I know it has been a while since you have heard from me. With the Holidays and all it has been total confusion around here. We had to move out of the house in Phoenix after the owner decided he wanted to sell it. We scrambled for a place and we settled on an area in Tucson. I spent the month of December driving back and forth moving stuff.
I did finally pick up a SUV to help with the move (Because renting a truck would have been easier). After looking at 10 or so Cadillac SRX’s I couldn’t find one that didn’t have issues. I was only looking for 2004 and 2005 models since they are larger and I like the look of them.
I saw a dealership that had one in Tucson and went there to test drive it but it had been sold the day before. While I was there I test drove a Tahoe and it was not the best ride ever. It had something wrong with the steering and had too much play. It reminded me of driving my neighbors old cabin cruiser. I then looked over and a gold car caught my eye.
It is a 2003 Buick Rendezvous CXL. It has 119,000 miles on it and I paid 4800. As soon as I drove it I knew it was mine. It drives smooth like a 1980 Cadillac. It is large enough to move anything I want. It was a one owner car. I am planning on driving to NYC sometime this week with it. The never ending paperwork never seems to stop with the flood insurance. I have to have the NY house empty by Jan 31st so the Govt can come in and raise it.
Since it is only me and Deb I have removed the second row of seats and will be removing the 3rd row as soon as I go to the store for a 1/2 inch deep socket. If we need to move people around we will use her car instead. I took it to my mechanic and they looked it over and said I got a good deal.
My plan for driving to NY is to take I-10 to I-20 To I-30 To I-40 and then 81 up through the east coast states. Since the car is empty I have a blow up bed and sleeping bag for the back so if I get tired I can take a nap. It is 36 hours and 2500 miles.
Fill up the cooler and get some snacks and I should be good to go. I get about 400 miles to a tank of gas so I am thinking I empty 2 tanks a day for about 800 miles. We will see how that goes. I am open to any tips you may have.
My father always drove a Cadillac (my mother was quite happy with her Ford Sunliner). In particular, I remember his beautiful ‘fifty-five deVille, and his ‘sixty-one Sedan deVille .
I do think the ‘fifty-five was the last of the great, i.e.: ‘classic’ Cadillacs, but I also like the ‘fifty-eight Eldorado Biarritz and (I suppose) series 62 convertible. As to the ‘fifty-nine and ‘sixty Eldorado Biarritz, I am in two minds.
To-day’s so-called Cadillacs are – to my mind – an example of badge engineering.
When I drove cross-country, I had a silver ‘seventy convertible, with a black top and a black interior. It was a beautiful car that never broke down – but it did not feel like what I would call a: ‘real’ Cadillac. (I also like the Cadillacs of the ‘thirties – notably the V-16).
There is something magical about the Cadillacs of the ‘fifties.
Carl,
I agree 100%. The Cadillacs of the 1950s were, without question, the classic Cadillacs to own.
Hello, I commented earlier about seeking other parkensons victims who collect Cadillacs. I am typing by android and it edits with asking me. It typed I’m not but in reality i am a parkensons patient. Cadillac questions. My 88 allante alarm goes off every time I connect bst, advise and my 97 sts has a securi y y issue as ND belie e it key recognition related help I’m an old car person and too new for me
Lewis Lazarus Senior Appraiser Collector Car Appraisals http://Www.Carappraisals.com
Vinnie,
Congratulations on your purchase. I hope you have good luck with it. Also, I wish you the best regarding the still existing problems concerning the flood insurance. I would be outraged if I were still contending with this issue after all these years since the hurricane.
You have more patience than do I.
Thanks! The problem with the insurance is they only gave us 70k to rebuild the house. It cost me about 150 or so as I have lost count at this point. FEMA reopened our case and gave us another 26. The lawyer gets a 3rd and now my fight is with the bank who probably wants a cut towards the mortgage even though the excess came out of my pocket. One of the reasons I am also going back is because the bank has to inspect the house. The 26k check will be made out to me, the lawyer and the bank. It is a mess but we got more money than most of the neighbors. My retirement is totally gone though. It just sucks.
Hi Vinney; Great to hear from you. I’m no computerist so I cannot assist you with your projects.
Good reading from your report. I drove a 53 Mercury from Calif in Nov 1957 to Johnstown Pa. The
starter was worn and I stopped on Pa turnpike, miles from who knows where. The car would not
coast so I could catch it in gear so chilly I got until a tow truck stopped and pushed ne 6 foot and it started.
I drove alady to Pgh and Phila several times to Dr in 58 Cad. Also drove a 51 on a number of trips.
Happy Easter to you and your lady. Almost meal time.