1989 Cadillac DeVille V8 4.5L

Summary:

Good car for the money

Faults:

Water Pump twice in one year, $50.

Heads worked, they were warped at 140,000 miles cost $160.

Distributer cap, $65.

Gaskets for intake, heads, oil pan. $200.

New timing belt $20.

General Comments:

I drive the car 275 miles a week. It keeps going.

Car keeps on running whether it is missing or not.

I know a mechanic, so I don't pay labor.

It is not expensive to fix when you have mechanic for free.

Handles good.

Engine has good pickup and go.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st January, 2004

1989 Cadillac DeVille Sedan deVille 4.5L V8

Summary:

A great luxury V8 that doesn't hog gas

Faults:

I replaced the starter.

I replaced the serpentine belt (expensive compared to my last Cadillac).

I replaced the water pump.

I had new brakes put on that cost $450+.

General Comments:

I have had 3 Cadillacs in 4 years, and this one is the best. It has 128,000 miles and still looks new on the inside and outside.

The Sedan deVille has great pickup and holds steady on the interstate.

I began college in August and drive over 200 miles a week, and the car has not given me any major problems.

Driving is a pleasure in my 1989 Cadillac Sedan deVille.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th December, 2003

5th Jul 2021, 19:47

“Doesn’t hog gas”?

The DeVille is rated with mileage the same as other land yachts of the time, which is only slightly better than full-sized pickups once on the highway.

When people complain about modern fuel economy standards, you know you’re part of the cause — driving a car that’s horribly large on the outside, for being so space inefficient on the inside, emblematic to the resistance domestic manufacturers had towards the needs of the future.

Good job, high-five!

In reply to 5th Jul 2021, 19:47

6th Jul 2021, 21:19

Unlike the Cadillacs of yore, the downsized 6th generation deVille was no "land yacht", so not being a gas hog was no great feat.

In reply to 5th Jul 2021, 19:47

7th Jul 2021, 20:21

Being much smaller than the Fleetwood Brougham of the same year, the sedan DeVille was quite roomy and comfortable inside all the same. The Fleetwood may may be considered as a yacht, but I would not call the DeVille as such. While fuel economy would not be fantastic, it certainly was not bad.

In reply to 7th Jul 2021, 20:21

8th Jul 2021, 21:42

Do to the FWD layout, the 6th generation DeVille had ample interior space front and back. I owned a '93 model along with an '87 Brougham (RWD) and currently a last generation Town Car and a previous gen. before that. Both Town Cars and the Brougham are indeed huge on the outside, but not as roomy inside being RWD.

As far as the 6th gen. DeVille being a "land yacht", it depends on the year. The '85-'88 models didn't receive much love. These downsized cars didn't convey the size and prestige of the previous years. This all changed in 1989 with a slight restyle, a 3 inch longer wheelbase and an added 10 inches to the overall length. Still not as large as the Brougham, but huge by today's so called fullsize Cadillac standards.

1989 Cadillac DeVille Sedan 4.5

Summary:

Wish I could get another with low miles and start over again!

Faults:

I've replace the alternator twice ($60 each time) and the water pump three times ($30 each time + skinned knuckles (3 different bolt sizes in impossible places to reach!). The front disk brake rotors kept warping until I bought the $70 factory brake pads. Also one of the CV boots finally dried out - replaced for $120.

General Comments:

Love it - commute 120 miles/day on the interstate. Wish it had airbags in 1989.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th March, 2003

20th Jul 2006, 10:42

Just bot an '89 on ebay with only 84,000 miles one owner for a lousy $1200!! These are unbelievable steals right now... go grab one!!

Tom.

22nd Nov 2006, 22:16

I have a 1989 cherry on the inside! outside has faded paint, and 130,000 miles! email me if intrested! brad_banks69@Hotmail.com

Brad Banks.

5th Jul 2021, 11:49

Nice review. Airbag restraints were an option for the 1989 Cadillac. Some cars have them.

In reply to 5th Jul 2021, 11:49

5th Jul 2021, 18:41

Optional for whether or not you value your life. Interesting. Some things have definitely improved with cars over the years despite some people saying otherwise.

In reply to 5th Jul 2021, 18:41

13th Jul 2021, 12:33

I’d rather drive that than a little econobox in an accident.