1986 Chevrolet Caprice Classic 386 V8 from North America

Summary:

The greatest car ever

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This has been the most perfect car on the planet. I wrote to Chevy to say thanks... they said they hear it all the time about this model. Plus they sent me a t-shirt making me part of the "high-miler" club.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th September, 2000

25th Nov 2000, 16:58

I agree with you about this great car! I love my boat! The only thing that has ever gone wrong with my Caprice was the power steering pump @ 159,350 miles! I'm still going strong at 161,175! It's a great car.

5th Dec 2000, 13:12

Glad to see others are experiencing long mileage with their Chevy Caprice, I also own a 1983 Chevrolet Caprice Classic with 253,800 original miles and still going strong, using a quart of oil in approximately 4,500 miles.

Won't sell it for a million bucks! Also own a 1996 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, since it's no longer produced, wanted to get another Caprice Classic.

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1986 Chevrolet Caprice Wagon 305ci 5.0L V8 4bbl from North America

Faults:

"PowerMaster" electric-assist power brake assist, broke twice in 70k miles, $600 each time to fix. Second time broke, replaced with normal vacuum booster from 85 Caprice, no problems since.

700R4 transmission went at 66k; rebuilt unit lasted another 100k.

Engine seeps oil but does not burn oil. Engine runs flawless, but needs overhaul (it's tired).

AC compressor went at 100k.

Waterpump went at 133k.

Exhaust system replaced twice in 166k (inexpensive).

Radio quit at 145k.

Interior ceiling sagged at 120k, replaced for $150.

Front wheel bearing at 160k.

Radiator started leaking at 140k (put sealer and low-psi cap on, stopped leak).

Choke pull-off diaphram broke at 140k, made car run rich and miss but still passed emissions.

General Comments:

A great inexpensive family car. Parts are dirt cheap. Did entire brakes for $32 shoes and pads. Drive-train is all generic small-block Chevy, everyone has parts and they're cheap. Motor ran like a gem, started right up every time. If engine runs good, don't mess with carb unless you have to. CHANGE OIL EVERY 3K. 700R4s have several known bugs. If yours goes, have someone who knows how to properly fix them do the bug fixes so yours'll last longer. OD does wonders for hwy mileage. City mileage sucks. Good car for family people. Front clip is easy to replace if Junior rear-ends somebody (I had to). Whole front clip cost me $150 if I took it off. Radiator didn't even puncture.

If you can, get one with the 12" cop vented rotors on the front and 11" drums on the back; will stop a tank. Check frequently for wear; pads and shoes wear unpredictably. Suspension gets sloppy after a while and the car understeers pretty mean. New bushings and ball joints help. Also, steering idler arm of weak construction, should be replaced with Moog "Problem Solver" part. Radio sucks to replace. An excellent big-person car. Nobody will steal it, and there are lots of parts around for it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th September, 1999

5th Jun 2001, 21:59

I sincerely agree with your statement on the radio removal. It's a pain in the butt to remove it... Had to take off damn near half the dash to find out how to get it out. If there is a defect in any Caprice Classic, it would have to be the radio removal.

24th Mar 2004, 22:46

Getting the radio out is tough to deter theft. There is a way to do it to make it easier, but it's still a pain since the climate control unit is part of it and needs to be unhooked.