Cadillac Eldorado

Price Paid:  $45000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 ETC

Summary:
I had wanted a Cadillac Elodorado for several years, but was wary of purchasing a used one due to the potential cost and frequency of repairs. However, thanks to a good job promotion and 0% financing, I jumped off the fence at my 40th birthday and bought one of the last new Eldorados for sale in the Washington DC area. I have since accumulated 22,000 miles with no failures. The only issues I've had are (1) that even slight wheel imbalance or asymmetry spoils what would be a glassy highway demeanor, and (2) the brake rotors needed turning at 18,000 miles--but then, I'm very atuned to such things. Oil consumption is nil; I use Mobil-1 synthetic, always wait for the idle RPM to settle after starting, and baby the car the first few miles as it warms up. In summary, although I am eating a lot of depreciation, I'm thoroughly enjoying my Eldorado and hope that Cadillac reintroduces the model as a cross between this version (size, comfort, presence) and the new CTS-V (world-class performance and handling). Now THAT would be an Eldorado to lust for!

Strengths:
"American" styling, especially the tail; refinement and thrust of the Northstar; smooth ride on most surfaces; surprising agility--like another reviewer here, I've dispatched a few "Fast & Furiuos" wannabees and, last weekend, left the obnoxious driver of a BMW Z-3 in the dust on a winding country road (I autocrossed for several years and have some track experience...don't judge a driver by his/her car! :)

Weaknesses:
The CVRSS system/suspension tuning is a bit weird, with more head toss than I would expect (the ESC is much smoother than the ETC, however); torque steer at full throttle is a bit undignified; the brakes are sub-par, even for what is essentially an early 90's design: anyone have experience with upgrades, e.g., cross-drilled rotors/stronger calipers?

Similar Products Used:
Previous cars: 1974 Licoln Town Car; 1979 Ford Fiesta; 1979 VW Scirroco; 1980 International Scout-II; 1984 VW GTI; 1990 Taurus SHO; 1995 Dodge Sebring; 1996 Plymouth Voyager; 2000 Camaro Z-28 convertible...I just like cars! Similar cars driven: 1974 Ford Elite; 1979 Eldorado; 1999 Toyota Avalon; 2002 Infinity J30; 2002/3 Lincoln LS and Town Car; 2004 Buick LaSabre.

Price Paid:  $31500.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 /lexus

Summary:
Although I know how reliable and great these cars are supposed to be mine was not. I am glad that I know longer own the car.

Strengths:
The dealership was very nice offered us coffee and donuts. Had I known then what I know now I would have left the coffee and donuts and ran for the nearest BMW, Cadillac or Audi dealer around.

Weaknesses:
I picked the car up at night and the next morning it would not start. 3 days in the shop. Next the transmission leaked on the garage floor. 4 days in the shop. The wipers did not work. 1 day in the shop. On and on and on. Finally got the feds involved under the lemon law and no longer have the car.

Similar Products Used:
Cadillac, BMW, Audi

Price Paid:  $34.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2000 Eldorado STC

Summary:
First impression was that it was a most eye pleasing, powerful, comfortable vehicle. The 300 horsepower Northstar engine really was impressive when passing on the highway. I often used the On-Star system to held find my way and it was comforting to know a human was only a button push away.

If you are over 6 foot 3 inches you might find there is not enough head room. The back seat is pretty much wasted space. I found that the tolerance on external body part alignment could have been better.


Alas, after it spontaneously lost its steering 3 months into ownership I have rarely driven it for fear of a reoccurance. Two GM service managers have indicated that the coupling that ties the steering column into the rack completely disengaged. They believe it occured due to an error in assempbly. If you have an Eldorado, you may want to have the dealer check that the steering is in place with sufficient torque.

Strengths:
Power, style, comfort.

Weaknesses:
Complete loss of steering while in motion, restictive head space and a small back seat.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $73000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2000 cadillac eldorado etc

Summary:
i chose this rating because it is the best car for that amount of money

Strengths:
it looks awesome it looks so much better then other cars it looks stronger.i have the black leather and got a pearl paint with a special finish witch makes it look even better.it has lots of horsepower 300

Weaknesses:
i whould say there is nothing wrong with it

Similar Products Used:
i whould say it is better then alot of mecedez and bmw and lexus cars.

Price Paid:  $25000.00 from McCann Cadillac

Year / Model Reviewed:
2000 Eldorado coupe

Summary:
Purchased the car from McCann Cadillac in Fife Washington. Traded in a 1992 Allante' with 46k miles. The Eldorado had 14,900 miles and a single owner. There were a few areas that required attention and McCann handled them all. Sense my purchase 4 months ago, my wife and I have taken 2 trips totalling 4k miles. The car has proformed flawlessly returning 33.5 mpg highway and 21.2 mpg city. I have detailed every asspect of the car with Griot's Garage products and the appearance is now better than new, per the Service Manager at the dealer. We purchased the extended Wynn's warrantee for 6 years/72k miles and have total trust in the car. The ride is fantastic, very quiet and everything works as designed. I purchased an OBD II scanner and will monitor all functions. The car uses about 1/8 cup of oil in 1000 miles. no leaks anywhere, either water or oil. I also own a 1983 BMW 633CSi, so I am qualified to evaluate fine cars. This is our 7 Cadillac in 40 years along with Jaguars XKE's, Lanica Zagato's & BMWs. The interior is great off white leather with very light tan carpet. The car is kept in air-conditioned/heated garage that is also a full shop. I replaced the OEM tires, 9/32" tread with Goodyear Aquatreads because I want my wife to have the best wet traction tire available, AA rated. So fare the car is everything we desire and I am sure we will own it for may years.

Strengths:
Looks are great, paint is fantastic (Crimson Pearl Red), leather fery soft and kept with Griot's Garage treatment products. Very smooth running. Love the Northstar engine, transmission shifts perfect and all the personal features of the car are magnificent.

Weaknesses:
The only proplem was the tie rod ends were not installed correctly at the factory and the dealer replaced them and re-alingned the front end.

Similar Products Used:
BMW 633CSi, Cadillac Allante', BMW 325Ci