buy or stay away?

[TIMS87GN]

I just looked at a rough 84 GN today. It appears to be 98% original. It has 150K showing, has rust issues, and owner claims there is a knocking sound coming from engine. I didn't hear it myself. It is a hard top w/digital dash. I'm not very familiar w the hot airs but he says its reliable and wants $3500. I'm real temped but curious about your opinions. what do you think?

 

[HotAirGN]

My opinion is that $3500 is way too much. My 84 GN had rust issues, later to find out major issues but ran good and showed 37k, guessing 137k. The guy wanted $1500 (he didnt really know to much about the car) I offered him $700 and we settled at $1000. The key is to stress the imperfections and to act like you know more than they do. How is the interior?? Also if there is rust check the bottom of the doors and lift up the carpet to check the floorboards. After all is said and done you may be able to get the car in at least the 2K range.

 

[irockwithdirt]

Rust issues............

Yeah, bought my car for $1000 , doors were shot but quarters, fenders, rockers and floors were solid. Only after I got it home did I find the T-top area on the passengers side is rusted............to the extent that water has run down the inside of the pillar and made a hole down where the firewall meets the rocker in the jamb area. Not structurally bad at all but I am going to have a fun time fabricating a weatherstrip channel. Yeah, I think U can do alot better than $3500 . The knocking he is hearing may be spark knock but look on here for one........sure you'll find something.

 

[racemybuick]

1000?

I wish I payed 1000 for my car. I have the 84 T-Type, and I got it from a friend for 2500. The body had minor imperfections, but only a tiny amount of rust on the doors. The motor was a new 87 longblock (84 hot air setup) with issues of craftmanship, but other than that, it ran good, no smoke, and hauled ass. It wasnt until later on I found the turbo loosing oil, and new where I would be headed.
If you can get the car for 2000, I would be pleased. If it is a real grand national, it is worth a couple thousand if you got a few more bucks to send it to the body guy for work.
Check the trunk, and directly behind the rear wheels along the frame. Check the spare tire dip and adjacent pocket on the driverside with a flashlight. If those are in bad shape, then you may have some complications with the fuel tank and other frame aspects...be sure to check the frame, power steering pump and motor mounts also, those are easily broken off when the car is weathered.
Good luck...lemme know if he wants to part it out!!! lol

John

 

[TIMS87GN]

Thanks for the reply guys. The bottoms of the doors are corroded underneath (not showing on the outside of car), Trunk floor has rust hole coming through by the drivers w/w, lower quarters (inside) are showing some signs of rust. No frame damage (can't tell about the rust though. The fan shroud is busted at the top, I guess a busted motor mount. It is a WE2. He said the previous owner messed with the vacum lines behind the dash. Said he couldn't get the heater to work. He butchered the wiring at the fan motor trying to get it to work. He replaced the steering box.? and replaced the brake booster. He says it drives fine, although I haven't driven it yet. The interior is suprisingly good carpet is worn out but upholstery/headliner are good. Leather on steering wheel is shot (but I've got two spares). I'm waiting on the bank to see if I can get a loan. I would like to make this a daily driver for a little while then fix it up. He doesn't seem to be a Buick person. He keeps referring to the cutlass he owns and the fact he saw this at a lot out in Egypt somewhere where he bought it for $3200. He seems disappointed in the car. Feel free to comment some more, you opinions are gold to me. So far I'm thinking $3500 is too much. But I don't want to insult the guy either.