Both the Impala SS and Caprice are the same car, and were sold as not only an Impala SS, but also as a Caprice. Technically every car sold is an Impala SS/Caprice.
Right and wrong....the Caprice 9C1 (cop package) had the same LT1 engine....The interior and badging are of course different....But there are Caprice's of the same year without the LT1 so that isn't a broad statement.
Truth be told, most of the 9C1's that you'll find are former cop or government cars that are beaten to shit with MANY miles (and problems).
And on a side note, I don't get why you would buy a 9C1 Caprice when the Impala 94-96 SS's really aren't that much anymore. But to each his own.
In all honesty there ARE differences in quality between the 94-96 year models. Originally they came out with the 94 to try and get rid of the Caprice bodies they had left...Only cops, taxis and old people were buyin them....But when they saw how popular they were, they continued on for 2 more years
In 1994 only 6,303 were made
In 1995 21,432 were made
In 1996 41,941 were made
For the '96 year, the cars were being made 24 hours a day. There have been many reports of exhausted workers and just general sloppiness in their production. Therefor you're gonna find more '96 models with problems than the previous two years.
The 94-96 SS was just a way for GM to get rid of the excess bodies they had. A FANTASTIC car for sure, but definitely not the best assembled.
And yes, I've owned 2 of em as well.