Off Duty: GMI Member Buys New Caprice, Minus The PPV

[nsap]

Off Duty: GMI Member Buys New Caprice, Minus The PPV
One Ohio resident proves that Chevy large sedans really do run deep.
www.GMInsideNews.com
August 8, 2011
By: Nick Saporito

Mary, Ann, Steve and David Harbour with their 2011 Caprice.

America’s love affair with the large sedan may be declining due to high fuel prices, but it’s certainly not history yet. While Chrysler Group manages to sell large rear-wheel drive sedans to the public in 2011, Chevrolet has attempted to make their new rear-wheel drive sedan — the Caprice PPV — remain exclusive to police agencies. That policy has not prevented at least one Chevrolet dealer and enthusiast from extending the Chevrolet rear drive love beyond just those in uniform.

Being the current owner of a classic 1996 Impala SS, Ohio resident Steve Harbour is far from new to the GM large sedan arena. As soon as he found out that Chevrolet would be importing the Holden-derived Caprice, he set out to find a means of purchasing one for personal use. Of course, GM’s insistence on police-only duty made that a challenge at best.

Harbour made multiple attempts to purchase a Caprice locally in Ohio, but each try netted either a clueless dealership or stall tactics. In fact, one dealership tried to push him to buy the front-wheel drive Impala instead.

As luck would have it, the Harbour family had already planned a family vacation in the Washington D.C. area. Harbour thought it would be wise to contact D.C. area dealerships about purchasing a new Caprice for personal use after his wife Mary made the suggestion.

One of their calls was to Criswell Chevrolet in Maryland. Criswell immediately said they had V8-equipped Caprices in stock and would require only a deposit to secure one for purchase. The Harbours went to Criswell to drive a new Caprice while on vacation and immediately fell in love with it.

Needless to say, the Harbours ended up driving a new family sedan back to Ohio.

Harbour tells GMI that he considered several sedans prior to purchasing the Caprice, including the Cadillac CTS, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus and Hyundai Genesis. None trumped the new Caprice in terms of space and performance for the price.

“The Caprice was the best overall package for our needs," Harbour said. "I must say that this is an extremely outstanding car!"

Having put the first 1,000 miles on his new Caprice, Harbour could not be happier with the car. He reports to GMI that he has achieved 28 to 29 MPG on the highway and up to 18 MPG in the city when driving the car “normally.” Harbour says those solid fuel economy numbers couple with zero to 60 times around 5.0 seconds, which police testing validates.

GMI met up with the Harbour family at a local car show near their home in Ohio. During the event GMI’s Kevin See actually had a difficult time getting photos of their Caprice because of the steady stream of onlookers checking it out.

To date no one from General Motors has contacted Harbour about being one of the two or three civilian owners of a new Caprice. He did express his happiness with Criswell Chevrolet for a great buying experience and ability to sell him the car he actually wanted.

What does he dislike about his new Caprice?

“The fact that every red blooded American who wants one cannot buy one,” Harbour said.

Perhaps the Harbour family's affinity for their new family car will rub off on GM and the Caprice will gain some civilian-like trim and options for retail sales. We shall see.

Photography

[EJD1984]

I am so jealous! I like the suble addition of the SS badges.

If I had known in time. I would have driven down to Criswell, and gotten one back in June. This would be the perfect car for me.

I wonder if there are any other dealers quietly under the radar.

Why is GM burying it's head in the sand!! This car would be a really good public seller. If Dodge/Chrysler, Hyundai, and KIA can find a profitable market for RWD sedans - Then whats the problem with GM!!!!!!!!

This statement alone justrifies the car for GM.

He reports to GMI that he has achieved 28 to 29 MPG on the highway and up to 18 MPG in the city when driving the car “normally.” Harbour says those solid fuel economy numbers couple with zero to 60 times around 5.0 seconds, which police testing validates.

Update (08-12-2011):
There is nothing like a good ole letter writing campaign. I've heard over the years that companies do seriously take written & mailed letters. Be nice, but persuasive.

General Motors Corporation
300 Renaissance Center # L1
Detroit, MI 48243-1403

[apstewart]

I would stand in line at the dealership to pick one of these up as well.

Come on, GM; let us buy the car!

[robsBU08]

That is very cool! I have to admit that I find the Caprice VERY plain looking. I am sure it is an outstanding car, but I much prefer a little more sportiness.

But like I said, it is very cool he was able to buy one.

[N8s07ss]

Great looking ride, but honestly I think I'd have to move if I lived in a state that required a front license plate. That thing just looks so out of place and tacked on.

That is one thing I wish the federal government would take control of so we can at least get car manufacturers to start planning for them OR clean up the front of all of our vehicles, the second option being preferred of course.

[FenwickHockey65]

Great looking ride, but honestly I think I'd have to move if I lived in a state that required a front license plate. That thing just looks so out of place and tacked on.

That is one thing I wish the federal government would take control of so we can at least get car manufacturers to start planning for them OR clean up the front of all of our vehicles, the second option being preferred of course.

We haven't had the front plate on our Malibu since we bought it and don't plan on ever attaching it. Haven't been stopped so far.

I honestly have no idea where we put the bracket anyways.

[gtjeff]

Do a search on google.com, there are at least 15 Caprice's available across the country right now.

[Orbit Orange]

Good for him and good for the dealer that sold it. Hope he enjoys it.

As others have said, it IS plain, very plain. But what do you expect, it is a decontented police model? Seeing his Impala SS, he probably already has thoughts to upgrade his ride in the looks department. Hope he gets some foglamps and interior trim bits to liven it up some. Some different taillamps and some lowering springs would help as well. Love to hear him post up any mods he has planned.

Now I've got to find out how to fool GM to send over a Ute for "police duty" and buy it through a dealer with some balls like Criswell. GM brass doesn't seem to give a rats ass about those of us who love Zeta and its derivatives.

[Uzzy]

C'mon GM! Just sell it to the rest of us without the hassle!

[gopedxr7]

very lucky guy. hope he takes good care of it. its funny how this car may even be a collectable one day as a GM fluke in sales. i see no reason not to offer it publically. i guess CAFE rules are the issue.

Alan

[mbukukanyau]

Chevrolet is still smoking Old GM's crop of opium

[bryce miller]

Honey we super sized the 2007 Impala and gave it the same awfully cheap plastic filled interior!

[GMJoe]

I believe some version of this vehicle will eventually be sold to consumers in the US, probably the next generation in 2014 or2015.

If they do sell it here Bryce, it will have a high quality interior in the order of the Caprice sold as a Buick in China.

Check out that interior!

[Orbit Orange]

Do a search on google.com, there are at least 15 Caprice's available across the country right now.

A few seconds search yielded this. Looks like these guys have 7 but whether or not they are available to "the public", I don't know.

http://www.everycarlisted.com/sc/col...vrolet/caprice

Here's 37 more and they are listed as "used". All less than 10 miles, weird and interesting

http://www.everycarlisted.com/tx/all...vrolet/caprice

Lastly, 99 new and 37 "used" when you widen out the search.

http://www.everycarlisted.com/search...ear=2011..2011

[FenwickHockey65]

Honestly the interior plastics are actually pretty good. Soft touch in all the right places, hard touch is well-grained and textured, very solid feeling too, not like the cheap hollow-feeling plastic GM used to throw in cars.