1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Review
1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Review

Used Fleetwood for sale
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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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.12 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$205/mo for Fleetwood Base
Fleetwood Base
vs
$206/mo
Avg. Large Car
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 star(81%)
4 star(19%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
26 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Hey Mac, this is a neat Fleetwood
Rod, 07/08/2017
1996 Cadillac Fleetwood 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!
5 out of 5 stars
Yes, Virginia, size matters.
Its Me, 04/11/2010
1995 Cadillac Fleetwood 4dr Sedan
Sitting down in my Brougham evokes the same feeling I get when landing in the States from an overseas trip - I'm home! Big, comfortable, reliable, and fast, it's the pinnacle of rear-wheel drive, four-door sedans, and is everything an American car should be. Some of my friends chuckle--until they ride in it, and then their reaction is one of amazement and longing for days gone by. When … I nail the gas pedal, their eyes pop open. Other than normal maintenance and wear items (shocks, hoses, that kind of stuff), I've had no significant problems. The car runs like a champ and has excellent fit-and-finish. Uncomplicated controls, all the useful gadgets you'd want. Love it.
4.25 out of 5 stars
WARNING: Object in Mirror is Faster than it Appears
swiftv4p, 11/11/2014
1995 Cadillac Fleetwood 4dr Sedan
I am a "Car Guy"/long time 1/4 mile drag racer so hopefully this review won't be too technical for the average reader.
After months of searching I located and purchased my '95 FWB with less than 70K miles from its 93 year-old original owner who resides in So Cal. My search was specific, as I know how to read GM option stickers (located under the trunk lid) and interpret RPO option … codes. In this case I was looking for Option Code V4P, which this car had and I will discuss in the next section.
The car is roomy, comfortable, and an attention-getter. I had owned the car just two hours, and I received multiple compliments. Having owned LT1 cars in the past I know they are dead reliable.
5 out of 5 stars
Last of the Big Boys
Bobby K, 07/22/2002
1996 Cadillac Fleetwood 4dr Sedan
Great Ride, what can you say, its that
last of the big rear wheel drive bad
boys. With the Corvette engine and the
ability to tow 3.5 tons!! With room
for 6 and a trunk that will swallow at
least 3 bodies (maybe more). With this
car I cannot understand why the mini-
vans are so popular. Wish mine had a
moon roof, but otherwise I am extremely
pleased!!!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood, so we've included reviews for other years of the Fleetwood since its last redesign.
1996 Fleetwood Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $205/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 21.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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