After the 2nd timing chain went on my '98 Explorer (Google "Ford SOHC Timing Chain" to read about the incompetent engineering (or "pre-scheduled major service") by the folks at the Blue Oval), I re-swore never to buy a new auto, and turned away from Ford forever. This didn't take much of a push. I've loved a lot of my cars, but feel that the powertrain is the real heart of the vehicle, and that only GM and Austin-Rover have given me "bulletproof" running gear in a car that I could really like. (Honda does a great job in the bulletproof arena, but has yet to give soul to any of their cars I've had, and the Italians have done a super job with soul (& power) but haven't given me anything that I've felt was reliable enough to be a daily driver as yet.

Enter, "The DaddyWagon".
(Then)

(As driven home to FL from KY (This at the Florida Border)

The DaddyWagon is a 1996 Buick RoadMaster Estate Limited with all available options, 82,000 miles on her as a company-owned vehicle for transporting executives between Maysville, KY and the airports and branch offices in Ohio and Louisville. I got her for a good price and the timing was right, so I flew up and drove her back. Thanks to a friend in Sacramento with a Caprice Wagon (GM made Oldsmobile Custom Cruisers in '91 and '92, and Caprice wagons in '91-'96 with the same basic full-frame, small-block V8 configuration) I got hooked up with the wagon-heads at the Impala SS Forums http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/
There is not a greater wealth of knowledge on the GM B & D-Bodies (and the wagons built on the platform) anywhere on earth. I now have a car that has the creature comforts of a Caddy Fleetwood, the hauling capacity of a full-sized pickup, the ability to haul 9 adults comfortably, the biggest sleeper I know of (the '96 came stock with a lightly-detuned version of the LT1 Corvette engine. Mine's been re-tuned and then some.), a cool surf-wagon and I'm not stuck driving the kids around in a minivan!
(Now)

Mods:
First off - Tinting! It was like driving a greenhouse down from KY! Once I crossed from Georgia into Florida I could almost feel my skin searing on my left side.
2 - Upgraded Battery Cables to 1-guage

3 - Removed mech fan and replaced with the standard dual-electrics - 10HP, cleaner bay and room for Ram Air Induction) (check http://innovativewiring.com for help with these two and the following).
4 - Uprated relays (added one) and wiring (higher gauge) for the headlights and mounted 100/80W Bright white halogen bulbs

5 - Pulled stock AM/FM Cassette and replaced with a late model Buick AM/FM CD Casstte (after upgrading the CD mechanism to play computer-recorded CD's) Looks just like the stock system!
6 - Voigtland Progressive springs and Bilstein Sport Suspension components all around.
7 - Hotchkis control arms - sway bars on the way
8 - She had a top-of-the-line built-in cellular system from the factory that utilized 1990's technology. I swapped it out for a Motorola IHF1000 Bluetooth System - The best non-performance mod I've ever done to a vehicle. I don't know why Motorola doesn't advertise the heck out of these things. The car automatically becomes the cellphone once it's started up. Everything's hands-free and sound is crystal-clear. Another great Motorola product doomed to die for lack of public awareness! (Did I mention that I'm a former Motorola Engineer?)

9 - Aesthetics. I had my college roomate, Randy (he goes by 'Randall' now that he's in Australia... Something about the connotations of 'Randy' down-under) send me some Holden 5.7 H.O. badges, and added ventiports for a classic look to go with the Avid S/T 255/70 Wide Whites
10 - I'm leaving the engine alone and going for my 14 second quarter mile time at Moroso on the stock engine and skill alone (well, that's my story, anyway)!
(The DaddyWagon becomes a SportWagon on Pg 2 ->)