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1993
Cadillac Allante

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$61,675
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Expert 1993 Cadillac Allante review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

The last thing we remember was the wife trying to revive us in thedriveway.

Having graduated cum laude in resuscitation, she knew immediately what to do when the old man did a header onto the pavement.

“Toss a brew in his face and try not to get it on his tie,“ she ordered No. 1 twin.

The reason for performing a full gainer was that we foolishly looked-without glasses-at the window sticker on the 1993 Cadillac Allanteconvertible we were test-driving.

Without the magnifiers the sticker appeared to read: $82,375, apparentlyexplaining why some refer to General Motors Corp. as the “Mark ofExtravagance,“ or a slogan along those lines.

Once the bifocals were attached to the nose, we realized the price wasonly $62,375. Oh happy days. While $60,000 is ridiculous, $80,000 is absurd.

Cadillac General Manager John Grettenberger said Allante is Cadillac`stest-bed vehicle. Allante helped check out the reliability of systems such as computer-command ride control and traction control before they were includedin other Cadillac cars.

Grettenberger said there will always be a low-volume test-bed car atCadillac (Cadillac sells about 2,000 Allantes annually), though it may notalways be the Allante. In the future the midsize “baby“ Cadillac theautomaker is developing might be the technology guinea pig.

It`s not that Allante is a DeSoto masquerading as a Cadillac, it`s justthat low volume doesn`t justify a high price-test bed or no test bed.

The Allante debuted in 1987. The 1993 version is light-years better thanthe original in performance, ride, handling and quiet.

Performance gets a huge boost in 1993 with the introduction of the 4.6-liter, 32-valve, 295-horsepower Northstar V-8 engine to replace the 4.5-liter, 200-horsepower V-8 of 1992. The Allante boasts a 0-to-60 m.p.h. timeof 7 seconds and a top speed of 150 m.p.h., and if it weren`t for the rumblesound effects of the exhaust, you probably wouldn`t know the engine wasrunning.

The engine is smooth and quiet and delivers a kick. What it doesn`tdeliver is fuel economy. The mileage rating is 14 m.p.g. city/21 highway,which brings the car a gas-guzzler tax of about $1,700.

Not only does the mileage rating require frequent stops for petrol, those visits are less than entertaining because the fuel-filler neck is low on thebody panel behind the driver`s door. The location means you have to stoop tofill. Michael Jordan would have to get down on one knee to reach the fillerneck-if Chevrolet would let him.

Cadillac says Northstar is a “world-class“ engine, strong words fromthe same folks who brought us the $62,375 price tag. “World-class“ is theindustry`s new buzzword.

The Allante delivers world-class quiet, perhaps. But world-classreliability, durability and dependability? Hey Cadillac, two weeks on themarket does not world-class make. And world-class mileage? Absolutely not.

W here world-class takes on meaning is when you drive Allante and realizethe care and attention given the management of ride and handling. There`sindependent four-wheel suspension so that the bump you hit with the left fronttire doesn`t transmit harshness to the other three.

There also is something called “road sensing,“ which means thesuspension “reads“ the road by measuring the vehicle`s wheel position andbody motion. Sensors monitor road conditions to instantly change suspensionsettings from soft to firm or vice versa. In layman`s terms, it`s calledpampering.

Traction-control also is standard. That system prevents wheels fromspinning and the car from slipping and sliding when it takes off from thestoplight, as the Allante`s anti-lock brakes keep wheels from locking and the car from skidding when it tries to stop at the light.

When we drove in heavy rain, we accelerated from the light and theAllante dug in and kept gaining speed as if the pavement we re dry. Cars to ourright and left were tiptoeing through the water while our car stepped lively. Traction control provides a most reassuring feeling when you know much of yourmotoring will be in snow.

Add to all this the Allante`s speed-sensitive steering, which varies theamount of steering effort required based on vehicle speed-less effort to pull between those narrow yellow lines at the mall, a bit more to cross the lineseparating lanes on the interstate.

Another plus is the driver-side air bag. But Cadillac needs to put the“SRS,“ or “supplemental restraint system,“ lettering on the steeringwheel hub housing the bag. If you are going to provide the safety cushion, letthe person behind the wheel know it`s there.

Because Allante is a test bed for new technology at Cadillac, why didn`tthe automaker opt to test the addition of a passenger-side air bag? At least, to Cadillac`s credit, the steering wheel offers a tilt option, a feature notalways available when a bag is offered.

Another plus is that this convertible doesn`t have blind spots. There are small glass panels behind the driver`s and passenger`s windows; they provideenough of an opening so you can see other vehicles on the side before youchange lanes.

The convertible top is semi-powered, meaning it unlocks and locks fromthe front header when you pull a control knob, but still requires a lift/pull/push routine to get the top down and under the tonneau cover and fasten thelatch on that cover.

A couple of gripes, however, are that the cupholders block access to theashtray, and that there is an overwhelming number of buttons, dials andnumbers on the instrument panel above the console, including the radio, airconditioning, compact disc player and driver information center (time,temperature, miles until the gas tank is empty and the like, plus suchwarnings as “headlights suggested“).

The final complaint is with the passenger`s seat, which rattled each time we struck a bump. It wasn`t a world-class rattle, but enough of a nuisancethat we`d be at the front of the line at the dealer`s service department themorning after the car was purchased.

Additional standard equipment includes every item that starts with thedescription “power.“

Notes

For 1993 Chevrolet has dropped the GEO Storm hatchback, the ugly attemptat making a sedan look like a wagon. The Storm coupe adds a new color, a crossbetween plum and purple. Very nice.

1993 Cadillac Allante review: Our expert's take
By

The last thing we remember was the wife trying to revive us in thedriveway.

Having graduated cum laude in resuscitation, she knew immediately what to do when the old man did a header onto the pavement.

“Toss a brew in his face and try not to get it on his tie,“ she ordered No. 1 twin.

The reason for performing a full gainer was that we foolishly looked-without glasses-at the window sticker on the 1993 Cadillac Allanteconvertible we were test-driving.

Without the magnifiers the sticker appeared to read: $82,375, apparentlyexplaining why some refer to General Motors Corp. as the “Mark ofExtravagance,“ or a slogan along those lines.

Once the bifocals were attached to the nose, we realized the price wasonly $62,375. Oh happy days. While $60,000 is ridiculous, $80,000 is absurd.

Cadillac General Manager John Grettenberger said Allante is Cadillac`stest-bed vehicle. Allante helped check out the reliability of systems such as computer-command ride control and traction control before they were includedin other Cadillac cars.

Grettenberger said there will always be a low-volume test-bed car atCadillac (Cadillac sells about 2,000 Allantes annually), though it may notalways be the Allante. In the future the midsize “baby“ Cadillac theautomaker is developing might be the technology guinea pig.

It`s not that Allante is a DeSoto masquerading as a Cadillac, it`s justthat low volume doesn`t justify a high price-test bed or no test bed.

The Allante debuted in 1987. The 1993 version is light-years better thanthe original in performance, ride, handling and quiet.

Performance gets a huge boost in 1993 with the introduction of the 4.6-liter, 32-valve, 295-horsepower Northstar V-8 engine to replace the 4.5-liter, 200-horsepower V-8 of 1992. The Allante boasts a 0-to-60 m.p.h. timeof 7 seconds and a top speed of 150 m.p.h., and if it weren`t for the rumblesound effects of the exhaust, you probably wouldn`t know the engine wasrunning.

The engine is smooth and quiet and delivers a kick. What it doesn`tdeliver is fuel economy. The mileage rating is 14 m.p.g. city/21 highway,which brings the car a gas-guzzler tax of about $1,700.

Not only does the mileage rating require frequent stops for petrol, those visits are less than entertaining because the fuel-filler neck is low on thebody panel behind the driver`s door. The location means you have to stoop tofill. Michael Jordan would have to get down on one knee to reach the fillerneck-if Chevrolet would let him.

Cadillac says Northstar is a “world-class“ engine, strong words fromthe same folks who brought us the $62,375 price tag. “World-class“ is theindustry`s new buzzword.

The Allante delivers world-class quiet, perhaps. But world-classreliability, durability and dependability? Hey Cadillac, two weeks on themarket does not world-class make. And world-class mileage? Absolutely not.

W here world-class takes on meaning is when you drive Allante and realizethe care and attention given the management of ride and handling. There`sindependent four-wheel suspension so that the bump you hit with the left fronttire doesn`t transmit harshness to the other three.

There also is something called “road sensing,“ which means thesuspension “reads“ the road by measuring the vehicle`s wheel position andbody motion. Sensors monitor road conditions to instantly change suspensionsettings from soft to firm or vice versa. In layman`s terms, it`s calledpampering.

Traction-control also is standard. That system prevents wheels fromspinning and the car from slipping and sliding when it takes off from thestoplight, as the Allante`s anti-lock brakes keep wheels from locking and the car from skidding when it tries to stop at the light.

When we drove in heavy rain, we accelerated from the light and theAllante dug in and kept gaining speed as if the pavement we re dry. Cars to ourright and left were tiptoeing through the water while our car stepped lively. Traction control provides a most reassuring feeling when you know much of yourmotoring will be in snow.

Add to all this the Allante`s speed-sensitive steering, which varies theamount of steering effort required based on vehicle speed-less effort to pull between those narrow yellow lines at the mall, a bit more to cross the lineseparating lanes on the interstate.

Another plus is the driver-side air bag. But Cadillac needs to put the“SRS,“ or “supplemental restraint system,“ lettering on the steeringwheel hub housing the bag. If you are going to provide the safety cushion, letthe person behind the wheel know it`s there.

Because Allante is a test bed for new technology at Cadillac, why didn`tthe automaker opt to test the addition of a passenger-side air bag? At least, to Cadillac`s credit, the steering wheel offers a tilt option, a feature notalways available when a bag is offered.

Another plus is that this convertible doesn`t have blind spots. There are small glass panels behind the driver`s and passenger`s windows; they provideenough of an opening so you can see other vehicles on the side before youchange lanes.

The convertible top is semi-powered, meaning it unlocks and locks fromthe front header when you pull a control knob, but still requires a lift/pull/push routine to get the top down and under the tonneau cover and fasten thelatch on that cover.

A couple of gripes, however, are that the cupholders block access to theashtray, and that there is an overwhelming number of buttons, dials andnumbers on the instrument panel above the console, including the radio, airconditioning, compact disc player and driver information center (time,temperature, miles until the gas tank is empty and the like, plus suchwarnings as “headlights suggested“).

The final complaint is with the passenger`s seat, which rattled each time we struck a bump. It wasn`t a world-class rattle, but enough of a nuisancethat we`d be at the front of the line at the dealer`s service department themorning after the car was purchased.

Additional standard equipment includes every item that starts with thedescription “power.“

Notes

For 1993 Chevrolet has dropped the GEO Storm hatchback, the ugly attemptat making a sedan look like a wagon. The Storm coupe adds a new color, a crossbetween plum and purple. Very nice.

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 years / less than 60,000 miles
Basic
New: 4 years / 50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper; CPO: One year / unlimited miles bumper-to-bumper
Dealer certification
172-point inspection

Consumer reviews

4.4 / 5
Based on 18 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.4
Interior 4.5
Performance 4.2
Value 4.3
Exterior 4.8
Reliability 4.1

Most recent

  • A car far ahead of its time with a top far behind

    A 1993. Bought at end of 2019 w/112k for a good price. Car was in good shape, i.e. no head gasket issues minor oil leaks. After flushing the cooling system changing the belts & hoses & fluids, I drove it for the next 2years without issue. Last year (at 126K) new rad., coolant cross-over and water pump. Now it runs perfectly. Issues: Complicated top that needs a specialist to adjust to work easily. Now have 131k. Positives: stunning to look at (head-turner), fast for an early 90's car (0-60, 6.2, 1/4 mile 14.8 and a Cadillac claimed 241kph top), very nice interior for the time. A hybrid (Italo-American) at a very nice price.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    11 people out of 12 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • A Driven 93 Allante

    I purchased my 93 in 2001, with approx 65K , I travelled and used for pleasure trips, and vacations. Mechanically It has preformed well. I have ha several Electronic issues, Raido system drain of battery, window switches being cleaned and reinstalled, top power latches, both rear and front failures,( Never Close To Home) The seat stitching has come loose on a few seems, but most interior parts are still nice. This vehicle has been garage kept most of its life, exterior is still nice. I have doubled the mileage in past 20 years, but rarely drive anymore.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 3.0
    14 people out of 15 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • The 1993 Allante is a world class automobile

    I am a silver haired car buff (former traveling salesman) who has owned many Cadillacs over the years from De'villes to Broughams to Eldorados. I now drive a 1993 Allante and it is not only the finest automobile I have ever owned it is the finest Automobile I have ever driven. It is comfortable, punchy, sturdy and a real kick in the head to drive. Aside from all this, the car is extremely reliable. I have driven in summer bumper to bumper city traffic and have been on highway road trips in my Allante and never had any breakdowns or problems. The Northstar is a remarkable engine with plenty of horsepower and torque. All the scrabble-talk about head gasket issues is irrelevant if you simply keep coolant in the blessed radiator. It's real simple! If you are foolish enough to over-heat the Allante turn off the engine immediately and let it cool down. Yes, you can have head gasket problems if you let the car get too hot, so be responsible, check your gage, keep the coolant topped off, don't over heat the engine and you will have one of the finest performance engines ever made. The Allante with the Northstar engine is a masterpiece roadster. Many Cadillac techs agree with me and swear by the 1993 Allante. This is a world class automobile!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    20 people out of 21 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • An amazing and rare vehicle

    Absolutely love my allante! Very powerful for an almost 30 year old car, it keeps up with the new stuff. It’s a very stylish car and one of the rare convertibles anyone can drive and look like a movie star.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    18 people out of 19 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • A CLASSIC

    I ALWAYS WANTED TO OWNTHIS CAR, BUT COULDN'T AFFORD IT WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT. I'M A BIT OF A CAR LOVER, AND THIS ONE IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE CAR I'VE EVER OWNED. ONLY SELLING IT NOW AS I'VE BECOME A SNOWBIRD AND I CAN'T DRIVE ALL MY CARS. KEPT GARAGED AND WELL MAINTAINED. NEVER IN ANY ACCIDENT AND FOR A 93 IT HAS UNDER 57,000 MILES.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    9 people out of 10 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • I just loved it period.

    My Allante was quick, good looking and great riding. I had so many people compliment me on its looks than any car I've ever owned. I had a 90 and 93. I loved them both.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Most unreliable car I've ever owned.

    This only lasted me 300 miles, since the Northstar V-8 is very, very unreliable, not to mention the transmission blew after a month's use. (I don't drive often) Would not recommend unless you want a piece of American history, or to go to a demolition derby.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 1.0
    6 people out of 10 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Beautiful example of a European automobile

    I have owned 4 different Allante’s and loved each of them only a little over 22,000 made from 1987-1993. Bodies were manufactured in Italy and ship to US by 747’s for final assembly
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • 13 years never drove 500 miles not another

    not enough cash to keep auto fixed had it so long went to antique tags only good about it was no inspections it probably would not pass after a while U would think G. M . might change the brake system VERY POOR AUTO FOR EXPENSIVE PRICE TAG
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 1.0
    2 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • It is a most desirable car to own.

    Actually I really 'love' this vehicle, and am looking forward to owning one, as my one, and only, everyday car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Very reliable and gorgeous vehicle.

    A very beautiful vehicle to own. Just keep up with the maintenance and you will have no problems. The ride is smooth and the Northstar Engine gives you top performance. I highly recommend using premium gasoline for the 1993 Allante since it has the Northstar engine.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Hvw oqnws 4 93 xSILLx LLnrw noq qNRWS norhwe

    love this car. had a brand new one. sold it after 3 years. regretted doing it. bought 3 more used. then bought #5
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1993 Cadillac Allante?

The 1993 Cadillac Allante is available in 1 trim level:

  • (1 style)

Is the 1993 Cadillac Allante reliable?

The 1993 Cadillac Allante has an average reliability rating of 4.1 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1993 Cadillac Allante owners.

Is the 1993 Cadillac Allante a good Convertible?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1993 Cadillac Allante. 83.3% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.4 / 5
Based on 18 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.4
  • Interior: 4.5
  • Performance: 4.2
  • Value: 4.3
  • Exterior: 4.8
  • Reliability: 4.1
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