Common Sense vs GN

[Blaine213]

No it's not that I think a GN isn't common sense, its whether or not blowing a hole in my savings to get mine is common sense. And well at this time it's not.

I'm pretty good about watching where I spend my money and not wasting it on dumb stuff, and I believe a GN is a very wise investment. (thats what I'm convincing my wife of anyhow, "...really Hon, its an investment...") But when it comes to autos and performance parts I spend first then check the bank balance later.

I have 2 things working for me;

1. I have a wife that helps me slow down and think before I spend.
2. I have a wife that loves cars as much as I do.

Although I have the cash, she reminds me that I should build up a bit more before I spend all I've got to get one.

I used to laugh at one guy I read about yrs ago about a guy that won some kind of lottery, something like $250k then turned around and spent it on a Lamborghini. Leaving him with pretty much nothing. (tag? tax? gas? insurance? maintenance?) So my wife points out that I could easily do the same thing. I hate it when shes right.

Well for now I'm just biding my time, which will be sometime this summer hopefully, and keeping my eye on things, and researching.

I also know that when the time does come she's gonna be right there with me wanting to cruise it down the strip.

Remember when you were a kid anticipating Santa Claus? Its like that only worse.

Here's to the woman in my life keeping me level headed and using common sense.





Maybe the roses today helped out. LOL

 

[buickgn87]

Are you looking to buy one turn key or a project?

I prefer projects basically because I know exactly what's in the car and how it was done. You can build it the way you want and don't have to spend all the money at once.

Keeping them up isnt either if you can keep a good tune and don't push the car past it's capabilities.

On insurance, If you have a really really nice GN. Get an "agreed value" policy.

 

[QuickBuick87]

Might as well buy one now. The dollar may be worthless soon if Barry and his incompetent band of idiots continue there quest to ruin this great country of ours. Seiously though, buy one now as the price goes ups big time on these cars in the spring..........

 

[GNBRETT]

stay away from projects. they will bleed u dry! spend a little more on something finished and save thousands.

cars are much better investment then gambling or going on expensive vacations. atleast when u get bored with them u can recoupe some or most of ur cash. u wont recoupe chit if u build it a little at a time cause ur paying full price for new parts that become used in one day after using.

im in the same boat as u and have been looken for a month or so. not a lot out there cause people dont want to sell their well built cars so cheap right now.

id say cars are down $5-7k from where they were 4 years ago

 

[Blaine213]

at the moment I would like a turn key, living in an apt , the management co. frowns on working on cars in the complex. LAter this yr will be getting into something with a garage which a project would be cool. I love hands on approach to autos.

And yes I should go for something right now, I've seen several great looking cars going running between $8-11 k, which is what I'm shooting for. But, I work a seasonal business and my income won't pick up for another month. I've got to be sure I have a cushion to fall back on in case the season starts slow

 

[buickgn87]

stay away from projects. they will bleed u dry! spend a little more on something finished and save thousands.

I agree with this especially when you're paying for labor too.

It is a fact you can buy one that's complete cheaper than building it however, have we ever bought one just the way we want it? Nope.
Plus you're trusting the seller for what's in the car.

On the apartment parking lot mechanic sessions being frowned upon. Yeah that won't work out real well.

I say carefully buy one now, don't wait til nice weather. When the market comes back on these cars watch out

 

[Grumpy]

investment ???? NOPE !!!
Just like any other car they can turn into $$$$ pits FAST !!! Buy wise

 

[GNBRETT]

however, have we ever bought one just the way we want it? Nope.
Plus you're trusting the seller for what's in the car.

very tru. few of us buy cars and dont upgrade them to some degree.

but, certain parts such as a Razors alky kit, XFI, good set of heads, PTC converter, fmic, good exhaust, headers, better brakes, bigger injectors, etc.... are things that any well built car will likely need and if u can score one with those parts already ur gonna save thousands.

all of those parts can be pretty much seen and dont really have to trust what the seller is saying. a built motor is another story I agree tho.

 

[allblackcars]

I just wish I found this site before I bought my GN. That means your at least 5k dollars ahead just for that. You can learn what to look for and what to stay away from. Buy smart and in Grand National translation means something starting around 15k....GLWsearch

 

[usetaboost]

THere's nothing wrong with taking on a project. Someone that doesn't work 12 months out of the year and makes more than enough to live off of would probably enjoy a project. I bought a project. Knowing what I know now I wish I would have waited a few more years and bought a nice one that I could jump in and drive. SO, here I am, 5 years later. Got over 9k into it and it still isn't painted and only has half the mods. But the brighter side is the car has had a frame off, all the rust has been repaired in the frame and floors, new bushings everywhere, new shiny lines, rebuilt motor, and I've had some fun with friends scrounging in the junkyard and I've made a few friends just from buying parts. I had a 79 that had 42k original on it and knew nothing about it and blew it up before I totally understood the car. Now I know much much more and feel secure running 22lbs with my foot to the floor with the speedometer buried-that's the security of installing all new parts myself

 

[Blaine213]

All advice is greatly appreciated. I know when the time is right I'll have the GN I'm looking for. Whether turn key or project, it will be the one that suits me I'm sure.

 

[87gnguy]

Welcome to the forums! I have a garage that we can work on it in with most of the tools we would need. My other buddy here in town ships parts to my office so his wife doesn't see how much he gets. Good luck in your search and if we can help you pick one out let me know.

 

[86GranNash]

at the moment I would like a turn key, living in an apt , the management co. frowns on working on cars in the complex. LAter this yr will be getting into something with a garage which a project would be cool. I love hands on approach to autos.

And yes I should go for something right now, I've seen several great looking cars going running between $8-11 k, which is what I'm shooting for. But, I work a seasonal business and my income won't pick up for another month. I've got to be sure I have a cushion to fall back on in case the season starts slow

If I had my GN parked in an apartment complex, I'd be a lot more worried about the car getting stolen than some part breaking.

 

[Pronto]

investment ???? NOPE !!!
Just like any other car they can turn into $$$$ pits FAST !!! Buy wise

EXACTLY! Performance cars are a hobby, not an investment. You spend money on them because you like them. If you happen to make money selling parts or selling the car then good for you. This is much different for selling cars for profit. I know I will never recover the money I've spent on my car. So be it. Its provided me with fun and diversion. I've also had the pleasure of making friends with some pretty great people. You can spend lots of money on hobbies. Be careful to set yourself a reasonable budget though.

 

[salvageV6]

If I lived in Florida I'd be driving one daily.

What are you driving now you can sell for cash?

Then you can buy a real good T.R. daily driver.

 

[Dreamn4GN]

When i was younger looking to buy my first dirkbike, i was looking at a mint 91 cr80.. guy wanted like 1200 for it.. Well worth it since it was only 2 yrs old.. When I said its little more then i wanted to pay.. Seller said to me" You gotta pay to play" And its stuck with me now for over 20 plus years and it still holds true regardless!! I been on this site for a few yrs jus reasearching and building my knowledge on the cars.And i still down own one.. Im facing the same battle as you! Have school loans . credit carb debt, rent...Itll happen eventually for me and you as well.. DOnt buy on impulse and get others to check the car out for you , and like you said make sure its what YOU want. Dont settle for nothing less!!

 

[rmar]

Common sense and Grand National do not belong in the same sentence....:biggrin:

 

[gn4u2c]

by the 9500 T with 52 k in the for sale section. Drive it sparingly 3k a year or so.Just keep it stock and maintained. Then if you have to sell it you should never be behind the 8 ball. In 5 years with 67k on it, it should still be worth very close to the 9500 paid. this will save you the more expensive maintenance items if you cannot work on it yourself (80k it should have timing set, valve springs) many will argue right away but stock it will live. No high mile / modded issues (blow trans, worn out bushings all over,saggy doors,wiped cam,fuel pump I could go on all day) Just get a decent updated prom for the ecm from Eric and leave the rest stock !

 

[Blaine213]

Well I have to say that my apts are not as bad as you might think. Think clubhouse not crackhouse. LOL. And its gated. Not that it would stop anyone who was determined to rip off a car. But theres not too many places that can guarantee that anyway.
And the remark I made about 'its an investment' was more or less a tongue-in-cheek comment.
At any rate, I'll be reading and researching. And talked to a couple of cool local GN owners.
And yes I've sold one of my daily drivers , well pending sale anyway, but the other I use probably won't bring much. (92 Saturn with about 350k miles) So I'll probably keep it for now

 

[GNVYUS 1]

So what other turnkey car would you buy OP with the same $$ that will be worth as much as a GN 10 years from now?

Are you looking at a car as purely an investment or trying to find one that is fast and won't depreciate quickly?

If the douche who spent $250k on a Lamborghini bought 4 GNX's he'd have MADE $$.