GN experts needed

[boostedmaxPSI]

What do you think will be more desirable in the years to come: A GN survivor, meaning factory origonal paint in good condition?
or a quality repaint?

Asked Dennis Kirban this question earlier this year and he suggested to keep in origional, what do you think...

I have a 50,000 mile '87 GN and the paint looks ok with a recent wax but could use a paint job. Should I paint it or keep it a survivor?

Frank

 

[Red Regal T]

Depends what you're satisfied with.........a car that looks so-so or something that people ogle over. As far as value, you're already behind the eight ball.......50,000 miles and counting with a going away paint job......plus it's a Buick afterall.

Drive a BUICK! Save a chevy.

 

[turbot2496]

It depends on the usage

If your planning on socking it away and storing it as an investment then you should definatly leave the original paint. If you plan on driving it and getting out in the sun alot then the original laquer job will continue to degrade. Basically if you have the car as an investment I would leave the paint and keep it as stock as possible and the miles as low as possible. If your gonna drive it, do what you want.

 

[turbofish38]

Ah, a trick belly button question. Personally, if you want a definitive answer you should look at what is going on with the Corvette side of this hobby. Since you have 50K on it, if it was my car I would spend the money for a repaint. If our cars are going to increase in value over the coming years the cars that will be worth more are the really clean stock and midly modified examples. Just look at what is usually up for sale on eBay. I've seen almost zero mile originals bidding at around 18K plus and not selling. Also look at the 1964 to 1972 Buick GS. These used to be the bargains of the muscle car world usually going for half the price of a Chevy and now they are about equal(even with a soft market). Back to the Corvette example. What do you think is worth more, a 53 with original paint or a restored one? Kind of a trick question because 30 years ago they were almost giving away 1st gens and now you cant touch one in any condition for under 6 figures. Same with any of the other low production models. Every year there are less and less TR's available out there so you probally cant go wrong either way.

Eric Fisher

 

[Red Regal T]

Come on, Eric........Whatever they're asking for "real" Buick GS's, the GS's are still for sale while some rust bucket SS clone malibu is in the new owner's garage. If you really want to sell a Buick, it better be almost free.

 

[zam70]

Bad paint is bad paint, doesn't matter if it's original or not.
Personally, I would never use a car as an investment...

 

[RobV6]

I agree with repainting. However. Get the most time you can, out of what you have.

My 4,500 is not a good example,but I do wax it once a month.
Oils in lacquer. Tend to keep them up.

On the flip side My White Limited is right now in the body shop,
for paint. Thais was a rough, high mileage car.

I believe it was Eric who said that they will go up. So the investment is there. I got lucky with my GN. Built in Oct. 87.
Sold in88' Has a perfect paint job untouched. Which is why I have the Limited.........HAPPY THANKSIVING....to all ......Rob

 

[turbofish38]

Hi John, Your'e absolutely right about that. I also believe that car manufacturers built these cars for transportation and not for investing. I myself only place a value on a car only if I am selling it, which might explain why I cant seem to get rid of anything. If you ask me what my GN is worth I usually reply not much even though it looks better than the day it was built. Hey its been paid for many times over and I always think that it will be around for future generations to enjoy. I guess we can all learn a lesson from those who bought these cars new and never really enjoyed them and tried to get rich selling them a couple of years later. I think the only reasons our cars will increase in value is they are getting scarce, if there was ever an 80's icon(as far as cars go) the GN is it and because of websites like this and for everyone who has ever owned one. Drive a GN or TR nowadays and you get more stares and compliments than your yahoo of a boss who just plunked down 6 figures on a Ferrari.

Eric

 

[boostedmaxPSI]

I like the Corvette scenerio. They have what's called the "survivor", which I would think is more valuable then a restored vette of the same year.

My paint is not bad by no means, the car has had an easy life. The origional owner documented all miles and kept in a garage then sold it to Dennis Kirban in 2001; that's when I picked it up.

In all the car looks great, it's not a daily driver just a summertime weekend warrior. I do enjoy driving the GN and sharing the cars history with those who don't really know what the GN is about.

I do believe that there will be a place in history for this car and learning from what the other cars are going for, in case of the 'vette story, it seems that a "survivor" may be more appealing 10-20 years from now.

Thanks for sharing your opinions.

 

[Pronto]

I suppose if it was a GNX it would matter more but I say paint it. It's for you to enjoy not for you to hid in a garage.