Future classic or depressing reminder of the malaise era? - NPoCP

"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
05/04/2015 at 15:15 • Filed to: land yachts, cadillac, npocp, craigslist

It’s the work week again, which means that I’m browsing craigslist and looking at cars I won’t buy. Living in a destination for the nearly-dead sometimes has advantages depending on what you’re into. For example, there are golf courses everywhere, every night is bingo night, and there’s a medical office on every corner to make those rush-hour timed lab draws super convenient. I am not into these things, but The Olds do tend to hold onto things forever and take very good care of their things since the great depression is still going on in their mind. Eventually they die, leaving behind bowls of Werthers Originals, needlepoint family portraits, and their immaculately maintained mediocrity-mobiles. The kids still live up north, so they want to try to sell their parent’s things quickly. Sometimes this means great deals for people. Sometimes it means that the 1993 Honda Accord with low miles that has only ever been driven to the grocery store and back has never seen its operating temperature and will make a used Land Rover seem reliable. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! With a 7 liter V8 that puts out less power than a BRZ and gets worse gas mileage than a truck, you can tel the kids that there’s no replacement for displacement as you cruise around in comfort with the feeling that it may just tip over if you take a corner at speed. Any speed. Walking speed. This particular Cadillac seems to be in excellent cosmetic shape and has probably been taken to the dealer for every oil change. With low mileage and an old person in the car’s history, this could mean something to someone who hasn’t experienced the pitfalls of the car that was driven by an old lady yet. Is this a future classic with investment potential that makes a $4500 asking price a bit of a steal, or will the gas and repair bills and vacuum powered everything mean that it’s just a down payment on an extended period of misery for the next owner? What do you think, Oppo?

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DISCUSSION (16)

Jedidiah > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/04/2015 at 15:17

We had a 79 Fleetwood and it was excellent.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/04/2015 at 15:22

For me, Cadillacs stopped be classic when they started shrinking in ‘77. Probably NP but wouldn’t buy.

Alfalfa Romeo > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/04/2015 at 15:22

I’m a little on the fence about calling it a future classic, but I myself think it’s a nice price and would give it much love and driving.

RallyWrench > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/04/2015 at 15:27

Future classic for sure, but maybe priced a bit high given the dash cracks and possible underbody corrosion (NY State inspection sticker). Also, a Craigslist 90% is a planet Earth 50%. Nonetheless, gaudy American luxury near its zenith.

AM > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/04/2015 at 15:29

I wouldn’t call this a classic. Cadillac started going downhill in the late 70s. Just look at their brand image now.

Bandit > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/04/2015 at 15:42

Just Malaise junk. The only American cars from that era I can see being classics are things like the Camaro, Trans Am, and King Cobra Mustangs.

Your boy, BJR > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/04/2015 at 16:43

Buy it. buyitbuyitbuyitbuyit. Henry Hill had a special edition Coupe deVille Phaetob of this era, you should too. The last truly gigantic Cadillac, with classic styling to match.

Your boy, BJR > Bandit
05/04/2015 at 16:44

How the fuck is a Mustang II a “classic?” Classic pile of shit maybe, but ugh, I’d rather have a 4 banger fox than a V8 Mustang II

Your boy, BJR > AM
05/04/2015 at 16:46

Brand image now? What, BMW with actual swagger?

Bandit > Your boy, BJR
05/04/2015 at 17:09

Because it is essentially like the Trans Am, entirely gutless but it looks cool. It symbolizes the late 70s better than anything else ford made, just look at it. Stupid graphics and colorful wheels.

Kinja'd!!!

AM > Your boy, BJR
05/04/2015 at 18:22

They’re slowly rebuilding an image now and have some great cars in their current lineup but from the 80s to the 00s they were seen as a joke. Because of that people still aren’t taking the time to look at Cadillacs and their sales numbers show it. They sell insane numbers of Escalades but the rest of their lineup? Not so much and that’s sad to see.

Your boy, BJR > Bandit
05/04/2015 at 19:09

Ugh it's SO UGLY THOUGH

Your boy, BJR > AM
05/04/2015 at 19:12

Bro the 2000-2005 DeVille was the best selling luxury sedan in America for awhile. And the CTS has wins car of the year every time it's redesigned. No lux SUV can even touch the Escalade, sales wise. Maybe over in Europe they aren't appreciated, but they've always been popular in the U.S.

AM > Your boy, BJR
05/04/2015 at 21:52

I’m talking 1980-2000, not anything after that. The last 15 years, Cadillac has turned themselves back around but in that previous time frame they were producing garbage. They made cars like the Cimarron and the Catera. They were mocked for years.

You can’t tell me they’ve always been popular over here in North America or there wouldn’t be so many Mercedes and BMWs driving around. If they were so popular you’d see more Cadillacs around but they’re only slowly picking up sales.

pip bip - choose Corrour > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/05/2015 at 08:14

not even for a dollar!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Your boy, BJR
05/10/2015 at 10:20

And you may not like the looks of the Mustang II, but the front suspension was a wonderful and epic upgrade from the Mustang’s of the 60’s. The best part is that they are directly swappable on to 60’s Fords and Mercurys. I can even bolt on 70’s Mustang II suspension to my 68 Mercury Montego.

Oh, and if you rip the emission crap off of a Mustang II you can create great power in a smaller car with good front suspension (as opposed to it’s 60’s counterparts). Styling might not be for everybody, but they’re better than people give them credit for.