As I continue to kick around ideas for a new DD for me, I came across a Caprice PPV at a great price. Has anyone ever owned one or had personal experience with it?
I know it's based on the G8, and has the L77 6.0L (the one I'm looking at does). I also believe they had upgraded brakes and suspension for heavy duty use. The one I'm looking at has an AMS kit installed, so new rockers, arp studs, high flow oil pump etc... Also had active fuel management disabled.
How do they drive? How well do they handle... considering their size? Reliability? Is the L77 closely related to the LS?
I'm on the road 70% of the time and my car just sits in the airport parking lot. So while my budget would allow a much more expensive car, it makes zero sense to me to spend the money on something that mostly sits in a public parking lot. When I am home, my car serves as the daily beater... grocery store etc... It also needs to be large enough to carry my monster size dog in the back. It will take long highway trips frequently. I also plan to do a small number of HPDE days with my DD. The size of the Caprice doesn't bother me for track use, I've got tons of track time in Charger Hellcats which are 1000-1500+ lbs heavier.
While I love more bougie cars, there's something very appealing in my case about a car I can just leave in a parking lot, let my beastly dog shed in, throw on the track and just not care if it gets dinged or scratched.
In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
I love the E36 M3 out of my 2017 SS, which is substantially similar. SS has MagneRide dampers and a manual transmission, those are probably the biggest dynamic differences from the PPV.
It's big, it's quick, and it can be hustled through the twisties without much drama.
I have no direct experience but I seem to remember from what I've read on GRM...
For as much as the drivetrain is "parts bin" the body is as much; not. Little interchange with G8 and SS but even when you add up all the sales of G8,SS, and Caprice you end up with a rather limited production car and the cop cars are in harms way.
So, if this car is presented as "just needs some front end body panels" be sure to research how easy, "just" is.
Parts availability. They only made them for police, so things like body panels can be scarce. Remember, a broken bumper cover can total a GTO.
John Welsh said:
I have no direct experience but I seem to remember from what I've read on GRM...
For as much as the drivetrain is "parts bin" the body is as much; not. Little interchange with G8 and SS but even when you add up all the sales of G8,SS, and Caprice you end up with a rather limited production car and the cop cars are in harms way.
So, if this car is presented as "just needs some front end body panels" be sure to research how easy, "just" is.
Nope, body is perfectly clean. Wouldn't concern me if it got totaled, I know how to handle it 
Much like the 9C1 vs Impala SS vs Caprice of the 90s, it's parts bin upgrades that are very nice, if not modest. You're probably ahead getting an SS or G8 and adding the upgraded parts you want. The L77 is an LS-type engine. It has the active cylinder defueling which can be problematic and annoying, but otherwise bulletproof. 355hp isn't a very hot iteration, but it responds just as well to upgrades as any LS.
I guess what I'm saying is.... it has some nice upgrades that are just a tiny bit better than the civilian versions, but not sure if a one-off body and the associated costs make it a super-desirable thing.
Still, nothing wrong with buying it, keep full insurance on it, and if it does get a dent, collect a check and buy something else.
Tk8398
HalfDork
5/20/25 4:07 p.m.
Are headlights available at all? The headlights and taillights for an XLR are worth about half the value of the whole car, and Sky and Solstice headlights go for $1500+ for a used pair so I would want to know that before buying a weird orphaned GM product.
STM317
PowerDork
5/21/25 12:25 p.m.
Some Holden dress up parts make them into a pretty decent looking Q ship
In 2022, I was looking at those for a big comfy cruiser/commuter. All the ones I could find in my area (central FL) were high miles/high idle hours, beat up exteriors or missing interior panels, title issues and were generally grossly overpriced.
I ended up buying this for $7k, which I feel was overpriced but, pandemic:
do Caprice PPV or other police spec cars have Hour meters ?
Most do a lot of idling that is not going to be seen in miles driven ,
If you go the "Holden parts" route, just don't get the headlights: Australia drives on the left.
