How much is a Cadillac Cimarron?
The Cimarron’s price has always been a mix of nostalgia and debate: when new it carried a premium for Cadillac luxury, and today its value rests mainly on condition and provenance. In short, you’ll typically find Cimarrons listed for roughly $3,000 to $10,000 in today’s market, with exceptional, low-mileage, or well-documented examples capable of reaching higher figures.
Original pricing and positioning
The Cimarron was Cadillac’s foray into a compact luxury sedan in the early 1980s, built on a GM platform shared with entry-level models. Because it was marketed as a premium compact, its sticker price sat above many standard Cadillacs of the era and above the basic Cavalier-derived offerings. The base price varied by year and trim, but the car was generally positioned in the low-to-mid teens of dollars when new. Optional equipment such as leather seating, upgraded audio, power accessories, and other luxury touches could push the total well into the mid-teens, and in some configurations near or above $15,000.
Here is a snapshot of the original price framework for the Cimarron, noting that exact MSRPs varied by year and trim.
- Base MSRP roughly in the $11,000–$12,000 range (1981–1983 window)
- Popular options and package upgrades adding about $1,000–$3,000
- Fully loaded configurations approaching $14,000–$15,000 or more depending on year and options
These figures reflect the Cimarron’s attempt to blend Cadillac prestige with a smaller, more affordable footprint, and they illustrate why the model is remembered as a premium compact rather than a pure-volume luxury sedan.
Current market values
Today’s Cimarrons exist in a niche market where condition, mileage, originality, and documentation drive price more than badge alone. Buyers should expect a broad spectrum of prices depending on how well the car has been preserved or restored.
Estimated current market values across typical conditions:
- Poor to fair condition (visible wear, higher mileage, multiple repairs): under $3,000
- Fair to good condition (presentable, functioning mechanicals, moderate mileage): $3,000–$5,000
- Good to very good condition (well-presented, solid maintenance history): $5,000–$8,000
- Excellent to mint condition (low mileage, well-preserved): $8,000–$12,000+
- Show-quality or highly original specimens (rare provenance, concours potential): often $12,000–$15,000 or more
Prices vary by region and market sentiment, and factors such as originality, documented maintenance, and clean history can push a car toward the higher end of these ranges. Conversely, mechanical wear or rust can pull values toward the lower end.
Buying tips
When evaluating a Cimarron, inspect for rust along common trouble spots, verify mechanical condition and service history, and consider the availability of replacement parts. Given the model’s age and GM linkage, a professional pre-purchase inspection is wise to avoid surprises.
Summary
The Cadillac Cimarron is a notable footnote in automotive history: a luxury badge applied to a compact GM platform. Its original pricing reflected a premium positioning for a smaller Cadillac, while today’s market centers on condition and provenance. For prospective buyers, a well-documented, well-maintained example will fetch more, but even strong examples sit within a modest price band compared with other classic Cadillacs. As with many collector cars, patience, research, and diligent inspection are key to finding the right Cimarron at a fair price.
