1988 Cadillac Cimarron: Tweaking the Usual Suspects Since 1982!

This is a car I’ve long wanted to write up. I can’t begin to emphasize how much vitriol this car has generated over the past forty-odd years. Even today, thirty-six years after the last one was built and sold, the Cimarron still generates such, ahem, polarizing discussion. Frequently omitted from discussion is the fact that every GM division had a variant of this car.

In addition to the Cavalier and the Cimarron, there were also Pontiac (Sunbird), Oldsmobile (Firenza), and Buick (Skyhawk) versions. While the Sunbird and Cav lasted all the way to the final year of this body style in 1994, the Cimarron exited stage left, along with the Firenza, in 1988. The Skyhawk followed suit after the 1989 model year.

Probably the biggest issue was pricing: the inaugural ’82 model cost $12,181. To compare, a Cavalier CL four-door sedan, the top trim level, started at $8137. To put that in perspective, an ’82 Caprice Classic sedan was $8437, and a Corvette $18,290. A base 1982 Sedan de Ville started at $15,699.

But keep in mind the Cimarron was put into production to appease Cadillac dealers who were growing more and more concerned about the higher-end imports, like the Volvo GL, BMW 320i, and others. At any rate, 1982 Cimarron production totaled 25,968 units.

Some folks feel the Cimarron was slow, especially in its early form, but they rarely discuss the similar power—or lack thereof—of its European competition. As my friend Ralph related some time ago during a discussion of higher-end early ’80s sedans:

“Since we’re wildly and dramatically talking about how slow the Cimarron was—allegedly there is still someone trying to get to 60 mph in 1982 and he still hasn’t gotten there …

“Let’s post some real numbers …

82 Cimmy
0–60 mph: 13.7
1/4 19.5 @ 70 mph
Flat-out: 91 mph

Volvo 240GL
0–60 mph: 10.9 seconds
1/4 mile: 17.8 seconds @ 75 mph
Flat-out: 99 mph

Accord SE
0–60 mph: 13.7 seconds
1/4 mile: 19.1 seconds @ 69 mph
Flat-out: 92 mph

Audi 4000
0–60 mph: 13.3 seconds
1/4 mile: 18.7 @ 71 mph
Flat-out: 93 mph

BMW 320i
0–60 mph: 10.4 seconds
1/4 mile: 17.5 seconds @ 76 mph
Flat-out: 101 mph

“The 320i was clearly the 426 Hemi of this three-legged dog race. I’m wondering how any of these cars got off the car carrier.”

And like so many GM vehicles over the years, the Cimarron was steadily improved. What most people seem to remember is how much it looked like the Cavalier, but I believe they were thinking of the ’84 facelift, which admittedly looked a lot like the ’82 Cimarron from the front. Thing is, one year later the Cimarron got a grille similar to the de Ville/Fleetwood, and the original ’82 Cavalier fascia, with its twin headlamps, was a much different look. When the ’82 was brand new, that comparison wouldn’t have been made, though of course the overall body shape was identical. But that was the case for the Sunbird, Firenza, and Skyhawk as well.

My favorite is the 1987–88 model, with the aero fascia with flush headlamps and grille similar to the noses of the ’87 Coupe de Ville, Sedan de Ville, and Fleetwood d’Elegance. I love them, and have for a long time.

This is almost certainly due to my very first Chicago Auto Show attendance in February 1988. I was just a car-crazed third grader going nuts seeing cars of every shape and size, and as I was wandering about with my parents I remember seeing a burgundy Cimarron with a burgundy leather interior.

I wanted to sit in it and check out the interior, but it was locked and there was a discreet card under the wiper stating ‘Car sold.’ But of course I got a brochure and thought it was really cool the Cimarron in the brochure was the same color combo as the one at the show!

By 1987 all Cimarrons came standard with the 2.8-liter V-6, which developed 125 hp @ 4500 rpm and 160 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm. The aforementioned composite headlamps were now standard on all models (in ’86 only the d’Oro version and late-production regular models got them). Base price by this time was $15,032 and 14,561 were built. The second least expensive 1987 Cadillac was the Coupe de Ville, at $21,316.

’88 was the last year and there were few changes. The most noticeable was that all cars now had standard, color-keyed lower side cladding, though a contrasting color could still be specified. Base price was now $16,071 and only 6454 were produced. (Other 1988 retail prices: Chrysler LeBaron GTS $12,971; Lincoln Continental Signature Series $27,944; Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z $13,490, Buick Electra T-Type $20,229 and Oldsmobile Toronado $20,598). And with that, the Cimarron disappeared for good, though the name would carry on in the thoughts and minds of many, to the present day.

Our featured car (I am not 100 percent sure if it was an ’87 or an ’88, Silver Frost was an available color both years) was spotted by your author, right here in town, back in autumn 2015. It wasn’t perfect, but was in exceptionally nice condition, still with the McLaughlin Cadillac dealer sticker on the trunk lid. They’re still in business, by the way. And they still sell Cadillacs!

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