Buyiing a 87 GN

[GNRick]

WHY is Posi such an important option??

I bought a one owner 86 GN with t-tops and NO posi. Kirban likes to make the argument that if it doesn't have posi it probably was never raced or abused. Of course that only applies to cars he is selling. Anyway, mine only had 24k miles when I bought it 2 years ago (25k now) and I don't plan on ever racing it, so I like the t-tops and don't care if it has posi or not. Also has original paint (still shines nice), tires, plug wires, etc. I paid $16k for it. Probably worth less now but I don't plan to sell it.

 

[Mark Parks]

I see what you mean IF you want to race it. I bought an ORIGINAL STOCK 86 1OWNER GN to drive at Cruise nights ect,NOT to see how fast it will go!!! To each their own.

 

[gwp]

Well, I took a look at the car this past Saturday. It was a pretty straight car with a few minor imperfections. It will need a paint job since it had some paint checks and oxidation. The roof liner was sagging otherwise the interior was mint. It had a very small oil leak that looks like it was coming from the rear main seal. The engine ran a little rough like it was a slight miss - maybe it needed a tune up or something worse. He did replace the fuel pump and filter so I guess he was trying the source of the problem. I wasn't too happy that he didn't smogged it like he said he would. Well I offered him 7500, he didn't take it but he did call me back on Sunday if I still wanted it for the price I offered. I still didn't budge because I would have take another 2 hour drive (one way) for a car that wasn't smogged and not running right. I'm thinking I will offer him the same price if he tuned it up and smogged by this weekend if he still have the car. What do you think?

Sorry for the long post,
Lee

 

[theMonch]

I am assuming "smogged" means passed CA emissions inspection? If so, I would think that that would definetly be a high priority for you, since I hear that it can be a real pain to get older cars through.

As far as the runnability issues, are you sure the car just didn't have a rough idle? Alot of the LC2's have a percieved stumbling in them when they are idling and it almost could seem like a normal motor missing. How did it run while driving it?

 

[gwp]

It ran ok, but I think it could have run a little better. He didn't say too much when I mentioned about the rough idle. I would think he would said it was normal since he bought it brand new. I think he avoided the smog test because the possibilty that it wouldn't pass. In CA, its the sellers responsibility to smog the car when there is a tranfers of title. Since it was Saturday, he could have tested the car or at least offered to test it. Maybe I should have told him to smogged it before I made an offer.

 

[turbo39151]

CA smog is not that hard to pass. So, this could be an advantage for you. Offer the guy the lower price w/o smog- it may be worth it to him not to deal with the hassle.

Then take it to Lou or have one of the local SoCal guys help you get it sorted out- probably needs a quick tune up (which you would need to do anyway) Not that big of a deal trust me I smogged plenty of turbo regals during my stay in SoCal.

Just tell DMV that you want to register the car non-op or tell them that you need a smog extension sticker- while you get the smog issue sorted out.

If you have AAA you can go to their office (they have DMV in their offices) and that way you won't need to stand in line for 10 hours at your local DMV.

Good Luck.

 

[gwp]

What do you think it will cost to tune it up by Lou if I were to go that route? I have an Auto Club membership so I can file a smog extension relative easy. I think Ca. change the number of days for the extension begining this year so I hope there is enough time to work out all the details.

When he called me on Sunday, he mentioned that he had another offer for 7500. I'm guessing that there wasn't another buyer so if he still has the car, I'm going to offer him little less.

 

[turbo39151]

Give Lou a call. You can find him on the SW board. Also you can ask a few of the guys there and I'm sure someone would be willing to help you out.

Make any offer you think is fair on the car. The worst he can say is no.

Good Luck