86 Merc 500SEL is probably a "better" car, but most 80s cars are pretty naff when it comes down to it. I'd take a RWD Cadillac over most of the curse word of that era which people w00t about.

thanks guys. ^ paulisa, you had it for years and only had it on road for 2 days lol I was hoping to use mine daily, don't know how realistic that is but we'll soon see. I don't much mind about handling and fuel economy in all honesty, but reliability is key, which I suppose as with any car is down to getting a good example.

I'm more known for 50s and 60s Cadillacs although ive had a few 70s and 80s ones, i also quite like the 90s Northstar powered Eldorados and Sevilles

With an eighties Cadillac build quality and rust issues are usually the worst enemies. Mechanically they are usually ok, and most faults can be fixed easily and relatively cheaply. I quite like how they drive but always think they feel a little underpowered

EmDee - you worked for a pimp in the 80s?

Sheeeeit baby I am a pimp.

Loving the slot car video!

Re: First Cadillac.. Will I be disappointed

In a word, 'No'. Enjoy ;D