I would like to hear your thoughts.

I currently have an '87 Caprice Classic 9 pass. wagon. 5.0, AOD, 84K, pwr everything. Good body (minor rust), really nice bumpers, runs and drives good. Clean interior (the headliner is sagging some).
I like the car but would prefer something older.

Today I stopped and looked at a '73 Gran Torino wagon. 351C, auto, 64K. Good body (minor rust), bumpers are straight but pitted. The interior is vinyl and the drivers seat is bad and the headliner is pretty bad.

I really like the looks of the Torino. Also the bigger, more powerful motor.
The Caprice is in nicer condition overall but the Torino has the above mentioned features.

They're asking $2000. for the Torino. I was hoping I could get at least $1800. for the Caprice (and talk the guy down some on the Torino).

Give me some feedback.
Thanks, Donzie

 

If you really like the Torino, go for it but it's almost impossible to say yeah or neh with out pics and a better discription.

 

Remember though that the Torino is not a fullsize wagon like your Caprice. Even though it looks huge, the space between the wheel wells is less than 48", so a 4x8 won't fit even with the tailgate open.

That was the only thing I didn't like about my 78 Malibu wagon.

Also, take it for a ride and drive it hard on some offramps or corners and you'll be amazed at the sloppy/dangerous handling. The Fords really didn't have it in the suspension dept until the 80s. My 77 LTD wagon, 76 Lincoln and my friends 77 Torino were all what I'd call unsafe at anything above a posted yelllow speed limit sign on corners and offramps . They'd squeal the tires on any corner taken slightly faster than grandma speed.

 

Even without the pix and better description (although warranted) it is difficult to recommend anything as personal as old cars. It is a personal thing that varies with each individual. While I would keep the GM box wagon others will vie for the Tori. I love the 80's box wagons because they have modern conveniences and accoutrement's like split seats, power everything, size, ride, reasonable handling, OD tranny, etc, etc, not found on many of the older cars. And if you just want more power it is comparatively easy to drop in an engine with more power. There is no doubt that some of the old styling is cool and some people do not care about what I care about. You didn't mention if your wagons are DD. If so, I would keep what you have for the reasons mentioned.

 

I'm with the fox on this one. I would love to have an old 50's cruiser more than my 79 Buick, but they're just not as practical for frequent driving. Lot's of maintenance and adjustments, manual everything, etc, etc. A newer ride means power everything, not to mention more reliability usually.

 

Thanks for the input.
I spoke with the owner of the Torino today. He said the car is very dependable, he's had it for about 4 years and have driven it a lot.
It has had some body work.
I'm going to drive it tomorrow.

"You didn't mention if your wagons are DD"
I don't know what that means.

 

i found that when it comes to rust...where there is smoke, there is fire!
and in that case the devil you do know may be better than the one you dont!!

 

The fox said below....

DD = Daily Driver

 

Put it on the lift and check it out.

 

Yes, it will be a daily driver.

Yea, I need to see how much body work it's had.

I'll let you know what I find out.

 

There will also be a noticable difference in the Gas milage. I drove a '73 Torino wagon and will attest to the squirrelly handeling, I also drove an LTD II, same thing.
They are, however, good looking old wagons.

 

I get about 16 mpg with the Caprice, what should I expect from the Torino?

 

351 Clevelands are not easy on gas.

 

It's been over 20 years and I wasn't paying for the gas... I think the Torino was a 351, as I recall it was worse on gas than our '69 Galaxie 500 sedan that ran a 351 as well. both the Torino and LTD II had pretty high mileage as well. If I had to guess, the Torino was in the 12 - 14 mpg range and the LTD II , was defiantly no better than 10 mpg prior to an overhaul.
I don't know what made that Galaxie such a great car other than it must have been built on a good day because it was fast kinda thrifty considering it's size and I could throw it through the corners like mad. Maybe it was the driver... character0182: )

 

well....not that im baised....but i d say ...BUY the Ford

k...maybe a lil.....