Why is a 20 year old Cadillac DeVille VII standing like a new Korean?

Cars Cadillac brands have been a symbol of luxury in the United States for decades. The brand is no longer so popular, but there is a model that is a leader in its class - the Escalade SUV.


But today we will talk about the large Cadillac DeVille VII sedan, which was produced from 1994 to 1999. The model has a long history, but in 2005 it was discontinued. The last DeVille VIII was not in demand, as it lost its former gloss and did not look like the fans of the brand wanted.

This also affected the price - VII generation cars are more expensive. The average price for a Cadillac in this body is equal to the cost of a new Korean-made budget car, and more than Lada Vesta! Let's figure out what's special about the old model!

History

The debut of the Cadillac DeVille VII took place in 1993, when the age of traditional American sedans came to an end. Sales were falling, long Cadillacs were bought less every year. The manufacturer tried to fight - for example, DeVille VII was with a monocoque body and front-wheel drive on a new modern platform.



The model did not become a failure, otherwise it would not have been released until 1999, but it cannot be called popular. At first, the car had an old Cadillac L29 engine under the hood - a cast-iron "eight" with a huge resource. The working volume is 4,9 liters with a power of 200 liters. With.



After the 1997 upgrade, Cadillac DeVille VII received new Northstar engines, but Concours has this engine boosted to 300 hp. With.

Other changes after restyling:

• ? New bumpers and grille
  
• ? Body reinforcements
  
• ? Rear fenders without flaps, partially covering the wheels
  

Traditional Cadillac engines were hardy, but that's not the case with the Northstar. Despite innovations, such as a half-cylinder cut-off system to save fuel, it became famous for its unreliability.



Northstar motor problems:

• ? Demanding on high octane number of gasoline
  
• ? Sensitivity to overheating
  
• ? Block corrosion
  

It is for this reason that there are many cars on sale where the engine has already been changed. This problem also applies to the VIII, the last generation.

Body and interior

Externally, the Cadillac DeVille VII looks classic for large sedans from the United States. This is the reason for the high cost of the car. It has all the attributes of luxury - chrome, dimensions, vertical lights, many emblems so that buyers do not forget that they have a Cadillac flagship in front of them.

Of course, this car cannot be compared in appearance with the models of the 1960s and 70s, but it looks monumental against the backdrop of Japanese and European cars. The design of the DeVille VII is somewhat ambiguous, kind of modest, but at the same time screaming with chrome plates that it is a Cadillac.



But inside - this is a real "Caddy". Huge interior, luxurious finishing materials, natural wood and leather. For the second half of the 1990s, this is not typical even for American sedans, but there are two three-seater sofas in front and behind.



The dashboard is unexpectedly electronic. Such a constructive move looked great in the 1980s, but not in the mid-90s. But buyers from the United States appreciated this, judging by the reviews of those years.

We also thought about sales to Europe - a lever was specially installed on the console, with the help of which the electronic dashboard can be switched from miles to kilometers.

Rare options for the mid-90s that Cadillac DeVille VII had:

• ? Cabin mirror with auto-dimming
  
• ? Full climate control
  
• ? Light and rain sensors
  
• ? Cruise
  

It is definitely worth mentioning the huge trunk with a volume of 566 liters. In the 90s, some Russian racketeers valued American cars for this very reason. For the same reason, the beautiful cars of this brand in Russia were given the common name "bandit".

How does it go?

From such a luxurious and huge car, you expect an appropriate level of comfort and dynamics while driving, and it does not deceive expectations. Having settled in the cabin, the driver and passengers, as it were, find themselves inside a luxurious cocoon, securely separated from the outside world.



The Cadillac DeVille VII starts off either smoothly or abruptly - it all depends on how exactly the driver presses the gas pedal.
Even at high speeds, the cabin is quiet - the manufacturer took care of the quality of sound insulation and rubber seals. The engine is powerful, but rather leisurely for its size, although most of today's average cars in the flow of the Cadillac DeVille VII will easily overtake both on the highway and in the city.



The manufacturer managed to endow the huge sedan with atypical sharp handling. This is a conventional concept, but for its class, a front-wheel drive car is surprisingly obedient to the movements of the steering wheel.

This is the merit of the MacPherson type suspension, and indeed, the Cadillac DeVille VII is reminiscent of working on the typical mistakes of the American automotive industry. This is what made it possible to extend sales of a large sedan until 1999 and launch a new generation model.



But a modern driver who is not used to such huge cars will still experience problems with control, especially in big cities. The dimensions of the Cadillac DeVille VII make maneuvering in yards and parking a problem. The car occupies one and a half places.
Wide rear pillars interfere with the review, small mirrors also do not give confidence.

But over time, you get used to everything, and the dimensions are felt intuitively, by indirect signs and the distance to the interference. Although some still can not come to terms with this, and sell the cars of their dreams.

In city traffic, you need to drive carefully on the Cadillac DeVille VII, this car does not like sharp maneuvers. With such turns, body roll makes itself felt. The suspension is soft and the car floats like ships on waves. Some even get sick!



Many modifications are equipped with pneumatic rear suspension - it independently adjusts the ground clearance depending on the load and speed.

Advantages and disadvantages of the model

Cadillac DeVille VII is a real American sedan. This is a classic that will make people turn their necks for a long time to come.

The main advantages:

• ? Appearance
  
• ? Powerful motor
  
• ? Simplicity of design
  
• ? Huge and luxurious salon
  

There are some downsides, too. For example, the Northstar engine is not very reliable, although compared to modern cars it is a solid middling one. Spare parts are not available in Russia, and such cars are not sold at car dismantlers. In addition, almost any repair at a service station will cost a pretty penny, so many owners of used Cadillacs in Russia repair them in a makeshift manner. And fuel consumption can reach 20 liters in the city in winter – this should also be taken into account.

Is it worth buying an old Cadillac DeVille VII for the price of a new Korean crossover? If you approach this issue from the point of view of common sense, such a decision is inappropriate. But if someone has always dreamed of a real American sedan, then why not? The charismatic DeVille, like no other, falls under the parameters of a “for the soul” car.