Caprice owners

Looking at caprices online and the mpg numbers seem to be all over the place. Apparently the difference between a 3 spd auto and the overdrive auto is a single mpg? That doesn't seem right at all.

What sorts of numbers is everyone getting?

I was getting 15city, 18 highway in a beat down 95 9C1.

Depends on year, gear, etc. the 91-96 is pretty darn aerodynamic for a barge with wheels. My 91 wagon with 305 and 2.73 rear used to get 26-27 highway mpg going 70. Im not alone there either. I get mid 20's with my 95 impala ss but that has an LS swap.

The 3spd autos probably had taller diff gears, so they'll get similar mpg when cruising. But with the taller gears, it's the difference between a slow Caprice (4spd auto and kinda tall gears) and one so slow it makes you wonder if it's broken (3spd and very tall gears).

We usually see 24-25 mpg on the highway with our ’93 wagon. That’s with the roof rack in the factory recommended aero position, but no other mind given to driving efficiently. Around town is likely sub 20 but I have never cared to check.

GhiaMonster wrote: We usually see 24-25 mpg on the highway with our ’93 wagon. That’s with the roof rack in the factory recommended aero position, but no other mind given to driving efficiently. Around town is likely sub 20 but I have never cared to check.

Tell me more about this recommended aero position?

rslifkin wrote: The 3spd autos probably had taller diff gears, so they'll get similar mpg when cruising. But with the taller gears, it's the difference between a slow Caprice (4spd auto and kinda tall gears) and one so slow it makes you wonder if it's broken (3spd and very tall gears).

Lol, yeah that's what I'm worried about. Epa estimates are a bit better than my 00 explorer and I'm able to get 23mpg out of it if I drive easy.

There's an 77 caprice that's on my Craigslist calling to me but has a 3 spd.....I basically want a cheap cruiser and would like the mpg for long trips

Antihero wrote: Lol, yeah that's what I'm worried about. Epa estimates are a bit better than my 00 explorer and I'm able to get 23mpg out of it if I drive easy. There's an 77 caprice that's on my Craigslist calling to me but has a 3 spd.....I basically want a cheap cruiser and would like the mpg for long trips

If you're unhappy with it as it comes, it shouldn't be too hard to swap to a 700R4 to get OD and re-gear the axle lower (or just swap in a lower geared one). Or just add boost to make up for the power problem...

In the manual (which also came with a cassette, lol) it states that if you are not using the roof rack, move both crossbars back to the rear most position and lock them down one against the other. This configuration looks kind of like a spoiler. I don’t have any before and after data to support but it must at least be better than two individual crossbars up there in the wind. The rear window stays clean is about the only evidence I have for improved aero. Now I want to do some string testing and see the difference.

The most amazing thing about this is that GM put that much consideration into aerodynamics to write this fact in the manual. Whoever thought of that certainly didn’t talk to the guy who made the rear D pillar vent windows that suck exhaust fumes into the car.

rslifkin wrote:

Antihero wrote: Lol, yeah that's what I'm worried about. Epa estimates are a bit better than my 00 explorer and I'm able to get 23mpg out of it if I drive easy. There's an 77 caprice that's on my Craigslist calling to me but has a 3 spd.....I basically want a cheap cruiser and would like the mpg for long trips

If you're unhappy with it as it comes, it shouldn't be too hard to swap to a 700R4 to get OD and re-gear the axle lower (or just swap in a lower geared one). Or just add boost to make up for the power problem...

All this is true. It would put a dent in my 2016 challenge car time and money.....unless I use it. Would make the 2700 mile trip one way kinda spendy though

Up to the top for more real world mpg figures

I had a 85 with a 305 HO 4bbl and 700R4 4 speed auto. 17 city 25 hwy was my consistent.

That was a great car

i've had a few Caprices..

86 with the L69 305/700r4 overdrive trans/2.56 rear gears would get 28-30 mpg all day with the cruise set at 80 the AC blowing ice cold. averaged more like 25 in my normal day to day driving. this car was 100% totally original and was like driving your couch down the road... if you had a blue crushed velvet couch.

92 9C1 with the TBI 350/700r4/3.42 gears would also get 28mpg on the interstate and mid 20's around town. it was also unstoppable in the snow, and people got out of my way when i drove it anywhere thanks to the spotlight in the A pillar..

94 9C1 with the LT1/4L60e/3.08 gears would never get better than 24mpg, with 17-18 being the norm. but it was quick off the line and pulled like a freight train right up until the 146mph (or so, i forget the exact number) fuel cutoff.. this car had a "property of CHP" sticker in the door jamb, which meant that the California Highway Patrol owned it before i got it. it must have been a pursuit vehicle, because it sat about 3" lower than the 92 and had Koni shocks in it that looked like they had been in it for a while. some internet site at the time (2001) said that it was common for the CHP to put Impala SS springs and better shocks in their high speed pursuit cars.

i've also had an 87 9C1 with the 350 and 3.42 gears and a few of the 2 door Impalas with the slanted back windows, but i didn't care about keeping track of gas mileage at the time and never had enough cash on hand to fill the tanks, anyways.. but $5 worth of $1.20 per gallon gas would go fairly far..

My 89 9C1 was pretty much 18mpg always. 100mph, 50mph. With aerodynamics akin to a walmart building I wasn't surprised. Dad's 91 9C1 averaged 24 on the highway at 80mph. both had the TBI 5.7, 700R4 and 3.42 rear ends.

Awesome. Thanks guys, a highway cruiser than gets around 25mpg is perfect

Also. if youre not looking for MORE POWER the 305 91-92 Caprices had 3.23 rearends and were known to knock on 30mpg at 65-70mph.