Common Sense vs GN

[Blaine213]

Not really looking at the GN as an investment. I just get a thrill out of cars in general. When I get a car I like, I tend not to let go of them. I love to drive, and occasionally go fast, and look cool doing it. ...believe me I need all the help I can get to look cool, because it sure doesn't come natural to me.

The GN is a car I've lusted over many years. It's not one thing in particular that attracts me to it, rather than a combo of things...

Investment? maybe. Driver? hell yeah I'd drive it. Project car? eventually I'm sure it would be. A GN with performance upgrades? cool with me. Stock? couldn't complain about that either.

I'm not one to get a car and turn around and get rid of it either. True my Mercury Marquis is about to be gone, but it's already been replaced with an SUV, but I've had it since 2006. And my Saturn may be due to be sold as well soon but I'm going on 8yrs with it, and put over 100k miles on it myself. The 79 Formula I bought when I was in the military I had for 20 yrs, but was flooded in saltwater by Hurricane Ivan otherwise I'd still have it. And lastly I have a 76 Dodge Dart Lite that I took my drivers test on in '81, and I still have it.

Just so all you guys out there know, If I get a GN from one of you, you most likely will never get it back from me. LOL

 

[jlat]

hello people: Old cars turn in to a toy and a hobby. With hobbies you can go overboard a bit and that's cool cuz your into it. But TB can be a expensive toy.
To the OP you might try kart racing as you can really go fast quick. Especially if you get a shifter one. Cars are big and if you have no room to play with them that can be a drag. One thing you got to remember is that these toys and hobbies are just that and you still have to be to work on Monday. So have fun and be smart.
IBBY

 

[Blaine213]

Oh man I know all about how expensive project cars can be. The more rare a a car is ( or if its more of the 'underdog' , which I tend to go for) the more pricey parts are.

You should price out forged pistons for a mopar slant six, or front end kit with polyurethene bushings for a Dodge Dart (in the trunk awaiting installation by the way). Or better yet, spend upwards of $10k on a Firebird Formula only to see it submerged in 6 feet of saltwater and sand weeks before completion. That will bring a tear to your eye let me tell you.

But automotive stuff is still my passion so I'll keep on working thru it.

 

[jlat]

Oh man I know all about how expensive project cars can be. The more rare a a car is ( or if its more of the 'underdog' , which I tend to go for) the more pricey parts are.

You should price out forged pistons for a mopar slant six, or front end kit with polyurethene bushings for a Dodge Dart (in the trunk awaiting installation by the way). Or better yet, spend upwards of $10k on a Firebird Formula only to see it submerged in 6 feet of saltwater and sand weeks before completion. That will bring a tear to your eye let me tell you.

But automotive stuff is still my passion so I'll keep on working thru it.

hello people: I saw slant six and it reminded me of one of favorite $100 specials. It was a 65 valiant wagon that was far from even being restorable.
I had 2 or three of those extentions that you would put on the spark spugs to keep them from fouling. I had fun with it as people thought twice about the driver. I called it the Blue Streak.
IBBY

 

[troGNman]

And lastly I have a 76 Dodge Dart Lite that I took my drivers test on in '81, and I still have it.

Good luck with your search. Was the Dart Lite the companion car to the "Feather Duster"? Lots of aluminum parts including 3 speed (or was it 3 + OD) manual gearbox. Cool!

 

[Blaine213]

Yeah it was the sister car to the Feather Duster. Plymouth produced about 3000 Feather Dusters where as Dodge made about 1500 Dart Lites. slant 6, 3spd w/OD, aluminum bumper braces, and aluminum bracing under the hood and trunk lid. Along with a few other items. EPA rated at 26 city/34 hwy

 

[plowboy72]

These cars get in your blood and 6you never get rid of "Buick fever" Its horrible and amazing all at the same time. Welcome to the community and hope you enjoy these cars as much as I do.

 

[gn4u2c]

Ploybow72- "These cars get in your blood and 6you never get rid of "Buick fever" Its horrible and amazing all at the same time."

No sheet there I have tried to get out of these cars 3-4 times selling all my cars/ parts only to buy another and start all over again !! Best to buy one and just keep it. When your feed up part it in the garage cover it up and forget about it for 6 months -yr and a friend will say "remember that time we raced that guy in your GN That was some crazy sheet !! " next thing you know it will be uncovered you will have spent another 3k in parts, gotten 2 spinning wheel tickets, be in 6 youtube videos, and your wife will be ready to leave you again ! Well back to the garage with it for till things cool down :biggrin: ask me how I know.... whats worse owning more than one..... Down to one at the moment but have been as High as 5 at one time.

 

[Grumpy]

what do you mean to many Buicks

 

[usetaboost]

Grumpy, what do you do with all those cars when it snows? Do you park them in the house and sleep outside?

 

[Blaine213]

ok i worked out a deal with the ms. that if I get xxxx dollars on top of my savings then we should have enough to not drain my savings as much. could be just around the corner.

In the mean time I'm seeing some really good cars pass thru. It's kinda like going down the interstate at a good click and pulling into a rest area, then seeing all the cars you just passed drive by you. *sigh*

 

[dartguy340]

Also, you know the old saying...."YOU Snooze, YOU Lose!....plus, we ain't getting any younger, buy one while you can still enjoy it, I'm gonna!

 

[t-typinator]

Also, you know the old saying...."YOU Snooze, YOU Lose!....plus, we ain't getting any younger, buy one while you can still enjoy it, I'm gonna!

I hope this doesn't offend,it's not meant to,(Consider it a second voice of reason, after your wifes)but i couldn't imagine spending everything i have on a gn, or any car that is not a necessity, in an uncertain economy like this,on a car that needs high test fuel,which is now quickly heading towards $5.00 a gallon,+ then have to park that car (which is a high priority target to thieves) in an apartment complex,where every jealous little jerk has access to it.
If you had said you are financially comfortable,+ own your own home + have disposable income to burn etc.,I would be chearing you on too,but If you were my kid or a friend + hit me with the same situation ,i would be saying,wait until you can really afford it,+ enjoy it,have a good place to park it,not break the bank getting it + then have to worry about it all the time in a complex.
In this uncertain future we are looking at,everybody should have a nest egg to fall back on. Remeber what you thought of the lamborghini guy's plan.
As far as worrying about the ones passing you by,there is many more out there + will be there in the future + the prices definetly are not rising.
Everybody says i will wait till the spring + get way more for my car,but what happens is there is always a glut of performance cars that pour onto the market in the spring,more buyers too, but always plenty of cars to go around.+ i think this spring there is going to be tons of cars flooding the market (more then usual) of every kind,+ lots less buyers then usual. I would build up a financial safety net first,
then buy the toys ,you can enjoy them so much more when you can really afford them,+ not be a financial drain + a cause for worry.
Don't mean do be a downer,just had a friends son buy a cadilac he shouldn't have, + is now regretting it big time + it's about to ruin his marriage + his life.too long a story. Good luck,One thing i would say is if you have to buy one + have 13k to spend buy a $8500 car not a $12000 car especially if you have no control over who parks near you or has access to your car when you are not near it.people just love to key beautiful cars or open their doors into the sides of nice cars,if it's something they can't afford themselves. The "If i can't have it no one can" mentallity. Just my .2cents

 

[Blaine213]

hey! Thats true. But on the otherhand its worth waitng for because if the missus isn't happy no one is. LOL.

 

[Blaine213]

...and I totally agree with you t-typinator

 

[t-typinator]

...and I totally agree with you t-typinator

Thanks, It sounds like you both have good instincts + are weighing the pro's + cons of things, before rushing in.

Wow !! I just realized I have turned into my Father. Oh Man!!

 

[Blaine213]

also I'm wanting a GN for a toy. yes with gas prices hurtling towards $5 a gal, I will definitely be hanging on to the ole `92 Saturn. It still gets great mileage and runs good. My Blazer is my 'load up the family' vehicle. A GN is strictly an extra for me.

 

[t-typinator]

Thanks, It sounds like you both have good instincts + are weighing the pro's + cons of things, before rushing in.

Wow !! I just realized I have turned into my Father. Oh Man!!

Pretty soon I'll be using,expressions like"money doesn't grow on tree's ya know"+"When i was growing up we never had it as easy as you kids do today, back then we had to ....." + other such gems.

 

[usetaboost]

Pretty soon I'll be using,expressions like"money doesn't grow on tree's ya know"+"When i was growing up we never had it as easy as you kids do today, back then we had to ....." + other such gems.

Yeah I hear ya there. Over the last few years I've turned into a real cheap ass. Now I'm like..."it costs HOW MUCH?"

 

[Blaine213]

Blown compressor I use for work set me back a chunk. I use it for work, and also a leaking line turn out to be a cracked line so add a bit more to the expense. several hundred dollar set back but what ever. Still working on putting some aside. Just a small glitch. Its still getting closer to getting mine.