23rd Dec 2014, 03:19

You should elaborate on your Caprice a bit more; it's refreshing to see a review that doesn't over-glorify these things.

Chances are your car was either sent to the derbys or donked out by now.

24th Dec 2014, 10:36

The reason this review is the 'odd man out' in its negativity is because the reviewer's attitude has little to do with the facts he presents about the car. As someone states above, the car obviously served him well for many years and many miles, but nonetheless he complains about vague issues such as 'carburetor isn't adjustable', whatever that means.

24th Dec 2014, 16:13

So your basing your current view of GM on a car that was built 35 years ago in the middle of the "bad old days" of the American Automobile? Brilliant logic!

There are only 2 things that I use that are anywhere near the same as the were 35 years ago; the Fender Telecaster & Fender Stratocaster, and even in those cases the electronics have been upgraded over the years (though they look pretty much the same). In the case of the Fenders, why mess with perfection?

24th Dec 2014, 17:32

Considering you owned the car for 9 years and ran it up to 180,000 miles, I would say it served you well despite the few problems you had with it.

Given the fact you were in college at the time, it's most likely you didn't have the money, know how or maturity to maintain this car properly.

Due to EPA regulations, the carburetor on these is not intended to be adjusted unless all causes of rough idling have been troubleshot. Then the dealer can remove the plugs from the mixture screws and adjust the carb using propane.

It sounds like you had a great car that got you through college and ended its service life at 180,000 miles. Be grateful because most modern cars don't even last that long; and if you try to keep them that long, they bankrupt you with thousands of dollars in maintenance costs; far more than the car will ever be worth.

25th Dec 2014, 21:24

I added modern electronic ignition in my 396 - 350 HP. Added 2 new additional electric gauges for oil and water pressure. Who needs high tech? Serves me very well 44 years later. Runs absolutely flawless. In turn, my new GM is too sensitive to emission issues, and even a few lbs off the TPMs kicks off the instrument display. Old school is more fun.

25th Dec 2014, 23:07

I've been driving for over fifty years, and have owned probably over forty cars in that time. At times I have owned up to five at one time, and virtually never less than three. We are a family of car lovers, and enjoy all types of vehicles. I've owned Ford, Chrysler, GM and two German and Japanese cars. The German and Japanese cars were absolute garbage. None made 100,000 miles. None of the American cars ever had a repair before 100,000 miles.

We currently own an 8-year-old Ford, a 12-year-old GM, and a brand new Ford SUV. The Fords have yet to have any repairs. The GM has 140,000 miles and has cost me a whopping $77 in repairs. It has never had a tune-up, brake pads, shocks or an alignment. ALL it has had is a water pump and a serpentine belt that it really didn't need. All-in-all, this current GM vehicle has remained its "like new" feel longer than any car we've ever owned.

We've driven Fords over 300,000 miles and Chrysler products a quarter million miles, but none have been as perfect as our current GM car. We'd buy another GM in a heartbeat.

26th Dec 2014, 15:37

I remember we bought a 1978 Monte Carlo brand new with the 305. It was extremely reliable. We sold to a friend who in turn drove many miles trouble free. Granted this is a 1979 GM review, but I suspect they didn't change very much in one year. We bought new tires and routine fluid changes; that's it

28th Dec 2014, 05:04

1979. First year of the Rochester 2GC/2GV carburetor going away, being replaced with the (way) leaner DualJet carb. The 305 went from 145 HP to 130 HP. Ugly. Low RPM throttle response disappeared overnight. And that was with a clean, no-wear carb. And some years and miles... and well...