Info on Chevy/Holden Caprice

[anwat]

I am thinking of buying a 2014 Chevy Caprice to replace my stolen Hyundai Genesis that was my daily driver. Does anyone have any experience with these and what are the common problems? Any advice on what to look for other than high idle hours and worn front suspension parts? Is the L77 prone to premature lifter failure. I keep reading that, but have yet to see any hard evidence. Just looking for to tap into some of the vast knowledge contained here before I go blow my insurance check....

 

[HankScorpio]

I have a 2012 Caprice. Bought it with 68,000 miles. It's great. I have put close to 20,000 miles on it now. It is the greatest highway car I have ever had. Big engine, still gets 20 mpg hwy. 355 horse/ 385 torque. Brakes are HUGE and it stops on a dime. My buddy has a 2011 with about 150,000 on it and he is happy with that one too. We both had minor issues with the door wiring, it tends to wear in the fold by the hinges. Easy fix. The newcaprice.com forum has just about all the info a guy would need. I have also heard the DOD lifters can be trouble but ours are both fine.

 

[anwat]

Picked it up yesterday, very nice on the drive home. Some tint and rims so it won't look so much like a cop car are in order, but other than that, I think it's a daily driver...Thanks for the forum recommendation, too...

 

[HankScorpio]

If you want to do burnouts shut the traction control off. You have 2 buttons by the shifter, sport shift and stabilitrac. They control shift and traction obviously when you push them. The secret is that only makes the traction control less, not off. Hold down the traction control for 5-10 sec to actually shut it off and unlock burnout mode.

 

[max 02]

If you want to do burnouts shut the traction control off. You have 2 buttons by the shifter, sport shift and stabilitrac. They control shift and traction obviously when you push them. The secret is that only makes the traction control less, not off. Hold down the traction control for 5-10 sec to actually shut it off and unlock burnout mode.

Would that be the same for all GMs in that era? Trucks?

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Similar.

I swear by synthetic oil, good filters, and regular changes at 5000 miles for the AFM/DFM engines. Knock on wood - no issues here yet.

Everyone I’ve known with issues was straying from those rules.

 

[anwat]

Thanks for the info...but I think my smoky burnout days are over. Tires are too expensive. I have got a little heavy footed a couple of times and it's definitely got some juice. For the money, it's a lot of car. Need to find some new weatherstrip for the doors, though, mine's all dried and cracked. A lot of places that have parts apparently won't ship to the US due to some sort of licensing agreement with Holden.

Got a trip to Albuquerque planned next month, that will be the test of whether or not I can avoid a speeding ticket....

 

[HankScorpio]

Thanks for the info...but I think my smoky burnout days are over. Tires are too expensive. I have got a little heavy footed a couple of times and it's definitely got some juice. For the money, it's a lot of car. Need to find some new weatherstrip for the doors, though, mine's all dried and cracked. A lot of places that have parts apparently won't ship to the US due to some sort of licensing agreement with Holden.

Got a trip to Albuquerque planned next month, that will be the test of whether or not I can avoid a speeding ticket....

New Mexico highway patrol got me back in March north of Hatch coming home from Tucson . Got a ticket but cop was cool and only wrote it for 10 over.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

Got a G8, bought from new. It's been a decent car. only minor issues of the last 13 years. however, it has not held up as well as I would have liked in the sun. Dry rot has prevailed on any sun facing surface. All of the rubber, even the tail lights got burnt - and the plastic chrome puffed up and came loose. Now floating around in the taillight housing. Drivetrain has been solid though. No problems w/ DOD.

Swapped out some of the suspension on it for my tastes.

Had a guy from Australia send me a revised A/C idler as mine was a belt tosser and there was an updated design. No further problems.

The parts are becoming harder to find. This last year I've somehow managed to break 2 of the 4 door latches - the actual latch that holds the door shut.

But all in all for a 4k lb car it does it's job. Like to say it's a fat lady that likes to dance.

 

[HankScorpio]

I have the G8 seat in the rear of mine.

 

[regal403]

Bump for a 1 year update. How do you like daily driving it?
Any maintenance problems?

I'm getting bored of my minivan and I've been eyeing the Caprice PPV as an alternative for my daily commute.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

Broke another door latch. 3 of 4 for mine. Cant find new latches anymore, but found all 4 on ebay though so I've got a stash. Still not sure why the hell they keep breaking. Otherwise runs well. Passing on to wife for her daily. Getting rid of her truck.