Newbie from AZ asking about 84 GN

[oc192]

Hello, came across a local ad for an '84 GN and wondering what its potential is. I am brand new to turbo Buicks so I have been doing a little research online. From what I understand, the 84-85 came with the same engine but the configuration is different, the main difference being it does not have an intercooler? Will the unforgiving Arizona sun limit the performance without the intercooler?

I am basically looking for a weekend racer/project car for fun and want to know what would be needed to get this car reliably in the 12s. What parts should I start with and what would be a rough cost estimate? The car, as described to me, is completely stock.


Also, the seller is asking $5600 for the car. The engine has 109k miles on it, the paint is faded, and the interior is a little rough. I haven't driven the car yet, but the seller said it runs rough with a clicking sound. Is the asking price reasonable for a GN in this condition?

thanks,
Don

 

[boostmaster]

And the answer is..........

I am basically looking for a weekend racer/project car for fun and want to know what would be needed to get this car reliably in the 12s. What parts should I start with and what would be a rough cost estimate? The car, as described to me, is completely stock.


Also, the seller is asking $5600 for the car. The engine has 109k miles on it, the paint is faded, and the interior is a little rough. I haven't driven the car yet, but the seller said it runs rough with a clicking sound. Is the asking price reasonable for a GN in this condition?

thanks,
Don

NO!!!! for the cost of the vehicle and the amount of upgrades required to achieve your goals, plus considering the condition of the vehicle from your discription, you would and could probably find a moderately modded 86-87 Turbo Regal in an overall affordable price range. Not really trying to turn you away from the car just trying to give you an overall cost analysis. Plus I don't want yet another disappointed Hot Air owner that wish he had an 86-87 instead. Your looking at over 10 grand including the price of the car. Plenty of good intercooled cars in that price range. Now if the car was in good shape for 2500-3600.00 it would be a different story.

 

[RegalT-type85]

NO!!!! for the cost of the vehicle and the amount of upgrades required to achieve your goals, plus considering the condition of the vehicle from your discription, you would and could probably find a moderately modded 86-87 Turbo Regal in an overall affordable price range. Not really trying to turn you away from the car just trying to give you an overall cost analysis. Plus I don't want yet another disappointed Hot Air owner that wish he had an 86-87 instead. Your looking at over 10 grand including the price of the car. Plenty of good intercooled cars in that price range. Now if the car was in good shape for 2500-3600.00 it would be a different story.

X2 If it was low miles, great shape, few upgrades then 5,000 would be fine.
That clicking sound isn't worth buying it then spending another 1,000 or so to rebuild it. IMO, 12's can be done pretty easy now a days, ALKY, TT CHIP whatever. I would hold out for a Intercooled car, But if you want a TR then offer 3,000 leave your #, walk away. I paid 3,000 for mine, then about another 3 in upgrades, still not done

 

[Waco84GN]

Agreed..

I bought mine because it was cheap (under 3k). My dad and I had just put about 2k worth of parts and wheels and tires and then the guy needed money so I bought it.

That price is pretty high for a rough 84 gn. Although these cars are rare they are not that valuable and you would probably have to do a lot of work to it to get your money back out of it.

You're probably looking at about 2.5 - 3k mods and repairs to get the car going good and heading towards your 12 sec. goal.

And you will have to pay for the BA (boost-a-holics anonymous) sessions when you press the go pedal.

Jerry jr.

 

[ZNix]

Man.. I payed 2 grand for my car, now it looks like it was a mistake according to you guys! All orginal with 75k Miles.. Only problem is rusted floor and needs paint indefinetly. Did i pay too much?

 

[Boost231]

paid 2,400 for mine way back in the day. had 76000 miles on it, pait was wasted but that was a easy fix. interior still needs work

 

[boostmaster]

No...No..and again No!!!!

Man.. I payed 2 grand for my car, now it looks like it was a mistake according to you guys! All orginal with 75k Miles.. Only problem is rusted floor and needs paint indefinetly. Did i pay too much?

C'mon guys a little common sense here. You paid 2 grand for a running Turbo Buick that needs a little work what's wrong with that? Nothing!!!

 

[RegalT-type85]

I say for an old muscle car 2-3 grand is great price. Again i paid 3 for mine but it had a rebuilt engine,body had 40k on it, now reads 54k, motor now has about 15k on it.

 

[oc192]

I say for an old muscle car 2-3 grand is great price. Again i paid 3 for mine but it had a rebuilt engine,body had 40k on it, now reads 54k, motor now has about 15k on it.

Thanks everyone for the info.

RegalT, with the work you have put into the car, what do you estimate the WHP/TQ to be at? Are you in the 12s

 

[RegalT-type85]

Thanks everyone for the info.

RegalT, with the work you have put into the car, what do you estimate the WHP/TQ to be at? Are you in the 12s

Oh hell, Your guess is as good as mine.
This car was meant to just cruz. Tho i have raced it. EX WS6(auto) beat him, Cobra SC (beat me one link) WRX (not STI but modded)beat him off line, highway was walked tho auto vs manual .:wink: all of which i didn't have AEM cold air intake, TTCHIP&86 ECM, Walbro 255, LT1 MAF/translator plus, shift kit either. I was stock just a drop in K&N and hooker exhaust kit.


Hmm i say since i have a stock turbo(360 bearing only) no alky yet. No major mods yet, 13's ???? Read my signature, I have only done very little, but I'm saving for a house, all moneys goes to my down payment Why you haven't read alky, scanmaster, TA33, headwork just yet.

 

[oc192]

1985 gn

ok, found an 85 GN in my area and need some opinions. This one claims to have 26k on the engine, the interior is in excellent condition, and the body looks much nicer then the other one. The bad news is it has a salvage title. The owner claims the left rear was hit and was fixed however the trunk lines on that side do not line up correctly. Does a salvage title always mean alarm bells and cross bones or can you find decent cars with salvage titles? Assuming what he says is true, will this type of damage cause any major issues?

Might check it out today and if it looks good I will definitely pull a carfax to make sure there is no flood damage or the like on there. The car is selling for $4900, might be able to pick it up for $4500??? Does this sound reasonable?

link to ad:
1985 GRAND NATIONAL

Thanks,
Don

 

[charlief1]

Sounds better but it's still a little high to me. Can you post a pic or two of it?

 

[oc192]

thanks Charlief1, here are a couple of pics

 

[RegalT-type85]

No close ups but looks like the paint/body are in good shape. I'd say if the motor/trans are running good, that price seems fair.

Hope the carfax comes out good, for you

 

[Boost231]

most i would give is 4K

 

[charlief1]

Kinda what I was thinking Brent.

 

[boostmaster]

Salvage Title

Offer 4k and if he doesn't bite try to settle somewhere in the middle. But I absolutely would not go any higher than 4500.00 do to the fact that it has a salvage title. It might not mean that the car is a lemon because different states have different requirements as to what is a salvage and what is not. I mean I've recovered stolen cars that only had engine or trans damage and because they went over certain insurance costs and had to be totaled they were required by law to have a salvage title.

Pete

 

[oc192]

Thanks everyone for all of the helpful info! I'm going to check her out tomorrow and keep you guys updated.

don

 

[buickbert]

where at in az?

buickbert

 

[oc192]

Well the search continues...:frown: I went by and checked this car out, doesnt even have seats in the car How can you test drive a car without seats..wtf. The rear of the car looked like it was glued back on, you can see some type of white bondo/glue in the seams. eckkkkk, I'll keep looking.

Buickbert, the car was in tempe...