1990-1993 Cadillac Allante: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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1990-1993 Cadillac Allante
- Price Range: $4,300 - $9,000
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Pros
- Acceleration
- Handling
- Antilock brakes
Cons
- Fuel economy
- Price
Vehicle Highlights
Cadillac had launched the front-drive Allante for the 1987 model year, to plenty of fanfare, as the company's most expensive model. Body and interior design for Cadillac's first 2-seat model was created by Pininfarina, in Italy, but the V8/automatic drivetrain was strictly American. Bodies were produced at a facility near Turin, Italy, then loaded onto special jet planes and flown to Detroit. Once there, driveline and underbody components were installed. Allante was a full convertible, with integral folding soft top and detachable aluminum hardtop. Aluminum was used for the hood and trunk lid while the unit body/frame structure employed galvanized steel. The Allante's wheelbase measured 8.4 inches shorter than an Eldorado's, but the 2-seater shared its basic fully independent suspension. An all-disc power brake system with Bosch antilocking was standard. Initial Allantes had used a 4.1-liter V8 engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. By 1990, a 200-horsepower, 4.5-liter V8 was the motive source, also with automatic only. Traction control was new for 1990, using sensors for the antilock brakes to detect wheel slip during acceleration or steady cruising. When either front wheel began to slip, the system applied braking force to that wheel. If both front wheels were slipping, enough braking action was applied on both sides to optimize traction. A lower-priced Allante became available with only the folding convertible top. That one cost $51,500, whereas the Allante with twin tops stickered for $57,813--far beyond other Cadillac prices. A driver's airbag went into the 1990 models, and electronically controlled shock absorbers were retuned to improve ride quality. The standard sound system now included both a cassette and a CD player. Primary rival was the Mercedes-Benz 560SL, also a 2-seater.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Cadillac Allante Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 8 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 7 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 0 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 39 |
Year to Year Changes
Our road test for the 1990-1993 Cadillac Allante includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1993 Cadillac Allante and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1993 Cadillac Allante is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
On the whole, this Cadillac amounted to too little car and insufficient prestige, for a lot of money. Never strong sellers, Allantes were faulted from the start for their high prices. Secondhand models aren't priced so prohibitively, but they're still no bargains. With the Northstar engine, new suspension and other refinements for 1993, the Allante's price did not seem as unreasonable.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Cadillac Allante Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 8 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 7 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 0 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 39 |
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $650 |
| Alternator | $410 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,200 |
| Brakes | $400 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $850 |
| Exhaust System | $650 |
| Radiator | $750 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,300 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $650 |
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
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| 1993 | |||
| Allante | $8,500-10,000 | $7,700-9,000 | $4,400-5,200 |
| 1992 | |||
| Allante | $6,500-7,500 | $5,700-6,600 | $2,900-3,400 |
| 1991 | |||
| Allante | $5,700-6,700 | $4,900-5,800 | $2,300-2,700 |
| 1990 | |||
| Allante | $5,000-6,000 | $4,300-5,100 | $2,000-2,400 |
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Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door convertible | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 99.4 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 178.7 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 73.4 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 51.5 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3766 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 16.2 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 23.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 2 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.0 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 43.2 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- | |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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Powertrain Options and Availability
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V8 | 4.5 / 273 | 200 | 270 | 4-speed automatic: 15/22 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc V8 | 4.6 / 279 | 295 | 290 | 4-speed automatic: 14/21 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
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