Caprice engine swap?
Re: Caprice engine swap?
No. I probably have to call. I kind of want this car.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Fuel economy comparison as I search for remaining reasons to talk myself out of an AWD car, or at least an AWD with the 5L50 (05-06).
These ratings are original, not the 2008 revised numbers.
05 V8 RWD: 17/26
05 V8 AWD: 16/22
Pretty hefty highway penalty. Among the highest I've seen in general. One contributor which is NOT directly the AWD's fault is the sole 3.23 axle that comes with all AWD cars. The RWD ratings are 99% likely to be based on the base FE1 car which used 2.73s. I'd get the FE3 one which has 3.42 which would likely close the gap from what is shown above. The city rating, when everything is speeding up and slowing down (inertia losses) is negligible. So it must be a combination of the axle ratio and parasitic/frictional losses.
06 V8 RWD: 17/26
06 V8 AWD: 16/23
No explanation. I assume they would be identical in real life (the 05 and 06).
07 V8 RWD: 17/27
07 V8 AWD: 15/23
So....taller 6th gives the highest yet highway rating. I get that. I don't understand the AWD ratings at all with the 6L50. From an AWD standpoint, I wonder if I can conclude that at least for fuel economy, there is no appreciable difference. Or there shouldn't be. But ratings can be misleading. And even if the ratings were the same, the 6L50 car should drive better with more ratios to choose from and a shorter 1st gear.
I still think I am going to have a problem finding my ideal configuration, clean, and at the right price as an 07. Which I guess is why I want to go look at this 05 even though it is really the first that meets all (most) of my requirements.
These ratings are original, not the 2008 revised numbers.
05 V8 RWD: 17/26
05 V8 AWD: 16/22
Pretty hefty highway penalty. Among the highest I've seen in general. One contributor which is NOT directly the AWD's fault is the sole 3.23 axle that comes with all AWD cars. The RWD ratings are 99% likely to be based on the base FE1 car which used 2.73s. I'd get the FE3 one which has 3.42 which would likely close the gap from what is shown above. The city rating, when everything is speeding up and slowing down (inertia losses) is negligible. So it must be a combination of the axle ratio and parasitic/frictional losses.
06 V8 RWD: 17/26
06 V8 AWD: 16/23
No explanation. I assume they would be identical in real life (the 05 and 06).
07 V8 RWD: 17/27
07 V8 AWD: 15/23
So....taller 6th gives the highest yet highway rating. I get that. I don't understand the AWD ratings at all with the 6L50. From an AWD standpoint, I wonder if I can conclude that at least for fuel economy, there is no appreciable difference. Or there shouldn't be. But ratings can be misleading. And even if the ratings were the same, the 6L50 car should drive better with more ratios to choose from and a shorter 1st gear.
I still think I am going to have a problem finding my ideal configuration, clean, and at the right price as an 07. Which I guess is why I want to go look at this 05 even though it is really the first that meets all (most) of my requirements.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
I called.kevm14 wrote:No. I probably have to call. I kind of want this car.
1 minute later, he is going to e-mail me the carfax.
So far this is easy.
I did think of one issue with the price discussions. This is a dealer. That means sales tax, fees, all that horseshit. But it is out of state. I pay sales tax in RI when I register it. So....I should be able to negotiate a direct transaction price for the car I think. Right?
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Pretty sure you just pay sales tax where/when you register it, at the DMV. Since it is out of state, and newer, you will probably need a VIN check, which you will have with the CarFax. You can probably call a police station and have them run it over the phone before you travel just to be sure. Then as long as the VIN on the car matches the CarFax, you should be good. Just have to officially do it again in RI to register it.
Good news is they should give you a temp plate to drive it home!
Good news is they should give you a temp plate to drive it home!
Re: Caprice engine swap?
CARFAX History-Based Retail Value
$7,340
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This CARFAX Report Provided by:
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Vehicle History Report™
 2005 CADILLAC STS
VIN: 1G6DC67A750211359
SEDAN 4 DR
4.6L V8 SFI DOHC
GASOLINE
 No accident / damage reported to CARFAX
 3 Previous owners
 25 Service history records
 Types of owners: Personal lease, Personal
 Last owned in New Jersey
 85,485 Last reported odometer reading
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CARFAX Title History
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Not Actual Mileage | Exceeds Mechanical Limits Guaranteed
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CARFAX Additional History
Not all accidents / issues are reported to CARFAX
Total Loss
No total loss reported to CARFAX. 
Structural Damage
No structural damage reported to CARFAX. 
Airbag Deployment
No airbag deployment reported to CARFAX. 
Odometer Check
No indication of an odometer rollback. 
Accident / Damage
No accidents or damage reported to CARFAX. 
Manufacturer Recall
No open recalls reported to CARFAX. Check for open recalls on GM vehicles at recalls.gm.com. No Recalls Reported
CARFAX Detailed History
Owner 1
Purchased: 2005 Personal lease vehicle
14,426 mi./yr
Mileage: Source: Comments:
4/2/05
Medina Auto Mall
Medina, OH
330-723-3291
medinaautomall.net Pre-delivery inspection completed
5/16/05
Medina Auto Mall
Medina, OH
330-723-3291
medinaautomall.net Washed/detailed
5/19/05
Ohio
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Fincastle, VA Titled or registered as personal lease vehicle
Two states? Vehicle leasing companies often title a car in one state but register it to be driven in another.
5/20/05
119 mi.
Ohio
Motor Vehicle Dept.
North Olmsted, OH
Title #5201143699 Title issued or updated
First owner reported
10/8/05
Medina Auto Mall
Medina, OH
330-723-3291
medinaautomall.net Oil and filter changed
Tires rotated
2/18/06
Medina Auto Mall
Medina, OH
330-723-3291
medinaautomall.net Maintenance inspection completed
Oil and filter changed
Tires rotated
4/22/06
Medina Auto Mall
Medina, OH
330-723-3291
medinaautomall.net Maintenance inspection completed
Oil and filter changed
5/22/06
Medina Auto Mall
Medina, OH
330-723-3291
medinaautomall.net Maintenance inspection completed
Tire repaired
8/19/06
Medina Auto Mall
Medina, OH
330-723-3291
medinaautomall.net Engine/powertrain computer/module reprogrammed
Oil and filter changed
PCM reprogrammed
11/25/06
Medina Auto Mall
Medina, OH
330-723-3291
medinaautomall.net Fuel filler cap gasket replaced
Oil and filter changed
2/10/07
Medina Auto Mall
Medina, OH
330-723-3291
medinaautomall.net Oil and filter changed
2/19/07
Medina Auto Mall
Medina, OH
330-723-3291
medinaautomall.net Engine/powertrain computer/module reprogrammed
4/27/07
Medina Auto Mall
Medina, OH
330-723-3291
medinaautomall.net Maintenance inspection completed
Recommended maintenance performed
Air filter replaced
Brake rotor(s) resurfaced
Front brake pads replaced
Fuel filter replaced
Fuel injection system flushed/serviced
Oil and filter changed
Rear brake pads replaced
9/8/07
Medina Auto Mall
Medina, OH
330-723-3291
medinaautomall.net Ignition coil(s) replaced
Oil and filter changed
12/12/07
37,034 mi.
Auto Auction Vehicle sold at auction
Millions of used vehicles are bought and sold at auction every year.
12/29/07
37,063 mi.
Online Listing Vehicle offered for sale
5/7/08
37,064 mi.
Paul Conte Cadillac, Inc.
Freeport, NY
516-378-1130
paulcontecadillac.co
m Pre-delivery inspection completed
Battery replaced
Engine checked
Oil and filter changed
Emissions or safety inspection performed
5/12/08
37,841 mi.
New York
Inspection Station Dealer had vehicle inspected to
prepare it for sale
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
5/12/08
Cadillac Certified Dealer
Freeport, NY Offered for sale as a Certified Pre-owned Cadillac
5/12/08
Paul Conte Cadillac, Inc.
Freeport, NY
516-378-1130
paulcontecadillac.co
m Vehicle sold

Low mileage! This owner drove less than the industry average of 15,000 miles per year.
Owner 2
Purchased: 2008 Personal vehicle
5,746 mi./yr
Mileage: Source: Comments:
5/12/08
New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Roosevelt, NY Title issued or updated
Registration issued or renewed
New owner reported
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Loan or lien reported
Passed safety inspection
6/5/08
38,497 mi.
Paul Conte Cadillac, Inc.
Freeport, NY
516-378-1130
paulcontecadillac.co
m Brakes checked
Exterior lights checked
7/25/08
39,459 mi.
Paul Conte Cadillac, Inc.
Freeport, NY
516-378-1130
paulcontecadillac.co
m Body electrical system checked
Brakes checked
Tire condition and pressure checked
7/25/08
New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Roosevelt, NY Title issued or updated
Loan or lien reported
8/20/08
40,081 mi.
Paul Conte Cadillac, Inc.
Freeport, NY
516-378-1130
paulcontecadillac.co
m Radio/sound system checked
12/16/08
42,043 mi.
Inspection Co.
New York Inspection performed
3/26/09
43,735 mi.
Paul Conte Cadillac, Inc.
Freeport, NY
516-378-1130
paulcontecadillac.co
m Oil and filter changed
4/13/09
44,070 mi.
Paul Conte Cadillac, Inc.
Freeport, NY
516-378-1130
paulcontecadillac.co
m Body electrical system checked
5/7/09
Paul Conte Cadillac, Inc.
Freeport, NY
516-378-1130
paulcontecadillac.co
m Body electrical system checked
Inside door handle replaced
Wiper(s) replaced
Wipers/washers checked
Emissions or safety inspection performed
5/7/09
44,473 mi.
New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
8/3/09
46,202 mi.
Paul Conte Cadillac, Inc.
Freeport, NY
516-378-1130
paulcontecadillac.co
m Brakes checked
Tire condition and pressure checked
4/26/10
New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Roosevelt, NY Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
5/28/10
Paul Conte Cadillac, Inc.
Freeport, NY
516-378-1130
paulcontecadillac.co
m Wheels checked
Emissions or safety inspection performed
5/28/10
50,744 mi.
New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
3/10/11
54,139 mi.
Paul Conte Cadillac, Inc.
Freeport, NY
516-378-1130
paulcontecadillac.co
m Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed
Axles checked
Body electrical system checked
Brakes checked
Cooling system serviced
Oil and filter changed
Steering/suspension checked
Tire condition and pressure checked
Two tires mounted
Two tires replaced
Wheels checked
4/4/11
54,551 mi.
Paul Conte Cadillac, Inc.
Freeport, NY
516-378-1130
paulcontecadillac.co
m Body electrical system checked
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Wheels checked
5/9/11
55,147 mi.
New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
5/2/12
New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Roosevelt, NY Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
5/20/12
61,413 mi.
New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
5/30/13
69,045 mi.
New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
9/3/13
70,525 mi.
Pep Boys
Hempstead, NY
516-292-5450
pepboys.com Light bulb(s) replaced
Tire repaired
4/18/14
New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Roosevelt, NY Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
6/3/14
75,189 mi.
New York
Inspection Station Failed safety inspection
Failed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
6/8/14
75,365 mi.
New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Emissions inspection performed
View what was inspected
7/2/15
80,767 mi.
New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
4/4/16
New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Roosevelt, NY Registration issued or renewed
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
4/29/16
83,921 mi.
Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale
5/9/16
83,954 mi.
Auto Auction
Eastern Region Listed as a dealer vehicle
Vehicle sold at auction
5/25/16
Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale
6/21/16
Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Levittown, PA
Title #7624780301 PA Title issued or updated
Dealer took title of this vehicle
while it was in inventory
6/24/16
New Jersey
Motor Vehicle Dept.
East Brunswick, NJ Registration issued or renewed
Vehicle color noted as White

Low mileage! This owner drove less than the industry average of 15,000 miles per year.
Owner 3
Purchased: 2016 Personal vehicle
Mileage: Source: Comments:
6/24/16
New Jersey
Motor Vehicle Dept.
East Brunswick, NJ
Title #SP20161760306 Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Vehicle color noted as White
8/10/16
85,485 mi.
Malouf Cadillac-Chevrolet
North Brunswick, NJ
732-821-1100
malouf.com Vehicle serviced
Glossary
Failed Emissions Inspection
The emissions check performed during a vehicle inspection indicated the vehicle was emitting more than allowable emissions standards and/or had missing or modified parts. Repeated failed emissions records can indicate engine problems and CARFAX recommends you have the vehicle inspected.
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4/20/17 4:30:15 PM (EDT)
Re: Caprice engine swap?
This stuck out:
I asked for a PDF. Looks like he cut and pasted the website into an e-mail. I'd rather have the PDF for reasons.
Curious about the story behind that.6/3/14
75,189 mi.
New York
Inspection Station Failed safety inspection
Failed emissions inspection
I asked for a PDF. Looks like he cut and pasted the website into an e-mail. I'd rather have the PDF for reasons.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Generally I think I agree with the ad claim that it was meticulously maintained. It has been through dealers and checked and inspected enough times that they must have fixed what was wrong with it. Unless this format is throwing me off, not a whole lot went wrong with this car in his first 85k.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
You know what else I just realized....Tire Pros did me a little favor by rejecting the SRX informally. Now there is no record of "failed safety inspection" when I go to sell this car.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
So I called.
It was traded in at a local dealership, Brunswick Toyota. They have some kind of link with them. I think it's not something the Toyota dealership would have put on their lot so these guys tend to buy cars from them. Which is what happened with this one.
Next, he was willing to put it on a lift and take pictures because I am coming from a long way. That was great. He said to expect no leaks, and pretty clean under there. This is the first I've had anyone, ever, offer to send pics from a lift. He was the one who suggested it. I didn't even ask for that specifically. I just brought up that I would specifically be looking for something clean enough so maintenance is not impacted every time I touch a bolt.
Next thing he told me was the car is pending sale. Basically if the guy does not follow through (getting a loan....on 6 grand), he will call me. And we'll do the picture thing. He seemed great to deal with and pretty straight up.
He also said the prices are basically fixed and these are their best prices. This happened after I offered $5500 pending the car meeting all requirements. To be honest the car is priced well even at $6k. And on this particular one, if it is what it says it is, I'd probably just pay the $6k. But some jackass probably already bought it.
I'm not holding my breath but it looks like a pretty clean one probably slipped my grasp because I am too busy to run off to NJ 2 days after a car is posted on CL. I'll be honest - I am actually disappointed because I was really starting to get excited about this car.
The forum was right. The clean ones get snapped up fast leaving the same old garbage problem children left. If you look at my CL saved search, that's pretty much the story.
It was traded in at a local dealership, Brunswick Toyota. They have some kind of link with them. I think it's not something the Toyota dealership would have put on their lot so these guys tend to buy cars from them. Which is what happened with this one.
Next, he was willing to put it on a lift and take pictures because I am coming from a long way. That was great. He said to expect no leaks, and pretty clean under there. This is the first I've had anyone, ever, offer to send pics from a lift. He was the one who suggested it. I didn't even ask for that specifically. I just brought up that I would specifically be looking for something clean enough so maintenance is not impacted every time I touch a bolt.
Next thing he told me was the car is pending sale. Basically if the guy does not follow through (getting a loan....on 6 grand), he will call me. And we'll do the picture thing. He seemed great to deal with and pretty straight up.
He also said the prices are basically fixed and these are their best prices. This happened after I offered $5500 pending the car meeting all requirements. To be honest the car is priced well even at $6k. And on this particular one, if it is what it says it is, I'd probably just pay the $6k. But some jackass probably already bought it.
I'm not holding my breath but it looks like a pretty clean one probably slipped my grasp because I am too busy to run off to NJ 2 days after a car is posted on CL. I'll be honest - I am actually disappointed because I was really starting to get excited about this car.
The forum was right. The clean ones get snapped up fast leaving the same old garbage problem children left. If you look at my CL saved search, that's pretty much the story.