Owning My Own

[SinisterBlack]

Hey,

Im 16 years old just this august and i currently own a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with a broken driver door. I was wondering what would it take to own my own turbo buick by the time im 17-18 and what the insurance and things like that would be. I love these cars and now that i have my permit, im trying as hard as i can to work towards one. Any Advice Tips

-dan-

 

[kenny]

Wait until you're older.

 

[SinisterBlack]

ok then....why till im older

 

[87gninpa]

Well, insurance is not bad, if got my first T when i was 17. The only advice id like to offer is look into these cars before you decide that they're "cool" and "fast" so you want one. Its not like any old IROC or 5.0 out there. These cars take a lot of time, maintenece, and most imporrtantly money to maintain. They can be good daily drivers, but only if you keep on top of the maintenece religiously as i said before. Id go to gnttype.org and gather as much info as possible before making your final decision. But whatever you decide to do, good luck

 

[victa1]

"ok then....why till im older"


Money. Simple as that. Things can, and DO go wrong. Expensive things, especially if you want a lot more power. Research, research, research!

I have had my 87 since late 2000, and I have a definate love/hate relationship with it. When it's good, it's awesome. When it's bad, I want to pop a few .44 MAG slugs into it.

 

[TurboBuckeye]

Originally posted by victa1
"ok then....why till im older"


Money. Simple as that.

That and the fact that a tr is generally too much car for an inexperienced driver. I realize there are probably many young drivers that could drive one in the rain without putting it in a ditch but still...

 

[BGN8711]

hey you guys I'm in a similair position to sinister black, I'm 17 years old and wanted a GN since I was 14 or 15, unfortunately I would have to daily drive it. I have general knowledge about cars and understand the basics of these cars, since i've been reading about em for 2 years plus just about every day. I also know sum very knowledgable GN owners near me that would defenitely help me out, do you think i could pull off owning a GN? how much $ do I need to keep up? I mean I will have a small car payment because I only have 6 thousand and I figure if I took out a small loan and get a 10 k car it would save me a lot of headaches ,since you do see fairly low milage GN's for 10. Would you say that's accurate or would I be better off buying a 6k-7k car having no payment and dumping all my $ into fixing it up? I'm fairly determined to get this car and I feel With all the resources I have I could do it, am i setting myself up for disaster? Any younger GN owners who could shine some light or anyone who could answer some of these questions I would greatly appreciate it

Thanks in advance for any info,
Brian

 

[vicious6]

Well man I think it is great that you want a TR and I say lay in there and save and you will end up with one. Do not let anyone discourage you from what you want in life. Yes they are quick, but if you drive with some common sense this is not a problem only a pleasure. I think it is great that you want a TR and not some "fast and furious" ricer. I say go for it man. You will not regret it. Take care of it and it will take care of you!!!!

 

[IrvJr]

I got mine 5 years ago and i knew nothing about them. In fact i had only ridden i one years before. It took me almost a year to get it into good enough running condition to drive reliably. I did have some great local guys help me out. But it was a chore since it wasnt taken care of very well by the original owner. I say if you have learned alot before you buy, you are in a good position. I would say save up for a better car, that hopefully wouldnt need as much money for upkeep, just your basic oil changes and tune ups and such. Good Luck.

Scott

 

[SinisterBlack]

well, im not unfamiliar with the car. My dad had one for a couple of years but sold it because of a rot hole in the truck from body flex. He's worked on many of them and his own and knows pretty much everythikng about the car. I like the car, ive known about it since i was 7 but never thought about it until now and after i rode in my dads. My dad has is own auto shop, so working on it or maintaining it wont be a big deal, because i work with him and know alot, and i can get parts at a discount from basically anywhere. i already have a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo which i will sell when i make enoguh money to start lookin for a GN/T-Type. That info sould help a bit

 

[Marc87GN]

Originally posted by SinisterBlack
Hey,

Im 16 years old just this august and i currently own a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with a broken driver door. I was wondering what would it take to own my own turbo buick by the time im 17-18 and what the insurance and things like that would be. I love these cars and now that i have my permit, im trying as hard as i can to work towards one. Any Advice Tips

-dan-

You live on Long Island like myself. Don't even listen to people that live in other states about insurance rates because it doesn't apply. You will get beat up very badly and if you don't is because you simply won't have enough coverage.

Anyway, there is alot more to owning one than people will ever tell you. It is a car that requires alot of attention. I bought one 3 months ago and have been in the garage ever since. If it will be your daily driver, definitely, get something else. I have an 02 Sentra that is a reliable daily driver so my GN can sit in he garage for months at a time.

I love my GN, but it is definitely more work than any other car I have owned. Of course, it's ultimately your decision, but if it will be your only source of transportation and you are on a tight budget, I would look at other options.

 

[salvageV6]

Mine have been reliable.

Best daily driver you can have.

If you can afford the insurance and buy a well documented stocker or mildly modded one go for it.

I'd buy what you can afford with a $1K cushion for parts and diagnostic tools.

And get some Blizzak snow tires on spare rims.

 

[85HOT-T]

I agree with about everyone on here. A lot of work. Mine has been driven for like two weeks all summer. One thing after another on that car. It only has 68,000 miles too.

 

[salvageV6]

Mines only got 155K on it.

Totaled in 1995.

Only put 75 miles on her today.

Going out for another cruise right now....

Only things I recommend is the Factory Service Manual and an aftermarket seat and cup holder.

 

[denn454]

i was 17 when i got mine, i like it a lot and everything, but i almost wish i would have gotten something else, i don't know what though. the money to keep the t going really adds up, $100 here and $300 there, = me being broke all the time. i look at the money i could have saved by not having this car, if i were to just now start looking for one i could probably afford a nice lower mile gn, rather than a high mile T. ontop of that i've never had the chance to experience having my ass handed to me by a street car, i know what it feels like to give, but not recieve (it IS better to give then to recieve though). not to mention all the times at school when the girls would just say, "eww its an old buick, i'll go make out with some guy that has a camero" ok so i'm exagerating a bit there but you get the point.

insurance isnt' bad, i'm paying $75 a month, liability only which still isnt' bad. gas could be cheaper, but its ok. the killer is maintence, i drive mine every day and while it isn't all THAT expensive or hard to keep going, every weekend you'll find me under the car fixing something thats about to break or go wrong.

on the + side its a VERY fun car, gets a lot of peoples attention, usually older people that know what it is, I love it and never want to get rid of it.

 

[nero]

Originally posted by salvageV6
Mine have been reliable.

Best daily driver you can have.

If you can afford the insurance and buy a well documented stocker or mildly modded one go for it.

I'd buy what you can afford with a $1K cushion for parts and diagnostic tools.

And get some Blizzak snow tires on spare rims.

I'm with salvage on this one. I'm 21, had mine for about 4 months and is my daily--kicks ass! Only reason I sink money into it is because I want to! Not because of random break downs and such. Granted they are old cars but preventative maintenance is where it's at! I would kick myself if I had my TR and watched it in a garage for months at a time! Although I will be doing that during the harsh winter sessions! Anywho...save up and get one!!! Like said before salvage, drive with common sense, take care of it and you'll have minimal issues!