93 Allante "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in"

[76eldo]

The other night I was surfing the web and did a craig's list search for 93 Allante's.  I check these every so often.  I had an amazing 12,000 mile ono owner about 10 years ago,  I loved it but when a club member and friend passed away his wife offered me the 60 convertible at a great price so I had to raise some money so I sold my Allante and most of my guitar collection to get the needed funds.

I never thought I would find one as clean and pristine as the one I sold but the photos and description in the ad were enticing.  Factory Hard top, Pearl White, Red interior, one owner with 33,000 carefully driven miles by the original owner, recently deceased.

I went to look yesterday and bought it on the spot.  Pretty much a flawless original car.  A little too original when it comes to the tires which are badly flatspotted and out of balance.

So I am back in the Allante fold and joined Johnny Monzo's club and brought it by his shop today and got his blessing on the car.

A two seat Cadillac is a special car, especially one that been cared for and well maintained.   

[James Landi]

They are lovely cars, and provide a great deal of owner satisfaction.  A little money goes a long way with a purchase .  When I owned my '90.5, Johnny Monzo was too far away to get the services I needed when I turned over 100K miles, so I sold mine on Ebay.  Almost purchased another two years ago, but instead went for a low mileage XLR.  COngratulations on yours.  James

[David King (kz78hy)]

Way to Go Brian!

Some day maybe I will have another as well.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

"You can check out any time you'd like...
but you can never leave."

\m/
Laurie

PS you didn't sell any original Jackson/Charvel's or a flame top LP.... 

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Looks like you found a gem!!  Congrats and good luck
with her.  Very nice looking example.

Mike

[76eldo]

Laurie

Everything I sold was either vintage Gibson, Fender, or Guild electrics. Some semi hollow models and they were all mint.  I still have my Lucille signed by BB King, a 335, a gold top Les Paul, several Strat’s and Teles plus a ‘59 Gibson ES 125 that I’ve had since about 1966. More than I need since I don’t play any gigs these days.

[59-in-pieces]

James,
I'm curious - you're in a unique position having owned both, an Allante and an XLR - what are you're comparative thoughts of the cars.

Have fun,
Steve B.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Laurie

Everything I sold was either vintage Gibson, Fender, or Guild electrics. Some semi hollow models and they were all mint.  I still have my Lucille signed by BB King, a 335, a gold top Les Paul, several Strat’s and Teles plus a ‘59 Gibson ES 125 that I’ve had since about 1966. More than I need since I don’t play any gigs these days.

Excellent.. you kept the IRA guitars, nicely done.
One of my Conn STLL's is signed by Jake E. Lee

\m/
Laurie

[James Landi]

Hands down, the XLR is far more refined in so many ways Steve.  I test drove a relatively high mileage XLR (85K--- 2005), and then   I did test drive a low mileage 92 Allante (40,000 +) about a week later, as I felt I could be happy and not spend the money on an XLR...this was  a few months before I purchased the 2007 XLR.   The Allante seemed "bow heavy" and "floaty" at low speeds... I recall that being my initial impression way back during the late 90's when I owned mine--- "This feels more like a Cadillac SDV more than a sports car at low speeds.  Over bumps in the road, I feel the Allante is only "average"  --- now perhaps the car I test drove had too much air in the tires--- I recall feeling that I was driving a sports car that was not terribly responsive in steering and acceleration.   And what sealed the "deal" for me with the XLR is the quiet running at speed with the top up.  Wind noise was a problem for me with the Allante, even with the optional hard top. As I have confessed to you, I feel as if the XLR is such a fine and special car that my driving it seems so personally self-indulgent... simply stated, the XLR is a much more refined piece of engineering excellence in comparison with the Allante... but the Allante, at the prices they are presently getting is a REAL bargain, and certainly can provide one with a good deal of driving pleasure without the heavy investment in the XLR--    James   

[59-in-pieces]

James,
Thanks, and Amen to the XLR comments.
The proposed successor XLR should be extraordinary.

And, Daddy gots to gets me one of those 2021 XLRs.
Now, where is that little green Leprechaun and his - MY - pot-O-gold to pay for it.

Have fun, and drool with me, wont'cha - ya know ya want to.
Steve B.

[76eldo]

I considered an XLR but when GM went through their bankruptcy they totally ripped off many of their parts suppliers. Many went bankrupt. What that means to the XLR owner is that if you ever need a headlight or tail light you will have to spend a fortune. From what I heard someone bought up all of those parts and is really gouging people just need parts. Plus there’s a very complicated top mechanism and worn Cadillacs track record of abandoning their customers with halo cars I’m a little gunshot about taking one of these on.