Thinking About buying an 86 caprice?

[1979Lee]

I am Thinking About buying an 1986 caprice that has 100K,
It is fully loaded and it has a 305 carb V-8.
one owner car. price $2500 light metallic blue in color
Are these good and reliable cars ?
any bad things i need to know about
is this year models tranny any good?
Is it a (700R4 Tranny) or a (200r4)?
any computer command and control issues?
I had Two 1978 caprices in the mid 1990's and they both were excellent cars and the went 160k without any engine problems.
the only thing i ever did to the engines was oil changes and valve cover gaskets! pretty good for any car.

thanks in advance for your advice

[TommySS]

The cars are good, but like anything else, if it was treated like crap (driven hard/not maintained), it's gonna be expensive.

Transmissions are ok to at least 100k (provided they're not burned or towed anything).

If you had 78s and a mid 90s, you're already up on the weak areas (and there aren't that many).

[PeteA216]

I personally think that they're pretty reliable cars, really comfortable too. If you do have any problems its most usually minor. You'll get at least another 100k out of the car as long as it hasn;t been beaten on and as long as you take care of it. When changing the oil, not only in a Caprice, but in any car, put a quart of Lucas oil in. Its really healthy for your engine, and'll help it last a little longer.

[CD Smalley]

My 86 current has 167k on it and is going strong. I need to replace valve cover gaskets and that's about it. Still on the original transmission too...

[TommySS]

My original trans went out at 167k.

[CD Smalley]

OOhhh thanks for the encouragement... ;-)))

Good thing I have the built 700r4 out of my wrecked Astro sitting on the garage floor. It's got a shift kit and the corvette servo in it. WooHoo!!

[RageCage]

$2,500 is a bit steep. I hope the paint and body are excellent.

I have 365K on my 85 with the 305 V8, and carb.

Bought it in 89 with 57K miles.

No major problems, lots of minor problems like :

Headliner sag. Had to replace pwr steering pump, alt, gas pump, wiper motor, a.i.r. tubing.

I've had a coolant leak for about 150K miles from the back of the engine, from the intake manifold gasket. Also have had a trans leak, from I think the front pump seal, for last 100K. I just keep the levels up.

Two of my spark plugs get crusty unless I use a hotter plug than standard.

I've used Techron concentrate once in a while when the car knocks or misses. I must be getting some carbon buildup. The Techron cures the problem, usually. I get a lifter tick once in a while, and I add some Marvel Mystery oil to the engine about 200 miles before the next oil change, cures the tick.

Cruise control is broken.

Engine and trans 700r4 are the original, and have never been messed with. I changed the trans fluid every 60K or sooner. Change the oil every 4K or sooner. Reverse gear slips once in a while.

A couple times mechanics have told me I needed major work, like new piston rings, but the problem was really something minor and cheap.

It gets noisier and noiser to drive each year, but keeps running .


RC

[TommySS]

Mine got noiser too until it finally gave up the ghost.

Take it to failure and then decide what you wanna do.

[JMBSS]

1988 Chevy Caprice BROUHAM 4-dr REAL CLEAN...
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