In The Market for a Caprice Wagon, I would like some opinions and guidance..

I used to have Triple A and in Burlington VT my Caprice started bucking and the engine was shaking, took it to the their recommended place and they told me I needed a new carberator... I just happened to know that this was not the case because I had recently inspected and cleaned it.

Long story short it turned out to be that I had bought some bad gas (the place I bought it from near the mass border was closed down the following week) the argument turned out to be short because I told him I didn't believe him and I would take it elsewhere, then he revved my engine a couple times and brought my car out, charged me 60 bucks for looking at it and gave me a song and dance about how it might last for a few weeks but not much longer, 7 years later the carberator is fine.

This is the place right on N. Winooski Ave across from the city co-op, they also happen to work with the cops on towing peoples vehicles and I never trust those places, but they were recommended by AAA.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it, not to be overly cynical but I fancy the chance to give them some bad word of mouth, they really pissed me off lieing to my face like that... The head mechanic I talked to was from new york city.

 

Thank you for your suggestions and valuable advice!

I have a couple questions pertaining to the parts I bolded in your post.

1st bolded Q: you say the GM wagons from that era were pretty much the same, does that apply to the engines as well, are the olds/buicks etc as reliable and long lasting? I know some are more powerful but I'm more concered with reliability.

There's always maintenence and repair but overall my Caprice's 305 engine has been amazing with hardly any repairs in almost 100K miles (I'm not a hard driver)... I'm not concerned with power but more with reliability and endurance (so long as you keep up with maintanence and minor repairs).

2nd bolded Q:

-Q: So if there's a little rustpot in the wood and it's a bit puffy I guess there could be more underneath the wood (or vinyl whatever it is), but there's no way to tell unless you rip off the wood?


Thanks again!

 

Well Now! you're really going to make me think long and hard because of this valuable information you have given me... I had almost tentatively decided on a 86 Box wagon but it's a bit pricey, and I have seen the 91/92's for about one-thousand less ($1600-2k or so in decent shape).

Are you sure they have a little more space all around? I've never checked out a 91/92 Caprice wagon but from the pictures it looked like the back was possibly a little bit more narrow?

Is it possible that the back is a bit longer but not quite as wide? what about height wise, any difference that you know of?

What about 93 and 94's, just curious as to why you didn't mention those, as I believe the corvette engine wasn't until 95... are the engines considered not as reliable in those years or is there some other issue, are the 93/94's slightly less spacious then the 91/92's?

So is it basically the same engines in the 91/92's as in the late 80's except different fuel delivery (tbi) ?


Thank you!

 

Hey Joe!

Thank you a great deal for this very detailed and helpful information!

I am definetly going to file away this thread for safe-keeping.

 

My sentiments exactly!

 

wow!


Oregon is beautiful, I used to live in Eugene for a short period, if it wasn't for the constant downpoors and my low-laying apt (stupid move on my part) getting flooded I might have stayed longer.

 

Very helpful, THANKS!

 

Huh, you say the "pontiac version of this wagon", excuse my ignorance but how were all the wagons from this era similar? Is that all the american manufacturers used similar frames and body types? I don't get it :confused:...haha.

Do you have any pictures of the 89 pontiac up on the net by chance?

 

Thanks Krash Kadillak, interesting name!


My question for you is what do you mean by "it can always be changed"?

If you mean that I (as in me, myself, and I) could always change the engine I believe there may be a misunderstaning, haha... I don't think that is possible, Or it would be more like a year long project if I was too attempt such a feat.

What is the approximate cost to have an engine replaced by a shop? is it more then $700 do you think?

Also, I heard that often times there is some trial and error when swapping engines, meaning there's some kinks to be ironed out and whatnot which could be time-consuming and/or somewhat expensive?


Thanks again Krash!

 

Yes, engines can be changed, and if you get a low-mileage used engine, not too expensive.

Your priority should be on the 'whole wagon' - finding the best one.

The differences among the various brands amount to cosmetic stuff - different front sheet metal (in some cases just the grill); different instrument panels and door trim panels; different or upgraded upholstery. Some different moldings, woodgrain trim. The main frame and body parts are all identical - same glass, wiring, etc. Most of them would have been built at the same 2 or 3 assembly plants
.

 

Thank You

But, hmm this one is a Buick from 89 but it doesn't look as big... maybe it's just the picture? http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/1898969112.html


I would like to compile a list of the years and models which are similar to the 88 Caprice Wagon, and also the years and models which are similar to the 91+++ Caprice Wagons.

Caprice Wagon

Buick Estate Wagon?

Olds?

 

Look at this Caprice Wagon, so beautiful... Why do these look so much better then the Buicks and others which were luxury vehicles, yet the regular old Chevys look so much better? I mean they even look more solid... which might be just the look, looks being deceiving and all.

http://pimix.com/auto/albums/caprice3/1981_Chevrolet_Caprice_Classic_wagon.jpg

 

You're right. That's not the same wagon. That one in the ad is a smaller, front-wheel drive wagon, called the Buick Century. They had 4's and V6's in them. As with the big wagons, Chevy, Pontiac and Olds also had versions of this same wagon.

The 'box' wagons that you're looking at first came out for model year '77. They went through the 1990 model year.
Chevrolet Impala and Caprice
Pontiac Catalina Safari and Bonneville Safari
(Note: In 1982, the 'Bonneville' name was switched to the mid-sized rear-wheel drive platform, so for Pontiac, the names start getting muddy about then..)
Pontiac Safari (same wagon, different name)
Pontiac Parisienne Safari (ditto...)
Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (not to be confused with the 'Cutlass Cruiser')
Buick Lesabre Estate; or Electra Estate

Now, as to the next generation wagons....
Chevy Caprice 1991 -1996
Olds Custom Cruiser 1991 - 1992 only
Buick Roadmaster Estate 1992 (I think*) - 1996
* i seem to recall reading that thee was only a Roadmaster sedan for the first model year - not sure on this....

The Olds and Buick had the skylight roof. The Chevy a plain flat roof. The LT1 motor was offered starting for the '94 model year - all models.

 

Since they're all so similiar, it gets down to personal taste. I've always like the front end of the 'early' Pontiac box wagons. Unique to the Pontiacs. The later ones, starting in '82 resorted to using the Chevy fenders, just with a different grill. Here's an '80 Bonneville Safari:

 

oh yea that pontiac is beautiful too, they take just about any engine as well right?