How do these things hold up?

NuRon · #1 03-04-2006, 01:43 PM

I saw the thread about how the engines hit the 200k mark but what about the other things like electrical problems and all that?"seeing that most caprices that i have seen dont stay together that well even when well maintained. "

kahjdh · #2 03-04-2006, 03:13 PM

If you take good care of it, it will take good care of you. My wagon had around 280k when i sold and i never had a problem. With all cars there are some that are lemons from when they are made and there are some the go 300k+ with no problems. It just depends on the previous owner.

1986Z28 · #3 03-04-2006, 05:54 PM

hell these thinngs last forever

silicon212 · #4 03-04-2006, 07:11 PM

18 years old, 152,250 miles, and it still runs great, clean, looks great outside and looks new inside. Even the dash is crack-free. Oh, and it's a police car to boot. Even detective cars, such as mine, get beat much harder than a general civilian version. The key is proper maintenance.

Not many cars can brag about that.

HLandin · #5 03-04-2006, 08:25 PM

I agree. Like any car, you can get a lemon. But, take care of these cars and they will live forever. Being on my third Caprice, the reason I've lost two so far is just to accidents (both other people's fault). Both times I walked away. My first one, the white Caprice, my family had for 10 years (first bought in 1995 with 47,000 miles just out of police service and lost it in June 2005). Sure with any vehicle with exception of maybe a high priced car such as a Mercedes or BMW or such, you may have a few minor things, but these are not particular to the Caprice. Just keep in mind how old the car is when considering what maintenance it may need (Caprice was discontinued in 1996, so it is ATLEAST 10 years old or older).

ilgoldstein · #6 03-05-2006, 03:17 AM

I just bought a '95 Roadmaster, cousin to the Caprice (sister?) so I don't have a lot of first hand knowledge yet as to the particular model, but I did a lot of on-line research and no one has complained of a major component failure prematurely, so I'm confident these cars are sturdy. I have been driving for over 30 years, and I can say that if you want to get a lot of miles out of your car, change the oil and filter every 3000 miles, don't abuse the car, drive defensively, and your car should last a long, long time.

You can trash a car in less than 50,000 miles.

TommySS · #7 03-05-2006, 05:00 PM

Stil the original owner of my 84 Caprice wagon at 370k miles. Fanatic maintenance.

Only replaced water pumps, but the engine is weak overall. Would like to see 400k, but we're still running.

miehm · #8 03-05-2006, 05:08 PM

Yeah, I've got an 95 police caprice with 152,000 miles on it, and it runs great. As long as you ignore the window regulators that break every 6 months, and the various electrical problems that have been there pretty much since I bought the car 4 years ago. But, if I wasn't in the air force, and actually had money this car would run great.
Also, I drive like a psychopath, and any other engine and drivetrain would have quit on my by now. I used to race it all the time, and since I live about 800 miles away from my home town I make frequent 130mph+ trips back home. Best car I've ever owned. It's also the first car i ever bought, although not the last.

1986Z28 · #9 03-06-2006, 02:00 PM

it seems these things last forever, my uncle had one go for 750 KM

NuRon · #10 03-07-2006, 05:36 PM

I've looked at a Brougham one (loooove the two-tone) but the seller is being shady. So, I'm looking at another one and the seller said that the car has 91k on a rebuilt engine and 150 on a fresh tranny, should I be worried. This car probably got beat up or something so components of the car also are affected...

TommySS · #11 03-07-2006, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NuRon

I've looked at a Brougham one (loooove the two-tone) but the seller is being shady. So, I'm looking at another one and the seller said that the car has 91k on a rebuilt engine and 150 on a fresh tranny, should I be worried. This car probably got beat up or something so components of the car also are affected...

150k miles on a fresh tranny? Depending on care/use, it could go at any time.

As far as having 91k on a rebuild, I want compression and cyl leakdown tests run to make sure it's healthy.

Essentially, if it LOOKS like it was beat to death, chances are that it was.

cavie 00 · #12 03-08-2006, 07:52 PM

i have a 96 caprice 9c1 the car has 520,000kms on it runs perfectly fine, the only prob with it is the signal switch, which will cost me $80 to fix but not bad. the best looking ex cop car in my neighbour hood. my friend had a caprice his had the highest iv'e ever seen it had 690,000 kms it was a 91....

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