1983 Cadillac Seville 4.1 252 V8

Summary:

A great car

Faults:

Head gaskets blew at 120,000 miles.

Water pump blew.

Radiator blew.

Thermostat housing cracked.

Brakes rusted.

CV boots cracked.

Belts broke.

General Comments:

I bought this car from a man in Phoenix, AZ for 100$ it was in very bad shape with all the problems listed above. But with a great frame and interior.

I found a shop and put about 1,500$ into this car and since then it has given me no problems I have driven it every place and even pulled a trailer.

These cars are very comfortable inside and drive like a dream. These cars are also very dependable in the winter and summer.

I would have to say other than the Riviera these are one of the most attractive cars of the time.

I love this car and I doubt I will ever sell it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st April, 2003

1983 Cadillac Seville 4.1L

Summary:

Luxury on a beer budget

Faults:

Suspension vibrations because one rim is bent. My only complaint is that I didn't get this car when it was a lot newer. The bottom of the doors are rusted purely through neglect by the previous owners.

General Comments:

This car is really economical to drive on any octane fuel. I often get 700 Kilometers to a tank of fuel on the highway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th October, 2002

1983 Cadillac Seville Elegante 4.1

Summary:

A fantastic boat anchor!

Faults:

Engine blew.

Power window motor quit.

Engine #2 - Had to replace leaking intake manifold gaskets.

Alternator.

Water Pump.

Engine blew again.

General Comments:

This Cadillac was one of the nicest looking cars to come out of the 80's next to the Buick Riviera. Looking being the operative word because the car couldn't pull your hat off in a wind storm. Who in their right mind would even consider putting a 252 ci, 125hp engine in a 3800+ pound car? I can't imagine why I couldn't keep engines in it.

As far as the ride quality and reliability of the gadgetry, this car was excellent, but mechanicly it seemed like everything else was some sort of afterthought. Even something so simple as the water pump - to change it everything between the grille and the engine block HAS to come off.

The first year of this style of Seville was 1980 and probably the best of the 7 years the car was built. It had a 390ci engine which would have been just perfect in this car. You would actually be able to drive it on the highway without fear of being run over by an old lady in a Firefly.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th August, 2002

19th Sep 2004, 08:14

In my opinion I DOWNGRADED from my 1978 Lincoln to the Caddie. I love big cars with lots of power, but this poor old thing got passed by a Lada yesterday... sigh I got that dang 8 6 4 thing going on in mine. It doesn't know what to do on big hills so it just quits. I had to change an o-ring in it a while back and as with every other part on the car ya gotta pull off the whole front of the engine. The Module blew out, the computer is now kaput. So now I have to drive the wifes Elantra!!! Yes I'm thinking a boat anchor could be a good use for it.. maybe I'll plant flowers in it or something. One good thing is that theres not a speck of rust on it.. go figure.

22nd Mar 2005, 02:18

Does anyone know if it's possible to place an '80 Seville engine (not the 8-6-4) into an '84 Seville? How interchangeable might they be? Thanks.

1983 Cadillac Seville Elegante 4.1 Liter V8 (HT 4100)

Summary:

Great cars if you are willing to maintain them

Faults:

Power door lock switch.

Coolant hose.

Alternator.

Brake pads.

Exhaust.

Electronic climate control unit.

General Comments:

These are really nice cars, the ride is pillow soft, and you can use your pinky finger to turn the steering wheel.

Acceleration is leisurely, the only drag race you will win in this car is against a kid on a bike, but who buys a Cadillac to race?

The car was is excellent condition when I got it, I always kept it clean and got compliments where ever I went (more than my 86 Z28 that I have now).

A lot of people complain about leaking head gaskets with the 4.1 liter, but if you change your coolant twice a year with GM authorized seal tabs and frequent oil changes (2,000 miles or less) like I did, these motors will go along time. (my dad is still driving the car today)

These cars have digital fuel injection so they always fire up right away in any weather.

They also have front-wheel-drive, which is really nice, it plows through the snow like nobody's business.

These cars get great gas mileage for a luxury car, I got 16-19 around town and 20-25 on the highway. I always ran premium, but my dad seems to get better gas mileage with regular.

This was a great car. It always started and never left me stranded.

These are great cars if they are religiously maintained, if not, they deteriorate quickly.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd November, 2001