1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Review

Name: 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood
Brand: Cadillac
Price: 1781 USD
Rating: 4.9 (10 reviews)

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List Price Estimate:	$1,781 - $2,887

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Cadillac Fleetwood model years

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What’s new

Final year for the longest production car sold in the U.S. Updates are limited to a new audio system, revised center storage armrest and prewiring for Cadillac's Dual Mode cellular phone.

Vehicle overview

Understand one thing about this car. It is huge; the longest production car sold today. It is not easy to maneuver. But boy, does it go fast in a straight line. A Corvette LT1 motor lurks under the acreage that is the Fleetwood's hood, and gets this 4500-pound behemoth to 60 mph quicker than a Dodge Intrepid ES. Big antilock brakes haul the freight back down quickly, as well.

Inside is enough room to carry six very comfortable passengers, and the trunk swallows more stuff than many minivans will (with all seats installed). Dual airbags, ABS and traction control all come standard on the Fleetwood, and prices start at just $36,000.

New this year is a revised center armrest with lots of storage and dual cupholders, pre-wiring for Cadillac's Dual Mode (analog and digital) cellular phone, and a new audio system. One interesting carryover feature is the chime that reminds drivers to turn off their turn signal if they've traveled more than half a mile with it blinking.

The Fleetwood represents the last of the monster Cadillacs. At the end of the 1996 model year, it goes out of production so that General Motors can convert its Arlington, Texas assembly plant to build highly profitable trucks. The front-wheel drive De Ville is poised to take over the Fleetwood's duties, but the experience just isn't the same. Time is running out on this traditional rear-wheel drive luxo-barge. Grab a piece of history while you can.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood.

5(90%)

4(10%)

3(0%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

4.9

10 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Hey Mac, this is a neat Fleetwood

Rod,07/08/2017

4dr Sedan

This Fleetwood is the 70th car I've owned in my life, and the 2nd Fleetwood (the previous one was a 1994). I have never owned a car newer than the 1972 model year until I broke the streak with a 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora in 2006. Since that car I have only owned 1994-2001 GM cars (3 more 98-99 Auroras, 94-96 Roadmasters, a 2001 Eldorado ETC, 1996 Cadillac DeVille etc.). Before then I have … owned 1956-1966 Ford Thunderbirds, Ford Falcons, Fairlanes, Galaxies, and a couple of Mustangs. I have owned a few slant-6 Dodge Darts and Plymouth Valiants. Around 1989 or so, I FINALLY woke up and switch exclusively to GM! I have owned 1963-197s Buick Rivieras And Skylarks/GS. And I have owned other 1962-1972 Buicks, a Pontiac or two, and a few nice 1971-72 Chevelle Malibu's. I tell you all that to say this: The 1994-96 Buick Roadmasters and Cadillac Fleetwoods are the best over-all cars I have ever owned. This particular Fleetwood has the trailer towing package which includes a 3:42 gear, stronger transmission, harder body to frame bushings, stiffer springs, larger anti-sway bars, and heavy duty cooling, including transmission fluid and engine oil cooling. (One of my 1994 Buick Roadmasters also is a towing model). Oddly enough, even the normal Fleetwoods have a stiffer suspension than her Buick Roadmaster and Chevy Caprice sisters. You'd think the Chevy would rank the stiffest and the Cadillac the softest, but no. On top of that I put Monroe Severe Duty shocks in the front and Monroe coil-over shocks in the back of all my 1994-1996 GM B/D bodied cars. Actually I stiffen the suspension on all my cars for decades now. Okay on with the 1996 Fleetwood. IT IS FAST, smooth, quiet, comfortable and I would call it a touring sedan. Not quite as fast as my 2001 Eldorado ETC, but a much firmer and sure ride and handling. With the 3:42 gear I get about the same gas mileage doing 80mph on the freeway or around town--17-20 mpg. The original price for the Fleetwood Brougham is around $8-12,000 more than the Roadmaster Limited. With that you get a quieter car, better suspension, traction control, easier to use seat belts, (they retract at both ends, the Roadmaster has a stationary anchor on one end, making you "feed" the seatbelt back to its stored position, a PITA) and one of my favorite options that is missing on the Roadmasters-Retained Accessory Power. The door panels and other interior parts are more substantial and do not squeak or rattle like the Roadmaster's do. The gauges on either car is lacking, but more so on the Fleetwood. (The 1991-1993 Roadmasters had the best gauge package, but not the LT-1 engine). The HAVC controls on the Roadmasters are more versatile than on the Fleetwoods, so I always replace my HAVC controls on my Fleetwoods with Roadmaster controls. A bit of modification for mounting is needed, so it is not a simple swap, but the effort is WORTH it if you like to have full manual control of your fan speeds. Basically the Fleetwood with the towing package compares to the 1994-96 Impala SS or Caprice Police Car in many ways. And it is much more RARE. Plus you get that extra bit of luxury and comfort reserved for Cadillacs!

Best car on the planet (for the money)

David P.,11/02/2009

4dr Sedan

Absolutely best car on the planet for the money. Excellent cars can be had for $4-6,000. Make sure to buy one which has been properly maintained all its life. Trashy ones make for good parts car. Parts are expensive. Only buy the LT-1 (94-96). I car-pool my deep-red 96 Brougham to an expensive, snotty prep school and proudly enter the drop-off zone amidst BMW-X5,Range Rovers, …

True American Luxury

Dunbar,09/30/2002

4dr Sedan

The vehicle is excellent in every way except for driving over rippled surfaces that are close together. The suspension seems loose when this happens but that is what GM intended. I owned a Mercury Cougar XR7 with a much firmer suspension. Maybe that's why the Fleetwood's suspension seems rubbery at times.

Executive Sweet

Alton Hall,10/04/2016

4dr Sedan

Just got my '96 base Fleetwood Sedan with only 41,000 miles on it - basically just broken in. This is the best car I've ever owned. It is comfortable, powerful and fuel efficient ( regular gas and 26 mpg hwy ). The LT 1 engine is one of GM's best. It is quiet, roomy and elegant inside. For a big car, it handles quite well and is easy to maneuver. I highly recommend this car. I am proud …

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Features & Specs

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Safety

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Side Impact Test
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test
0

More about the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood

Used 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Overview

The Used 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood is offered in the following submodels: Fleetwood Sedan. Available styles include 4dr Sedan. The Used 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood comes with rear wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed automatic.

What's a good price on a Used 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood?

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Which used 1996 Cadillac Fleetwoods are available in my area?

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Should I lease or buy a 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

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1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Review

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Edmunds' Expert Review

What’s new

Vehicle overview

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood.

Most helpful consumer reviews

Features & Specs

Safety

Used 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Overview

What's a good price on a Used 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood?

Which used 1996 Cadillac Fleetwoods are available in my area?

Can't find a used 1996 Cadillac Fleetwoods you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Should I lease or buy a 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood?

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