[Guest]

hows everyone doing? I'm 17, and I love big body Chevys. Right now I'm looking at a 91 305 caprice with 117,000 Miles. The car looks great and everything else seems fine. I just want to know what is Considered decent miles for a caprice? I know its not bad if you think about its 13 yrs old and had less then 10,000 miles/yr. I have also found a 91 LT1 Caprice wit a little more miles, but around the same price. The LT1 needs paint and body work. If you were in my shoes which one would you guys go with , remember Speed isn't a big factor to me since I'll make it a street/show car. So I'm happy with a 305. I'll be back when I purchase the car to talk about other subjects. Thaks
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[Guest]

I myself would not get a Caprice unless it has the 350 wether it be a LO5 or LT1.Don't get me wrong the LO3 and L99's are great but just don't have the umph i like.I see you mentioned a '91 w/ a LT1 eather the motor was replaced or you are mistaken it for a LT1.It is most likely a LO5 350 TBI.
I would have to say that around 300 K miles would be a bit much for any car.Anything under that would be ok as well as the car was well taken care of and not whooped.

 

[Guest]

My 91 just turned over 215,000 miles. It will last a long time, but plan on putting a lot of work, time and money into upkeep. I would suggest trying to find a 94-96 lt1 powered caprice, you'll be better off in the long run.

 

[Guest]

My '91 LO3 just turned 289,000kms.... still runs strong. doesn't burn oil, but it ticks a little. I think it has to do with a broken exhaust bolt. Either way, maintenance is key! Considering that this car is a rust belt daily driver, it's doing well.
With that said, I think the next B-body I buy will have to be '94 and up with the LT-1. (I'm looking at a '95 DCM right now) The 305 is good, but you'll find yourself wanting more....

 

[Guest]

My 92 Wagon has 209,000 on the original 305. It has a slight oil leak but otherwise runs perfect. My 91' GMC has 203,000 miles on the original 305. That has no leaks at all. It all depends on how the vehicle was driven & maintained.

 

[Guest]

I have had several L03's and they all seemed to last longer than the body. (worst one gave up around 210K others got close to 300K miles before the car around them fell apart.

Since the LT1 was not available in 91, I am assuming it is an L05 (350 cid) and the seller is confused (or a liar).

Since either motor is likely to last for long time if they are taken care of, I would go with the 350 over the 305. Take care of the worst of the body work, slap some paint on it to stop as much rust as possible. The 305 is just too weak for the heavy Caprice.

 

[Guest]

my L03 has 240 on it, and my brother has an L05 with 240 on it as well. nothing really wrong with either engine (L05 burns a little oil), of course both could us a rebuild, as could as car with that many miles. bottomline, they run strong if maintained.

 

[Guest]

All the L03s always seem to start and just keep on turning everytime.

Sure Both L03s in a truck and a wagon.. both with 100k on them tick at certian rpms.

Fram filters maybe?

 

[Guest]

My 91 Caprice with a 305 had 250,000 miles on it when I bought it. I drove it until it had 450,000 miles. I'd still be driving it except that I bought a 95 SS. I still have, someday I'll decide what to do with it.

Bob

 

[Guest]

Bob
that's taxi like milage!!
a guy I know drove cabies few years back when they still had the square body caprices in service and he constantly drove cars with 250-400 K miles on them but I'd figure most were L05 motors.
Here is a picture what I did earlier today.
The motor is somewhat tired now, some of it due the vehicle being stolen for about 7 months. It throws a nice puff of blue smoke upon startup but never hesitates to startup. Also does not burn too much oil but it has a rear main seal leak.

The way I see it is it all depends what kind of live the motor had. Regular maintenance is the key to long life.
I'm attaching the pic below I was so proud off but Bob here beat me by 2.5x.

 

[Guest]

My 91 Caprice with L03 was pushing 200000 before selling it, and the guy who has it now has had no problems and it is over above mileage now, and STILL going strong!

Dave

http://members.cardomain.com/95dcmss

 

[Guest]

88,888 not a 6 digit, who knows how many are on there- hell, my 914 only has 11,000 on it!

ie seen caprice at the yard with 450,00 miles on them, and people still pull the eninge/tranny! they will go forever, if you dont hvae the $ to put into it, dont go over 150,000 i made that mistake when i was 17, for 4 years i didnt hvae a reverse, or 4th gear!!! you get used to driveing like that though, never any long trips, and always planning where you park. but yeah anyway, everyone is saying i had 250k! on mine, yeah thats all great if you hvae the $ to keep it up, change the oil every 3k, intead of 13,000 like i was doing

 

[Guest]

at 17 I would stay in the 90-125K mile range, still a good amount of life left in it, and it should get you through to your next car.

 

[Guest]

I've seen taxi wrecks with 588,000 miles ... and they were still driving them when they wrecked!!! They run forever if given regular oil changes.

Rust is something I hate and that might change calculation. I grew up in the Midwest, have been out here in sunny Arizona for 12 years and still can't get over how nice older cars can be.

I have a collection of totally rust-free Arizona LT1-powered 9C1s, so if someone is looking for one of those, maybe I could help them. I go back to Ohio to visit family periodically, so I could even help with delivery to points along the way.

Also, I check out the rust-free Arizona junkyards from time to time, so if someone is looking for some rust-free part they can't find in their area, I'll be happy to look. I'm not going to spend weeks chasing down a '75 Bonneville stereo bezel, but if you are looking for a hard to find fender or door or something important, I'll be glad to help.

Warmest wishes,

Jim

 

[Guest]

First off I'm guessing that LTZ was mistaken for LT1.

I have a 92 Caprice Classic 305 with 275k miles on it. The trans got a new filter and fluid at 120K. The fuel pump went out about 240K. I think water pump and altenator have been replaced also. Other than that everything is original. The trans still shifts fine.

Never had any major problems with the car.
Heck the stainless exhaust is still intact. It needs a new muffler, but the original exhaust pipes are still fine and I live in a winter salt area.

One thing to remember is that rubber cracks and fails with age and not just mileage. ie control arm bushings, vaccum controls on the hvac, ect.

91-93 TBI engines tend to carbon up the EGR vaccum lines so keep an eye on them and use fuel injector cleaner every other oil change.

One thing I very much miss about the 92 when it was younger, 30-35 mpg on the high way. Would fill up at Charlston, MO and drive all the way into Fort Worth, TX on one tank. I guess thats because of it being a 2.56 rear with the 305 V8.

When I took the 96 B4U w/LT1 to Fayetteville, North Carolina I got 27 highway and 24 through the mountains.

The 92 always had plenty of power once you were moving. It was the launch that was disapointing. I wonder what putting 3.08 or 3.42 gears in the rear would do for that.

My opinon, if the car has been taken well care of at 117k, you would most likly have a very dependable car without much chance of major repair for at least another 100k and during that time you can save up money for the college car. Odds are the 91 would still be running strong through college as well.

 

[Guest]

227k on the car.

Dumped the LO3 at 182k. It was burning a quart every 350 miles. That was my fault via poverty induced lack of oil changes for something like 60k miles. Other than the smoke, it ran good. But even a perfect 305 is a TAD underpowered, so it had to go.

Something to check though:
The pcv line from the passenger side valve cover to the air cleaner. Inside the air-box, look for oil near that line. The LO3 had a problem with rings and excessive blow by. If you have a lot of oil here, it's prolly got a bracked or broken ring. Mine were so bad it would pop the fitting out of the valve cover once the line had filled with crud.

 

[KobkTV]

My '91 LO3 just turned 289,000kms.... still runs strong. doesn't burn oil, but it ticks a little. I think it has to do with a broken exhaust bolt. Either way, maintenance is key! Considering that this car is a rust belt daily driver, it's doing well.
With that said, I think the next B-body I buy will have to be '94 and up with the LT-1. (I'm looking at a '95 DCM right now) The 305 is good, but you'll find yourself wanting more....

Make sure you check the egr valve it gets clogged up with moss and other stuff, and from you saying little ticks makes me believe you might have lifters that needa to be replaced.

 

[Michael Thomas]

hows everyone doing? I'm 17, and I love big body Chevys. Right now I'm looking at a 91 305 caprice with 117,000 Miles. The car looks great and everything else seems fine. I just want to know what is Considered decent miles for a caprice? I know its not bad if you think about its 13 yrs old and had less then 10,000 miles/yr. I have also found a 91 LT1 Caprice wit a little more miles, but around the same price. The LT1 needs paint and body work. If you were in my shoes which one would you guys go with , remember Speed isn't a big factor to me since I'll make it a street/show car. So I'm happy with a 305. I'll be back when I purchase the car to talk about other subjects. Thaks
---

My 92 year old mother just quit driving the only caprice that won MOTOR TRENDS CAR of the YEAR 91 LTZ with 305 v8 it has 240,000 miles the trans has been rebuilt, distributer ,alternator etc, has 1.6 roller rockers, it all runs well.also have wagon rear shocks and wagon rear springs. stay safe

 

[mira9_cz]

My 90 car is 370k miles and it is considerably weaker then my other 91 LTZ with 160k miles. What a difference! I also have 56k miles Impala SS and such a low mileage is something else. But I think it is rather LT1 then the mileage doing the most of the difference.