So we left early and got the car on the way home. We literally would drive less than a mile from his house on the way out/back. So given the existing vacation, there isn't any more convenient way to look at and buy a car that is more than 30 minutes from home and not along my commute.
Some random thoughts from the drive home to share, starting with some negatives:
- It seems to have a light chuggle and surge that is typically EGR related. It is minor but if you have the throttle just off idle (like in the terrible traffic on the way home, and no, not on the Cape), you can feel it. I would expect this would be remedied with an EGR valve. This is not really a rush. And it is very common (like they all do it) on the LT1.
- The throttle seems to have very light binding/sticking. I recall I replaced the TB on my Camaro due to this. This is not an emergency. Cleaning it out may fix it but it's probably just old bushings.
- The steering is actually pretty annoying. It has play, despite a new (reman) box. Which was my experience. But what's more offensive is it seems to have different levels of effort depending on which way you turn. Specifically, turning left off center has a heavy effort and turning right is much easier. I doubt this is an alignment issue because this kind of cross-caster would cause a definite pull and it more or less tracks straight. I could just put my Caprice's box in here. What's surprising is the ratio itself is actually pretty quick. It's disappointing though because it reflects my experience with these AC Delco remans. Just total crap shoot quality control. I went through at least one replacement box on my Caprice before the one it currently has. He went through 1 or 2. One was sloppy and I think the other leaked. Just crap remans. The original issue was a pitman arm seal leak.
- Keyless entry buttons seem to require a high pressure to operate. Maybe I can take the remote apart and clean the button contacts or something.
- The trunk binds up on the latch and won't spring open like it is supposed to. I adjusted the latch and fixed that when I got home. However, the lid alignment itself is off. It requires a slight tweak in the clockwise orientation. Then I'll have to fix the latch alignment again...
- Driver's lock solenoid didn't unlock. It only locked. Not willing to give up that easy, I opened the passenger door and rocked the power lock switch back and forth like 10 times rapidly. The driver's door power lock solenoid freed up. I have a feeling this is not the last I'll see of this but I would think my Caprice has the same solenoids so there you go.
- Ian convinced me to try the broken windshield washer pump. Surprisingly, it actually worked. So....probably not the last I'll see of this either. Super easy fix anyway.
- I already mentioned the driver's seatbelt latch but what Bob told me is I can insert a screwdriver, pop it open, and steal the non-broken spring from the center buckle. That would render the center buckle broken but if this is all true (never knew they were serviceable!) then I don't have to bother with Torx bolts with loctite and non-matching seat belts.
- During the drive I noticed there is no Twilight Sentinal! Stupid base RMS. I have to turn the headlights on and off myself, like some common person. At least it has auto dimming rear view mirror.
- Not a fan of the gauge cluster. At least it goes to 120.
Now for some good stuff:
- It cruises pretty nicely. 2.93 is a great highway gear. I'm sure 2.56 works fine if you live on the plains but around here, 2.93 works a lot better. I'd love to feel the improvement my Caprice's 3.42 axle would make. It's actually greater than the difference between 2.93 and 2.56 so it should be very noticeable.
- The ride is actually a great mix of control and comfort, given the type of car this is. However, despite the FE2 front springs, rear Moog CC springs, and Monroe SS shocks, it is nowhere near as buttoned down as my Caprice. I was kind of surprised by this. This can be fixed. The 17s probably would help some of the softness but the steering isn't very good in terms of response - my Caprice steering feels way more responsive in a corner. Again, unless it is just the tires but I dunno...
- HVAC seems to work perfectly. It did as it was told and the A/C (100% original) worked with no issues, keeping the air at the same temperature without the wild swings of my Caprice. Also I like the Roadmaster HVAC versus the Fleetwood one. Fully auto or customize as you wish. I have no idea why a part of the upper dash blocks the top of the display but that's just an ergonomic fail on GM's part.
- Random observation: in the chain of B/D body performance, the only thing faster than this would be the 9C1/SS with 3.08s and maybe 100 fewer pounds. Otherwise, this with a 2.93 gear and 4,2xx lbs is definitely quicker than the Fleetwoods and wagons. And L03/L05 cars. And anything with a 2.56. That's something. 20 years ago this was considered a pretty quick sedan. Even now it has totally sufficient levels of performance for merging, passing, etc. That's cool. Take that Ford.
- I tried the stereo. I didn't test the limits but initial thoughts are it is closer to my old Fleetwood than I expected, which is good. Also the speakers all appear to be in good working order (no funny noises).
- Power antenna works! It is not original...
- Still has the original, unused spare tire and it looks to be in very good condition
- There is wax residue all in various seams and crevices. This car was garaged since 2006 and 19k miles (perhaps before that). Sadly, it will no longer be garaged.
- He says the G80 works. I will have to test. He has done the axle fluid. Seriously - there isn't much I need to do.
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I am actually excited about this car. Maybe I will begin to dismantle my Caprice ahead of schedule...not sure yet.
Aside from those plans, this seems like a damn solid car for the money. I can't wait to go through his records and see what else he did that he may not have mentioned.
Someone else was there to drop off a check for a bed that he also sold on CL. He probably sold some other stuff. The car I'd say was his pride and joy of the things he is getting rid of for the move. He commented that he thought I was getting a great deal. He remarked that some of the folks who inquired about the car thought 182k was a lot and that's exactly why I got a "great deal" (market value) on the car. What makes me the most sad is there is zero incentive for someone to pour over a car like this and maintain it as well as he did. Resale tends not to care about that kind of stuff.
Oh, they have a house in Key West, FL (and no kids) but got tired of the traffic and stuff in Bourne (summers) so in NC they are moving out to the mountains (west). He knew what The Dragon was.
