Good morning all. My name is Alan and I am new to the forum and looking to get a wagon as a daily driver in near future. I drove A 1980 family Impala wagon as a teenager. Did not like it at the time but now reminded how useful it was or just trying to relive my youth I currently drive 4 door Saturn sedan but it is showing its age and kids are not getting any smaller. And there are those times I struggle to fit stuff in car just because of capacity. Has been great to me but time to move on. So right now I am considering a Taurus-Sable wagon or Roaadmaster-Caprice wagon. Majority of time it will be driven by me to work which is 22miles one way. 40% 50mph country roads. 40% highway and rest in town driving. Since a commuter,budget is only $2500. I also am spoiled by Saturn mpg, 30-35 but know that will change. Looking for real world estimate on wagons based on experiences by others. Here are some my thoughts on the wagons I am researching. GM 1992-1996: I like these but also know they are older cars at this point. TBI vs LT1. I would prefer LT1 but for my goal is it required? I also like simplicity of TBI. Can either realistically get 20-22mpg? I drive slow, not a lead foot. I like the cargo room with seats down.Being a car guy I like idea of driving RWD V8 daily. Main goal is commute but like option of being able to play with (exhaust, wheels etc) if I want. I have found examples with 120k or less in my price range. Ford: I am not a Ford guy but open minded as this was popular seller so hoping they are reliable etc. Assuming this will get me better mpg overall., guessing closer to 25mpg. Plenty of them for sale in my price range. I like the cargo space compared to a sedan but know it is not as much as GM. My wife has a minivan and we have an older pickup as third vehicle when it's needed. I know non wagon enthusiasts would tell me to get a minivan but it does not match my style. In my mind I feel the Ford is probably makes the most sense but I personally want the GM. Looking forward to the advice and thanks in advance.
Welcome to the forums. I get a consistent 23.6 mpg out of my '92 Roadmaster. The TBI 5.7 is no pin you in the seat performance but a good reliable engine. They still have decent '90's B body wagons out there for sale reasonably priced. I drove 4 hours to get mine but I found one with a few cosmetic issues (which I expected on a 22 year old car) 74,000 miles with maintenance records for $1,750. I bought a new set of wheels and tires to personalize it and still have a total of $2550 in it. I have had it for the past 7 months and it has taken over daily driver duties just because it is a fun car to drive and like having a lazy boy recliner on wheels.
Thanks 1tireman. That is the kind of information I was looking for. Is your 23.6 highway or mixed? There is a 92 near me with a few items, as expected, for 1500. 93k, minimal rust, looks decent for 1500. I have had several pickups from that era and share your opinion of tbi. I think I need to go look at it. Thanks
Yes, coyleatc you need to go right now to look at that wagon. Buy what your heart tells you. Please, not another minivan! Get a Roaadmaster-Caprice wagon. Oh and
Yeah, mostly hwy. I have a 2003 Toyota Tundra V6 truck that I can't get no where near the mileage I get with my wagon and not really disappointed with my mileage of my Tundra but really happy with that of my wagon. My commute to work is about 1450 miles per month, I save between $80 and $100 a month driving my wagon. While I may not be one to pinch pennies (my wife does enough for both of us) I thought no big deal, what can you actually get for $100 a month. Then my wife pointed out, "look at it this way then, it's like our internet and cable are free or our cell phones are free because either can be paid with what you are saving!" I am kind of like a xxl child and do better when things are explained to me that way!
Welcome Welcome! Did your 1980 Impala look like ours? Our teens have relived your experience. Our daughter wrote her college application essay about driving that car!
The guy selling the 92 Roadmaster has been unresponsive to email and phone calls. Maybe he is out of town or sold it already. I have found a 95 with 105K miles for $1500 obo. My guess is it is not as nice but am going to talk with seller today. I also found a nicer 95 for $1850 but has 196K. I am a little old fashioned when it comes to cars with miles. I know a lot of people say not to shy away if car was maintained. Now if he has tons of paperwork showing maintenance and the cars shows it, that is another story. It's just the car I am getting rid of has 201K. I want to buy something that I can get a few years out of. Any feedback on the LT1 cars is appreciated. Thanks.
