Noob here! Intro and need help looking for GN.

[rileydawgg]

Hey guys. Just thought I'd post a little intro here because I'm looking to buy a GN and will hopefully a "real" member soon. Also, I thought if any of you knew one in the Socal area (or anywhere close that didn't live in rusting winters) or see one, you might be able to direct me to it.

I'm originally from Detroit so I've seen my fair share of the GNs, and always wanted one. I recently sold my C5 Corvette convertible, so all I have now is my 72 Cutlass. Looking for something with some modern amenities like AC and overdrive for more of a daily driver. Or at least be able to split some time with the Cutlass. And I HAVE to have the T-tops... lord knows my pasty white skin needs the sun during the summer.

Budget is around $10K-17K, just want a nice driver that hopefully doesn't need a ton of work (I like a little bit of tinkering here and there). Don't care about original so much, more important that it's in good driving condition.

Do you Socal guys meet up anywhere? Like the Block in Orange, Bob's in Burbank, Ricky & Ronnie's, etc.? I'd love to stop by and see your cars, talk to owners, keep adding to my GN knowledge, etc.

 

[cruzn57]

welcome!

just continue to read this forum ,and you'll see when the next meet up is,
nothing scheduled as of right now, but stay tuned!
keep looking, and ask questions, we all did!!!

 

[meanchicken]

You could check out the cars for sale section.

I know a couple of the local guys (Nordy and Ralph) have some pretty nice ones for sale, but probably not in the price range you're looking for.

The guy I bought mine from, might be selling his sisters eventually...but still waiting for him to move the car down here. It's a factory moon roof 87 GN.

You could also buy on E-Bay...but there are risks associated with that route, and you oculd easily over pay and get dissapointed.

Are you set on a GN, or would you be OK with a T-Type which is basically the same as a GN but comes in different colors and normally less expensive?

Are you looking for a bone stock original, or are you lookng for one that's got some go fast goodies....and what performance range are you looking for?

They can be used as daily drivers (I drive mine almost daily), but there are a lot of heart breaking stories about them getting stolen, and they do need TLC in order to keep them running reliably.

I've had mine since October, so I'm pretty new still, but the guys in this area and the rest on the message board are extremely helpful and I'm having a lot of fun learning how to work on mine from these guys.:biggrin: Many of them have given me great advice and help in debugging mine.

We've also got one of the better Turbo Buick guru's around, Lou, and a few other experts also right here in our yard to help us with our addictions.

Various members here meet monthly at different events, and every couple months we have a cruise down the PCH.

Welcome and good luck in your search.:biggrin:
Tim

 

[graza002]

Your the second guy wanting a T-top around here.

There are a few places we go on occasion. Tim A.K.A Meanchicken knows of a car meet at his church every first Saturday of each month. Ask him for more info.

There is also Fuddruckers in Lake Forest off El Toro RD a few of us go to. That is every Tuesday.

In HB there is a deal called Donut Derelicts. Thats every Saturday at about 530AM.

Its a hit or miss for any GN's or TR to show up. All of are trying to appear more regularly but life happens and some of us dont show.


HTH

 

[rafael vasquez]

Hi,, welcome
I have a turbo-t super clean previously owend by a celeberty "Turbo Lou" from Lou's automotive.
Anyway's 550HP no b/s 19k
you can look me up in the for sale section Rafael vasquez.

 

[Underboost]

Welcome to the board! :biggrin:

This is the car Ralph has 4 Sale.

 

[rafael vasquez]

Welcome to the board! :biggrin:

This is the car Ralph has 4 Sale.

Thanx again Brent for all your support.


Brent u car don't look stok,, u go way now

 

[meanchicken]

Now I understand why Ralph sez his car can do wheelies.:biggrin:

 

[rileydawgg]

Ha! I love it. When I said T-top, I think you misread it as "too much on top."

Thanks for the other posts as well. Rafael, your car is gorgeous, but I'm leaning towards the GN just cuz I love the all blacked out look. Can't tell from your pics, but isn't it a hard top as well? T-tops are a must for me. I've read about Lou so I'm glad to know I'm close to a real expert. Does he have an inventory or consigns? or just works on them?

meanchicken, definitely keep me up to date on the sister's car if you could, thanks. I'm not looking for anything super original, don't know if I want a car that's been beaten up at the track either. I don't mind a few mods as long as their done pretty tastefully and the car still is a good reliable driver.

I've been looking for the last week or so -- autotrader, craigslist, collector car trader, ebay, and here. Just not a lot of t-tops. I have been watching this one on ebay:

eBay Motors: Buick : Grand National (item 120238038108 end time Apr-01-08 12:57:13 PDT)

Any thoughts? I'm a little worried when he says "a dozen things needs attention..."

 

[Underboost]

I would stay away from Ebay cars. Just my 2 cents. Has that car been hit? It looks like the passenger side head lamps look all out of whack. Also have you talked with Andrew aka graza002? He has a nice clean modded T-Top GN. A while back he was talking about finding a hard top. Not sure if he wants to sell but that would be a great car for you.

 

[Gary Wells]

Welcome to the darkside. That looks a little rough to me, but the listing has a phone # to call for further info, and there might be someone up there in the Fresno area to check that car out for you. As a general rule, anything worthy of consideration for purchasing is worth checking out in person.
In addition to what ever the owner is referring to as a dozen things, with most of them being collectable items by now, you can new passenger side headlight buckets, (might be an indication of collosion), new bumper fillers before long, new bumper rub strips, which are no longer available for the GN, I don't think, and I notice that he shows a nice front to rear driver side shot to indicate the straightness of the body, but I did not see one for the passenger side, or my computer the pic did not open up. I would want to see some good close up shots of the t-top frames without the t-tops on the car to determine structural integrity in that area. Many a new t-top owner wishes to hell that he did not buy a t-top when he removes the panels. Watertrap area for sure. Just my opinion, and I am known to be very opinionated. Probably worth a call, but I would not get my hopes up.

 

[rileydawgg]

yeah, it looked a little sketchy (as a lot of ebay cars are) so that's why I thought I'd get some experts' opinions.

I've been focusing my search on GNs only because I like the all black look, but then i read something about a we4 model? Regal with a lot of the GN exterior options... but the interior is not? I did a search but didn't come up with much. Any add'l info would be appreciated.

Thanks again for all the great responses/info so far. The more I go thru the site, the more I see there's a real knowledgeable and friendly community. I love it!

 

[marred4life]

the we4 is pretty much a black turbo regal with the black out package, the interior is all grey unlike the gn witch is two tone. i personaly like the t-types since you can get them in any color, the gns look mean and all but how many gns and gn clone do you see on the road? and how many clean t-type do you see...not that many.with the we4 you can slap on some gn badges and redue the interior and your pretty some set. welcome to the socal section we got some pretty fast cars and lots of knowledge here....enjoy

 

[graza002]

I would stay away from Ebay cars. Just my 2 cents. Has that car been hit? It looks like the passenger side head lamps look all out of whack. Also have you talked with Andrew aka graza002? He has a nice clean modded T-Top GN. A while back he was talking about finding a hard top. Not sure if he wants to sell but that would be a great car for you.

Yes, mine is a T-Top...

 

[rileydawgg]

Hey Andrew, never saw your last post... is this true? Are you looking to sell to a very desperate wannabe GN owner?

 

[graza002]

Hey Andrew, never saw your last post... is this true? Are you looking to sell to a very desperate wannabe GN owner?

RUMORS RUMORS RUMORS :biggrin: Check your PM

 

[rafael vasquez]

RUMORS RUMORS RUMORS :biggrin: Check your PM

andrew sell yours buy mine:biggrin:
mine is a sleeper