I can't comment on a Roadmaster but seeing my Fleetwood is built in the same factory and is basically the same as a Buick and Caprice, I'll second that emotion Carl!
For longevity, you just can't beat a vehicle with a separate frame! I don't care what they say about squeaks, twisting and rattling, the frame is like the backbone or skeleton where everything is attached (and can be removed and replaced if necessary). If all cars were unibodies, restoration would sure be a hell of lot more of a headache!
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1970 LS4 (eventually an LS5) Laurentian 2dr hdtp -and a bunch of other muscle cars...
For longevity, you just can't beat a vehicle with a separate frame! I don't care what they say about squeaks, twisting and rattling, the frame is like the backbone or skeleton where everything is attached (and can be removed and replaced if necessary). If all cars were unibodies, restoration would sure be a hell of lot more of a headache!
You can't go wrong with the LT1 either. It makes great power in stock form. You can easily count on 25 mpg on the highway and up to 30 mpg is possible. I have been driving the tar out of my Impala SS for 6 years and 60,000km with no problems. The transmissions don't exactly like my abuse though. The car see's it's fair share of the 1/4mile and I have replaced the transmission with a high performance unit.
They aren't too hard to work on either. Parts are cheap. See lots of them in the wreckers now. I installed a complete Roadmaster interior in my cop Caprice for very cheap. There is a ton of information on the internet for these cars as well.
The engine itself is fine, it's the accessories that crap out. My 97 Z28 is on it's third opti-puke with just over 100,000 km on the clock. I've also gone through two batteries, an alternator, a coil and a water pump - I don't consider that too great for a car with just over 60,000 MILES on it and that isn't winter driven.
-- Edited by Astro Jet at 15:42, 2008-12-09
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1970 LS4 (eventually an LS5) Laurentian 2dr hdtp -and a bunch of other muscle cars...
Have to agree with that. My Impala SS will kill the battery in a few weeks of being parked if it is not disconnected. Water pump failure is pretty normal and it drowns the poor "opti-junk" at the same time. There are a ton of problems with these cars, yes. But do we dare compare them to there front wheel drive cars of the same era. The junk yards are full of them compared to a few b-bodies.
Excuse me gentlemen, I have the more sedate but bulletproof reliable 300 lb/ft torque L05 5.7, the last of the orignal small blocks, 259,000 km and counting.
Actually the 90's GM full size cars with the 3800 are pretty well indestructible. I have several friends who use them as winter beaters - Olds 88's, Buick Lesabres - and they are racking up 300,000 km plus relatively trouble free miles on them....
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1970 LS4 (eventually an LS5) Laurentian 2dr hdtp -and a bunch of other muscle cars...
Excuse me gentlemen, I have the more sedate but bulletproof reliable 300 lb/ft torque L05 5.7, the last of the orignal small blocks, 259,000 km and counting.
You are lucky you got one before they started installing the opti-pukes...
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1970 LS4 (eventually an LS5) Laurentian 2dr hdtp -and a bunch of other muscle cars...
Actually the 90's GM full size cars with the 3800 are pretty well indestructible. I have several friends who use them as winter beaters - Olds 88's, Buick Lesabres - and they are racking up 300,000 km plus relatively trouble free miles on them....
I am sure I would still have my 92 Bonneville if it had not been slane by a 100,000 lb. tanker. I saw a 92 Bonny in a salvage yard with 403,000 km on the clock when picking interior parts for mine. Mine was 14 years old when it was killed with 170,000 km, just broken in!
I love my Uni-body Park Ave. Yes, it has several quirks-slow passenger power window. A "Service Vehicle Soon" light that will come on for about 2 seconds once a week for no reason (I scanned it and I have a "loss of communications" history code) and valve cover gaskets that are currently spewing oil (should have this fixed soon). I'm a huge fan of the SC3800. The supercharged 3.8 has beefier rods, different pistons and heads. I get 29mpg hwy and has lots of balls if I need it. The car is 8 years old and the floors still look like new. With only 109k on it, I should get a good 10 years of out it. Oh, it cost less than a Toyota Echo of the same vintage!
I love my Uni-body Park Ave. Yes, it has several quirks-slow passenger power window. A "Service Vehicle Soon" light that will come on for about 2 seconds once a week for no reason (I scanned it and I have a "loss of communications" history code) and valve cover gaskets that are currently spewing oil (should have this fixed soon). I'm a huge fan of the SC3800. The supercharged 3.8 has beefier rods, different pistons and heads. I get 29mpg hwy and has lots of balls if I need it. The car is 8 years old and the floors still look like new. With only 109k on it, I should get a good 10 years of out it. Oh, it cost less than a Toyota Echo of the same vintage!
You forgot the biggest reason for driving in the winter= Front wheel drive. I love those cars for all those reasons. Rear drivers are still my fav in good weather. As far as restoration on a unibody I'd rather start with another car than fix a rusty one. Different story on a full body on frame car.
My 97 Z28 is on it's third opti-puke with just over 100,000 km on the clock. I've also gone through two batteries, an alternator, a coil and a water pump - I don't consider that too great for a car with just over 60,000 MILES on it and that isn't winter driven.