Good Morning All, allow me to introduce myself

[JimW]

My name's Jim
I'm new to this forum, but I intend to be here for some time.
I'm in the search for a new "hobby car", and I've pretty much settled on a Turbo Buick. From all that I've read, I'm thinking that either an 87GN or 86-87 T-Type will be my next ride.
My search has been strictly over the internet, as I'm in the process of getting my assets together. I'm not in any rush, and I'm completely fine with waiting until winter or early spring before I make my purchase.

A rather simple question to any who care to reply.
I'm looking for a mostly stock car to enjoy (cruise, show, etc). Does it make sense to buy a completely stock car and make minor tweaks to it, or should I just buy a car that is already modded to where I would eventually go anyway?

Thanks in advance.

 

[excobraguy]

My name's Jim
I'm new to this forum, but I intend to be here for some time.
I'm in the search for a new "hobby car", and I've pretty much settled on a Turbo Buick. From all that I've read, I'm thinking that either an 87GN or 86-87 T-Type will be my next ride.
My search has been strictly over the internet, as I'm in the process of getting my assets together. I'm not in any rush, and I'm completely fine with waiting until winter or early spring before I make my purchase.

A rather simple question to any who care to reply.
I'm looking for a mostly stock car to enjoy (cruise, show, etc). Does it make sense to buy a completely stock car and make minor tweaks to it, or should I just buy a car that is already modded to where I would eventually go anyway?

Thanks in advance.

Buy one already modded and modded with quality parts from quality vendors. Inquire about what is inside the engine, get names of people that did the work, look for them on the board here....make sure they are reputable first! I made the mistake of buying a car with an engine that blew up 1000 miles after I bought it. Turned out the guy that built the engine has a crappy reputation on here. I would look for one that's already got a roller cam in it. Guys on here also do free carfax checks, use it. Also, be prepared to spend a ton of money in addition to the purchase price of the car....... :biggrin:

 

[JimW]

Thanks,
I've been searching some of the performance links and while somewhat expensive, the upgrades on these cars are definitely lower cost than those on my current car. I hope you don't mind answering a couple questions from me in the near future.

 

["Turbo-T"]

Hi Jim.

If you can find a car that has been tastefully modded, then by all means go for it.

The problem I have found (and learned) is that sometimes when you purchase someone's hot rod you are going to need/want to fix parts of it to either make it right or make it to your liking.

The good thing about buying a stocker is that you're the first to do anything to it, which usually means you not having to go thru and fix someone's screw ups.

Case in point, I bought my car already modded, but some of the mods were done by a professional bonehead. So now I am having to "un****" everything someone before me did. And I will be doing this for quite some time.

If I were to have to do it over I'd hold out for either a stock unmolested virgin, but it's funny how you don't really get to see all the hacked wiring and such until you start pulling the car apart.

 

[Sleeper-6]

Welcome to the most addicting vehicles on the planet. :smile:

Check out your local Buick club at Mid-Atlantic Grand National Association - MAGNA - A car club for Buick Grand National & GNX, T-Type & Turbo T, and Pontiac Turbo Trans AM owners in the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. If you want to see a bunch of Turbo Regals in person and talk people about what to look for when buying one of these cars any of the monthly meetings will bring out a big group cars and friendy owners.

 

[turbofish38]

Welcome friend.

But I kind of feel insulted that a 86 GN isn't on your list.

 

[Junior Samples]

I bought my car already modded, but some of the mods were done by a professional bonehead.

LOL one mans cobble...is another mans hobble

hmmm lemme see if i can gorilla torque this vdo oil sensor!

 

["Turbo-T"]

hmmm lemme see if i can gorilla torque this vdo oil sensor!

It was more than just the oil pressure sender.

The wiring harness for the VDO gauges was a cobbled up spaghetti mess spliced together, the factory wiring harness for the radio was hacked up, tons of stray non factory wires in the car that formerly were used to power amps....a few of them were still live bare wires. (it's a wonder the car didn't catch fire) Oh, and who could forget the 2 inch dual exhaust the engine was wheezing thru, which too was hacked together. I wont even go into whoever painted the car failed to prep the door jambs correctly....so now there's the original black paint revealed from the white.

 

[Junior Samples]

lol yeah I know, ive been following your progress since you made the move to MO..doing good job

 

[SMS]

Trying to find a 100% stock turbo Buick isn't that easy anymore. These cars are going on 22 years old now, and chances are some mods will have been made. Most of the untouched ones are high buck, very low mileage cars that you probably wouldn't want to modify anyway. JMO.

 

[WeSS]

buicks

I currently have a variety of turbo buicks available. High $ low mile, mid mile heavily modded, high mileage stocker driver but put together right with all delco parts, rebuilt turbo, redone interior, etc.

If your looking for a fun dependable TR get something with very mild mods. If your looking for an all out race car be prepared to spend big $. Or if you want an collector/investment type get a bone stock low mile gnx/gn/T.

 

[JimW]

Wes, sent you a PM

thanks