86 or 87?

[flipmo]

Simple question. Had a discussion with a few other GN owners and was surprised at the responses.

If you had the opportunity to buy an 86 or 87 GN, which one would you buy? Suprisingly enough, some have said the 86 GN is worth more money because it was made first and some say the 87 GN is worth more because it was made last. Some also say they like the 86 over the 87 and others say vice versa. Basically same parts and I have also owned two 86 GNs (modded) that sold for about the same price as the 87s (modded) I have owned.

So, let's see where this goes in terms of both favorite year and best investment and respond with the one you prefer.

flipmo

 

[INEEDAGN]

I would be surprised if there was ever a noticeable difference in value between the two. They are so close to the same car that it doesn't matter. Sure they made less 86's, but the 87 had more "advertised" horsepower, and an outsider looking to buy might not know it's the same horepower both years. Grille is personal preference, but if I had bought an 86 I would have put an 87 grille in. Being the last year built means nothing to me and most others. The 82 was built first, and is more than twice a rare as an X, and they haven't taken off yet. This goes to show that people are paying for horsepower, not rarity, at least not rarity by itself. I will add that if I ever found a clean 82 GN It would be mine. I think they look cool.

bob

 

[Dewey]

I know where there's a decent 82 with a bad motor and the dirtbag won't sell it to me....

 

[SVORay]

I'm guessing it's up to you and what you plan on doing with the car. As people have pointed out there is very little difference between the two cars. I would be more incline to keep an 86 closer to stock then I would an 87' GN. Sure there isn't very much difference in price ATM, but who knows what the next 20 years will have in store for the 86' GN.

 

[Grumpy]

if I had an 86 I'd just change the grille and springs to 87's ... oh I wouldn't buy any other years (hot air ) cars .. if ya do just drive around throwing $$$ out the window ... you are goin to die with them .. ok getting my firejacket on here

 

[dizzlesturbo6]

well from a newbie all i remember as a kid was people talking about the 87 grand national. the car really wasn't recognized nationally until 87. does it make it a better year,no but it is what primarily people talk about.

 

[supercoupe5]

i dont car if it is an 86 or an 87. i do like the 87 grill better so i would put that in a 86 if that is what i end up buying. dave

 

[Gary Wells]

I would prefer an '87 over an '86 with everything else being equal, but I would not turn down an '86 if that's what I came across and it had what I wanted. I think that the difference in what we want, collectability and value is good in theory only and not in real practice. There are not enough of '86's & '87's for sale or sold in enough of a timeframe that would allow the gathering of enough statistical data to make a non-biased decision. HTH

 

[UNGN]

well from a newbie all i remember as a kid was people talking about the 87 grand national. the car really wasn't recognized nationally until 87. does it make it a better year,no but it is what primarily people talk about.

People that were around in 1986, knew about them in 1986.

Nobody knew enough about them to make the order cut off for the 1986 model year, however, so they had to order an '87.

My '86 sold for over $22K in April of 1986 (right after the 13.9 second 1/4 mile Car and Driver article came out).

1987 cars only have higher resale values because they are generally lower mile cars that people bought to put away and resell later.

 

[troGNman]

I liked the chrome bar on the grille.

I used to relish the fact that my stock '86 GN could beat most of my friends '87 GNs. "But we have 10 more hp than you". I had a good year's break-in and launch technique that would get them all of the time.

The day I picked up my '86 in February, the salesman had just shown me his copy of the famous "road test". I knew I was onto something way before then.

 

[Ttype83]

if I had an 86 I'd just change the grille and springs to 87's ... oh I wouldn't buy any other years (hot air ) cars .. if ya do just drive around throwing $$$ out the window ... you are goin to die with them .. ok getting my firejacket on here

Fire bomb on it's way
86 with 87 grill and MOONROOF