The Cadillac DeVille is one of the most popular mass produced luxury cars ever made. The DeVille nameplate was introduced by Cadillac in 1949 to identify the company's new hardtop models. By the early1950s, the DeVille nameplate was used to differentiate the more luxuriously trimmed models from the cheaper Series 62. In the late 1960s, the cheaper models were discontinued, and the DeVille nameplate survived until 2005, when it was replaced by the DTS in the 2006 model year.
By 1996, the DeVille was still a popular luxury car choice for new car buyers, but that popularity has not decreased over the years in the used car market. Age, condition, mileage and optional equipment are among the many factors that affect the value of a 1996 Cadillac DeVille. Even the color of the car and the car's geographic location can have an impact on its value.
Condition
The condition of a DeVille of this age is the most important aspect when deciding the value. The condition can affect the total value by 100 percent or more. For instance, an average DeVille with high miles and a few door dings will be worth half of what an immaculate car with low miles is worth. Repairs and parts for these cars are expensive. A DeVille needing a lot of work, such as a paint job, leather upholstery replacement or a transmission rebuild can be had relatively cheap. But when you add up the costs of all these needed repairs, the total investment can exceed what the car is worth.
Mileage
Even though Cadillacs seem to run forever, the amount of miles a car has traveled has a definite impact on the value. A lower mileage car can cost a thousand dollars or more higher than an equivalent higher-mileage model. However, a car that comes with a maintenance history may make a higher mileage car worth more.
Optional Equipment
Most 1996 Cadillac DeVille's came loaded with options, but there is additional optional equipment that can raise the value of the car. Expect to pay more for a DeVille that is equipped with factory options such as a power moon roof, an anti-theft system, OnStar and heated front seats. Also, DeVilles that have the Concours trim level option will be worth more than a base level DeVille.
Color and Geographical Location
Paint color has a small bearing on the worth of a 1996 DeVille. A red or silver car will be worth slightly higher than a green or brown car. The geographical location in which the car is being sold is also a small factor in the value. A car being sold on the west coast may be worth $100 to $200 more than the equivalent car on the east coast. However, on a car of this age, color and geographical location are less of a factor in value than the overall condition of the car.
Dealer Versus Private Party
A car's value also depends on what an individual is willing to pay and who is selling it. Take a standard DeVille with 140,000 miles as an example. A private party selling this car can expect to receive $1400. On the other hand, a dealer selling this car can expect to get $2200. The difference in these values take into account the overhead a dealer has in the preparation and inspection of used automobiles. An individual wanting to trade this car in at a dealer can expect to get only $1000.
Conclusion
A DeVille Concours silver in color with low mileage and several high-dollar options can expect a value of $4000 on the west coast. An immaculate, show-quality car that has a maintenance history will be valued even higher to the right collector. On the other hand, a fixer-upper is probably only worth a thousand dollars or less. Most 1996 Devilles are probably valued in the $1500 to $2500 range.
0 comments:
Post a Comment