Grand National

[WSex]

i need a daily driver and was looking into getting a grand national.
what should i look for in these cars?
im going to check one out tomorrow. what should i expect in the 8-9k range?

[V]

look for 86-87s

[HardcoreZ28]

I have a customer with a low mileage one for sale but I believe he's in the 13-15k range. It's been for sale for quite some time so he may be negotiable. I believe the car has less than 30k on it.

[NJ Torque]

I would not get one as a daily, just FWIW...

[Dudbird113]

Ive been looking for a low mileage regal but none really exist haha. Only problem with a gn as a dd is someone may try to do something with it

[WSex]

i just want a clean car. mods accepted. my work commute is very small

[chrisfrom nj]

I know where there's 2 in east Hanover sitting in someone's garage

[WSex]

craigslist is filled with them.
i just wanna make sure i dont get one with sandy cooties

[SilverDropTop]

I would not get one as a daily, just FWIW...

X2.

[zraffz]

They are awesome cars. Very deceiving with stock tires and they like to kick out very hard when it spools. Ride very nicely for what they are, quiet and comfortable! Wouldn't want to be driving one in the rain though and I doubt it'd last long being parked out on a street late at night lol. I certainly don't think I'd ever daily drive one but to each his own.

[SRGN]

I would not get one as a daily, just FWIW...

This. Mind you, I worked on Turbo Buicks at Dynotech. If some of the rare parts break, you're going to be down for weeks. More parts are discontinued every day. I have been selling off my parts stash for a while now and am almost down to nothing. Wastegate solenoids that you used to get for $40 now fetch over $200 on ebay. I have one left now lol.

[WSex]

This. Mind you, I worked on Turbo Buicks at Dynotech. If some of the rare parts break, you're going to be down for weeks. More parts are discontinued every day. I have been selling off my parts stash for a while now and am almost down to nothing. Wastegate solenoids that you used to get for $40 now fetch over $200 on ebay. I have one left now lol.

interesting

[WSex]

daily drive =1 mile commute(round trip)

and whwnever i go out. i just want one thats all.

now back on topic. what to look for?
where do they normally rust? etc etc

[WSex]

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3965615758.html

[grazi]

There's a project one in Clark for $4200. You should do another turbo build when the trans am is done this week.

[1320B4U]

This one has been advertised for awhile...in Connecticut.

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3930567179.html

They normally rotted in the lower quarter just aft the rear wheels..drainage wasn't the best back there...also check lower fenders and door drain areas. My college roommate had 2, great cars and stupid fast...they are around for your price range albeit harder to find as they get older. You could get a ttype for that price too, if you wanted to widen your search pool. Obv the newest ones (86-87) are the ones to get b/c of the intercooler.

[zraffz]

Radiator supports seem to rot out too. And water sit around the outside of the trunk seals if its parked at a funny angle.

[LTb1ow]

A mile commute? Get a bike.

[WSex]

thanks guys.
and more input is welcome.


matt- ehhh no

[B4C]

Jeep? lol
My gf's uncle has a GNX for sale...for $40k

[grazi]

Jeep? lol
My gf's uncle has a GNX for sale...for $40k

40k is a deal

[NHRABill]

I miss my GN :(

but don't miss the electrical gremlins that plagued the car. it was always something.

I loved the car but she was a bitch to me so I sent her packin' 5 years ago

I hope you have better luck than I did.

[WSex]

i went to see one today. very clean car underbody and all. but it was dark so i told him id call him during the week for a test drive and etc

[69BirdX]

I love my T-type. My buddy use to daily his nash. But any car thats over 20 years old will have its problems especially with all the vacumn lines 80s turbo cars.

[Mezzy]

SR GN is correct. I've owned a slew of them. On the 86-87s which are the intercooled ones, you can't find the hydra boost brake parts. If you can, the booster alone is close to 2k. And, they break down an awful lot. We used to call em sensor eaters because as soon as you'd fix one or two sensors, three more would go. Fun to drive when they run but expensive and time consuming to own. Ride was decent. I would imagine that nowadays, you'd have to replace every bushing and replace the suspension and front end along with the rear bushings to get back the original ride. Replace the turbos oil return line every 20k religiously if you want your turbo to last.

[WSex]

interesting.
challenge accepted.

me against grand national

[Mezzy]

WSex, I k.ow nothing will deter you from grabbing one up. Like any model vehicle, one must learn the car and its flaws. Then they're easier to handle, as I imagine you already know.

[The_Bishop]

interesting.
challenge accepted.

me against grand national

Get the FD on speed dial?

[RiggsLW81]

for what its worth I hope you plan on garaging it every night. As someone else said, I wouldn't leave a GN on the street all the time..especially with your town being neighbors with Newark. just my 2 cents.

[WSex]

its cool itll get full coverage

[PolarBear]

I cant imagine the insurance premium on a car that old with collision and comprehensive..... It will probably be more than the car after only a few years

[WSex]

I cant imagine the insurance premium on a car that old with collision and comprehensive..... It will probably be more than the car after only a few years

ill let you know when i buy and get quoted.

[WSex]

plus only hondas get stolen...

[LTb1ow]

Get a bike.

[PolarBear]

ill let you know when i buy and get quoted.

Should be able to get the quote now, you may not like what you see. You also need to remember, a regular insurance company is not going to care that it is a low production car. They are going to see a 25 year old car with no air bags, no abs and they wont care about replacing it, you'll get book value at best, not necessarily what you paid for it.

[The_Bishop]

At this point, I think WSex just says crap to troll everyone.

[WSex]

Should be able to get the quote now, you may not like what you see. You also need to remember, a regular insurance company is not going to care that it is a low production car. They are going to see a 25 year old car with no air bags, no abs and they wont care about replacing it, you'll get book value at best, not necessarily what you paid for it.

historic plates
owned by mom
1k miles per year IF!!


itll be cheap youll see.

[LTb1ow]

historic plates
owned by mom
1k miles per year IF!!


itll be cheap youll see.

You missed his point, you will be driving a car whose value to enthusiasts and what you prob will pay for it, is much more than what insurance will give you when its stolen or lit on fire.

[PolarBear]

historic plates
owned by mom
1k miles per year IF!!


itll be cheap youll see.

Can't DD on Historic plates
Owned by mom?!?! really?
Mileage matters not really.

Honestly if you are looking at this from the perspective of owning and keeping nice for a long time you should have an agreed value policy for the car to protect it's actual value. A regular insurance company isnt going to give a rats ass about the cars true worth and if something happens, regardless of who "owns" it, so it is probably going to be pretty "expensive". My insurance company asked me if I wanted to fully insure my 92 Firebird and when I asked they said its probably going to be very expensive and we may not even accept coverage (I could be wrong about the accepting though)

[WSex]

like my ta? or your camaro or almost eceryones car?

ie: you got about 15k in mods but insurance will give scrap value..... :)

[69BirdX]

You can dd historic tags. They changed the rules. But unless you get collector insurance, full coverage is pointless.

[sweetbmxrider]

Let the fool get the ****ing thing, jesus take this thread away!

[LTb1ow]

like my ta? or your camaro or almost eceryones car?

ie: you got about 15k in mods but insurance will give scrap value..... :)

I can't do accepted value with hagerty etc for another two to three years, and then the camaro will most definitely be on that sort of policy.

[WSex]

mostly everyone missed the point here. the point was to give input on where this car rust and etc

[PolarBear]

like my ta? or your camaro or almost eceryones car?

ie: you got about 15k in mods but insurance will give scrap value..... :)

I have an agreed value policy with Hagerty, I get the agreed value without questions asked. Hagerty would also not let me daily drive my vehicles under their policy. I had to provide proof of insurance for my daily driver vehicle.

mostly everyone missed the point here. the point was to give input on where this car rust and etc

We are just looking out for you. This isn't a cheap POS DD you're looking into, we also know the area you're looking to drive it to and live in. You can choose to blow us all off, but we are all car guys here and don't want to see you get screwed if there is an issue.

[PolarBear]

You can dd historic tags.

Proof? The MVC website says otherwise. Says, as it always has, "To be considered a historic vehicle, the vehicle must be at least 25 years old and only used for exhibition and educational purposes by the owner. " There is no provision for daily driving your Historically registered vehicle.

[grazi]

mostly everyone missed the point here. the point was to give input on where this car rust and etc

Just get it and ask mom to repaint the thing

[WSex]

We are just looking out for you. This isn't a cheap POS DD you're looking into, we also know the area you're looking to drive it to and live in. You can choose to blow us all off, but we are all car guys here and don't want to see you get screwed if there is an issue.

ohh thats quite sweet.
now i feel like douche.
but let me explain what dd means in my life.
drive 1 mile to my yard. park. work min of 80 hours(if no rain) get in car sometime saturday mornin go home sleep and go out sat night and sunday.
during the week if i have time between jobs i drive the truck home and park it infront of my house.

why i want a gn idk.
just looks ****ing mean

[WSex]

Just get it and ask mom to repaint the thing

to be honest the one i went to see is clean.
too clean.
i still dont know te catch

[69BirdX]

Proof? The MVC website says otherwise. Says, as it always has, "To be considered a historic vehicle, the vehicle must be at least 25 years old and only used for exhibition and educational purposes by the owner. " There is no provision for daily driving your Historically registered vehicle.

You are right. I thought only collector cars had the limit. I read an article on mvc that it was in the process of being changed. Must of never went through



Update. I was under the wrong impression. They got rid of the mileage limit a few years back but still kept the rules for only driving to shows and educational puproses.

[Blackbirdws6]

What about educating fools at a stop light on the way to work and back? :)

[69BirdX]

What about educating fools at a stop light on the way to work and back? :)

Then your bird should have QQ tags. Maybe it would stop you from calling people princesses.

[grazi]

daily drive =1 mile commute(round trip)

and whwnever i go out. i just want one thats all.

now back on topic. what to look for?
where do they normally rust? etc etc

You can do standing mile runs to and fro work.

[Blackbirdws6]

Then your bird should have QQ tags. Maybe it would stop you from calling people princesses.

It's not a relic yet and however its classified, it will not stop the namecalling. :nod:

[NJ Torque]

I've driven on daily for a couple of years...

Heres a picture of the 86 and 87

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/lehighvalley1/Picture038-1.jpg

[grazi]

I've driven on daily for a couple of years...

Heres a picture of the 86 and 87

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/lehighvalley1/Picture038-1.jpg

I thought you sold the 86

[Paul Huryk]

You can say goodbye to handling with a GN...

[69BirdX]

You can say goodbye to handling with a GN...

Aint that the truth

[LTb1ow]

This could be you if you accept the power
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRdGH9BsgN3MKoO_ZWDgXrVIzf7oT26S M8g14JRJe33P6YTlwjY8g

[WSex]

is it really that bad?

[WSex]

I've driven on daily for a couple of years...

Heres a picture of the 86 and 87

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/lehighvalley1/Picture038-1.jpg

thats sweeeeet

[SRGN]

He bought the 86 in the pic from me a longgg time ago. LSX under my hoods ever since, and not going back....

[donnj]

picked mine up a few weeks ago and only regret so far is I should have bought one sooner, like back in 87. Theres a few good site out there and the guys have tons on info and are very willing to help and share. Starting LS brake swap this weekend
As far a handling, that's available also....
GNS Performance down south has it all
and my granny grey interior is soon to be black with TA seats

[grazi]

That's x-ray the white one in thumbnail GNX "548"

[grazi]

Don. I didn't know you got one, post up a pic man

[sweetbmxrider]

I've driven on daily for a couple of years...

Heres a picture of the 86 and 87

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/lehighvalley1/Picture038-1.jpg

Why is there train tracks in your backyard?

[LTb1ow]

Why is there train tracks in your backyard?

Is it "are" train tracks?

[Paul Huryk]

As far a handling, that's available also....

I think that option was called F-Body in 1986 and 1987... lol

[1320B4U]

Is it "are" train tracks?


Train is a test bed to for trying to replicate the better handling the train has over the gn.



..kidding aside, you can make these things handle pretty good w/some aftermarket goodies.

[wrong generation]

I think that option was called F-Body in 1986 and 1987... lol

don't you mean 1989 ? when they built the turbo transam with the turbo 3.8

[Paul Huryk]

don't you mean 1989 ? when they built the turbo transam with the turbo 3.8

I was referring to the years the GN was available and the fact that if you wanted GM and wanted it to handle and not be a Vette, you went for an F-body. And since magazines didn't really review the 86 model, the 87 was a huge model run compared to all the other GN years.

I think the folks who had GNs pooped their pants when the same drive train was put in a GTA and not only was faster in a straight line, iwas more aerodynamic, but could handle and stop too. Not to mention the 160mph top speed as delivered...

The really funny part is how much of a boat anchor the 3.8L they put in the GN is without the turbo and intercooler. The early non intercooled GNs were ok, but not noteworthy; slap some good EFI with an intercooler and one hell of a flat TQ curve and you get some magic.

[BonzoHansen]

Train is a test bed to for trying to replicate the better handling the train has over the gn.



..kidding aside, you can make these things handle pretty good w/some aftermarket goodies.

a lot of neat g-body parts have shown up in the past year to make those boats turn corners!

[The Fixer]

My old G-body handled pretty well, considering what I did to it. Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, upgraded spindles with better brakes, and an F-body front sway bar. Add in a good set of 17" wheels and real tires instead of some wimpy 15's that stock GN's are riding on and the difference will be like night and day. I've been out of the G-body game for over 2 years, so I'm sure someone out there has made even more improvements that I don't know about.

Check out the link in my sig if you're interested.

[Paul Huryk]

a lot of neat g-body parts have shown up in the past year to make those boats turn corners!

Noticed that too - guess the pro touring crowd is picking up enough of these for manufacturers to engineer some handling goodies. The prices are an eye opener though.

I do have an old Hot Rod where they built up the suspension on a 1986 442 (maybe 87) and made it handle as good as a WS6 3rd gen car.

[WildBillyT]

a lot of neat g-body parts have shown up in the past year to make those boats turn corners!

UMI in particular is making stuff now.

[WSex]

i went to see it again today. i really like the car. no rust no leaks some aftermarket goodies but whats really picking my brain is that the paint is starting to lose its clear.

aftEr thinking about it the only reasin i want it is because of the boost.. but why not daily my trans am? because of fuel issues? ima just 93 my car add a turbo muffler and enjoy it.

but before that ill theow an offer at it.

[grazi]

i went to see it again today. i really like the car. no rust no leaks some aftermarket goodies but whats really picking my brain is that the paint is starting to lose its clear.

aftEr thinking about it the only reasin i want it is because of the boost.. but why not daily my trans am? because of fuel issues? ima just 93 my car add a turbo muffler and enjoy it.

but before that ill theow an offer at it.

How about you give me 9000 for my car and put one of those tornado air fan things in the intake elbow. Just as good as a turbo.

[69BirdX]

i went to see it again today. i really like the car. no rust no leaks some aftermarket goodies but whats really picking my brain is that the paint is starting to lose its clear.

aftEr thinking about it the only reasin i want it is because of the boost.. but why not daily my trans am? because of fuel issues? ima just 93 my car add a turbo muffler and enjoy it.

but before that ill theow an offer at it.

Its 80s gm paint. If its not losing its clear something is not right

[WildBillyT]

i went to see it again today. i really like the car. no rust no leaks some aftermarket goodies but whats really picking my brain is that the paint is starting to lose its clear.

aftEr thinking about it the only reasin i want it is because of the boost.. but why not daily my trans am? because of fuel issues? ima just 93 my car add a turbo muffler and enjoy it.

but before that ill theow an offer at it.

As stated, it's 80s paint. All the big 3 had durability issues.

And yea, just 93 your car and enjoy the hell out of it.

[WSex]

the roof is starying to haze.
if i get it would be first thing done.
wetsand the whole car and clear coated

[Dudbird113]

Had a 87 buick park ave, paint was good when i started to drive it, the more miles that went on the car the more clearcoat that would fade