Looking at getting an 85

[new2this]

Hi... I'm clearly new to all this gn stuff... I've liked the cars buit never thoguht i would get one.. well one came up for sale near me.

Some questions

-what are problem areas that i should look at
-should i not bother with the 85, i know its not as fast as 86-87 (why is that??)

the car looks to be in pretty good shape. paint isn't too bad other than some dings, a couple dents ect. exhaust looks new, wheels are nice(not stock) and the car has 97K mi.

he's asking $5,500 and i haven't talked to the owner yet, that will happen on tuesday.

PLEASE HELP ME! thanks in advance...!!

 

[Blown&Injected]

85's are not intercooled.

very big difference in the 86/7's

If you want to go very fast = 86/7

 

[jdpolzin]

For $5500, you can find an intercooled T or GN. Be patient and spend wisely. You will have more fun playing with an 86/87!

 

[Jerryl]

For $5500, you can find an intercooled T or GN. Be patient and spend wisely. You will have more fun playing with an 86/87!

Actually, I respectfully disagree with this as it all depends on your goals and your budget.

You will be hard pressed to find an 87 for $5K if the body and interior are in great shape, and, it has a good running motor.

Here is an interesting read.
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149439

 

[usetaboost]

I've found nice hi mileage 87 gns go for 6k. I'd wait it out you never know what you'll find. I ended up finding an87 we4 about 50 miles away for 2 grand. Yes it does need to be completely gone through but it was all complete except for driveshaft, flowmaster exhaust and k&n filter. Factory lightweight hardly any options! And yes there will be about 5-6 thousand into it by the time its put back to original condition but I will know whats in it. LOOK AT THESE VEHICLES CAREFULLY. BE IN PLENTY OF LIGHT AND CHECK THE REAR WELLS, TRUNK AREA, AND REAR OF THE FRAME BEHIND THE TIRES. MAKE SURE THE FRAME IS SOLID LIKE MINE!!!!

 

[turbo39151]

86-87 is the way to go. You can find workable cars in ANY price range. As long as the frame isn't swiss cheese and the motor isnt completely shot you can still find good deals if you take your time and are willing to do a lot of the work yourself.

Oh yeah, and the 86-87's have a better resale value as well.

 

[new2this]

second question.... this car has a hood ornament.. is it a clone??

 

[rodman99999]

IF the condition of the car was exceptional, and you didn't mind doing some shopping and hands-on: it could be converted to '86/'87 configuration for about $1500.00 to $2000.00. I was going to do it with my '85 GN, but it had T-tops(a fatal flaw in my book).

 

[new2this]

good points by the way, thanks for all the feedback. i know that sometimes newbies ask questions that have been touched a thousand tiems!! I'm in another car club, trust me, i searched before i posted thanks again!

ps, i'm in north west jesrsey (hunterdon county), anyone else around here?

 

[Jerryl]

second question.... this car has a hood ornament.. is it a clone??

Maybe, maybe not. I am no expert but belief it could just be a different hood, or, a T-Type with GN batching. I think RPO should tell you what it is.

Edit:
You did not say it was a GN, so it could very well be a T-Type.

 

[new2this]

rpo?

 

[BlackMetal]

rpo?

The sticker with all the car's options listed. In the trunk.

85s are nice, rarer in terms of production numbers, but I agree that 86/87s are the way to go, unless you want the experience of performing the conversion.

 

[new2this]

hmm... ok. thanks for the help chicago

 

[Alaskabuick]

Get a 86 or 87

To get a 85 to run where a 87 or 86 does stock you will spend the difference in just buying a intercooled car in the 1st place.

Save up and wait for a deal on a 86 or 87. You will not regreat it, you will find a good car for under 8k with some miles. They are out their, just be patient.

Den

 

[xXch0dyXx]

i have an 85 with 54k original on it converted to an 87 with some goodies, wanna buy it :biggrin:

 

[Jerryl]

To get a 85 to run where a 87 or 86 does stock you will spend the difference in just buying a intercooled car in the 1st place.

Maybe he is not looking for IC performance from the car?
Like I said, depends on his goal.

If he wants to get into the 11's however, get an IC'd car, or, spend the $ on the 85. Either way it can be done and speed cost $.

 

[bishir]

85s need love too! Regals are just great cars IMO and it will probably be a good car.

 

[1QUICK85]

If I had to do it all over again, I would probably buy an '84 GN or WH1 designer series with the kick a$$ interior and t-tops!!! But, I love my hardtop GN and I just laugh when people say "oh its a 85, those are the slow ones" Don't matter what year you buy you will be putting more money into it then you orginally thought. The only reason I would go with a 86/87 is ease of working on and ease of available aftermarket parts. But, I am not partial to 84/85 or 86/87, have fun with whatever you get.

 

[new2this]

buuut, chances are, if it has a hood ornament(actually on the front clip, i think), that its a black regal, right?

 

[1QUICK85]

Might be a t-type. Does it have GN interior? GN badges? GN Wheels? All black? NO CHROME, besides the grill?? Is there a trunk spoiler? Maybe its a GN that had a front end collision and they found a header panel with a hood ornament and left it on. Just for your info 84 - 86 GNs say Ttype when you look up the vin #'s. I believe the 87 was the only one that had the GN package coded into the vin #. Someone correct me if I am wrong. You would have to find a build sheet behind the seat or the RPO tag on the trunk lid to verify its a GN. I haven't ever really done this, so I am not totally sure on what to look for or where.

I would low ball the sh!t out of him for saying its a GN and it has a hood ornament.