Is a GN for me?

[GNmaybe]

I am a first time poster. I live near New Orleans, and BP has killed my former hobby of fishing. I am probably going to sell the boat, and I am considering buying a car to play around with.
I gravitate towards classic cars, and I am very interested in 1987 Grand Nationals. I can remember them being on the "don't mess with list" when I was a teenager running around. I think they represent a great blend of old versus new technology. Just think that tuned turbo cars and the "murdered out" all black look are all the rage now, and Buick had it down almost 25yrs. ago.
But, I am looking for a toy not a headache. I am not a guy who turns wrenches. I have no problems with paying for maintenance, but I will not do it myself. I have some general questions that I hope ya'll don't mind answering for the umpteenth time.

1. Are there any respected mechanic/tuners of GNs in the New Orleans area?
2. I want something both reliable and fast.( low 12 capable) I am not scared of modified cars, but I would want proven reliable modifications. I have no interest in the strip, just street. Can this be acheived affordably with a GN?

I am very busy and have reached a point in life where I like to own my toys and not have them own me. Thats why I'm looking for some friendly advice before I take the plunge. Thanks in advance.

 

[Amelio]

well you are on the right track, try to find some one in your area that knows these cars and second know what you are willing to do. Just poke around on this board you will see that these cars are all low 12sec capable but that does take some effort and as most seasoned Buick guys know these cars can really give you a beating.

These things are not the piece of cake small block chevy to tune and they can be a headache but the good news is most all of the problems you will encounter have been spoke about on this board 502 times.

My advise is find some one in your area and research this board a lot and see what other guys/gals are dealing with. One is a huge pain to one may not be for all and like all older cars they will require some wrenching.

Good luck!

 

[justin84]

I am a first time poster. I live near New Orleans, and BP has killed my former hobby of fishing. I am probably going to sell the boat, and I am considering buying a car to play around with.
I gravitate towards classic cars, and I am very interested in 1987 Grand Nationals. I can remember them being on the "don't mess with list" when I was a teenager running around. I think they represent a great blend of old versus new technology. Just think that tuned turbo cars and the "murdered out" all black look are all the rage now, and Buick had it down almost 25yrs. ago.
But, I am looking for a toy not a headache. I am not a guy who turns wrenches. I have no problems with paying for maintenance, but I will not do it myself. I have some general questions that I hope ya'll don't mind answering for the umpteenth time.

1. Are there any respected mechanic/tuners of GNs in the New Orleans area?
2. I want something both reliable and fast.( low 12 capable) I am not scared of modified cars, but I would want proven reliable modifications. I have no interest in the strip, just street. Can this be acheived affordably with a GN?

I am very busy and have reached a point in life where I like to own my toys and not have them own me. Thats why I'm looking for some friendly advice before I take the plunge. Thanks in advance.

The only thing I can see being a problem for you is the affordable part... You need to do all the reading you can. I obviously would own one but you HAVE TO KNOW CARS. These cars are pricey to mod but can be very very reliable. As is true with All cars though, things break. There is a great guy in your area named Dj Red Barron on here.

 

[gidyuppp]

Hello GNmaybe. I was a GNmaybe and became a GN owner. I am like you, not a wrencher but have some knowledge. I bought a 1986 GN as a project car becuase i wanted to complete it the way I want it and have it done correctly. Mine needed paint and a tune. I also wanted a little bit of a challenge for the hobby aspect of owning a car. I have a 2003 vette 50th since new and only 4k miles on it to date so its perfect, I next purchased the IROC conv, 5speed I always wanted in high school. It was so perfect that I have nothing that I need to do to it. So being bored I bought the other car I always wanted in high school, the GN. I fricking love it. But like the posters above said read this board and ask the questions. This board has been VERY helpful to me. I was able to find the GN mechanic expert locally and cant wait to take it to him for an overhaul of the engine. Unfortunately I found him after I took it to be totally restored from the exterior point of view. So once the paint is done it will go to him. I am a stock type of person, and like you will not race it. I just want it to run great and not be a daily drag on me. I drove it for a month before the restoration and it runs ok and I know after the tune it should be a dream. As posters have stated it will be some money to repair and will be some headache. What sold it for me was a comment I recieved before getting the GN stating if your not going to be a racer it can be relatively reliable and not much effort. That is my goal. So far, I am putting a lot of money into it but I knew that going in. So, my 2 cents are if you really like this car go for it. I cant wait to get it back looking and driving like new. Good luck

 

[salvageV6]

No I'd try freshwater fishing first.

Paying someone to build and tune a car isn't all that cheap, freshwater fishing can be.

Low 12's is easy with a Buick built motor and simple mods. for a streetable car, a ton cheaper if you do it all yourself.

If you buy a reputable car from a reputable board member that already is modded tastefully and a true streetcar with a proven motor, you can get buy for about $10K for a good driver that can run your number.

I will let you make that final decision I don't want to have to include warnings about gators and snakes in this post.

 

[counterman]

I am in South Louisiana, and, let me tell you, I do not know of a local shop that reliably plays with these cars. If you get one, plan on spending plenty of time learning about the cars and working on it yourself. Local shops usually spook when they look at repairing a GN, and that is probably good. There are scads of stories of jackass "mechanics" causing more misery with these cars. They will take your money, and, generally, fork up your car. Given YOUR paremeters, I would look at spending at least mid teen$ for a really bang up, low mileage car, and, then, I'd LEAVE IT ALONE! Do not mod it. Just wash and wax the car, and cruise in peace. You already have the best asset you'd need in the form of this forum. These people have been to hell and back with these cars, and know them inside and out. You will find plenty of help here, I guarantee it. Since '93, my National has absolultely caused me trouble beyond my imagination. However, it has also educated me and made me a more capable wrench and body man in ways that no tech school ever could. Rudy.

 

[DailyDrifter]

1. Are there any respected mechanic/tuners of GNs in the New Orleans area?
2. I want something both reliable and fast.( low 12 capable) I am not scared of modified cars, but I would want proven reliable modifications. I have no interest in the strip, just street. Can this be acheived affordably with a GN?

Simple answer................NO

 

[ddv1126]

I was like you and purchased an 87gn a year ago. I have invested sooo much money into this car, and its still not finished. Be prepared to spend some cash. I have to have my car towed 300 miles to the only mechanic I can trust. Just buy one in great shape if you have the cash. Youll spend more in the end if you get a project car. The upside is you will learn everything about your car.

 

[allblackcars]

Ditto:biggrin::biggrin:Everthing He Said.

 

[gidyuppp]

As stated above it has cost me and also as stated above 15-18 (if a trusted person) will get you a decent one. I paid 8k for a driver and by the time its all done I will have 20k into the car. Back to near stock and really clean and show worthy. I figure more spending to come just to keep it up (basically as old cars need).

 

[GNmaybe]

Original plan was to buy an already modified car from a respected owner. I am aware that's the best way to go, especially in the current economy---buyer's market.
It is disappointing to learn that there is no one in the New Orleans area who tunes these cars. I don't really want to spend time working on the car myself. I would probably have to make time just to drive it.
I would have no problem paying 15k for a nice driver, but I don't think I can do it without quality local service.
My father taught me that it is best to spend extra time working in your field of business and use that money to pay someone (i.e. a brilliant mechanic) to work in their field. I can appreciate the self satisfaction of DIYers; but that is not the route for me.
Sadly, I may have to look at less "exotic" vehicles. C'mon guys, there is no one near South Louisiana that tunes these cars? I live about a mile from a Buick dealership. Maybe I'll poke my nose around there and see what info I can get from the service guys.

 

[David65]

C'mon guys, there is no one near South Louisiana that tunes these cars?

paging Nasty Wendy...

 

[salvageV6]

I've got a good story about my local dealership almost burning my car to the ground if ya wanna hear it.

Come to think of it I think it was the last time it was at the dealership and that was under warranty at about 8K miles 23 years ago.

Beware of dealerships they usually have no clue how to work on these cars, and that was back then, it's far worse now that they are 23 years out of production.

I'm not deterring you from going there however, it is possible someone there may drive one and know how to work on them, not good odds but surely worth the chance.

I think Nasty Wendy leaves near there I will try to get him/her to respond "it's" usually on the other board.

I agree with your philosophy about making money the best way possible but the labor charges can kill you with these cars, buying the parts with your overtime work and hard work bonuses is great but again the labor is the highest cost.

One good thing however a competent old school mechanic that worked on Buick Regals back in the day can work on at least 50% of the car, front end, brakes, hoses, heater/A/C, interior, paint, body work is all pretty much generic Regal with a few exceptions.

They made a lot of G bodies so once you get a good running car you may be able to keep it serviced with a good competent local mechanic.

Tuning isn't all that hard to learn, pump gas and alky. low 12's with a TT chip and some simple logging tools and a laptop and wideband O2.

Sounds like you are willing to invest what it would take to buy one already done up too.

 

[charlief1]

Original plan was to buy an already modified car from a respected owner. I am aware that's the best way to go, especially in the current economy---buyer's market.
It is disappointing to learn that there is no one in the New Orleans area who tunes these cars. I don't really want to spend time working on the car myself. I would probably have to make time just to drive it.
I would have no problem paying 15k for a nice driver, but I don't think I can do it without quality local service.
My father taught me that it is best to spend extra time working in your field of business and use that money to pay someone (i.e. a brilliant mechanic) to work in their field. I can appreciate the self satisfaction of DIYers; but that is not the route for me.
Sadly, I may have to look at less "exotic" vehicles. C'mon guys, there is no one near South Louisiana that tunes these cars? I live about a mile from a Buick dealership. Maybe I'll poke my nose around there and see what info I can get from the service guys.

As others have said welcome aboard but you really need to do lots of reading before you decide to buy one of these cars. I'm an ASE Master myself and am finally getting to work on the car I bought 3 years ago. I'm not a body man but I'm learning to do body work because I've seen some of the work that most body shops do these days. Replacing both rear quarters and it's been a pain to say the least. It's a learning curve to get one of these cars and you need to be prepaired to either learn to do it yourself or spend the cash for someone to do it. It would be good if you at least try to understand how to work on it even if you don't. This way you won't get ripped off. Good luck on your decision but if all you want is a fun car get something that will be much easier on the wallet and your time.

 

[hesermon]

2. I want something both reliable and fast.( low 12 capable) .

Buy a new Corvette! By nature anything you buy that is 23 plus years old is not exactly "reliable". If you want a car that is drivable and gets more looks than a naked lady on an army base, get a GN. If you want reliable buy a newer car. There are plenty of nice GN's out there that are very streetable without spending a ton of money, however if you want a 12 second car that's another story. Any hot rod you buy will only be as good as it's weakest part. That includes small block, big block or turbo cars. Don't be afraid because GN's shove air into the intake. You can choose cubic inches or forced induction, either way if you beat on it, it will break.

 

[Pirate Jack]

I found this thread pretty helpful.

I am in a similar situation. I want a toy but am not much of a wrencer either. I had a T-Type from 93-98 and it was easily the best car I ever owned. Unfortunetly I was a dumbass young adult who thought beating the hell out of the car was half the fun. It started breaking down constantly and I couldn't afford to keep up with it so I went off and sold it for 5 grand. STUPID STUPID STUPID. I know wish I had just tucked it away somewhere so I could have it rebuilt. It was my baby.

Now I am in the market again for a Grand National, but I am hesitant because the cars are much older know and I remember running into problems in the 90's with these cars and it being crazy expensive to fix. I have the money to spend on a nice one but just am weary of it becoming more than I can chew.

They are just the nicest cars ever though and you truely stand out when driving one.

 

[notacarlo]

I don't really want to spend time working on the car myself.

Probably not the car for you. Seriously.

 

[Mercury7]

GNmaybe for you?

It sounds like I'm at the place now where you will be about a year later if you decide to get your GN.

I'm average mechanical skills and chose to leave the maintenance and repairs to the experts and read up here (especially here!) and wherever else I can to work my way through the learning curve of Turbo Buicks.

Mine is a street car that had obviously seen time at the strip; but it's a pure street car now and that's how I drive and use it.

I got good old plain dumb lucky with mine as it's been very little trouble in my 1st year having it; nothing too exotic has failed or gone wrong with it.

After reading through all the other responses, the only other bit of useful advice I can add into the mix is you don't have to be afraid or too concerned with higher mileage ones that are available. (compared to the same concerns with a different car with the same high mileage and 25 plus years old)

Nearly everyone I spoke to (before I decided to get mine) who owns a turbo buick said that the engine itself is built like an absolute tank. None of them would shy away from buying another in the 100,000 mile range if they could verify the service and maintenance of the car.

Fun? I can't imagine anything else this crazy fun to compare it to for the price to buy.

Expenses? I haven't done any genuine modifications or anything near wild to mine, overall the build is what most of the experts here would call "mild" I was determined before I got mine to keep the spending afterward in control and even sticking to that I've spent nearly 60% above what I paid for it in almost exactly a year. And that includes every single expense associated with the car: fuel, oil, parts, service, insurance, and on and on. And yes, the wish list for these cars is seemingly endless.

Overall I'd encourage you to get one and I agree that it's wise to establish a place in your area that's competent to work on them before you buy. I haven't needed a pure Buick Turbo specialist yet and I'm again just dumb lucky that there are more than a few to choose from in my area.

Good luck with it and keep picking the brains of the experts here; I think you've seen how fast and willing they are to respond!

 

[Nasty Wendy]

I don't recommend these cars to anyone who doesn't do their own wrenching. Your goals are easily attainable as far as a low 12 sec car. My car is a 100% street car that runs 12.0s on 18psi of boost with a small turbo. Its EASY to run that number and it doesn't put much stress on the car either but the Buick dealership doesn't know crap when it comes to fixing anything on these cars. You have to know how to turn wrenches and have time to do it. Unless you leave it stock.

 

[buickpassed]

just say no

I never tell people to buy one and i got my gn new in 87 unless you bleed buick dont do it but on the other hand man the cars are great and get ready to hear nice monty