New to the forum, still looking for the right longroof...

Hello! I'm wishing I had started shopping for one of these cars a few years back, because these prices nowadays... whew. Still, hopefully I can find one, preferably a '95-'96 due to the updated ignition system and dash design. Currently rocking a 2013 Ford Flex Ecoboost as a daily and a 1985 Ford LTD sedan that's coming together nicely. I'm longing for simplicity and a robust aftermarket which the Flex, unfortunately, does not have. EVERYTHING is a pain in the butt and/or expensive and I'm kinda over it.
So, quick question... how is the aftermarket for specifically these cars? Any particularly difficult parts to acquire such as weatherstripping or anything?

Don't forget the '94s. Honestly if you want simplicity, the '91-93s are the ticket; super simple.

Aftermarket for body stuff is very slim; Luis Bonilla in South Carolina has started a junkyard for these cars; for engine and transmission, there's decent LT1 and 4L60E support. Rear and is 8.5" 10-bolt that's super common in older GM trucks.

the 94-96 drivetrain in the wagons is basically the same as the Impala SS of the same years so there are performance aftermarket parts available there.

As Joel said, the TBI third gen engines in the 91-93s are rock solid and simple to work on. The LT1 isn't bad honestly, but a tad more complicated than the earlier TBI models.....

That said the TBI cars will be cheaper and even more so if it has a 305 in it.

How is the aftermarket? Pretty much nonexistent when it comes to the exterior and interior.

Particularly hard to find parts? Pretty much everything exterior wise from the rear doors back. Nothing interior wise aside from the plastic bezel around the dash cluster on 94-96 Caprice vehicles has a repop available. Each wagon version has its own tail lights, front bumper, rear bumper.

Not intending to be all doom and gloom but while we love these cars owning one presents a special set of challenges. Make sure it’s in the best shape you can find and get one of those fancy agreed value insurance policies. Normal insurance will laugh while they total your car for the slightest amount of damage.