Used 1997 Cadillac Eldorado Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Eldorado, so we've included reviews for other years of the Eldorado since its last redesign.
A Luxury Hot Rod
ssspump, 10/18/2010
1996 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
This car is awesome!! Mine is the Metallic Maroon with the Tan leather. With the Cadillac chrome wheels, it is definitely an eye catcher. The Northstar engine purrs like a kitten, the brakes are very confident building, and the ride is great. I really can't find much negative to say about the car, but for a car that is 14 plus years old, I will put it up against many of the later products, foreign or domestic. For the investment, it is one of the smartest that I can think of.
Eldorado ETC
MNazz, 10/13/2003
1997 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
My Eldo was purchased 3 yrs ago w/23k on it. I was 19 when i got it i am now 22 and the car just hit 90k. I have put a decent beating on this car buy flying around and flooring it often and the car has only needed brake pads&rotors. It still runs really strong and looks even better. I am very happy w/the way this car has treated me. No complaints here.
1997 Cadillac Eldorado for sale near you
Showing 3 of 5 listings
- Base CoupeMSRP: $7,688243 mi away
- Touring CoupeMSRP: $9,980485 mi away
- Base CoupeMSRP: $15,950511 mi away
See all 5 listings
All cars have the goods and the bads.
RON, 08/02/2008
1997 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
My 97 Eldorado is showroom new. I live in Palm Springs California. The car over all has been exceptional. Period. I read these other reviews and Wonder about some comments. First its not really meant to be raced. I have not replaced all these items mentioned from other reviewers. The car has always been kept in the garage. It is the Pearl color with every option. The interior looks as if it just came off the show room floor. You must always take this type of car to the Cadillac dealer. Only they have the correct tools and replacement parts. It is taken once a year for its check up. It drives as if new. It always gets 28 mpg on the highway.
one sweet ride
SMILEY, 10/11/2004
1997 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
a stunning beauty with performance to match and fuel economy as good as many mid-sized 6 cylinder cars.
Best Car!
manhattanpaul, 03/06/2007
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought my car off of eBay for a great price. I slapped some 19 inch staggered rims on it and that was all I needed to do to it. I have owned 3 Mercedes, 2 Fords, and currently I also own a 2003 GMC Denali. I prefer driving my used Cadillac any day over my $50,000 truck. This car screams elegance. Its shape is timeless. Maybe just the headlights could use some updating.
Excellent car
my caddy, 06/14/2008
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Not only is my caddy fun to drive, it`s a horse, on pulling & pickup, my caddy will go as fast as I want it to, it has 150 on the speedometer & I have absolutely no doubt, that it would do that & more. You would have no problem, from the pony cars, for it has a really fast pickup & when you`re doing, maybe 35 & kick it, it will snap your head back & take away your breath. I`m not bragging, I know this personally, to be absolutely, true.
Sold on Caddy
Eldorado man, 03/12/2010
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
I love old muscle cars and I own a lot of them because of the power and performance that I thought wasn't available anymore. WRONG! This car has true power that you will not only see and hear but FEEL too! Aside from the performance, the styling and luxury of this car is incredible. It's definitely a head knocker. Not to mention the classic quality that you would expect from Cadillac. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a FUN and reliable ride!
Satisfied
hadrn, 08/24/2008
1997 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
11 of 13 people found this review helpful
My 97 Eldorado is beautiful. A Peanut butter-top on burgundy, with brand new 2008 Cadillac-Vove Rims, dipped in gold and of course brand spanking new Vove tires. I reside in Los Angeles, California, where everyone show and tell their cars, and although I'm refined my Eldorado holds its own against any fancy car, even Bentleys, in the looks department. I can't say much about my powerful motor, my Cadillac dealer takes care of that stuff, but I will comment on fuel efficiency being up to par and how well my Eldorado takes care of me when I'm out and about on the highways and by- ways.
Lovin' the best Caddy ever made
Planemanx15, 01/24/2008
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Im a college student who bought my '96 Eldo, shale with a black rag top, in Jan 07 to travel 50 miles back and forth to school. Since then i have put a cold air intake, dual Flowmaster exhaust, tint, and changed all the speakers to pioneers, dice too:) Even stock this car turned heads but now is incredable. I have overheated and had to pull over (thought I seized the engine) only to find out it was the a\c compressor, other then that, there have never been any major problems. I show the car every week at the local car show and get great comments all the time. It seems Cadillac may be coming out with a CTS coupe, which looks pretty close to the Eldo, maybe there gonna bring back this style
FUN TO DRIVE
snagy, 05/10/2005
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought my Cadillac Eldorado with 28,000 miles on it in 2003. I just love to drive this thing. Its performance and comfort are great. I did get an extended warranty when I bought the car, which has paid for itself. I had to replace a swaybar. Other than that, I've had to perform just normal maintenance, like tune ups, plugs and wires, oil changes, and stuff like that. These things are expensive if you take it to the dealer. I suggest a local mechanic that specializes in Cadillacs.
Trouble starting
jems, 10/13/2008
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I inherited this car from my father and thought I would be able to keep it forever. It rides nicely and I've learned how to handle it. As it has aged, it doesn't start up right away. We takes bets on how many times I have to turn the key before the engine starts each day. Then it is fine for the rest of the day. My mechanic can't fix it. I am afraid to get stuck too far away from home. But I still keep it for sentimental value.
Still Awesome After All These Years!
T-Man, 02/12/2009
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I purchased a one-owner (with all service records), 88K miles, exceptional condition white with gold accent package 1996 Caddy Eldorado two months ago. All I can say is wow! Even after 13years since it was produced this baby is still an eye- catcher and exceptional driver. Comfort, creature features, and not too big or too small to drive like a purebred sports car. Plenty of room to throw the occasional kid in the back with room to roam.
Great Value and Performance
ricardo719, 05/18/2009
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
My previous car, the Seville SLS, was a nice car, essentially trouble-free for 4 years, so I felt confident going with another Cadillac with the Northstar engine. Its styling is beautiful, the performance and handling are solid. On hard acceleration I get thrown back in the seat! The fuel economy was amazing (18/27) for a "heavy" car with a V8 engine; then I put nitrogen in the tires and experienced a 12% increase! I hope to keep this car forever, since they don't build them anymore! What a shame! This car has all the options, Bose sound and a 12-disc changer, glass moonroof, the works! I love the color, a metallic maroon, I think they call it Crimson Pearl, it's gorgeous!
Great "Blingmobile"
Ross Caputo, 01/08/2006
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 1996 Cadillac Eldorado used with 36,000 miles on it. The previous owner added wire wheels, vogue tires, atainless rocker panels, wheel well fender trim, and white Landau top. The paint is a beautiful metallic maroon. I constantly get positive comments from passers-by. It has a very responsive Northstar engine and holds the road really well. My previous car was a '92 Eldorado, black with a cream interior in great shape but when I happened upon this car I was really taken by the look. I had to have it. Having experienced some repair costs with my prevoius Eldorado I decided to purchase a warranty plan with this one. Cadillac dealer repairs are extremely expensive. I look forward to driving this car, too bad they've dropped production.
Owned two Eldorados, Imagine that!!
Ben Leone, 10/17/2006
1997 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I owned an ETC, after replacing the trany for 2500 dollars, and it leaked so bad I had to finally trade it in.The strange thing was it was crimson red and it was as fast as a rocket, like riding in a living room with rocket power. I lost money on that one and bought another crimson red Eldo today. Three years later, I missed it so bad. I hope this one doesnt leak like the last one but if it does, I guess oil is cheap. Drive safely.
Nine Years and Counting
Joe, 12/07/2006
1997 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new with only seven miles on it. Today it has 176,000 miles. I have replaced the AC compressor twice, one power steering pump, two alternators, and the head gaskets. The blown head gasket was my fault for trying to drive to next exit ignoring the warning system; a radiator hose had burst. The piston rings were replaced and the heads rebuilt when the dealer replaced the head gasket. It cost $4,000 to repair and the car had 116,000 miles. All in all the car has been reliable. The car doesn't smoke, but does drink a quart of oil every two weeks. If Cadillac came out with a design I liked, I would probably buy another. The Northstar engine is a marvel.
Black beauty
Peter J, 05/15/2008
1997 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Well my father bought the car for himself in 2006 miles 138,000, put the 4.6 vin. 9 touring engine in then gave it to me. Put new rims an tinted dark. Looks sharp. The only thing that has happened to me was the ac went out. Which was very easy to fix all it needed was to be charged, still isn't colder than my sts but I'll live. The one thing I love doing is punching it in a tunnel, and hear that baby roar! The northstar is the greatest invention. But all in all this car is the best car I have ever had "mind you I'm 19". I would buy another, but probably the last year they were in production just to get the on star* car now has 165,000 on it an runs like a dream great mpg still! 17 city 29highway
That Caddy
inkpimp1981, 02/23/2010
1996 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
For all the Cadillac fans out the who really appreciate their luxury car, you need to test drive one of these suckers. They move like no other, and sped pass a BMW 74Li. Thats a 'Lac!!!
do not buy
rosievig, 11/17/2002
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
We purchased this vehicle with a warranty of 100,000 miles ....thank goodness we did. Apparently there is an engineering defect that causes the aluminum blocks and heads to leak at the gasket area...this is inherent with the design. We have had both of the heads repaired and new inserts for the head bolts installed in the block. This would have cost $2400. Pity the poor soul who doesn't have the warrenty!!!!
Fantastic Ride
da, 09/11/2002
1997 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have the ETC. 300HP instead of 275. I drove both. It sure feels like a lot more than a 25HP difference! At 35mph I can break the front tires loose on dry pavement. I got 28.99mpg driving from OKC to Branson with cruise set at 75mph. Better than my brother's Mazda 323 4 cylinder!! 'course he had problems keeping the little bugger at 75 ;>) Only complaint I have is the power antenna broke. It's a Cadillac so you can guess the replacement cost... yep A BUNCH!
Caddy owner
Bdawg, 12/02/2003
1997 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
A few thing have gone wrong, The express down module is broken on the driver side door, Burns a lot of oil. not maintence freindly.
It's a Cadillac
car_man1, 02/21/2012
1997 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
My 97 ETC isn't bad. Of course what you expect for buying a used 16 yr old caddy at 126,*** Miles. New battery, wipers, new set of rims (one was cracked and I couldn't find a replacment, but got current ones from a junk yard for free off a 91 seville:).The Service Light came on for a few weeks then went off, it is a bad O2 sensor and I haven't had $$/time to fix it now. Once in a while, it has a hard WARM start, possible leaky fuel injector ( I hope!). I ordered the service manual (I advise DIY-ers to do this) and I can't wait to start seeing how my N* works. But with gas being over $4, it may become a weekend car and back to the 01 Civic LX for me.
10/10 would buy again
Anon, 11/11/2015
1997 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
I originally had a 1995 Pontiac Grand Am Gt Coupe with a bad head gasket, power steering pump, radiator and countless other issues. Leaked a quart a week. I traded that car and $500 and got me a 97 Eldorado. It's pearl white with a soft top and girls love it. Real head turner. It was a fixer upper, had a bad alternator and heater core and hoses, gas gage didn't work. I fixed the heater core and alternator for a total of $300. No complaints on performance except sometimes it takes a while to get going after stopping. Has 124k on it, I'm second owner and it came from Florida and has no rust at all. Premium gas gets it 16.5 mpg.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
5 Passanger Corvette
Eldoguy, 10/09/2006
1996 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used, fully optioned, with a cabriolet roof and chrome on the top of the front and left fenders. It is Crimson Pearl with a tan interior and added extra Zebranno wood. It looks very distictive. My family are snow birds, it is what you need when going from Canada to Florida each year. In the three years of owning this car the brakes and battery are all I needed to replace. I had lent it to my 83 year old mom. I haven't seen her or my car for awhile.
eldorado
steve miller, 10/13/2002
1996 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
These car is extremely fun to drive albeit the 300hp ETC tends to "nosetail" at full push. Get it with Bose system and the ride only gets better. It lumbers in evasive manuevers, but the sheer "push you back in your seat" will impress. This car depreciates so bad, it's a great buy in any used condition. Reliability?? Too much fun to think about the fact this car has 3 fuseboxes.
too many sensors
D. Green, 10/22/2002
1997 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
bought on ebay. car has high miles, otherwise nice. love the car, but many sensors have gone out or have intermittent problems causing computer to turn on warning lights. A/C went out 3 times this summer, $900 to fix, still not real cold
Good car for the value
redeldo, 05/12/2003
1997 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
1st Cadillac ever owned and it has been a very good car. Lots of comments about how good it looks. Don't know if it was worth sticker price new but I feel it was a good value at the used price. Rides like a caddy should.
Great car
Ken, 10/22/2017
1997 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Just do not let it overheat and it does have a big blind spot. This car is alot of fun to drive and a lot faster than I thought it would be. Mine is a 1997 etc.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Should have got a Lincon Mark V111
Fast Eddie, 09/02/2004
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Like the elegent styling, especially with Vouge chrome wheels, white diamond paint, and rear spoiler. Was searching for a clean '98 Mark 8 but couldn't find one, so I bought the Eldo on looks alone. Sorry, but it's style, no substance. Why does the auto industry rave about the Northstar? The Ford V-8 feels much stronger and doesn't suck a quart of oil every 1500 miles. My first V-8 front wheel drive car - and last. Tourqe steer, nose dive, and loose, bouncy ride (feels like an offensive lineman's sitting under the hood). Noisy interior for a luxury car. But like a trophy wife, she sure is pretty and kind of hard to give up!
Never again
buffy, 07/17/2002
1997 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Beautiful car ,sporty car and full of speed, but things happen to it and there is no explaination. The problems are evidently fixed with just luck. The service personnel work digilently and it is apparently a lot of experietmenting to solve the numerous problems. The first problem was a whinning sound from the front of the vehicle. The second problem was the car dies at any speed it was fixed after 2 months but the problem has returned. The car has had a cracked head and the steering broke on a trip.
GREAT CAR
Dan Ferguson, 02/02/2016
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Considering the car is now 20 years old, it is a very low mileage car. 102k. Car runs and drive like new still. It would have been a car that I could not have afforded to buy new as the msrp was around $50,000. But as a 15 year old car, it has been exceptionally dependable runs and drive great and is a highway cruising MONSTER. The Northstar V-8 seems to get very mixed reviews, but as for my car it's been fantastic. Only down side, it's a 2 door car, difficult to use the back seats, and the trunk is a bit limited for the size of the vehicle. But I would recommend this car to anyone. In fact I'm selling mine right now.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Eldorad OH NO!
therob, 04/30/2003
1997 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought it used.Seemed like a solid dependable car,but the radiator started leaking(cheap plastic).Then the check engine light came on.While waiting for the diagonsis the mechanics guessed that it might be a big problem with some oil valve something.It wasn't, just a clogged EGR tube which they said was typical.It uses oil, gets less than anticipated mpg,A/C cools less than a Caddy should,and warning lights go off and on without rhyme or reason.The A/C conked out in midwinter and I may not bother with fixing.The turn signal lever needed to be fixed,too.I am not satisfied and wish I had heard about these problems before deciding on a Caddy.
What a car
boomer992001, 09/26/2002
1996 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Performance, style and elegance.......this car has it all
Best car ever !! By far!
cadillackid1, 01/18/2013
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this car when I was 15 to go to local car shows with and it turned out to be the best thing I have ever bought in my life. The performance is amazing, the Northstar is one of the best engines ever, the ride is the smoothest with the air suspension, its a very quiet interior, awesome quality built, and the sound of the engine is amazing. Not to mention the drop dead good looks! I get so many compliments about the car on the street and in car shows I cant keep track. 62000kms, dark cherry metallic with matching interior, gold plated emblems with gold pinstripe and vogue rims and white walls. Only had to get a tune up since I owned it ($500). Not for someone who isnt financially stable
VERY PLEASED
ASHWAH, 01/16/2004
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
THIS CAR IS A FANTASTIC PERFORMER! IT IS NOT FOR THE MILD MANNERED DRIVER. PASSING GEAR WILL REQUIRE THAT YOU REALLY HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL YOU "LET UP". THE ENGINE SEEMS TO CONSUME A QUART IN BETWEEN 3OOO MILE CHANGES. I SAY SEEMS BECAUSE I KEEP THE ENGINE OIL & ALL FLUIDS "TOPPED OFF". I AM SO SORRY GM HAS STOPPED BUILDING ELDORADO COUPES, SO I AM KEEPING THIS BROUGHAM! A FAN
1996 Eldo
646467, 03/28/2003
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Its been a great car just wish I had bought the 4 door Seville since it is tough for people to access the back seat.
Fantastic Ride
DA, 09/11/2002
1997 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have the ETC. 300HP instead of 275. I drove both. It sure feels like a lot more than a 25HP difference! At 35mph I can break the front tires loose on dry pavement. I got 28.99mpg driving from OKC to Branson with cruise set at 75mph. Better than my brother's Mazda 323 4 cylinder!! 'course he had problems keeping the little bugger at 75 ;>) Only complaint I have is the power antenna broke. It's a Cadillac so you can guess the replacement cost... yep A BUNCH!
Be careful of oil usage
Smendrick, 04/18/2003
1997 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Exceptional performance and handling, but the Northstar engine is a pig when it comes to oil consumption. Be aware that the fix is more than the car is worth.
Nice to look at, thats all.
TMC, 07/07/2003
1997 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I own an Eldorado touring coupe, and trust me the looks are the only good traits. Since I bought this car the AC has went out three times and living in Florida AC is a must. Service Engine Soon Light goes on and off wheneever it wants, so do the digital sensors. The water hose belt gets tangled at least once a month and causes car to overheat even aftertaking it to the dealership to replace the belt and pulleys. I am disappointed in Cadillac for this one.
1996 Cadillac
Desrat, 03/15/2002
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
We have been very happy with this car. It's beauty and performance.
My Cadillac
Da17, 09/14/2005
1997 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
My 1997 Cadillac Eldorado is elegant, classy, and attractive, but has terrible gas mileage.
eldorado
Steve Miller, 10/13/2002
1996 Cadillac Eldorado Touring 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
These car is extremely fun to drive albeit the 300hp ETC tends to "nosetail" at full push. Get it with Bose system and the ride only gets better. It lumbers in evasive manuevers, but the sheer "push you back in your seat" will impress. This car depreciates so bad, it's a great buy in any used condition. Reliability?? Too much fun to think about the fact this car has 3 fuseboxes.
good car
Mr B, 10/01/2002
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Only had to due oil changes. No problems whatsoever
1996 eldorado
96eldo, 07/21/2004
1996 Cadillac Eldorado 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought it used and have enjoyed every mile. Strong and comfortable. Solid car.