Help me decide PLEASE.

[GNXwannabe]

I am looking at an 85 T-Type Hard top that has been in heated storage since 2005. The car is in good shape. NO rust anywhere (even under the doors) had new paint (White) put on it about 10 years ago and still looks great. Small scrape/dent on qtr panel. Engine and turbo were rebuilt (spun bearing NEW crank) and has had less than 5K since rebuild. Car has 100-150K miles on it. White with gray interior column shift NO power options. I took the car for a short drive 3-4 miles and the brake light comes on when you first touch the brakes but the brakes feel ok. Shifts good but has a very slight vibration (U-Joint?) and it will need a radiator (small leak) but I have one. The car currently has 86-87 GN wheels on it but will also get the original T wheels. Oh yea it appears to have the sport apperance pkg "black headlamp, tails, handles, and trim) with chrome bumpers (not sure if this is correct). AC will need charged. I have been as detailed as I can just trying to decide if I want this car. I have a few IC cars but have never owned a Hot Air. Owner is asking 5K for the car. OPINIONS PLEASE. I know you guys won't steer me wrong!

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Here are a few ideas I have.

No power options is a very good thing. Repairing 25 year old power locks, windows, etc is a real PIA. The brake light probably means the powermaster is on its way out. Rebuilt one from Kirbans is around $500. Triple check the trans issue. Rebuilt trans is $1700. I would also get a scan tool on the car before purchasing. Good luck- Brad

 

[GNXwannabe]

Here are a few ideas I have.

No power options is a very good thing. Repairing 25 year old power locks, windows, etc is a real PIA. The brake light probably means the powermaster is on its way out. Rebuilt one from Kirbans is around $500. Triple check the trans issue. Rebuilt trans is $1700. I would also get a scan tool on the car before purchasing. Good luck- Brad

Doesn't the 85 have hydroboost?

 

[GNXwannabe]

C'mon guys chime in on this! I've been doing a ton of searches to see if this is a decent price with little luck. I've got a pretty good feel for 86-87 values but know little about the Hot Air cars

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

IMO- A Hot Air should run at least 40% cheaper than an IC car in the same condition. And yes-85 uses the Powermaster not the Hydroboost. Good luck- Brad

 

[GNXwannabe]

IMO- A Hot Air should run at least 40% cheaper than an IC car in the same condition. And yes-85 uses the Powermaster not the Hydroboost. Good luck- Brad

Thanks,
Don't know why I was thinking it was not a powermaster on the 85's. If I get it will be another conversion I guess.

 

[boostmaster]

IMO- A Hot Air should run at least 40% cheaper than an IC car in the same condition. And yes-85 uses the Powermaster not the Hydroboost. Good luck- Brad

Wrong 85 is a split year could have hydroboost or powermaster depending on the production date. My 85 has hydroboost but all the electrical connectors are there to bolt hydroboost right in. It seems as if Gm was preparing for the 86-87's. Also as far as the price is concerned, dude it's rare you find any car in storage and in good shape for that price. Stop nick picking you guys kill me. But if one of you were selling it you'd want your weight in gold for the same deal.

 

[Boostnitup]

The Owner's willingness to part with the car has a huge impact on price...
When I blow a headgasket on mine and I have to wrench on it... the price is $9K. When it is running exceptionally well like tonight at the local track putting down several passes in the 108 to 110 mph range I won't part with it for $18K. :biggrin:

I have the most loaded '84 GN on the planet... you want it? $18K It needs interior work, and a paint job. As you can tell I don't really care if you want it or not... just don't let me catch you trying to steal it because I refuse to sell it for what YOU think it is worth. :biggrin:

I am a JEW when it comes to buying a car. If that offends you... I have a Jewish penis too. :biggrin:

 

[boostmaster]

The Owner's willingness to part with the car has a huge impact on price...
When I blow a headgasket on mine and I have to wrench on it... the price is $9K. When it is running exceptionally well like tonight at the local track putting down several passes in the 108 to 110 mph range I won't part with it for $18K. :biggrin:

I have the most loaded '84 GN on the planet... you want it? $18K It needs interior work, and a paint job. As you can tell I don't really care if you want it or not... just don't let me catch you trying to steal it because I refuse to sell it for what YOU think it is worth. :biggrin:

I am a JEW when it comes to buying a car. If that offends you... I have a Jewish penis too. :biggrin:

I understand what your saying and there's no offense taken but if you understand my point of view on a car that needs roughly zero body work. And from the discription has been climate controlled stored for a few years. Not to mention has a rebuilt engine on top of it. Any used car will have minor issues especially one this old that has been sitting for that length of time . So to say that it's not worth it because of theses minor issues is rediculous. I've seen rust bucket 86-87's for sale on here for more than 5k. And even worse I've seen stripped out rollers sold for as much as 3-4k. So you have to question the value of a car with no rust at all even at the bottom of the doors which most common on everyone I had seen? I'd even venture to say that a low optioned car is even rarer than the others since most all the T Types and GN's I've seen almost always had power everything.

I say if I can buy a car that's cosmetically sound and the powertrain is halfway solid that's a plus and a savings. Hell if you don't want it let me know where it is I'll get it.

Oh yeah I almost forgot to mention, chrome bumpers are stock too dude. The ones on the T Types are most disired because they have aluminum supports.

 

[Boostnitup]

No offense taken... I accept that my '84 GN is not an '87 GN

How many times have we heard... "It has a new engine." (Ok... was it built like a Chevy V8 and will only last 1,500 miles?)

Or has new _________ (fill in the blank).

I am critical automatically on these cars... and regardless of what a rusted out '86/'87 may go for on here... it remains an '86/'87 car does it not? Someone buys it because of the year... and the desired '86/'87 VIN. They can always restitch in new quarter panels, and throw some spare Regal fenders on it (I have two beautiful fenders in the garage for my toy... unmolested). You get the idea...

Regardless of what Ebay may want you to believe... these cars are found for $1,500 on up... and some guys have literally stolen these cars for what they paid for them. Usually after a turbo or transmission crapped out on them. They are "Hot-Air." :biggrin: We know these cars are worthless except to us "Hot-Air" guys. :wink:

Today my cost is $18K for the most optioned '84 GN on the planet. Show me the money! The '91 Corvette I beat tonight was a priceless moment too... those priceless moments do cost money! Show me the money! :biggrin:

 

[boostmaster]

Regardless of what Ebay may want you to believe... these cars are found for $1,500 on up... and some guys have literally stolen these cars for what they paid for them. Usually after a turbo or transmission crapped out on them. They are "Hot-Air." :biggrin: We know these cars are worthless except to us "Hot-Air" guys. :wink:

And that's where I disagree with you. Yes they are worthless to the GN crowd who covets the 86-87 cars and my have more knowledge and bias than the average buyer. But to many that don't know the difference between the hot air and the intercooled (including many so called experts) the value is justified. All they know is that they have a GN. How many people in this forum even knew the difference when the got there first hot air. Hell I didn't!! So for someone selling a car to them the price is justified and to the insurance companies also. So your telling me if your hot air is stolen and the insurance co says it's only worth 1500.00 because it's a hot air your ok with that right? And I'm talkin even if you had no mods at all?

 

[Boostnitup]

Insurance companies see our '84/'85 cars as Regals

I have USAA. They seen my car as a "Regal" because they don't recognize it as a GN. They called it at best a "T-type" and refused to see it as a GN even when I copied the build sheet for them.

I could give you my horror story on a paint job that was ruined by an ex-wife... and USAA not wanting to pay off. In the end I got "something" but no where near what it would cost to repaint it... FULL COVERage!

Some on here have capitalized on their loss with their insurance claims... and one got such a sweet pay out he purchased a GNX! (The van that smacked him was clearly at fault, and we are lucky he lived thru the experience) He kept the damaged car too! Several on the board recycled those parts to assist their efforts.

I have experienced my car being attempted twice now... theft. I have a dash that needs replaced after a 15 year old gang member was caught trying to crank it over to run off with it. NOTHING HAPPENED TO HIM since he didn't actually steal the car. NOTHING!

As for others not knowing what it is... Hmmmm... That is a point I haven't considered. Perhaps that is why there are so many CLONED Grand Nationals with slapped on fender badges? Last night at the track several younger car enthusiasts walked up to the car to look at it... "I told you so! This is a GN!" and various other comments... including the popular statement "That is a FAST Monte Carlo!" hahahaha

When the car was "Hot-air" I would get crap for making it "slower than stock." So perhaps you are right... they just don't know. As for slapping a set of GN badges on your fenders just to gain more money out of your car... it is an ethics thing for me.

 

[Squid4life]

If you have the $, I would say go for it. Of course, I would try to offer less, like around $4,200 or $4,500 and see what happens. If it is as nice and clean as you say, I would do it. I have been wanting a hot air here lately. Wish I had one of each; Hot air and IC'ed.

 

[charlief1]

^^^What he said but I will add that before you purchase it take it to a shop and get it up on a lift with an experienced person to look for problems. Doesn't cost mutch to stay out of trouble if you know what I mean.

 

[Squid4life]

^^^What he said but I will add that before you purchase it take it to a shop and get it up on a lift with an experienced person to look for problems. Doesn't cost mutch to stay out of trouble if you know what I mean.

^^^ What he said , very good point! A walk around under a car could save you a headache later. "A friend of mine" had a broken frame reinforcement from side to side in the rear that had to be repaired. Dig around it, on your back under the dash, on your back under the car, with a flash light and a spot mirror everywhere.

I once had a guy ask me "you want me to leave you two alone?" I was spending so much time looking at a car... :biggrin: :biggrin: