Hey guys I need some opinions on what is more valuable to own a WE4 87 Regal T-top car with a rebuilt motor immaculate condition or an 87 GN T-top with a weber racing 109 block. The GN is in very nice condition maybe not show room but a nice driver occasional show car if cleaned up a bit? I was looking for a GN with average mileage very nice condition. But a buddy says he's got a WE4 in impeccable condition mild mods numbers matching. I just want to make sure that it's worth it to pass up a true GN though not a numbers matching car. You guys think it's a matter of preference or what?
Opinions on value WE4 or GN 109 Block
- Thread starter Rotti54
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2008
If your buying it to keep and not really worrying about how much it's worth in someone else's eyes I'd go with the GN. I mean it also depends on which is a better deal to you, especially if you plan on keeping it.
H
Heisenberg
Guest
My 2 pennies
1 - You will be engaged in more conversations with regular folks when they say "Nice Grand National" - or "Is that a Grand National" - and you spend the next 15 minutes reciting the history and build numbers of a WE4.
That's fun.
I like "different" - but not Sage Green Limited different.
84 GN w/ LC2; 82 Gn, WE4, WH1, anything black with Astroroof. Like that.
2 - I see alot of cars that "only need paint"
As if that is some $199 affair at Maaco.
That's $5K - minimum for a good looking Lamp 19 job.
No small nut to crack.
If the WE4 has great paint - I go for it.
Because you said it is immaculate
I'm biased - as you will see.
3 - As far as investment.
Banish that word.
Cars are not really investments.
Stocks, bonds, gold, bitcoins, hog bellies - those are investments.
Aside from the esoteric discussion of not buying a car to please some future unknown buyer - these cars don't particularly appreciate in value - to any great degree.
They are for your enjoyment while you breath air.
But to me - a WE4 hold up it's value as well as any.
Especially a T-top or even still, a CF5 WE4.
4 - It's probably a toss - a hotter GN vs a more stock, unmolested cleaner WE4.
Those go fast parts are expensive to buy.
I for one don't mind paying dimes on the dollar for someone else's lack of interest.
5 - There are no rules against owning 2.
In fact, for some, it is mandatory!
1 - You will be engaged in more conversations with regular folks when they say "Nice Grand National" - or "Is that a Grand National" - and you spend the next 15 minutes reciting the history and build numbers of a WE4.
That's fun.
I like "different" - but not Sage Green Limited different.
84 GN w/ LC2; 82 Gn, WE4, WH1, anything black with Astroroof. Like that.
2 - I see alot of cars that "only need paint"
As if that is some $199 affair at Maaco.
That's $5K - minimum for a good looking Lamp 19 job.
No small nut to crack.
If the WE4 has great paint - I go for it.
Because you said it is immaculate
I'm biased - as you will see.
3 - As far as investment.
Banish that word.
Cars are not really investments.
Stocks, bonds, gold, bitcoins, hog bellies - those are investments.
Aside from the esoteric discussion of not buying a car to please some future unknown buyer - these cars don't particularly appreciate in value - to any great degree.
They are for your enjoyment while you breath air.
But to me - a WE4 hold up it's value as well as any.
Especially a T-top or even still, a CF5 WE4.
4 - It's probably a toss - a hotter GN vs a more stock, unmolested cleaner WE4.
Those go fast parts are expensive to buy.
I for one don't mind paying dimes on the dollar for someone else's lack of interest.
5 - There are no rules against owning 2.
In fact, for some, it is mandatory!
Attachments
Last edited by a moderator:
turbo39151
anycoloraslongasitsblack
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2002
My .02: GO with the WE4- it's the one that is ready to go.
A good way to put this into perspective is to price out what things will cost. Some people think they're getting a deal by buying a cheaper car and then are shocked to discover the true costs!! I don't see where one is cheaper than the other in this scenario but one sounds "finished" while the other does not. The "GN" isn't worth that extra future expense:
A paint job doesn't sound like much until you start pricing them... I don't know of anyone these days that will do a full paint for $5k- at least not a decent one. A good paint job will be closer to $10k (body work included) (If you doubt this, search some of the restoration threads or ask some of the painters here)
Interior will probably be over $1k
As you can see, this stuff adds up really quick.
Good Luck with your purchase.
A good way to put this into perspective is to price out what things will cost. Some people think they're getting a deal by buying a cheaper car and then are shocked to discover the true costs!! I don't see where one is cheaper than the other in this scenario but one sounds "finished" while the other does not. The "GN" isn't worth that extra future expense:
A paint job doesn't sound like much until you start pricing them... I don't know of anyone these days that will do a full paint for $5k- at least not a decent one. A good paint job will be closer to $10k (body work included) (If you doubt this, search some of the restoration threads or ask some of the painters here)
Interior will probably be over $1k
As you can see, this stuff adds up really quick.
Good Luck with your purchase.
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2008
Turbo i think you hit the nail right on the head. I purchased a cheaper GN for around $7500 instead of spending 10-11k on one thats excellent condition. Lets just say after upgrading a turbo, chip, injectors, tstat, mint seats, ttop repair, few other things Im already at 11k .
So in the end it all adds up, i couldnt imagine throwing a paintjob in there $$$
So in the end it all adds up, i couldnt imagine throwing a paintjob in there $$$
Well I'm not so sure I totally agree Longball. I've owned a GN prior to selling it this past summer and ice seen the market on these cars jump strongly. They are averaging 10-15% value increases a year. Now that being said a car is only valued at one is worth to pay for it right? LOL. I'm up in the air about which car to buy. It's pretty much a toss up at this point. I love the powerful motor in the GN but it's not numbers matching. And the WE4 is sweet but still not quite the market a GN brings. I plan on keeping whatever car I decide on long term.
psycho6cyl
Ponies Are For Lil Girls
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2005
It sounds like these arent the cars for you. Sounds like ypu want a car long term w possible turn around profit or breaking even. If thats the case find a gn that will.fit what youre looking for. Now if you start modding then youre better off going w a built one. I love my car but wish I woulda waited bc there are some.killer deals.out there. Also.its getting harder and harder to find "numbers matching" gns but for aome reason its not considered a huge thing as of now. Future prob so. Again these cars may not be 100% what you are looking for ao wait it out. If youre looking long term for turnaround always go.w a gn no matter how.rare those Ts are. It only seems to.matter to tr guys and thats a small.shrinking limited market. Just my .02
longball
I fought the lawn...
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2009
[quote="Rotti54, They are averaging 10-15% value increases a year.. [/quote]
If my GN's value increased just 10% a year since 1987 it would now be worth $208,568!! I paid 17,500 for it in 1987 and would be lucky to get that for it now.
The car has new paint, wheels, tires, RPE stroker, EA Stage 3 trans, etc, etc, etc. The best I could hope for is to sell it at a loss considering all the money I have into it.
Not seeing the long term investment value here. But - I love it and have no intention of selling it! A trade, maybe..............
You are talking about buying a 1987 car priced in the mid-teens. How did the long term investment value work out for the last owner?
If you like it buy it - but long term investment value will be a crapshoot at best.
[/quote]If my GN's value increased just 10% a year since 1987 it would now be worth $208,568!! I paid 17,500 for it in 1987 and would be lucky to get that for it now.
The car has new paint, wheels, tires, RPE stroker, EA Stage 3 trans, etc, etc, etc. The best I could hope for is to sell it at a loss considering all the money I have into it.
Not seeing the long term investment value here. But - I love it and have no intention of selling it! A trade, maybe..............
You are talking about buying a 1987 car priced in the mid-teens. How did the long term investment value work out for the last owner?
If you like it buy it - but long term investment value will be a crapshoot at best.
john keskes
Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2012
H
Heisenberg
Guest
I agree with all of it.
In case you were replying to my previous post - I said 5K - minimum
I know it can be done since I've paid that - give or take.
But - that is from a guy who I give alot of work to.
I absolutely agree it can and often is - more
Especially knowing how most GN owners want a show quality black finish.
Does it have to be 10K? Not really. But it can.
Hell, all I ever hear my painter complain about is the cost of materials.
It's ridiculous.
I just use that $5K number as measuring point.
If I have to add at least that to a car - I start to really look at the numbers.
Which is why I must roll my eyes when ads state - "only needs paint to be....blah blah blah"
Riiight
"Only"
