1988 Cadillac Fleetwood d'Elegance

4dr Sedan

8-cyl. 273cid/155hp FI

#1 Concours condition#1 Concours
#2 Excellent condition#2 Excellent
#3 Good condition#3 Good

$7,900 CAD*

+8.2%
#4 Fair condition#4 Fair
Value Graph04/2407/2410/24$2k$4k$6kJan 2025

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1985-1992 Cadillac Fleetwood stats
Highest sale
$56,916 CAD
Lowest sale
$389 CAD
Most recent sale
$33,236 CAD
Sales
213

Photos

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1985 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Sedan
1985 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Sedan
1992 Cadillac Fleetwood Sedan
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Model overview

Model description

Partly in response to a federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandate of 27.5 mpg, Cadillac introduced a downsized version of their Fleetwood coupe and sedan in 1985. In addition to being smaller, the upscale DeVille switched to front-wheel drive and continued to use the previous year’s 4.1-liter die-cast aluminum block V-8 engine, sitting side-saddle under the hood and producing 125 hp. Even the Fleetwood 75 limousine was now front wheel drive, though the Fleetwood Brougham continued unchanged from the previous year. Curb weight for the now-lithe Fleetwood was 3,346 pounds on the coupe, compared to 3,990 pounds from just a year earlier. The wheelbase was just under 111 inches (or 134.4 inches on the limousine). All the Cadillac styling cues were still present, only now in a more compact package with a nice large glass area for good vision.

Driving feel on the Fleetwood was sharpened by new power rack-and-pinion steering, and an all-new fully-independent coil sprung suspension was also installed. Interior and trunk room were similar in size, and a new 4.3-liter V-6 Diesel engine was available for 1985 only.

For 1986 onwards, the Fleetwood name became an option on the DeVille line, while the rear-wheel-drive Fleetwood Brougham sedan carried on as a distinct model. The loss of the coupe for the bigger car was not a huge deal, since only 3000 had been sold for 1985. What was gained on the Fleetwood Brougham was a slightly more powerful Oldsmobile 307-cid V-8 engine. Little changed for 1987, except that the Fleetwood Sixty Special nameplate was revived. This car was front-drive, with a 5-inch increase in wheelbase for improved rear legroom.

For 1988, the big news was an improved Cadillac V-8 of 4.5 liters, now rated at 155 hp, that was installed on the front-drive cars. The Olds-supplied 140-hp engine was retained on the rear-drive cars. The factory-built limousine was no more.

The 1989 front-wheel-drive cars grew 5 to 8 inches, most of which benefitted trunk space. Sedans also received a 3-inch longer wheelbase that helped rear legroom (though the Sixty Special saw a 2-inch decrease in wheelbase). For 1990, front-drive cars saw power increase again, this time from 155 to 180 hp from an alloy-block V-8 with multi-point fuel injection. The rear-drive cars were no longer part of the Fleetwood line; now simply called the Cadillac Brougham.

The Fleetwood’s alloy-block V-8 increased to 4.9 liters for 1991, though power remained the same. Anti-lock brakes became standard on all Cadillacs this year. The biggest change for 1992 was that engineers found an extra twenty ponies to power the 300 cubic inch front-drive Cadillacs.

Cadillac during this period faced tough competition from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and a new line of Japanese luxury cars like Lexus and Infiniti. All the same, this generation of Fleetwood sold quite well, and today they embody 1980s American automotive luxury. Sedans tend to be more underpowered than the coupes, which results in most enthusiasts gravitating towards the two-doors. Similarly, the Diesel engines experienced a host of continued problems and only draw the most dedicated of Cadillac fuel-efficiency fetishists. Fleetwoods are readily available, though many fell out of maintenance by their second or third owners, so practice patience and look for single-owner examples if possible.

Vehicle specifications

  • Wheel Base Shortest - Inches110.8
  • Wheel Base Longest - Inches110.8
  • Shipping Weight3463
  • Drive TypeFWD
  • Manufacturer NameGeneral Motors
  • Front Tire Size15R215
  • Manufacturer MSRP28024
  • Market SegmentationFull Size Luxury Car
  • Manufacturer CodeC137
  • Front Tire Size Code31

Equipment

  • StandardOptional
  • Transmission4 Speed Automatic
  • Power BrakesYes
  • Power SteeringYes
  • EntertainmentAM/FMAM/FM CASS
  • Air ConditioningYes
  • Power WindowsYes
  • Tilt Steering WheelYes
  • Roof DescriptionManual Sun/Moon Roof
  • Restraint typeActive (Manual) Belts

Equipment

Standard

  • Transmission4 Speed Automatic
  • Power BrakesYes
  • Power SteeringYes
  • EntertainmentAM/FM
  • Air ConditioningYes
  • Power WindowsYes
  • Tilt Steering WheelYes
  • Restraint typeActive (Manual) Belts

Optional

  • EntertainmentAM/FM CASS
  • Roof DescriptionManual Sun/Moon Roof
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Common Questions

The value of a 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood d'Elegance can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $5,500 USD for a 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood d'Elegance in good condition with average spec.

The highest selling price of a 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood d'Elegance at auction over the last three years was $10,479 CAD. The highest prices are usually reserved for rare or exceptionally well-maintained examples with desirable features or modifications and excellent history.

The lowest selling price of a 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood d'Elegance at auction over the last three years was $9,330 CAD. The lowest prices are usually paid for examples that have extensive maintenance needs, differ greatly from their original configuration, or have accident histories or title problems.

In the last three years there have been 2 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood d'Elegances sold at public auction.

The most recent auction sale of a 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood d'Elegance was $9,330 CAD on December 06, 2024 by Mecum Auctions.

Many factors can increase a car's value including excellent condition, exceptional originality, a recent restoration, low mileage, unique provenance, desirable options, popular or unique color choices, and excellent maintenance records. Upgrades and modifications that enhance performance or aesthetics can also add value.

Factors that can decrease a car's value include unusually high mileage, poor maintenance history, visible wear and tear, accidents or damage, title issues, and gaps in ownership history. Additionally, less popular color choices and extensive modifications that don't appeal to a broad audience can reduce value.

Mileage plays a significant role in a classic car’s value. Lower mileage usually increases value because it indicates a higher degree of originality, is rarer, and suggests less wear and tear. However, cars with exceptionally low mileage may also have maintenance needs due to lack of use. Whether someone should pay more for a vehicle with lower miles will depend on how they plan on using it, and the vehicle's specific condition.

The value of modified cars differs widely based on the type and quality of modifications. While some modifications can significantly increase value, especially performance enhancements and high-quality custom work, others may not add much or could even detract from the car’s value if they appeal to only a limited audience.

All prices shown here are representative of stock condition vehicles only and based on various data sources, as detailed in About Our Prices. Value adjustments for optional equipment are in U.S. dollars. More information on how forecast models are calculated can be found on Forecasted Values page. For additional information and a complete description of benefits, visit hagerty.CA/legal. Purchase of insurance not required for membership in HDC. Hagerty, Hagerty Valuation Tools & Hagerty Drivers Club are registered trademarks of the Hagerty Group LLC, ©2025 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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