The car was very, very reliable. Oil/filter/lube every 3000 miles kept it going so long.
Body held up exceptionally well.
Original A/C compressor and 350 engine at 200,000+ miles. It used 1/2 quart of oil every 1500 miles.
Interior (except for headliner) was still in great shape.
15-16 miles per gallon city, and 19-20 miles per gallon highway at 60-65 miles per hour.
I know why GM, Ford, and Chrysler don't make cars like this anymore. They can't make money on repairs for stuff that doesn't break. Wreck a 350 Chevy engine and an old turbo TH350, 700 or 400 transmission and there are thousands upon thousands of used ones still sitting in junk yards for a fraction of a price of new ones. True you can still buy a Crown Vic, Lincoln, Grand Marquis or Charger rear wheel drive, but all new cars are electrical and computer nightmares when it comes to repairs.
Cars of this vintage are too often criticized for being gas guzzlers and boats. The fact that many are still on the road at all speaks volumes about their reliability. 15 City and 21 highway MPG is outstanding for a medium sized, carberated V8 with a 3-speed automatic. Not to mention in a 31 year old car that weighs over 4000 lbs. Today we have 2 1/2 and 3 ton SUV's with motors that pump out over 300 HP, 5 and 6 speed automatics that have more technology than we sent to the moon. And fuel economy has actually become worse. What's wrong with this picture?
If there are "thousands upon thousands of used ones still sitting in junk yards" then how can there be many "still on the road"?
Take off your rose-tinted backward-looking glasses. The cars that are being produced today are more reliable, more comfortable, less polluting and get overall better gas mileage than the ones made in the 70's - 80's. They don't make them like that anymore and thank God for that.
If there are "thousands upon thousands of used ones still sitting in junk yards" then how can there be many "still on the road"?
Because there are still hundreds of thousands upon thousands more cars of this vintage still on the road. Obviously these cars aren't going to last forever, but the ones that are still around are generally in decent shape. Hmmmm don't see many Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans, Datsuns of this era any more. Most of those rusted on the showroom floor.
Today's cars are more reliable and efficient? My 1999 Dodge Intrepid blew 3 engines and two transmissions in 88,000 miles. My neighbor's 2005 Nissan Titan just ate its 2nd rear differential at 52,000 miles. My 2002 Accord is an electrical nightmare that eats brakes and is barely capable of 26 MPG highway going at or below the posted speed limit.
My 1987 Chevy Caprice has 189,000 miles and is capable is 23 MPG at 70 MPH. Try that with a Nissan Armada, or a wimpy, weak Honda Pilot. After you take it to the shop, pay $75 to hook it to a computer to find out the same thing is wrong with it for the 18th consecutive time. Tried and true tough old car vs. "modern" plastic junk. NO COMPARISON
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