Caprice engine swap?

[kevm14]

Oh he also has 2 keyless entry remotes, and they work. Take that!

[kevm14]

The big unknown would be getting it back here. You could fly/drive there and drive it back, but that may be risky depending on the condition of the car. Driving there with tools and spare parts may help. Towing it back may get expensive since you would need a vehicle and trailer that are capable of towing a ~4200lb car ~800 miles. Hiring a car carrier is also an option, and may be cheaper than you towing it yourself (providing you could get the equipment cheaply).

Two main options:
- Fly down with someone, drive it back
- Drive down with someone, drive both back

[bill25]

We could take the Caprice down, and make bets on which one makes it back. I also have a Corolla with dead animals in it that could be interesting (awful) if we decide to videotape it.

[kevm14]

If my 15 years of B-body experience is any indication, both will make it back.

Taking the Caprice things:
- Would pass 300k on the trip (to get the replacement, in Charlotte, again. That must be minimally poetic.)
- Mileage so-so. Probably capable of 20-21 mpg on sheer highway. Which really isn't bad for a TBI 350 with 300k and 3.42 gears.
- Wiring issue.... bring zipties I guess (Roadkill-factor maximized)
- Have to bring a few quarts of oil

Taking the Corolla things:
- Great fuel economy (well, 35 mpg anyway)
- Add miles because.....?

Taking the CTS-V things:
- Literally did this drive a little over 4 years ago, in this car, so that's something. I am overdue for a road trip
- CTS-V is awesome on road trips (co-pilot must drive manual)
- 25-26 mpg
- Oh no, miles (eh)

Other cars?

Or get it done in a reasonable amount of time and fly down maybe on a Friday night... stay at Bob's if that is an option? Drive back Saturday in one shot? Something like that?

[kevm14]

I have enough Southwest points for one ticket, and the other will cost around $129-$142 until approaching Thanksgiving (11/20).

About an 800 mile trip.

Fly/drive (downside, can't really bring tools)
$135 + $93 in gas for the 96 Caprice = $228

Drive Corolla down/drive both back
$101 (Corolla 2-way) + $93 = $194

Drive Caprice down/drive both back
$172 (Caprice 2-way) + $93 = $265

Drive CTS-V down/drive both back
$163 (CTS-V 2-way) + $93 = $256

Only the Corolla is cheaper than flying. But it still takes way longer. And if it required any hotel time (goes for any drive-down plan), that would break the savings.

[bill25]

If my 15 years of B-body experience is any indication, both will make it back.

Well that sounds like a challenge...

Fly/drive (downside, can't really bring tools)
$135 + $93 in gas for the 96 Caprice = $228

Also if we fly down, and the "new" Caprice dies, we don't have an identical Caprice to strip on the side of the road for all of it's parts worth taking while successfully getting the "new" one home.

[kevm14]

Well if the LT1 or 4L60-E has an issue, my Caprice will be of no help.

[Adam]

What is the checked luggage policy for Soutwest? You could check a bag of tools and parts.

[bill25]

2 bags under 50 lbs. free.

[kevm14]

Checked out the value at Edmunds for a data point. Had to check every option except "wire wheel covers." In clean condition, it is $1300 private and $2400 dealer retail.

I'm not sure it's even in clean condition given the issues, and rust-free doesn't count because in NC that's what everything is, so that's not a unique advantage.

So I'm thinking $2000 would be the top end, and I might just take the acquisition cost off that, which would be $1772, or call it $1800 final price.

I'm thinking he'll pass and we'll be several hundred dollars apart (I predict he'll be around $2200 and I'll be at $1800 for the bottom and top line, respectively).

I bargained hard and got my 95 Fleetwood for $1300 when it started out well over $2000 on craigslist, so it is possible if he wants to sell it.

Bob is on the scene now.