Repair-It

Then again, is the 2012-2013 Impala with the 3.6L about as fast with much better fuel economy? Maybe. I do like a nice V8 though.

Interestingly, the prices are almost the same. The newer ones are just a little more (hard to find under $8k).

At $8k, how much more for a Caprice PPV? Slippery slope.

Just kidding, this is way above my budget.

Maybe this one and put a trans in it: http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/5569693442.html

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5594883596.html So this is pretty cheap! I am guessing the damage might be worse than the seller is letting on or the pictures show. Hard to find something better for $8k though.

That poor car is going to be ridden dirty (yes I know what this means) with no maintenance until something breaks. Sad.

Caprice did a funny 2-3 shift this morning. A different funny than before. It almost felt like it shifted, then slipped a tiny bit and was fine. No issues at all for the rest of the commute. It is definitely on its way out - the question is how long does it have? Still hard to say. The other question (the entire original point of this thread) is, do I do anything about it before it fails? If so, what? I don't know the answers to those questions, either.

Displacement wood: http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5613445196.html

Wow, those are pretty rare.

The ultimate unicorn would be a 2500 Yukon XL with Vortec 8100 and Quadrasteer.

This system was awesome but too expensive as an option to continue and it only lasted from 2002 to 2005.
They did put it on 1/2 ton pickups, too (GM called them 1500HDs actually). Reduced turning radius to like 37 feet, which is what a midsize family sedan can do. Never mind the trailer backup function. Check this out: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hYqJF6D5cp0

What is perhaps a little amusing is that these trucks still had steering boxes for the front end. But the rear steer was electric steering rack, on a solid axle. Now that's a combo.

2-3 shift was fine this morning. Similar conditions. I think this car needs a transmission blog. I guess this thread is the closest thing. Over the past 6 months I've definitely given the car some serious exercise. Still takes it.

A/C still cold - of course it is. http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5589277605.html

Is it a bad thing when a car ad says bring your mechanic? http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/5590862604.html It kind of reminds me of house listings that say "bring your contractor."

A worse car than the E38 750iL in most aspects. Including reliability.

When I get a driveway perhaps I will get more serious about this process again. The Caprice is wearing out very evenly. If I wait much longer, it will need a full resto to be worth keeping on the road. Not there yet but...not that I have the time, money or skill for that.

Or, make sure the frame is solid/safe, patch up whatever body issues may exist, and then have fun with some kind of LS swap. Never get it painted (maybe dipped).

One of the many things holding me back from an engine swap was actually emissions. I either have one test left where the results matter, or I already had that one. The next inspection is May 2017. Summer of 17 LS swap?