Used Car Face-Off: The Final B-body Wagons Edition

Kinja'd!!! "Amoore100" (amoore100)
06/17/2016 at 19:42 • Filed to: Used Car Face-Off, Oldsmobile, Chevy, Buick, B-body, Roadmaster, Caprice, Custom Cruiser

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It looks like things around Oppo have been pretty land-barge-happy over the past few weeks so there’s no better time than now to have a face-off between the three last land barge wagons in America. All of them are GM B-bodies so it’s just a matter of whether you like yours Chevy flavored, Oldsmobile flavored, or Buick flavored...choose wisely! Here are the options:

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With only 97K miles on the clock, this burgundy-on-burgundy example of the classic Caprice estate seems to be in excellent condition, despite the questionable fact that the left side has different wheels from the right side. Additionally, its maroon and wood interior may be a bit of an acquired taste—perhaps the different colors in the Olds and Buick might interest you more?

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When was the last time you saw a last-gen Olds Custom Cruiser? I have never seen one in person but this one looks supremely well kept with only 88K on the clock. Is the less desirable 5.0L engine and Hitler mustache grille enough to keep you away or is the blue and wood interior and third row seat more to your liking?

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This Roadmaster is slightly more well-worn than the two others, with 126K miles under its belt, but its color combination hasn’t dated as much with the tan leather and dark wood still looking classy today. Now the wood paneling on the side is another story—that’s definitely a relic of its time. Do you prefer your hood ornament to have three shields on it rather than a bow-tie or a rocket?

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DISCUSSION (20)


Kinja'd!!! RT > Amoore100
06/17/2016 at 19:52

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These cars are more American than a Hellcat will ever be.

The Olds is the rarest but has the lesser engine, and while the Chevy is in the best condition, the Buick sums up the whole “huge station wagon” business the best. What’s with the beige, fake wood and such.

Interestingly high prices though. I bet I could pick either of them for less.

But screw logic, I'm going for the Buick.


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > RT
06/17/2016 at 19:56

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Definitely. 5.0L with 170 hp? How much more ‘Murica does it get?

High prices, but I wanted to make sure I was getting decent examples and not ones with too many ‘skeletons in the closet’, if you will. Plus, the Oldsmobile was the cheapest one I could find so I centered my search for a Caprice and Roadmaster to be around the same value.

The Buick is so much excess, I would have one in a second. I just love B-bodies, especially wagons.


Kinja'd!!! RT > Amoore100
06/17/2016 at 20:03

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Ah right, the rare Olds explains the prices.

I agree, I like these cars. They’re plastic barges, but good value and just cool all round. There’s something about a huge V8 Estate car that you just have to like.


Kinja'd!!! shop-teacher > Amoore100
06/17/2016 at 20:04

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The obvious answer is obvious.

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I love them all though, and that blue interior is magnificent.


Kinja'd!!! not for canada - australian in disguise > Amoore100
06/17/2016 at 20:05

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I’d take the Custom Cruiser, because it’s got the lowest mileage, and I like a good 90s GM cloth interior, over a leather interior.


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > shop-teacher
06/17/2016 at 20:08

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But of course! Blue, burgundy, tan; they’re all great.


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > not for canada - australian in disguise
06/17/2016 at 20:10

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And it’s definitely not something you’ll meet on the road!


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > RT
06/17/2016 at 20:12

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And they’re basically extinct which makes them interesting to me as a breed.


Kinja'd!!! JeepJeremy > Amoore100
06/17/2016 at 20:19

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I voted for the Olds but I want all three!!!


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > JeepJeremy
06/17/2016 at 20:22

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Omg a fleet of B-bodies would be amaaaaziiiiiinnng :D


Kinja'd!!! JeepJeremy > Amoore100
06/17/2016 at 20:27

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Right?!?!?


Kinja'd!!! mr2gud2u > Amoore100
06/17/2016 at 22:53

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The Road Master is the only one with an LT1. The others have a garage TBI. That LT1 is good for 220k or so, an has pretty good after market support.


Kinja'd!!! HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Amoore100
06/17/2016 at 23:24

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Id go Olds simply because I think the Olds grille looks the best. Also blue interior is best interior.


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > mr2gud2u
06/17/2016 at 23:26

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How do you know? Is it because of model year? Cuz the Roadmaster also has the 5.7 LO5 V8 for some variants as well.


Kinja'd!!! Wagon, semi manual, not brown, turbo because volvo > Amoore100
06/17/2016 at 23:30

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Brown with leather and “wuud” trim plus a third row. Damn gm for not giving these majestic creatures a manual option.


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > Wagon, semi manual, not brown, turbo because volvo
06/17/2016 at 23:35

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Well, it wouldn't really suit them, just like an automatic Miata. They're just meant to roam the highways with no cares or troubles in the world. They truly are some sort of sentient species, like an American elephant.


Kinja'd!!! Schaefft > Amoore100
06/18/2016 at 16:38

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I love all of them but I would decide for the Roadmaster for its superior performance, its also a wonderfully iconic piece of automotive Americana with its wood paneling, nothing says family roadtrip more than one of these. All 3 of them a great cars, guaranteed future classics.


Kinja'd!!! Schaefft > Amoore100
06/18/2016 at 16:39

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The LT1 was introduced in the ‘94 model year for all B-bodies.


Kinja'd!!! mr2gud2u > Amoore100
06/19/2016 at 01:10

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The Lt1 was release in 94 for some B and D bodies, not all. Some got the 4.3L. It looks just the same as the LT1.


Kinja'd!!! Amoore100 > mr2gud2u
06/19/2016 at 01:16

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Well this was listed as a 5.7 so it's definitely a LT1.