- Body side moldings come unglued - common problem
- Oil cooler lines prone to leaks - capped them and removed spacer under oil filter.
- Water pump every 100000kms ($55)
- Poor gas mileage - replaced 02 sensor ($45) Happy now.
- Cruise failed - poor ground in tailgate stop light.
- Manifold gaskets replaced every 100000kms
- Ontario winters will munch away at lower body panels particularly behind rear wheels. Clean around wheels every Spring - spray entire body with chain saw bar oil (better than commercial oil sprays in my opinion).
- Good luck finding one in decent shape on used car market.
- Europeans sneer at RM/Caprice type cars - little do they know!
- I use my R. M wagon as a pick-up - pulled out with a chain thirty 8-10ft high pine trees to clear bush lot. Carried 800lbs of bricks, 900lbs hardwood flooring, filled the rear with sheets of drywall, fence posts (no, not all at the same time!) - I'd like to see a Camry or Accord do that.
- Hit a full grown buck at highway speed - car didn't miss a beat. Needed a new fender, hood, and light ($300 to replace fake wood veneer on fender - most expensive part). Deer didn't fare so well I'm afraid.
- Fire truck backed into rear - tailgate panel was able to be "popped" back into shape. This is one tough car - one of the safest out there.
- Great fuel economy - 32mpg at 120kph (not great around town). Good performance - 0-60 9secs/16.9 seconds quarter mile. People go for the later LT1 engine, but the earlier ones are a snap to work on.
- Extremely comfortable - recently rode in a Merc. 300D while in the UK - a bone shaker in comparison. R. M leather seats are most comfortable I've yet found.
- Must be the worlds largest wagon - 92cu ft of cargo room - Volvo and Mercs are wagon wannabees.
- Still compares well with modern SUVs in performance, mileage and cargo room.
- Classic American cars live on in Australia. I wish G. M would import the Holden Caprice rather than the G8.
The Holden Caprice is a long wheelbase Commodore (G8) and is only available as a sedan.
Addendum to the original post.
On Oct 11th/09 this vehicle was totalled when a Chev Suburban ran a red light. My wife had to be extricated from the car but sustained only minor injuries. The other driver was unhurt. The Emergency Responders commented that if the vehicles had been compact cars there would certainly have been a fatality. Those of you who believe that the new small economical cars come with an inherent safety deficit, you are right - I'm so glad we resisted the trend. The Roadmaster had done 450,000kms, was till hauling fence posts and concrete and at the end of the day it provided excellent occupant protection. Thankyou G. M for building such a robust vehicle - so long woody, thanks for the ride.
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