Newbie buying a 90's Roadmaster ?

Don't want to love a car that won't love me back

Hi HandyAndy,

I was there a couple of days ago and even gave him a hard time for his photos dating back 5 years!

http://gmlongroof.4umer.com/cars-for-sale-f8/f-s-95-dggm-1a2-wagon-t1339.htm

A couple three things bother me about this car.

1. Rust with bad floorboards
2. Been driven very hard
3. Been hit

Without the rust and a good engine test I'd have been all over this. What a sweet ride. But with an accident history and chassis rot it's another story, unless someone here has seen it and tells me its not too far gone. :confused:

Thanks for the heads up though.

Vic

 

Thx for the leads !

Hi Silverfox,

Those are some FINE wagons you dug up there. Unfortunately some if not all will already be sold if true miles, as the ads aren't from the last few days. Also Craigslist is notorious for 2 things. It will not delete ads even upon seller requests, either their software is buggy or they are way too understaffed to do so in a timely manner. Except they seem to have succeeded in the case of the one in Michigan:


http://flint.craigslist.org/ctd/1813386900.html


Thanks for all the great leads.

I've written but won't get my hopes up until I hear back from them.

Vic

 

Some have phone numbers......
EDIT:
200OZ zeroed in on a nice one. I like this one too. Seems it may be a one owner, low miles and an older owner.
Looks like an honest car.
http://lakeland.craigslist.org/cto/1798630425.html

 

I'm waaaay late quoting this but THANKS! It's still all Ted's fault.

Regarding ride of this car, I have never felt something so spongy in all my life! The crown vics will do circles around this car in stock format. I looked underneath to see about how thick the rear swaybar was and THERE ISN'T ONE!! I am at the end of one of the twistiest, hilliest roads in the area and I'm getting seasick on the way to work!

Obviously some suspensionwork is in order with these beasts.

Good luck on your quest.

 

Hi Silverfox, I'm on it and will get back as soon as something comes of it.

In general, what do caprices not have that Roadmaster's have, other than the leather? Are the dash, door panels, instrumentation, seat design and accessory features identical? I know they have a different grille and hubcaps.

Thx - VIC

 

One SWEET ride !

Hi Madbiker,

Great description of its suspension. Maybe its the Roadmasters - also I read that there were two optional suspensions available, I forget their name but I'll bet one is cushy and the other even cushier? Sounds good to me. This is a ride you can only get in America. I've got stiffer riding drives for when I need to road race, and really hope this car delivers a Fleetwood style floating on the clouds ride.

But I will go to great lengths to improve steering or cornering as much as possible as long as it doesn't eat away at this car's rare commodity in these days of rock hard seats and stiff springs - the glide...

Vic

 

I'm no expert on accessories but....The dash is digital on the Cappies but have analog gauges. Personally, I like the Cappy dash better but not everyone does. I believe the Cappy lacks things like twilight sentinel, temp control (which I don't like) and maybe a few other things that I am unaware of. Of course, there is no glass top over the back seat that I also don't like. The RMW comes with some things that had to be ordered on the Cappy. The one I have has everything on it that I care about. The seats in the RMW are more comfy to me. I may change mine out. Basically, they are the same car and things can be switched around if you so desire.

 

Always with the endless questions

Thanks for the quick reply Silverfox.

One thing I've noted is that the Caprice doesn't have the Vista roof which is pretty max cool if you ask my kids who always talk about what a difference it makes when you live in the rear seat. That's one which wouldn't be easy to retrofit with a skill saw.

I also wonder if other features, such as power mirrors and small stuff are simple to retrofit or best left alone? You mentioned that seats come along in leather and can be swapped out when wanted. But what if the seats that are used as donors have power and the car isn't rigged for it? Can one just use the seat covers and not the entire frame and cushion, or would that cost more because it would need to be bought from GM or aftermarket?

Thx,

Vic

 

I don't know of too many of these cars that don't have power seats. And...you can wire it up anyway if they don't...even the heated seat can be wired up on a non heated seat car. You are worrying about incidentals that can be altered. Again...the cars are basically the same and most things can be retro fitted. You like the window over the back seat. I don't. It loses its glamour quickly in my opinion. You need to look at a few of these cars and drive them. Most of your peripheral questions will be answered quickly and easily by observance.

 

I'll have to start another thread on this. I think there are definitely ways to sort out the suspension without losing some of the smooth characteristics. I think there were two options for suspension although I think this car has the heavier duty being the F40 RPO code. Still shocking that there's no swaybar in the back. Hotchkis or Addco will be my next stop unless someone else has a suggestion.

 

Mad...go over to impalassforum.com They have several guys that have done the suspension anywhere from soft/stable on up to sport. There are several ways to change it. There is a Ford sway bar and after market units. IIRC yours should have a sway bar albeit a small one.

 

Stickman here put on a set of Metco control arms so that he could bolt on a 9C1 bar, IIRC.
http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4654&highlight=metco
http://www.metcomotorsports.com/products.asp?cat=112
and this
http://www.hotchkis.net/7896_gm_bbody_rear_sport_sway_bars_wagon.html

 

Vic,

If you are seriously looking at a GM wagons, that Caprice in Lakeland IS the one to get. If there is a "brass ring" of B body wagons, that is/or could be the car. If it is what it sounds like you need to get to Fla. or get a friend that lives down there to go look at it for you. The Caprice could be optioned up with everything the RMs had except the vista roof, and auto climate control. If you like the Roadie seats you can bolt them in. Roadmaster sedans had gray interiors that were an option. Power seats are a pain to put in non-power cars, but it has been done. That car is a tow pack so it should have the posi, 2.93 gears, and auto level ride (air shocks and the compressor). All the '96 Chevy wagons I've seen (4) have been all optioned up (except for leather) and I have been told that most were like that (GM makes more money that way). Don't delay, get a down payment to them and go get it. A $200.00 down payment lost to a car that wasn't as nice as it was listed as, is not as bad as missing a great car at a good price.

Best of luck,
Mike

 

Walking on tippy toes...

Hi Mike,

I'm on it, like I said to Silverfox and was keeping this low key because I'm so far away and can't just drive over and buy. If its meant to be, it will work out. Thanks for your advice, and aside form the roof this is it. Just explaining why I didn't holler it out loud. I hope to bring it to the Wagonfest if it happens. I'm picking up the kids tomorrow and since their mother is working out of State that means 3 one-way tickets and a long long drive home.

Cheers,

Vic

 

Hmm, my email address has been banned from there. That's wierd. I don't think I've ever registered there and I don't know why I'd be banned. I emailed the administrator to find out what's going on.

I am fascinated by this thread! I do enjoy reading about the high's and low's of purchasing one of these sleds. I really didn't do much research before purchasing (other than what I knew from the 90 and that I wanted a buick with a big motor) but this is extremely helpful in "post-research" to see what options came on what cars and what else is out there.

I had a look for cars locally here but the only thing available seems to be a 91 Roadie Wagon that has been slammed with big wheels (no leather): http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/cto/1754478316.html which seems expensive to me but what do I know

and this one which seems to be in Washington: http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/ctd/1759348836.html