TB Daily Driver?

[tang]

Hey guys,

One of my first posts here so be gentle. Ever since high school I've wanted to own a turbo Buick. To me they they just embody everything I stand for. Fast car, comfortable, with a lot of a character and fairly easy to modify. In a couple months I am going to be graduating from college and I was thinking that I would live my dream and buy a Turbo Buick. I have about $10k saved up, and by the time I graduate probably more. This can get me a pretty clean GN from what prices I've seen so far. The only problem (in my mind) is reliability. My drive to work is about 25 miles each way, and I'm usually sitting in a lot of traffic. Is the GN capable of being a daily driver (20k miles per year)? If not, what needs to be done to make it a daily driver?

The other car I was considering buying is a 1995 Acura Legend GS. They are known for their build quality, and I have driven my friends for a week and really enjoyed it.

What do you guys think?

 

[Shane]

You don't really have to worry about this board being gentle. All in all we're pretty tame. As far as having a TB Daily Driver, it's very doable. The only thing you're gonna have to worry about is keeping VERY on top of maintenance.

I wouldn't spend more than $8K on a Daily Driver TB. For more than that you're paying for either low miles (which you'll destroy the value of it by daily driving it) or lots of mods (which will kill your mileage on a DD).

Just something to think about, and welcome to the board.

 

[tang]

Thanks for the reply.

What milage range should I look for? Around 100k ?

 

[TurboV6Sonoma]

I say of course buy the TB and of course it can be a daily driver after all it was a production car built to be driven, it wasnt built as a race car. My frist GN was a daily driver, had over 100,000 miles and was extremly reliable and fast as hell. you can mod these cars and still drive the hell out of them. screw the acura and get the buick

 

[Reaper]

mine never failed me, drove it for 3.5 years never had an issue with it, other then normal items like battery etc. the one thing i hated about it was i felt bad putting miles on the car.

otherwise. you cant bet it. 16 mpg, lots of power and perdy comfy.

 

[Shane]

For $8k you should be able to get a GN with ~80,000 miles on it.

 

[denn454]

i wouldn't get a gn for a driver. there are too many people that would love to take it off your hands. a t-type stands out less, not as many people know what it is so for that reason alone i say go t-type.

i drove mine for nearly 2 years, it had some problems, the water pump went out, lost a coil pack, then a ignition module. but for a 17 year old car with 150k miles i think thats very good.

i REALLY miss driving mine every day, and when its done, even though its going to be built as a race car rather than a street car i plan on driving it every nice day i can. i pretty consistantly got 20 mpg both highway and intown driving. i did get 29 mpg once and i'm pretty sure it could do it again. even my new economy oriented regal won't do that. its just a great car to drive every day. even in snow and ice its very good. as suprising as that may sound its true. and if your having any problems disconnect the wastegate arm and that car will go through anything.

get one!

 

[bishir]

I would fully suggest doing it. I would say they tend to be quite reliable cars if you watch the maintance and keep it relatively stock. As far as insurance goes though I'd get a daily driver beater and keep the GN at home for nice sunny days and pay collector insurance on it.

 

[Tom Tom Turbo]

I drive mine 34 miles each way 5 days a week, and cruise on the weekends, it is my ONLY car. I've had the usual...coil pack, ignition module and water pump go out. But as far as reliable comfy transportation it is the whip. My car probably had the problems because it sat for 4 years without being driven. I have all the mods in the sig and still get about 21 mpg on the highway. The single shot gets a little annoying at 75 for half an our, but you get used to it....or upgrade the stereo. I did both!


GO FOR IT

 

[tang]

I'll make sure to get a good alarm system.

Originally posted by denn454
i wouldn't get a gn for a driver. there are too many people that would love to take it off your hands. a t-type stands out less, not as many people know what it is so for that reason alone i say go t-type.


get one!

 

[edchapman]

My 87T is a fine daily driver except in the winter. Rear
wheel drive and performance tires and snow are not a
good mix.

bye, Ed
http://edchapman.tripod.com/cars.html -- runner up B-5 GS nats 2004 -- 03 GSX stock
84 T-Type WH1 15.4@89 stock, 87 T 14.1@97 stock, 87 GN stock 399/400 points

 

[gn85]

My car has served plenty daily driver duty.. even when I lived 45 mins from work. As everyone has stated above... they have great advantages for being daily drivers. But once you get into being both a daily driver and a drag strip burner, you'll eventually trade off one for the other.

I never had any intentions of selling my car, nor did I ever have intentions of it being the fastest thing on the block. So, racking up miles wasn't an issue because I've loved every mile of it. I would recommend having a second car, just in case the occasional stupid thing happens. Or at least access to a back-up. Yes, these cars can be reliable, but let's not forget they ARE almost 20 years old now.

I also like Denn's advice of possibly a T-type as well. Definately nice lookin' cars... but a little safer in the parking lot.

As for snow/winter driving. I've had my Buick in the snow a few times (wasn't expecting it). Took it easy and nursed it home and managed alright. But, for winter driving.. I just drive my truck when I can help it. Once again... a good idea to have a second vehicle.

 

[tang]

I live in southern California so Winter isn't a huge concern for me. I'm also not looking for a 11 second GN. A 13 second TB would be just fine with me (don't we all say that).

I think you guys just sold me, I'm getting the Buick!


Side note: Does anyone know a good Turbo Buick mechanic in so. Cal?

 

[gn85]

Your local clubs would be able to help you out in that regard. Check out the regional section of the board to see who's around you. They will also be able to help you with buying a sound car. Help you see what to look out for etc. Good luck.

BTW, when I got my car I said I wanted it to do 12s. That's exactly what it does now.. although I'm going to get it to do 12s a little more comfortably. Pretty much on stock gear.

I'm also assuming you've been to gnttype.org. That is the online Buick TR handbook. Plenty of good info, tips and even a buyers guide. But, check local clubs.

 

[ledzeppac]

where in Socal? SoCal is kinda big...

Phil

 

[tang]

I work in Anaheim, but I live in Irvine.

 

[batmansbuick]

bought my GN in 90, it already had 40k on it. Still going to college It was my daily driver up to about 1995 and about 90k. During that time it was very reliable, only the usual (battery, pm brakes, water pump) went out.

Now its up to 125k, going to club meetings, cruises, etc., and I think I have more trouble with it when it sits for long stretches.

Anyway, my vote is its okay for a daily, just do the maintenance, and get several theft deterrents.

 

[HurstGN]

1986 GN as a daily driver

I bought my 86 GN quite a few years ago from Kirban's. It was as loaded as an 86 can get, and that's what I wanted. It had 80K miles on it.

Fast forward about 10 years. The looks I got made me change the look to a T-Type. It has fooled even the most knowledgable of TR owners. If you can, start with a T...less recognition as previously mentioned. I drive mine year round, and I'm up to 166K now. Winter, a set of Blizzaks and I'm good to go. I grew up on driving rwd in the snow, so snow is no problem. Summer is no biggie either. The main thing is MAINTENANCE of the car. Proper maintenance and these cars will hold up. My daily drive is 10 miles each way, about 40-50 minutes each way. Yea, my traffic sucks!

 

[Evans Ward]

Put 120,000 mikes on an 86 GN from 86-98 with years 86-92 being a daily driver on that car. Bought a Turbo-T in 00 and have put 50,000 miles on it since then with daily driver duty. My advice to you would be to go for it but save some $ to buy some of the harder to find spares needed for the LC2 that aren't available just anywhere. You'll also need to learn as much as you possibly can with the mechanicals of the car and keep on top of all preventative maintanance. They will go down occassionally so it would be good if you have means to other transportation when that occurs. I have another car and two motorcycles so I fare OK. Lightly modded as a daily driver isn't too bad either- you will want alcohol injection to run pump gas and higher boost levels! Check out my sig below for mods on a TR that can be daily driven. I also second, third, and forth the recommendation of getting a T-Type, Turbo-T, or Limited Turbo. More sleeper aspect and easier to maintain and keep clean if you don't get black. You can also never have too many anti-theft devices!! Good luck!!

 

[mygrain]

Ive had my 87 for a little over a year. Ive put almost 10k on it. I had to replace the MAF, powermaster, fuel pump and some other little dumb stuff. It helps to become friendly with guys who know these cars inside and out. If it werent for a couple of guys that have helped me out a few times, I would have gotten out of these things real fast. These cars are kinda finicky, you need to be patient with them or buy a different car. Theyre great carsa once you get the hang of them though. I liked my 87 T enough to buy an 86 GN to keep it company. Also, GNs attract WAY more attention than turbo Ts. Good atention and bad....