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Those downsized Caddys with the good engine can be attractive cars. Also one year bustleback with the old style engines, although I suppose an 81 would do. re: Vigor, I still see them around every blue moon or so, I think they sold well enough here.
But, times do change. And, I'd imagine that even back then, they were comparing the reliability of the '78-79 GM intermediates to other '78 and '79 cars that they got owner responses for. So, a car that was good, compared to other 1978 cars might still have been worse than, say, a 1981 model that was rated worse than other 1981 cars.
I've always heard that the 1981-82 models, in general, were the worst, mostly because those computer controls were particularly troublesome in these early years. I think they were also having trouble adapting to ever-tightening emissions standards. But, my own personal experience might be tainting my views, as I had an '82 Cutlass Supreme that crapped its 231 around the 73,000 mile mark. In those years they also severely curtailed the use of any engine in the 300 CID range, leaving the coupes and sedans to deal with under-sized 260 CID range V-8s, or the Buick 252 V-6.
For some reason though, it seemed like something changed for 1983. Almost overnight, they dropped the 260 and 267 (the Pontiac 265 left us after '81). And they started offering 305 and 307 V-8s across the board, and even some high-output models, such as the Olds Hurst and the Monte Carlo SS. I can't remember though...did emissions/economy standards get relaxed for '83, or did the automotive technology just happen to improve, somehow?
I think '83 was also the year Ford dropped that under-sized 255 V-8.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
http://www.mcsmk8.com/78-CAD/78-cad.html
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
FWIW, here's how the EPA city cycles fared for the Deville, over those dark years:
1979: 425-4bbl: 14, 425 Fuel Injection: 12
1980: 368-4bbl: 15, 252-4bbl V-6 (credit option): 17
1981: V-8-6-4: 15 (I'm guessing you saw real gains on the highway though), 252-4bbl: 18 (it started using the 4-speed OD transmission instead of the 3-speed)
1982: 4.1/249 V8 fuel injection: 17 (it used the 4-speed), 252-4bbl, 18.
So, realistically, going from even the 425 to these tiny engines really didn't save THAT much. Personally, given the choice I'd take the 425 and just deal with the 3-4 city mpg loss compared to those under-sized, and unreliable engines. But, at the time, fuel was scarce and expensive, and even if the buyers of these cars could afford it, there was always the risk of the gas stations running out, and you didn't know when you could fill up again. I don't know if they actually rationed gas during the second fuel crunch like they did during the first, but I do remember stations running out from time to time. And, those auto makers would sell their soul to the devil if if would save them a few bucks per car in EPA fines, so they were willing to take the risk with those smaller engines.
It would have been nice though, if Cadillac had continued to improve upon the 368. Or, perhaps come out with a smaller-displacement version around 300 CID, like Chevy did with the 305, or Olds with the 307. Just don't do it like Pontiac did with the 301
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
And then I googled "LG4" and found a reference to the Chevy 305-4bbl from the late 70s/80's... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_small-block_engine#LG4
Oh, and in another forum, I found out that "9" is the code for the High-output 307 used in the Hurst/442. "Y" is the code for the mainstream 307. Or, as they referred to it in the forum, the "sucky" 307...
He has an awesome collection. His tastes also practically mimic mine so it's fun to dream, lol.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
http://www.mcsmk8.com/92-P75/92-P75.HTM
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
He also likes some MBs, and I agree with his tastes:
Amazing car:
http://www.mcsmk8.com/98-S600/98-S600.html
Ultimate R129 configuration:
http://www.mcsmk8.com/97-SL74/97-SL74.html
At $4500USD and about 50K miles, this one doesn't seem to be a bad buy on the surface, but as with any vehicle this old around here, would need a thorough inspection.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Back in the 80's, there was a common package on the Crown Vic and Grand Marquis, and I'd presume the Town Car as well, that gave you dual exhaust, a quicker axle ratio, wider rims, and limited slip. My 1985 Consumer Guide has a test of a Crown Vic with the package, and they said it only added something like $227 to the price. I think the axle changed from a 2.73:1 to a 3.55:1. Oddly, it got better fuel economy than the Grand Marquis they tested in that issue, which had the 2.73. The hp was listed the same for both...140 hp, which I thought was odd. I figured the dual exhaust would boost hp a bit. But, I guess it's possible that Consumer Guide mis-printed it? Or maybe Ford just under-rated the dual exhaust version?
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
The "Touring Suspension" emblem on the trunk is above the "Cadillac" script? I can't say I remember seeing one specifically, but I've never, and I mean never, seen any emblem above a Cadillac script.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-plymouth-barracuda-18/
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
And a radio receipt from about 10 years later - that Blaupunkt cost a pretty penny, and apparently is still in the car:
My car got a used Becker Europa TR around 1970, for something like $125. It is also still in the car.
Years ago, I spec'ed out my '68 Dart 270 using one of those American Standard catalogs. It had a base price of $2653 with a V8, but by the time you threw on the automatic, a/c, power steering, tinted windshield, radio, it came out to around $3300. My '69 was actually more, around $3600 with just a slant six, but it was better-equipped in other ways...3-speed electric wipers, vinyl roof, and being a GT model. It's funny; the V8 only added $128, in 1968...and that was over the tiny 170 CID slant six! But an AM radio was most likely a more expensive option than that!
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Subs, Amps and the latest and greatest head units.
The system I had in my 93 Taurus would rival many home systems.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
I would be terrified to mess with the wiring in any new car now. At least the TLX has no needs for any upgrades
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I did have the original radio in the fintail rebuilt, but it just unscrews from the base and slides out. I also had a Sirius head unit put in my old E55, hidden in the ashtray.
By '61, DeSoto was a mere shell of its former self. All the nicer models had been eliminated, and what was left was priced about equivalent to the former Firesweep, which itself was often viewed as a glammed up Dodge rather than a "real" DeSoto. Yet, in '61, stuff like the automatic, power steering/brakes, radio, heater, etc were all still optional equipment. This one also had air conditioning and power windows. I can't remember if it had a power seat/door locks as well, though. I'd imagine air conditioning was around a $400-500 option by then. I recall reading it was around $550 for GM in 1956, and I think for the '57 Mopars it was $484. So, it was one of those items that got cheaper over time, as it became more popular, both in raw dollars and inflation-adjusted dollars. But, I'm sure it was still pretty pricey in '61. I do remember, by the late 60's, it was around $330-350 in a '68 or '69 Dart. By '85 it was up to around $650-750, with the auto-temp styles often running around $900...of course, inflation was what accounted for most of that increase.
These days, a/c is pretty much standard on everything. The last time I saw any sort of study done, admittedly a few years ago, they said that a/c on average adds about $1,000 to the price of a modern car. Contrast that to the mid/late 50's, where adjusting for inflation, a/c was the equivalent of $4500-5000!
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
My son in law's dad loves those cushy cruisers.
Prior car was an early last gen Lincoln Town Car with Florida package.
It got totaled, so now he drives this.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,