Hey guys, I"m considering buying a '94-96 fwb, but can't remember what changes occurred through those years except for the side mirror size in '95. I found a relatively cheap '94 1 owner here in my home town. But, it has rear window issues with the right rear, goes off track and the other one sticks a bit, is this common? Also, the turn signal stock came completely out and was dangling while on my test drive!!!! Is it common for the 'chrome' side upper trim to wrinkle? Right rear is doing badly and less badly on front left side.

I liked how it drove, quieter than my '92 fwb 'D.

thoughts?

What should I look for that are typical concerns/problems with these models?

Yea, normal stuff. The car will fall apart around the engine which is good for X hundred thousand miles X 2. Is the price right?

Well, the one '94 is 6650 w/59k miles with minor issues. I was driving it and thought aloud, 'you know, I just LIKE BIG cars'!

Seems fair enough given the problems are few and minor. I've owned a 94 but prefer the 95/96s because of the few improvements you get. Like better side view mirrors and dual exhaust. It really doesn't matter though. 93s are good too, just have a different engine, steering wheel design, dash top is slightly different, older style mirrors, etc.

You can save a few thousand by getting one with anywhere between 85K and 110K miles on the clock. Price drops considerably and you end up fixing the same stuff anyway. Real good deals on the 93s lately. Seen plenty in the $3,000 range. Just a thought. If I were going all in, looking for a low mileage car and going to pay the all the money, I'd only look at 96s.

It all comes down to you. I recommend taking your time and getting the color you want with a mileage you can live with at a price you find agreeable. If you can, hold out for a V4P towing package car. And look for dry climate cars known as "Florida Fresh" cars. If you're going to be working on it, you want one with a clean undercarriage. Sunroof, Chrome wheels, all things to wait for. They add an incidental increase to the price but would cost you an arm or leg if you bought them as an afterthought.

Check this site out for some info:

http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/cfb.html

The chrome strips ALL wrinkle like that, it just varies from car to car. So common, in fact, that even when they were quite new, they did so and dealers were replacing them as warranty repairs.

Same with the windows, and though it's mistaken for a pricey fix, it's ALWAYS just the little sliders in the window tracks. The original design used little plastic "blocks" that split and broken apart, letting the regulator arms free from the track. The fix is a newer design little plastic roller "wheel", and if you buy any Caprice/Roadmaster/Fleetwood/etc. from the 90's, this will be something you'll run into...almost guaranteed. I've done 3 doors on my '95, just did one on our '93, etc. There was a good link, but the pictures have died:

http://www.impalassforum.com/tech/interior/windowfix/index.htm

Pretty much, as said, the cars are very solid and durable, but there's a lot of "trim" stuff that just disintegrates with age, especially on Fleetwoods. Other common things are tears on the sides of the front seats, torn/worn material on the B-pillars inside, dash cracks, and loose/dented lower chrome panels.

Comparing a '94-96, very similar, aside from small touches. '94 got the LT1, newer steering wheel, etc. but kept the older tiny mirrors mounted on the door. '95 stayed the same mechanically aside from a few small revisions, got the bigger, higher mirrors outside, and stayed OBD-I like the '94 (older diagnostics system...and conducive to quick & easy tuning and programming, which SO many people with these cars do). '96 was identical to '95, largely, but got new audio systems and changed to the new/current OBD-II diagnostics system, which can't be tuned/re-programmed as simply, but can be changed out in this regard to OBD-I...and otherwise, does offer a bit more sophistication in terms of the diagnostics.

Owning 2 of these and having looked at LOADS of them over the years, it just comes down to finding what you can get in the BEST shape possible inside and out to begin with, that's been mechanically maintained properly, and for the right price. Some are pristine, most are normal in-between, and some are also ragged, worn, and trashed.

As fas as I know some late model '96s missing some parts which is never a deal like clips just because they came to end of production and built in rush . Anyway,I have a '96 Fleetwood and the very best Caddy I have ever owned :bouncy:

I bought two sets of those plastic chrome strips last year because they are no longer in production. I can get you the part numbers if you like.

I am also stocked up on window rollers because I always own 2 or 3 of these cars at a time. They are cheap and very easy to fix.

Maintenance on these cars is relatively cheap and most of it you can do yourself. I love the three stage lumbar on the '94 models but hate the tiny mirrors, for that reason I would recommend a '95-96.

As they reach or pass 100K miles, they get significantly cheaper. These cars can run 300K easy on just regular oil changes, so do not let mileage scare you if it is going to be a daily driver.

Thanks a bunch fella's.....'you should be looking at a sports car/sedan or something, why are you looking at another 'boat'?? You're a single guy with no need of something so big...." friends say. Uh, I don't have a good comeback, I just kinda like 'em. :)

So, what about retro fitting '95/96 mirrors onto the '94? Hard to do? Was '94 the only year of the lumbar controls? The one I"m looking at has them.

You like it because you like it - no explanation needed. Style, reliability, and very affordable. There are lots of reasons to like them.

You could always say "it's none of your business!" ahha ...or (I used this one when I was driving an 83 Coupe de Ville in College "hey, I thought only old people drive these") I'd say well, "it those old people a lifetime to finally make a good car decision. I just cut out the learning curve". :)

So, what about retro fitting '95/96 mirrors onto the '94? Hard to do? Was '94 the only year of the lumbar controls? The one I"m looking at has them.

It's not impossible, but the problem is with the older mirrors, there's a big hole in the door sheetmetal skin then that must be filled, body work done, painted, etc. Wiring isn't a problem (same stuff), it's that you'd have a big hole left down on the doors.

ALL '93-96 Fleetwoods with the Brougham package option (not base cars) have adjustable lumbar, but '93-94 had 3 way (Lower, Middle, Upper) while '95-96 got a single lumbar adjustment. We have both and I like to play with the 3 way, which is nice, but wouldn't make me choose an older one just because of it--the system in the newer models still works as expected.

Thanks CaddyCruiser......I didn't know that. Now....decisions to make. This one local isn't my favorite, but I do like the burgandy exterior...just not the creme interior. Neither have sunroof which I would really prefer but it seems so few had them from what I've seen. I guess I wouldn't tackle the mirror issue if I got the older one.....

I am about to put my friend David's car on eBay for him if you are interested.

It is a 1995 Brougham Light Driftwood Metallic with tan leather with 80,000 originial miles. It has the MOONROOF, cd player, heated seats, etc.

It is slightly modified with the following: 3.42 gears and Posi, Kook's custom cat back exhaust, Enkei SST-2 18 inch wheels with Michelin Pilot tires, K&N FIPK, PCM tuning, tinted windows, and a few more items I can't remember.

Here is a picture of his next to mine at a show:

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u222/angelatruck/IMG_7908.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u222/angelatruck/IMG_7913.jpg

He is asking $8,500 or so. The power antenna is fixed now and it needs nothing but a new owner.

Take care,
Elias

ALL '93-96 Fleetwoods with the Brougham package option (not base cars) have adjustable lumbar, but '93-94 had 3 way (Lower, Middle, Upper) while '95-96 got a single lumbar adjustment. We have both and I like to play with the 3 way, which is nice, but wouldn't make me choose an older one just because of it--the system in the newer models still works as expected.

Speaking of which - the lumbar in my 95 doesn't appear to work. Both seats actually. When you hit the switch you can hear a motor running (faintly) but nothing happens, on either seat, no matter which way you push the switch. Am I missing something?

Seems fair enough given the problems are few and minor. I've owned a 94 but prefer the 95/96s because of the few improvements you get. Like better side view mirrors and dual exhaust. It really doesn't matter though. 93s are good too, just have a different engine, steering wheel design, dash top is slightly different, older style mirrors, etc.

You can save a few thousand by getting one with anywhere between 85K and 110K miles on the clock. Price drops considerably and you end up fixing the same stuff anyway. Real good deals on the 93s lately. Seen plenty in the $3,000 range. Just a thought. If I were going all in, looking for a low mileage car and going to pay the all the money, I'd only look at 96s.

It all comes down to you. I recommend taking your time and getting the color you want with a mileage you can live with at a price you find agreeable. If you can, hold out for a V4P towing package car. And look for dry climate cars known as "Florida Fresh" cars. If you're going to be working on it, you want one with a clean undercarriage. Sunroof, Chrome wheels, all things to wait for. They add an incidental increase to the price but would cost you an arm or leg if you bought them as an afterthought.

Check this site out for some info:

http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/cfb.html

94's have dual exhaust also.

Do they really? I don't remember my 94 having it. Must have been an early 94, maybe.

All LT1s in B and D-bodies have dual exhaust. Every single one.

GM didn't mix and match engines and transmissions across years like some manufacturers. There is no such thing as a 93 LT1 (other than a Camaro or Corvette), or a 93 4L60-E (only in trucks) or a 94 L05 (only in trucks).

All LT1s in B and D-bodies have dual exhaust. Every single one.

GM didn't mix and match engines and transmissions across years like some manufacturers. There is no such thing as a 93 LT1 (other than a Camaro or Corvette), or a 93 4L60-E (only in trucks) or a 94 L05 (only in trucks).

Precisely:thumbsup:

Do they really? I don't remember my 94 having it. Must have been an early 94, maybe.

It is easy to miss as the pipes are hidden from view unless you look up under the bumper. unlike a lot of new cars with gaudy, and fake, dual exhause tips:crybaby:

I dunno. I remember thinking I didn't have it on that 94. Never "really" looked though. Bought it and flipped it a few months later.

Yeah, all LT-1 B/D Bodies had dual exhaust outlets. The L99 (4.3L V8) Caprices were the only B body made between 1994, 95 and '96 that did not have dual exhaust outlets.

I don't know what the hell I'm talking about! :)

eBay pics of that car show it had dual exhaust. My mistake.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd251/tenmark262/Fascination023.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd251/tenmark262/Fascination016.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd251/tenmark262/Fascination019.jpg

Oh holy shit that car is clean! :drool:

That's nothing. I want the Lumina APV in the background! :hide:

It's time to bust some dust!

http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/DustBuster2a.jpg

http://www.avto-otchet.net/CarReviews/2307_0.jpg

Ahahah!!! Yea, that's my neighbor's daughters POS. They keep her in cheap cars because she seems to hit everything in the city!

Only got $3,800 for that FWB. Buyer flew in from Atlanta, paid cash, and drove it home! I bought it for a song (had it delivered too!), drove it for a few months, and flipped it. Nice car.

It's time to bust some dust!

http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/DustBuster2a.jpg

http://www.avto-otchet.net/CarReviews/2307_0.jpg

Oh come on, I can hardly see the resemblance.

Here we go:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Chevrolet-Lumina-APV.jpg/800px-Chevrolet-Lumina-APV.jpg

Ah, now I see it!

Ah yes, before they revamped the grille design. I knew the pic I posted looked odd, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Tenmark, did you do any polishing on the lower stainless/chrome molding that runs the length of the car at the bottom? It shines so much!!!!

Tenmark, did you do any polishing on the lower stainless/chrome molding that runs the length of the car at the bottom? It shines so much!!!!

Hah...ours are ALWAYS like that. You'd be amazed, even not well kept, those lower panels are still like mirrors in the right setting. Wash and do a simple polish and wax like the paint, and they're blinding.

Thanks. With a little work, it's easy enough to get chrome your bright and shiny like that. Even dirty pitting chrome can come out nicely.

First wash, then scrub with steel wool soaked in chrome polish. Then go over it again with just chrome polish. And presto!

Thanks. With a little work, it's easy enough to get chrome your bright and shiny like that. Even dirty pitting chrome can come out nicely.

First wash, then scrub with steel wool soaked in chrome polish. Then go over it again with just chrome polish. And presto!

Good tip. I need to do mine.