No kids to worry about, just need some legit cargo capacity and reasonable towing capacity.
Of course, all of this is academic if we can cure my van's woes. If not, what's the ethically correct way to offload an otherwise nice vehicle with a known but sporadic issue. If some single mom drives off in it with her three kids I wouldn't be able to sleep. But full disclosure basically makes it unsellable.
EBay? Donation? Sell it and change my phone number?
jg
As for Ethics, Trade-in to dealer that would wash your hands of theEthics problem. I am partial to full size vans but they are not the most popular for size and fuel economy reasons, but boy can they handle cargo and with V-8 power can tow just about anything you would hitch to them.
JG Pasterjak wrote: ...If not, what's the ethically correct way to offload an otherwise nice vehicle with a known but sporadic issue... jg
Sell it to a dealer. They will give you less for it than private resale, but you will be able to sleep at night.
does your cluster work all the time?
I know that my van (99 t&C) has a bad solder joint in the cluster and when it is loose, the van won't start. I smack the cluster (which lights up again) and I can start the van just fine.
internetautomart wrote: does your cluster work all the time? I know that my van (99 t&C) has a bad solder joint in the cluster and when it is loose, the van won't start. I smack the cluster (which lights up again) and I can start the van just fine.
If this computer surgery doesn't work, that's the last resort. It has responded to cluster-smacking in the past, but not in a repeatable fashion.
jg
I just did a check on the Orlando CL...you have a couple that are close, one with granny-spec mileage.
I had no idea that these could still be found on the road...
And, this one has a rotary installed!
http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/2840457184.html
Toyman01 wrote: Do the Roadmaster, though if you want the LT1 it'll have to be 94 or newer. Mine is a 93 with a TBI 350, because I wanted simple and cheap. I paid $1200 for mine.This is what's hooked to it now. Towing isn't a problem.
People on this forum really need to stop posting things like this. Now I want a Roadmaster wagon (which I sort of wanted anyway after watching the US Top Gear episode) instead of an XJ Jeep.
patgizz wrote: there is no why not for a 91-96 caprice/roadmonster/cruiser. it is indeed the only answer, everything else is just not cool compared to that choice.
Except for a 77-90 
Problem solved:
Thanks to David for the ride.
jg
Dang JG. I actually was inspired by this thread to go look at a roadmaster wagon myself yesterday.
It had a claimed 65k miles, rusted out front and rear fenderwells, no options, blown suspension all around, and the heater didn't work. Asking $4500 - yeah, no, thanks.
I hope yours is nicer!
Was that one of the ones off of CL?
Can a Roadmaster really tow that well?
106k, drives like brand new. Never been smoked in, interior is darn close to perfect. Even the button surfaces are still decent, which was a common wear item for period GM stuff. Has rub marks on the steering wheel leather at 4 and 8 (old man position). Very minor aging on the driver's seat, but not even what you'd call cracking yet.
Outside isn't perfect, but nicer than most other 14-year old cars should be. No rust or fading. A couple dings here and there, but nothing to write home about. Worst feature is that some of the wood trim is peeling (it's not actually real wood. Who'd have ever thunk?). Not the large panels, but the surround trim. You can see some on the evidence above the front wheel, right on the arch trim in the picture.
Has a class III hitch, wired for electric brakes, nearly brand new Hankook whitewalls, and the seller even went out and got the oil changed before I picked it up. Threw a CEL on the way home, but I had left the gas cap off so I suspect that. Even if it's a gummy 02 sensor or something, that's, what, a twenty minute job?
Low points include a non-functional power antenna (motor doesn't work, but it also prevents the antenna from retracting fully by hand), and a sketchy tape player. Of course, I own no tapes, and the head is probably coming out in favor of one of those Parrot Asteroids.
$5,000. He didn't move much on his list price, but he was justified in his pride.
jg
JFX001 wrote: Was that one of the ones off of CL?
Nope. autotrader.com.
jg
By the way, now that it matters to me, what's that ignition thingie that goes bad on all LT1s sooner or later? Opti-Grab? Some deal behind the water pump. Is there a way to tell if that's been done? is it something to fix prophylactically, or just when/if it goes?
jg
opti-spark.
it's the dizzy behind the water pump. It only goes if the water pump leaks onto it.
I think these classic Buick rims look good on the Roadmaster.
93EXCivic wrote: Can a Roadmaster really tow that well?
Yes, yes it can.
I counter the Roadmaster with the perennial P71 (though I admit it would be nice if there was a P71 wagon)... $2300 at auction:
(my brother's slightly lowered '03 P71 towing my father-inlaw's original owner hand-me-down 280ZX 2+2 home from Miami to Sarasota).
Opti-Grab?
Lawlz. I've always REALLY wanted one. I think some exotic wood veneer (zebrawood or some such E36 M3e) would be hee-larious. Cork would be cool too.
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