1982 Chevrolet Caprice from North America - Comments

Overheated at 125,000 miles.

The car was always exceedingly reliable, never needing any major repairs. After the overheating incident we replaced the original 265 V-8 with a used 305, but never liked it as well. In fact my main purpose in writing this review is to ask if any other Caprice owners have had one with the unusual 265 V-8. It was underpowered but got impressive fuel economy for a large car.

I think you are thinking of the 267 smallblock, not the 265. The 265 was the original one from the 50s. The 267 has the same crank as a 305 and 350, it just has a way skinnier bore, so the valves are really small, which can't let much fuel and air in. We are talking about a 115-120hp motor here. It's entire existence was based on lugging the Caprice to 60mph and that's about it. I myself, had a 305 which went, so now I have a 350. The 350 is going to get hopped up and put into a better/lighter/cooler car once I can save up some money.

Original poster here. While I certainly agree that the Caprice was underpowered with the 267 (?), I can report that it would cruise easily all day at about 80-85 mph. I took the car on many trips from Missouri to New York, Eastern Canada, and New England. It always performed flawlessly, though it slowed down a bit when going up a long grade.

I have a charcoal/silver 1982 Caprice 2-Dr. which just turned over 70,000 miles this summer (2007). The car has not seen a winter in 23 years. I put it away on/around Dec. 1st and take it out of storage on/around April 10th. This summer it overheated and checking under the hood found the anti-freeze bottle boiling over. My mechanic replace the entire radiator and thermostat.. parts and labor: $303.00. Was really amazed he found a brand new radiator for this 25 year old automobile. The engine (5.0 305) is and always has been "slow" mover from 0-whatever. But on the highway it runs like a deer. Smooth-fast. What I like about the '82 Caprice is the "ride". You can go over a set of railroad tracks with little sound transmitting thur out the car. My other car, a Pontiac, feels like its about to explode when you drive over a bottle cap. The car will never become a "collectors" item.. but it looks like the day it came off the line in 1982. A person commented on the finish of the car and said whoever did the paint job did a super job. I told him "it was General Motors". Couldn't believe it was the original factory paint. Wish I could post photos here.

I own a 1982 Chevrolet Caprice Classic with just under 70,000 miles on it and it runs and acts like it was 1982 all over again. My only thought on the car is why do Hispanics and African-Americans love the Caprice so much?

They love this car (the '82 Caprice) because of the solid chrome bumpers, chrome trim. I can't come to a stop light in Saginaw, Michigan without a car load of young guys hanging out the window commenting "You want to sell that car? I give you $100 down and $50 week!" When I tell them.. "come up with $6K and it's yours!" Sounds like a lot, but for that amount you get a 25 year MINT old car - low millage (71-72000), new radiator, new A/C compressor, new belts, new hoses etc. and a head turner when your driving it down the street. Great looking car.