Here to learn

[Steve_F]

I just posted in the intro forum but wasn't sure that was the place for technical questions. I've been watching the PPV market for a while and am considering adding one to my garage, they seem to be a hotrod in disguise and that appeals to me. I'm looking for help in common identifying issues to look for and check. Anything I should be aware of? I'm in NY, cars that have been in winter weather will be closest to me. Are there common spots these cars might rust? Is that something that substantially affects these cars?

Also I've noticed in watching these cars that some have a column shift while others are console shift. Any rhyme or reason?
Will a government owned vehicle typically have a Carfax record? Have any of you had success with them?
Thanks in advance!!

Steve

[Pursuit]

Steve_F,
Welcome to the group! Suspension parts wearing out are not a surprising issue. Especially the front lower control arm bushings. We do share some chassis commonality between the early Camaros 2010+, the G8 and the Sedan SS. The offset floor shift 9C1(patrol oriented) and center mounted 9C3 (administrative/G8 version) was from 2011-2013 for the WM cars. The column shift cars were the 2014-2017 9C1 WN cars. The 9C3 option was discontinued after 2013. I will let other address the common rust issues/areas. I am lucky and don't have that issue. Carfax can give a high level view of service, but not necessarily fleet maintenance. Sometimes in the Carfax description, there will be a service center mentioned in the repairs. Sometimes, not always, if you provide them with a VIN, they may give up the service records, MAYBE...

Regards,
Maurice

[CrashTestDummy]

Welcome! Our '12 came from Wisconsin. We found rust on the front left fender area where the front fascia attaches, probably from a previous bump during the winter. That's been about it for the body. When doing the coil over install, I discovered one of the bolts that held the passenger side battery tray in place had rusted to the body. It was a real treat to get out. That part of the underside of the body is open to spray from the road, and steam from water hitting the exhaust. When they did the fuel pump recall on our car, the dealer said one of the rear cradle bolts was a rusted and a real bear to get loose. Took them almost a week to find a solution for that. No rust is visible on the underside of the car, however.

When I installed the X-Force exhaust system, I discovered that the seam on one of the mufflers had rusted open. That, and the flex joints and bolts on the tailpipes were a real rusty mess. But that's about it.

If looking, and going to the usual reseller websites to look, you can ask the reseller if they can tell you where a vehicle came from. I find they usually know that info, and are happy to share it. Good hunting!!

[Steve_F]

Thanks guys!!

How many miles are too many on these? I'm looking for the 6.0, I know they're VERY reliable. I had a Chevy pickup at work with it. Are tge transmissions pretty solid too? I'm thinking chassis condition might be more important than drivetrain, that can easily be repaired/replaced.

[CrashTestDummy]

The drivetrain is pretty much standard GM LS* drivetrain. Disregarding the AFM problems, they're really good. We had ~110K miles on our '10 Tahoe PPV, and she has ~102K miles on her '18 Tahoe PPV, which is quite similar. The '10 developed a miss, which required a TB relearn late in life, and the '18 developed a miss that plugs and wires fixed. First time I've EVER had plugs and wires fix a miss on a late-model GM.

Chassis and suspension issues you'll want to fix NOW, before there are no more parts, although you can sometimes sub in Camaro, SS, G8 and CTS bits for them, but you have to pick and choose. The elephant in the room, IMHO, are the Caprice-specific parts, mostly external and internal body parts. If they're not pristine, walk away, or get a twofer, a DD and parts car.

[Mooseman]

It's not so much the miles but engine HOURS that can affect longevity. If it was an old patrol unit, the idling hours may determine if the cam will need to be replaced and AFM deleted, which you'd want to do regardless. Unfortunately, the 2011 did not report engine hours.

The 6L80 trans is pretty solid however 2014+ GM added a "thermostat" to the cooler lines to not let fluid flow to the cooler until it has reached a certain temperature, which is usually too high. There are kits available to modify them to allow fluid flow all the time. They can also suffer from torque converter clutch failure than can send shrapnel throughout the tranny and destroy it. Search on YT for 6L80 teardowns by Precision Transmission. One of the reasons is because GM has programmed the TCC to engage gradually at almost all gears and creates a lot of heat and wear. Tuners will usually tune them to engage at 100% for 5th and 6th gears only, which is what I did.

[Steve_F]

Good info, thanks!

I was wondering which tranny was in these, the pickup I mentioned had the same one. We had to replace it because it lost reverse. Drivetrain issues don't bother me too much, I'm not afraid to jump into much. I've got contacts too if I get in over my head. I bought a rebuilt trans for the pickup and swapped it myself.

I've been watching for cars from warmer states to avoid salt damage and I'm hoping to stay under $10K. White is my preference, I just like white vehicles.