30th Apr 2003, 19:53

The Cadillac Division ALLANTE was an effort by General Motors to enter the 'MB SL' product slot. It was a colossal failure. The vehicle is impossible to maintain, is a powerful, electronically elaborate product with minimum corporate field support. If you really want one of these quixotic roadsters, be prepared to endure inexplicable mechanical failure, dealer service bafflement and, generally, a dedication to infinite patience. This car brings back the ineffable mysteries of the early days of motoring when EVERY owner had to be his/her own expert mechanic. Unfortunately, this car is ELECTRONICALLY enabled. When stuff goes wrong, consult your nearest mystical guru. have your check book ready and enjoy. The ALLANTE is a vehicular DISASTER.

24th Oct 2004, 18:17

I recently purchased a 1988 Black Allante. Love it! I do not worry all that much about the electronics because I have been a GM technician for years. I was stuck with the digital dashes in the S-10s and Trans Am's. I have had Corvettes and found them not to be much of a car. Will let all know in the future how our Allante turns out.

14th Dec 2005, 15:25

I am currently on my 5th Allante. I have had an 88 Pearl White, a Red 89, a Red 90 1/2, a Green 92, and now enjoy a Pearl Flax 93. These were some of the finest cars that GM ever made. Each car got better as the years progressed, and when they finally got it right in 93, they stopped making them (I have seen pictures of a 94 model -- Neat). The do have their quirks though. I have found that they no not like to sit. They like to be driven. If you leave the car in the garage it will become a maintenance nightmare! To all of the Allante owners - Enjoy your car.

16th Feb 2006, 12:20

My Allante is a 1990, Gold with Natural Interior and only 24,000 miles. Actually the exterior is Beige Metallic, but "gold is easier to visualize. The car is a hangar queen, my fault not the car's. My desire is to keep the miles off of it, but DARN it is so great to drive. I wish I had garage space for a second one. I have only owned the Allante for 11 months and have had no significant problems.

Bud - Jacksonville, FL.

5th Mar 2006, 19:15

I have a question and a statement: I have owned several Cadillacs over the years and always found them to be classy cars, and yes, I've had a few problems, but nothing that would ever keep me from buying a new one.

Next, was the Cadillac Allante body really made in Italy?

Finally, was 1993 the first and only year for the Northstar system being put in the Allante?

Thank you, and have a great day.

29th Mar 2006, 21:19

The previous owner of my Allante also owned a Rolls-Royce. He mainly drove the Allante. I think that speaks volumes.

30th Mar 2006, 10:19

To the March 5th poster.

Yes, the big deal about the Allante was that the bodies were made in Italy and shipped to America on 747's. This was supposed to make the cars more exclusive, which the marketplace totally ignored.

As far as the Rolls Royce comment, the Allante is a more practical car for every day use so it's not surprising he would drive it more.

23rd May 2007, 17:14

I have owned 5 Allantes. I now own a very late production 93 Montana Blue. This is about as good as the Allante gets, but still have problems folding the top in the well. Overall I still enjoy the car, and I like the 93 for the less problematic brakes. I wish the car had half or one third of the electronics that GM felt the need to load on this car. As far as driving the car it is WONDERFUL. And for a 2 seater it is almost practical with the large trunk, and the pass thru trunk. The looks are still very good. Performance is excellent.

4th Mar 2008, 12:22

I own a 1993 Teal Allante with 52k miles and original chrome wheels. With the Northstar engine, and 295hp, it has power to spare, and handles much like my old vet did.

A few minor challenges consist of air vents that need to be replaced, as well as the tape deck and CD player; the latter did not work when I acquired the car last year, however the radio is fine.

The Allante seems to generate interest with people asking if it is a new model? Beside the handling, it is a good looking car with a body style that is one of a kind, and even more fun to drive.

25th Apr 2008, 23:33

We won a 1987 Allante by entering a sweepstakes from Kodak by just filling in 5 (free) ballots!! It was a DREAM car and I hated to sell it. But, we had to because our two kids and us could not fit into it. Also, in Calgary, these Canadian winters last 9 months - not conducive to owning a gorgeous convertible! I was sad to part with it, but on the other hand, we invested the money and quadrupled it. So, maybe, we will get a 1993 model one of these days. It simply made heads turn - you would have thought the onlookers had swivel heads!!! The car is long gone but my heart will always be pining for one of these beauties.

22nd Oct 2008, 11:12

I've owned my 93 Allante now for almost one year.. The car drives great.. parts are always hard to locate, but contacting the local Allante clubs was the ticket.. two issues for me are the conv. top.. I can't believe its not a one button automatic top, although it stays down most of the time... The other is just personal.. A body built in Italy should not resemble a 93 Honda...

10th Nov 2008, 02:30

Hello all, the bodies were made in Italy by Pininfarina.

The body was designed and built on a frame and trucked to the airport where GM had a 747 jet, 56 Allantes were flown back to the USA and the body was mated to the chassis at the Hantramck, Michigan assembly plant.

One other note, only 21,430 Allantes were built, and 1993 was the Allante's last year, enjoy.

4th Mar 2009, 12:29

I purchased a new 89 Allante and drove it for business in the hot Florida sun on construction sites, orange groves, sugar farms and rice paddies for two years.

I then took advantage of the buyer protection plan and traded it in on a new Eldorado, plus pulled out cash for personal reasons. This was one of the bad things you do in life. I always wanted to "Kick" myself for that.

That car was great, never any problem at all. I will always remember I pu/d that car in Smithtown, LI, NY, and drove it with my son where we got pulled over doing 35mph on US1 in N. Palm Beach FL because of the small temp.lic.sticker on the window, 1,232 miles 17.5hrs later.