35 years ago was just 1991; it seems like it should be longer ago than that. I remember 1991. I was an adult in 1991. This 1988 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz comes just 35 years after the first Eldorado in 1953. There is a stark difference between the years of 1953 and 1988, as much as between 1991 and 2026. The seller has this car posted here on craigslist in Vancouver, Washington, and they’re asking $5,950. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Barney for the tip!
There’s something about a Cadillac in black, even a small one. I don’t know if the Eleventh-generation Eldorado would make anyone’s favorite list, but as they say, there are no bad dogs, and there are no bad Cadillacs. Well, maybe the Catera, but not even the Cimarron. That’s one of my favorites, right along with the classic 1950s DeVilles, late-60s Eldorados, and everything in between. This is the top model, a Biarritz.
This era of the Eldorado was the smallest version of this model, being around a foot shorter than the previous generation, which was a foot and a half shorter than the previous version, etc. So yeah, they were relatively small for a top-line luxury Cadillac. The eleventh-generation Eldorado was made from 1986 through 1991 in one body style, a two-door coupe. Some aftermarket conversion companies made convertibles, but this one would work well for me.
This car appears to be in outstanding condition both inside and outside. The seller mentions a 1″ repair on the driver’s side armrest, but other than that, the interior looks great. The back seat looks perfect, and they say this car has had just two owners, with the second owner being since 1993, and it has been “lady-driven” since then. Here is a 1988 Cadillac brochure showing the full line.
The engine is Cadillac’s 4.5-liter OHV transverse-mounted V8, which was factory-rated at 155 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque when new. Power is sent through a Turbo-Hydramatic 440-T4 four-speed automatic to the front wheels. With 92,562 miles, this isn’t an ultra-low-mile car, but it looks outstanding, and the price is right between Hagerty’s”lo” and “hi” range. I’m not a fan of Hagerty’s reconfigured website, just for the record. “Lo” and “Hi?” Really? Anywho, I think this would be a fun weekend car, or it could even be a daily driver. Any thoughts on this one, or the eleventh-gen Eldorados, in general?
Barney spotted a cloud mobile ☁️
I realize the previous gen HT 4100 V8 had a bad reputation, and the last gen 4900 V8 was sorted out with 200 horsepower just before the Northstar. How was the mid term 4500 V8 in this Eldorado for power and reliability? Any personal experience?
From my experience working as a GM instructor at the time, the 4500 was relatively trouble free except for rear main oil seal and pan leaks. As you implied, the 4100 was a POS.
I was in High School when these came out, and I remember how small these, the Riviera, and Toronados were compared to their predecessor. The 3.8 V6 did a great job moving the Toro and Riv I’m sure, so a V8 under the hood of such a small light car like this Eldorado should make it move along very well. This is another one of those cars we see where I don’t believe the mileage claim, it just doesn’t look like it has that many miles on it, more like 35,000 or 45,000. Hope it goes to a good new home, seems like a reasonable price too.
Is it supposed to be a better car because only a lady drove it? Just wondering?
Yeah, my thinking also.
I’ve seen, been close to and owned some of those claimed cars. The claims were true however they all were lacking in scheduled maintenance.
I don’t need to beat that horse. The only way I buy these anymore is pay hardly nothing. You can figure out the rest of my thinking.
It’s just to let you know that it has been driven consistently 15 MPH over the speed limit, rushed through every yellow light it saw, meandered in its own lane and parked poorly at its destination. At least, that’s how I read it.
They’re easier on the interior
I can’t believe that at some point a certain generation will look at this era of cars with approval and nostalgia. Just an awful era for almost all cars especially GM.
does not matter who drove it. it will still leak oil. black/silver do look good.
My parents got one new; black with a red interior minus the vinyl top. To this day I regret not taking it instead of their trade on a 94 SLS.
WA state for cars is California minus the heat and pollution. I have an 89 STS that spent 33 years in WA, similar mileage. Still has (mostly) original paint and no cracks or fading anywhere inside. As for those asking, yes, these are stupendously reliable and durable. They only leak (like any car) if you may need a timing seal, trans pan or oil pan gasket. Mine doesn’t leak at all, I assume those were replaced. Plenty of grunt 0-30, but the 4.9 for 91 was a massive improvement, and for thar matter, the HO 4.5 in the 89 allante
I’d take that frt drive system out entirely & swap it into a Fiero with a Body kit – with a reinforced space frame – they tend to come apart at the B-Pillar the plastic Body panels useless for support of underlying chassis structure.
Swap IN a Buick 3800 or Sm block Chevy- easy rear suspension set up – its same chassis floor pan as all the other G-Bodys everything is there to bolt up.
Plenty of good rear ends in junk yards nationwide- it’s the Front ends that get smashed up.
It’s kinda rare find a frt drive small V-8 set up that lends itself to small supercharger in a Fiero Kit car or other such GT set up or even a Baja Dune Jumper
Looks like a very nice car for the money . Most likely garage kept out of the weather, reason looks so nice . Any electrical Gremlins on this model ? The “only a lady drove it ” question . That can go either way , Some females never check oil or nothing and drive like idiots. Some are very careful and report to a mechanic the tiniest little squeak to have fixed.
I had a 1990 sedan Deville I had bought for my girlfriend. It was white with a blue cloth top and the same engine. When you stepped on that gas pedal it would move like a scared Jack rabbit. It was amazing how well that car would take off and go.
We had it for almost 12 years and unfortunately out large creek came up over the roof and it was wiped out along with my 65, 69 and my 84 Cadillac.
I really miss those cars.
I haven’t gone to a car show since and that was 14 years.
It just left a big hole inside of me, it’s hard to explain.
Price lowered to $4,950. Looks like a potential good deal to be had.
Thanks, JonB! I just looked, and it says $5,200 now- weird. Maybe $4,950 was too good a deal.