Cadillac DeVille Sixth Generation (1985–1993) Price Guide

The 1985–1993 DeVille was Cadillac’s transition to front-wheel drive. A controversial and commercially divisive decision that modernised the car’s engineering while alienating buyers who valued rear-wheel drive as intrinsic to the Cadillac character. The Northstar V8 that arrived in 1992 was genuinely impressive; the car it went into was competent but uninspiring.

The Car

The 1985 DeVille switched to the front-wheel-drive E-body platform shared with Oldsmobile Toronado and Buick Riviera. The troubled HT4100 4.1-litre engine continued until 1988, when it was replaced by the more reliable 4.5-litre. The Northstar 4.6-litre DOHC V8 arrived for 1992 and was a genuinely modern engine producing 270bhp that transformed the car’s performance credentials. The 1993 model received a significant facelift.

Buying

Avoid the 1985–1991 HT4100 and 4.5-litre engines if possible; both have significant reliability concerns. The 1992–1993 Northstar cars are the best of this generation. Northstar head bolt failures are a known issue requiring preventive attention.