Buying another Caprice

[Teddie]

Some of you might remember me from 2007-2009 when I owned a beater of an 87 Caprice Estate.

Well I need a vehicle to replace my minivan and I decided to look at wagons instead of minivans which is when I stumbled upon this.

http://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/3648332782.html

I do not know too much about these newer wagons (I do remember require they require expensive truck tires) and was wondering if that listing raised any red flags? My 87 got about 13-15 MPG, but I am hoping the newer Caprices get better than that. So, if anything comes to mind feel free to leave a comment, I am bound to learn something new.

[Blt2Lst]

It look's ok from the photos. Fairly clean interior and body appears to be straight but paint looks faded and clear coat starting to peel in the rear. They say it runs good but who knows. Would be nice if they had service records for this car.
BTW, this car does not use truck specific tires, where did you hear this?
Asking $3500 OBO.
I would try the OBO and offer $2800 to start. Are you going to have this car shipped to NY?
If so, factor in another $700-$1000 for shipping.
If this is a original Cali car, you probably won't have to worry about rust, that's a big plus in my book..

[Tech II]

MPG is 15/23.....

I'm thinking more like $2500.....

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Teddie

Some of you might remember me from 2007-2009 when I owned a beater of an 87 Caprice Estate.

Well I need a vehicle to replace my minivan and I decided to look at wagons instead of minivans which is when I stumbled upon this.

http://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/3648332782.html

I do not know too much about these newer wagons (I do remember require they require expensive truck tires) and was wondering if that listing raised any red flags? My 87 got about 13-15 MPG, but I am hoping the newer Caprices get better than that. So, if anything comes to mind feel free to leave a comment, I am bound to learn something new.

I agree with the MPG of 15-23 range,, for sure more power and MPG than an 87.

I would check for oil leaks. these engines at this age start to leak. with the LT1 engine the oil seal at the opti dist can cause issues. also make sure that the coolant is not cloudy from lack of proper replacement.

If the engine oil has been synthetic , the engine should not have any wear issues.

The body looks quite good. interior has some slight wear issues .

being almost 20 years old with well over 100,ooo mi the 3500 is to high.

I would bid about 1500 to start .

[Teddie]

Turns out that is is such a pain in the rear to get a car New York registered from California that some of the family is going to buy a vehicle from the Northeast and drive out since I have to get back somehow. I just have to help them look for a vehicle from Penna and points south.

I heard the truck tire thing from some backwoods mechanics from where I live in New York. Perhaps that is because B-Bodies are rare, but pickups are not so it is truck tires that are easy to get.

My Voyager had semi-decent clear coat/paint issues so I can deal with that.

[Teddie]

Wait, this vehicle is nearly 20 years old!? Oh yea, shoot, it is 2013, I sometimes forget that the good cars keep getting older and older as the 1990s get smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. Did not realize the engines could have oil issues, thanks! Sure these wagons get about the same mileage as a similar vintage Tahoe or Suburban, but they do not have the SUV drawbacks and fly under the radar of SUV/Gas Hog Haters,