I don't know which one to buy. Recomendations?

[NitrousMan]

I'm currently looking at a 98 Firebird and 98 Z28 both with LS1's and around 50,000 miles along with a 86 Grand National with 48,000 miles. Both LS1 cars have clear titles the GN has a rebuilt title but the owner told me the whole frame was replaced in the mid 90's so the car is straight. Both the LS1's are stock and in good shape with the firebird having an exceptionally nice factory paint job and the Z28 is about average but it has T-tops and the firebird doesn't. All cars are automatics. The GN has t-tops and it could use a paint job in the near future since the owner said the shop that he bought the car from used a fender and a hood off another GN to fix this one so it was never repainted (so I'm told). The GN has a fresh set of trick heads on it along with a host of other goodies like bigger turbo and a 3200 stall converter, 3" exhaust etc. The GN runs 11.40 1/4 mile with 15lbs of boost and it can take alot more. The GN has a little surface rust on the inside bottom edge of the door towards the back but the rest of the car is solid. I don't know any of the history on the LS1 cars since they are both being sold at dealers and those guys don't know anything about the cars. Whichever car I buy it's going to be my daily driver except when it's snowing. I do like to mod my cars for more performance which the GN already has done and all the cars are priced in the 7000.00 dollar range so it's a tough choice. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[John Larkin]

An '86 GN - 48,000 miles, runs 11.40s on 15psi, no rust, no paintwork, rebuilt title for ~$7000. Can I buy it if you don't want it?

 

[TR Custom Parts]

I think I know which one everyone on this board would recommend you buy!

 

[BlackBuick84]

7k for an LS1?? That doesnt sound right at all...pretty cheap. Anyway, go for the GN.

 

[Hammer231]

If the GN can go 11.40s with 15 lbs boost it ought to go 10s with 20 lbs. And only 7 grand for a 48,000 mile GN? If all this is legit then I don't know what you're waiting for. Enjoy the GN.

 

[turbosam6]

I'd buy the firebird. T tops will leak, and for performance, the solid roof is better. I know a bunch of these guys will bash me for not saying GN, but for a daily driver, I wouldn't. Its still a 17 year old car. Also, a salvage title GN will never be worth much. If you buy one with a clean title, and put some money in it, you can at least get some of it back when you sell it. The newer car will be more reliable. If you were buying this strictly for a toy or race car, I'd say buy the GN.

 

[NitrousMan]

With a rebuilt title how can I be sure the odometer hasn't been rolled back or just replaced with a whole new gauge cluster from the boneyard? The place that I currently work at is about 60 miles round trip in traffic so do you really think a modded GN would be reliable for that much driving 5 days a week? I know it depends on who setup the GN motor and I know the owner didn't do it himself he had it done at one of the GN shops. On the Z28 I know the T-tops make it structurally weaker than a solid roof but I don't think I'll be trying to make it run 10's at the track, I save that for my 66 Chevy II SS. I do like the GN for the fact that you don't see them everywhere like the F-body cars.