Good Idea or Bad Idea?

"wunderwagen wants a longer roof" (wunderwagen)
02/26/2015 at 10:50 • Filed to: police car, chevrolet, caprice, pontiac, g8, dodge, magnum

Why do the Australians build better American cars than Americans?

Seriously considering looking into a Caprice PPV. There are a few within a decent distance of me within my cost range. I'm assuming it is as good as the G8/VE Commodore and Chevy SS/VF Commodore which it shares a platform with. There are few issues that I've been able to find in quick searches so far, but I just started looking into these. I like that it looks so understated and is what I believe the current Impala should draw from, also a pretty good sleeper I'd say. If anyone has experience with the Caprice PPV, I'd appreciate any knowledge you can pass on.

Otherwise I'm looking at the Pontiac G8 and Dodge Magnum, with the G8 GT or GXP topping the list as of right now. After going to the local car show/dealerama the previous weekend I have resigned myself to never having a small vehicle, damn my long torso. I fit in the G8 and Magnum very comfortably and both look to be pretty reliable, other than possible issues with the Magnum. What does Oppo think? Have some pictures of the Caprice, G8, and Magnum for your time!

DISCUSSION (32)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 10:52

Why not....police magnum?!

Kinja'd!!!

(just because lol)

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 10:53

seems like a great idea to me-

My citroen won't start > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 10:53

It is a great car.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
02/26/2015 at 10:54

All the yes. Whatever I get, it will be getting police style steelies like those. I love the look of those wheels on muscle cars. That is already a given.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
02/26/2015 at 10:56

I'm just doing more research into the Caprice, I understand it's effectively a longer wheelbase G8 or SS. Both are a very good idea.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 10:56

I'd go with an 08 Magnum because facelift.

Kinja'd!!!

dogisbadob > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 10:58

Kinja'd!!!

nice Focus

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > dogisbadob
02/26/2015 at 11:00

oppo-obligatory (oppobligatory?) LOL

jkm7680 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 11:00

They're good cars, but the interior isn't up to part on the older models. The 2014+ ones have much nicer interiors.

dogisbadob > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 11:02

I think it's a great idea!

GM is being stupid and childish by not selling the Caprice to retail customers, so if you can get one, go for it! No really, GM actually got ANGRY when a dealer DARED sell one at retail, and I have no problem flipping them off.

If I got one, I'd post a pic of it and me giving two middle fingers and post it on GM's wall.

GM should do the right thing and just sell the Caprice already. Drop the lame-ass Impala already and replace it with the Caprice.

Ford needs to sell the Falcon here; it can even underpin some Lincolns, too.

Both seem to have no idea that the Charger has been around for 10 years.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 11:06

Kinja'd!!!

The previously reigning most American car built by Canada.

Funktheduck > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 11:09

In America there's a ton of unnecessary legislation to protect ourselves from ourselves. We're also so litigious that companies are terrified of getting sued for every little thing.

Australia started off as a penal colony. There were a lot of tough and crazy folks.

As a result we get the boring versions of fun cars*.

*not always the case but often so.

SonorousSpeedJoe > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 11:14

I'd opt for a 2014 or later VE Caprice, if only for the nicer interior that it has after receiving various bits and bobs (i.e. the steering wheel and Mylink) from the VF Commodore.

Kinja'd!!!

472CID > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 11:19

I think all the cars mentioned have above average reliability. Personally I think the older Dodges would be more fragile than the GMs but I have no facts to back that up.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 11:43

The Caprice also has a lower output V8 than the SS does (350ish vs 415).

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Where have all the lightweights gone?
02/26/2015 at 12:26

I mean anything with output over 300 is gonna be fine, that isn't a huge deal to me. I get what you're saying though.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > 472CID
02/26/2015 at 12:30

I would tend to agree with you, the Dodge's seem a little more fragile. Like I said, I'm really leaning towards a G8 the Magnum is on the table because wagon and I personally love the looks.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > SonorousSpeedJoe
02/26/2015 at 12:31

Column shifter is also a plus. I know the newer interiors are superior but I haven't seen any come up on the used market newer than 2012.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > Funktheduck
02/26/2015 at 12:33

You are unfortunately correct, it is a sad thing. Damn all the litigiousness and bad legislation, like the headlight thing from 50-60 years ago.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
02/26/2015 at 12:35

I did not know that Crown Vics were built in Canada, just like most of Dodge's line up!

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > jkm7680
02/26/2015 at 12:37

I don't think there are any 2014's on the used market yet. Otherwise I would definitely give them a gander, the most recent I've found are 2012 models.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
02/26/2015 at 12:40

The facelift is very nice and really refined the looks. What is your opinion about the G8 and Caprice?

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 12:48

I wouldn't say most. Just the RWD cars and the mini vans.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
02/26/2015 at 12:51

True, the FWD cars (4D Cloud cars, Avenger/Sebring) were built in Michigan. Not sure about the trucks.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 13:03

crew cab 1500 is usa, the rest is mexico.

jkm7680 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 13:35

There are demo cars that were thrased at events and such, and takeoff cars that departments didn't like.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > jkm7680
02/26/2015 at 14:01

So those are ones to stay away from in my opinion.

jkm7680 > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 14:23

Yes, exactly.

ranwhenparked > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 15:21

Not just the Australians, the Canadians do too (Camaro, Challenger, Charger, 300). I'm starting to think that if we wanted to keep building traditional RWD big cars, we should have at least stayed within the Commonwealth. These were things we just didn't consider in the 18th century and are only now coming back to screw us.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > ranwhenparked
02/26/2015 at 16:51

I meant design wise, because I believe that the Commodore based vehicles were designed by Holden in house using the Zeta platform. I know what you mean though! So many rear drive vehicles are built up north.

I wonder why nearly all the RWD vehicles are built outside the U.S., something to do with the unions?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > wunderwagen wants a longer roof
02/26/2015 at 22:36

i like all of the cars you mentioned but I think given the choice I'd go with a V8 Magnum. But the Caprice would be my second choice.

wunderwagen wants a longer roof > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
02/26/2015 at 23:07

Purely because of styling? Or other reasons?