Timing is an important factor that can play a key role in an automobile’s success, and in the case of the Cadillac Seville, it couldn’t have been much better. By the mid-seventies, some luxury car buyers were straying from the bigger is always better mindset, with smaller imported luxurious offerings becoming more popular in the marketplace. When the Seville was introduced as a 1976 model, it was the smallest sedan in the brand’s lineup, yet offered much of the same opulence found in the larger Cadillacs. This 1984 Seville here on Craigslist in Citrus Heights, California, is one beautifully preserved example, and we’d like to thank reader Tony Primo for bringing it to our attention! The seller has set his asking price at $13,900, which doesn’t sound unreasonable considering the condition and low mileage.
The Seville was redesigned in 1980 for its second generation, featuring a more sloped rear stance. It’s a personal preference, but this is probably my favorite body style, as it was a very unique shape for the period. The seller tells us his Caddy has never been involved in an accident, and that it’s still wearing the original white paint, which still presents nicely all these decades later. One detail that might be worth asking about is the exact year model, as the owner states 1984 three times but also lists 1985 in one section. The latter might be a typo, but I’d inquire just to make sure.
Most of the interior is also original, and the condition here seems to help validate that the 38,000-mile claim is accurate. The only item inside mentioned as new is the headliner, with the other components showing what a high level of care this car has gotten throughout its lifetime. Those leather seats look like their comfort would last for hours, plus this one’s got all the bells and whistles you’d expect in any Cadillac from this period.
Everything in the engine compartment looks tidy and orderly, and with such low mileage, there are probably plenty of good miles left for the future owner to enjoy. The seller mentions that the engine has recently received a full tune-up, plus the transmission has also been serviced with a flush and a new torque converter installed. This 1984 Cadillac Seville must be among the nicest examples left, and I’m guessing it will find a new home quickly. What are your thoughts on this one?
We’ve seen this one before. To clear up the possible year confusion, the VIN 8th digit from the right is D for 1984 & E for 1985.
The only issue with these was you have to not lean too hard on the door armrests as the plastic mount tends to break. I know, I fixed a couple of those. Same on the Buick Park Avenue & probably others.
A great looking car & color combo, although personal preference keeps me with the first generation.
Well Jon, while we agree on most things, IMO this generation Seville was a big improvement over the first. Although my preference was and always will be for full size RWD LAND YACHTS. But these Sevilles with traditional Cadillac styled front and Classic inspired rear gave a wink to ROLLS-ROYCE. Two Tone combinations added panache. Although it’s not really HUGE, it scares the birds, pollutes the air, probably guzzles gas! What’s NOT to love? As usual, I’m on to VERSAILLES in my Town Car. Still crazy 🤪 after all These gears ⚙ 🙄
These cars stayed in the shop more. 864 ignition junk!
Like new interior, very comfy, exceptionally clean, plastic fillets look original, exterior perfect, like to put in true spokes or caddy year spoke caps, but I think this is a digital 4100 engine, that ruins it!. Seen many diesels in this model years ago.
I loved those cars when they came out. I think the worst of the badge engineering started circa 1977, and there was nothing like it. It was different, and they get big points for that.
Another find from Primo 😎 🙌
Thanks for the write-up Stephens.
I’d be interested if it had the diesel, but many out there were changed for the Olds 350 when the head gasket “popped” because it was a direct swap. That’s a shame too, because that diesel was bullet proof. I’ve got one in my El Dorado.
Quasimodo, your car is ready.
Great ground clearance, didn’t know they made a 4wd version. Maybe this is the rubicon edition.
Ride height is completely adjustable, front AND rear, on these cars. My El Dorado is a full two inches lower in the front and one inch lower in the rear than this one.
I have always loved the razor-edge Bentley-inspired (from a previous decade – early postwar) style of these Caddys. Just a few years ago, nice ones could be found in the $3,000-5,000 range, and I was hot on the trail. But then I heard about the less-than-optimal engine choices and that cooled me off a bit. Worst of the bunch was the 4-6-8, and at best the 4100 was said to be under-powered. And I’ve always heard that the diesels were a disaster. Now you guys are raving about it. Have I just been hanging out with the wrong crowd?
I found the first-generation Sevilles totally uninspiring, but these? Wow! And they are just as attractive now as 40 years ago
Don’t take any of my comments as criticisms. These were just word on the street. Please correct me if I’m wrong!
The 8-6-4 was the standard, bulletproof Cadillac 368 V8. The only problem with those motors initially was . . . a lack of diagnostic/technical information, at the dealer level. It seems that Cadillac Engineering was not ready to publish any information when these engines went into production and were being delivered. There were early glitches in programming parameters and NO Cadillac technicians had ANY information OR schematics to use until very late in the year and, by that time, the motor built a reputation as being “unrepairable” when in fact it was/is a VERY GOOD engine, now that people can get the information needed to keep these engines going. As for the diesel engines . . . BULLETPROOF ! I have one in my ’82 El Dorado and it functions flawlessly AND gets me over 30 MPG all day long AND runs better than the “Hook & Tow” 4100.
Unmistakable appearance even though both Chrysler and Lincoln aped the bussel back to some degree. The Seville did it best. Clean outside and that inviting pillowy interior just seem to beckon, come, let’s go for a ride.
I can honestly say this was the worst car I ever owned. It stayed in shop more than the hway and only had 35 000 miles when purchased. Nice car when on road but never ever stayed on road more than 2 weeks at a time. Hopefully this one is not the lemon mine was. I know all car brands have some lemons and others never break down. Good luck to new owners.
As so often happens, bacheldrs, I agree with you. I was knocked-out when these first appeared for the 1980 model year. The Lincoln Versailles was a thinly-disguised Ford Grenada, and the first generation Seville similarly looked like a cheaper small car customised into a Cadillac. But the 1980 version stood out as a pure luxury sedan, exuding a European air of aristocracy from bumper to bumper. Only the nose could have used some further imagination, in my view. But each succeeding year appeared to be a slight downgrade from the original 1980. I heard at the time, too, that these were rather poor on reliability — and that would scare me sway.
Sooo . . . you’re saying that you bought a used car, maybe off a lease and you weren’t happy with it? . . . . . Seems like the first owner didn’t have much trouble with it. By the way, which engine did it have? The HT4100s were known to be tempermental when poorly maintained.
Sooo . . . you’re saying that you bought a used car, maybe off a lease and you weren’t happy with it? . . . . . Seems like the first owner didn’t have much trouble with it. By the way, which engine did it have? The HT4100s were known to be tempermental when poorly maintained.