Purchasing a Grand National soon, need to pick between two.

[87-WE2]

I've had mine for about 15 months. Wish I had one to "play" with, and another that's a trailer queen / cruiser.

I have a feeling the one I have now is going to be the one I "play" with. I would like for my trailer queen to have an "X"tra letter!!! Maybe soon.

 

[desertsoldier22]

So I guess this is turning into a T-top vs Hardtop argument lol.....any differences between 87's and 86's?

 

[87gninpa]

I would go with the hard top 87. Ive owned 2 hardtops, 1 t-top, and 1 astroroof car. The T-Top car only had 72k miles on it and even with all of the braces, etc it still didnt feel as solid as a hardtop car.

Does the 87 have original paint as well? If they both do, go with the better factory paint job, it'll save you a lot of money in the long run. Once its starts cracking on the top surfaces, you're done for.

 

[jlat]

hello; On the paint subject. Nice paint it that and that's nice but if you got to worry about parking it in areas other than your driveway what do you do? I have people I new who parked far away from everyone and there paint still got damadged.
did you decide?
IBBY

 

[HelloBozos]

I vote car number #2 only for the re-sale if you leave it alone...low milage all origanls are getting Rare!!

Car #1 been modified,it only lower's the re-sale, But!! Car #1 would be faster an you can play with it more

your call..

Enjoy!

 

[mearly65]

Now you've got another can of worms to sort through lol. Go with the more rare 86 or the more desirable IMO 87. Boy, I wish I had problems like this!

 

[JimP]

Looks like car number one, no longer had air conditioning. Did you check the cars for sale section on this site? That's where I bought mine 7 years ago.

 

[ThatDamGoldCar]

Just dont get t tops

 

["Turbo-T"]

.....any differences between 87's and 86's?

There are differences between the two years, but the changes are subtle.

1987 GN's used a different grille than 86 GN's did.

1986 GN's could come equipped with the touch climate control instead of the typical HVAC slider controls.

There were more GN's (and turbo Buick Regals in general) built in 1987 and not even half as many built in 1986.

For non GN turbo models, 1986's were known as T types, 1987 the T type name was dropped, and you could order the base Regal 2 door with the turbo 6 option. (also required the Y56 "T" package)

Other than that, they were pretty much the same cars in both years.

 

[blackdeathtrap]

look i have an 87 gn t top that i though was mint take it from me if it wasnt for sentimental value and the car bieng passed down from my late uncle id kill for a t top car just replacing the floor the t tops frams and all the rubber is alot of dollars

 

[williamsGN]

My T top car with $150 of front frame and back seat bracing is tighter in the turns than my friends hardtops.

My first hardtop stocker was cracking at the B pillar, this car with the mods and Tops, no cracks.

 

[highboostgn]

car 1

 

[highboostgn]

Well...looks like car #1 sold..

But I found a stock hardtop for $15K a few miles away with 32K miles.
Now I need to decide between a heavily optioned up '86 T-top car with 38K and a '87 Hard top car with base options with 32K for the same price.

unless you wanna pay $$$ to replace all the weatherstriping hardtop...Hardtop looks wayy better imo

 

[desertsoldier22]

unless you wanna pay $$$ to replace all the weatherstriping hardtop...Hardtop looks wayy better imo

The T-top car has perfect weatherstripping, looks new...no cracking. I have lots of pictures of that car.

The hard top I can only find three pictures of it and the elderly gentleman who owns it does not know how to work the "google machine" , his son put the ad up. I am trying to get more pictures of it.
The two cars are 800 miles apart, so if I look at one (after flying 1400 miles Michigan) and not like it, I will have to go to New York. I'll check out the hardtop '87 first, because I know for sure the '86 is perfect.

 

[hesermon]

If you really want a GN make your decision and start enjoying your new hobby/ habit. Keep waiting / thinking/ talking and someone else will be enjoying these cars too. Mama used to say "$hit or get off the pot"

 

[highboostgn]

If you really want a GN make your decision and start enjoying your new hobby/ habit. Keep waiting / thinking/ talking and someone else will be enjoying these cars too. Mama used to say "$hit or get off the pot"

i agree...pick one already...

 

[desertsoldier22]

Can't pick one, I am not even in the United States right now, next week I will. I need more info on the hard top car, I need more pictures. $15,000 is not chump change, especially when you only make $30,000 a year. I am moving to the T-top side, especially its rare options...this car will be a heavily garaged, show car. I already have a fun car...which might end up Buick powered too.

 

[highboostgn]

Can't pick one, I am not even in the United States right now, next week I will. I need more info on the hard top car, I need more pictures. $15,000 is not chump change, especially when you only make $30,000 a year. I am moving to the T-top side, especially its rare options...this car will be a heavily garaged, show car. I already have a fun car...which might end up Buick powered too.

pffffffff I forked out 14k for my GN last month and Im in Afghanistan for 2 more weeks...I guess it helps I knew the guy with the car and have seen it several times...Good choice to wait though so you know exactly what your getting.Pictures can be deceiving

 

[highboostgn]

W

Can't pick one, I am not even in the United States right now, next week I will. I need more info on the hard top car, I need more pictures. $15,000 is not chump change, especially when you only make $30,000 a year. I am moving to the T-top side, especially its rare options...this car will be a heavily garaged, show car. I already have a fun car...which might end up Buick powered too.

What base are you at?

 

[desertsoldier22]

My home base or the one over here? My home base is Fort Hood