The V8-powered, front-wheel-drive Cadillac models of the 1980s and 1990s are experiencing a resurgence in appreciation, largely driven by pure nostalgia. One example from this era is the third-generation Cadillac Seville, and an uncommonly clean and low-mileage example is up for sale in Florida.
Underpinned by GM’s K platform, this 1988 Cadillac Seville only has 2,216 miles on the odometer and is a one-owner car. Power comes from a Cadillac High Technology 4.5L V8 HT4500, which debuted in 1988. Output is rated at 155 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. Output is sent to the front wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission.
1988 was also the debut year for the Seville Touring Sedan (STS) trim, which includes the FE2 touring suspension, 15-inch alloy wheels, and revised steering. Just a few luxury features include a Beachwood leather interior, burled elm wood interior trim, 12-way power front seats, automatic climate control, and an LCD gauge cluster. This Seville has particularly luxurious rear seats with a backseat center console and integrated headrests.
In its day, the Cadillac Seville was GM’s luxury brand’s midsize sedan offering. For the 1998 model year, it was slotted between the compact Cimarron and the full-size de Ville. Starting with the 2005 model year, it was replaced by the Cadillac STS. The STS only lasted one generation as its own model when it and the DTS were both replaced by the Cadillac XTS, which also only saw one generation.
This clean Cadillac Seville is offered for sale at Primo Classics International in Lakeland, Florida. This dealer specializes in classic American cars and has some impressive GM iron in its inventory, including a 1961 Cadillac Series 62 convertible, a 1968 Oldsmobile 442, a 1972 Pontiac LeMans, and multiple Chevy Chevelle SS models.
The Seville has an asking price of $29,500 on the dealer’s website, but it’s also on eBay with a reserve and a starting bid of $15,000. As of this writing, there are no bids on the eBay listing, which ends on Monday, April 7th.
Comments
Vehicles sitting for 35+ years can have a boatload of issues, regardless of mileage. In this case, probably even more due to the absurd mileage.
Great car to sort-out / replace wearable items and then daily drive.
The HT moniker was actually only ever used with the 4100. The 4.5 and 4.9 dropped HT but were basically updated, upgraded versions of the 4.1 continuing the alloy block and cast iron heads and throttle body injection up until 1989 after which changed over to port injection. 29K is a pipe dream
The 4.9 STS version is the only one I’d get and not for this price…
When the third generation Seville arrived for ‘86, sales plunged by 50 percent from approximately 40,000 units to just over 19,000 units. The companion Eldorado fared even worse with a 66 percent decline. GM obviously reduced the size too much and implemented a transverse mounted engine and thereby the inelegant proportions of cheaper cars. The two models lost all road presence and glamour and the marketplace responded accordingly. It was a colossal blunder for GM as these two Cadillacs along with the platform mate Buick Riviera (down 53%) and Oldsmobile Toronado (down 52%) were cash cows for General Motors.
GM rushed to mitigate the damage and this ‘88 STS was the result of that. The interior was much improved with richer materials and better seats front and rear. Externally the design was slightly modified for a more cohesive look and though still too diminutive, the STS version is a more appealing product and the STS is the only Seville from this era that I’d consider to be desirable.
Ok…well alert the media.