1989 Chevrolet Caprice Classic from North America - Comments

When I got the car, the power antenna didn't work.

Also, the resonator is rusted out due to sitting in a garage for 11 years.

This car is incredible. I got it from my grandfather last year. You might think that as a teenager I would want a Mustang or something like that... no way! This car has no modern equal. There has never been a more practical vehicle. This car has a ludicrously huge trunk (even with the full size spare in there), an incredibly roomy and comfortable interior, dual bench seats, power antenna, power windows, power locks, power trunk, and more than decent power from the Chevrolet 305 cubic inch L03 engine. The fastest I've pushed this beast is 0-60 in 8.96 seconds (after cold air intake and a throttle cable adjustment). All of my friends love the car, especially the ladies. I constantly hear things like "Wow this car is so cool! I want one too!" and "This is the most pimped out car in the school." Might be because everybody loves chrome. All I really did was put in a new sound system...

As running costs go, parts are cheap and I haven't had to replace anything, but the antenna so far. The only reason this car got an 8 instead of a 9 or 10 is because of the gas mileage. But anyone who owns one of these classic cars knows that owning one is well worth the price of gas.

In conclusion, whether you're looking for a family car or a project car, the Caprice is the answer.

Your 89 Caprice sedan is just a baby with the 48K miles you say it has on it, I got mine in 89 with the same engine as yours, but it had 7K on it and have happily got 24+ mpg since then. My dear boat though is showing its age now with extensive rust at the fenders and at the windshield gasket. It was never garaged. Presently it has over 333K and I would buy another in a heartbeat. Like you shortly after getting it the power antennae died, but I disconnected it leaving it up because sometimes it would drain the battery. Word of caution there's a Torque Converter Sensor my mechanic disconnected because the car was hiccuping real bad terribly, it fixed it. This is one problem the computer codes dont find. May you enjoy yours for many miles to come.

Just thought I would add something regarding your torque converter problem. I have an 88 Caprice Classic Brougham, which had the same problem. The TN200R4 transmissions have a TCC solenoid which locks the transmission into direct drive @ 35 mph. These will tend to freeze and not unlock causing stalling when you slow down to idle. It is a relatively easy fix for a competent transmission shop (@$100).

As far as caprices go I cannot say how much I love my boat! Read this forum and then check out the Honda and Toyota forums (both of which I have owned). While they are good cars I don't see the same level of satisfaction as B-Body caprice owners. I will own one for the rest of my life and see a LT1 9C1 in my future.

I had a 1996 9C1 I purchased at a dealer for $10,000 back in 2000 with 90,000 miles in 4 years I put another 175,000 miles on it and did nothing, but a transmission. I sold it like a dummy last year for 2500 and is still running, but I have yet to replace it with anything close. Excellent cars.

I have a 89 Caprice Classic as well. Although I have only had it for two months, I have to say I love the car. However, there are some minor problems, as the winsdhield de-icer will not spray, the wipers sometimes will stay on (both possibly a fuse problem), the check engine light will occasionally come on around 65-75 MPH, and the tire squeaks (as if the alignment is off). The car has a good 160K on it, and if I don't trade it for a brand-new car, I plan to keep it for quite some time.