Thinking about getting a GN

[IWannaGn]

Newbie to the board so help me out. Ive been thinking lately about getting a different car. I currently have a 1969 Plymouth RoadRunner but have been thinking of moving on to something else. I have always liked GN's but just never thought a lot about actually owning one. I am NOT a mechanic and was hoping that mabey a GN would be more down my line. its a PITA with those old cars(the RR) hunting down all the stuff that goes wrong like the carb/ignition/overheating problems/RUST/timing etc, stuff I am just not all that great in pinpointing all that stuff. I was hoping that a GN would mabey be more down my lines. Im looking for a car that I can do general maintainance(like change oil,filters,spark plugs,etc)on and still have it be reliable to drive.

I also am looking for something that is quick. I don't race but do like a quick car. From what I have seen the GN's are pretty easy to get into the min 12- mid 13 second mark but still maintain great reliability/drivability. What I would like to know is what do you think? Am I on the right trail or is the GN a lot more labor intensive than I think?

Finally a few questions:
1. How much would I expect to pay for a really nice car with good paint, NO RUST,and a strong running motor?(id have to sell or trade the RR for a GN)

2. Am I right about the general maintainance and reliability as long as im not racing it every weekend and stuff. I guess what I mean is I expect to be able to drive it without being under the hood tracking down problems etc. all the time like I am with the RR and like is common in all "older Muscle Cars"

3. I assume its not that hard (or expensive) to get a GN down in the high 12's low 13's from what ive read heard? True or False?

4. What if any problem spots would I be looking at if I decide to get one and common sopts that go bad on them. Only thing ive heard is head gaskets from guys that push a lot of boost and race the car.

5. Unless I can find one localy whats the best way to go about getting a GN?

Let me know what you think and help educate me a little about the Buick GN before I buy one or sell the RR. let me know what you think or if im crazy(like most of the Moapr guys think im crazy for wanting to sell the RR and get a GN )

 

[SouthernCal GN]

...don't resist.... go to the dark side.....12s in the 1/4 and 20 mpg with A/C......

 

[IWannaGn]

Tell me more , hey even though im a Mopar guy I like ALL Muscle Cars! I just happen to know a little bit more and am more familiar with Mopars.

 

[ES1]

1. Prices seem to be around 10,000.

2. Alot of mickey mouse things go wrong but the cars have a very good drive train.

3. Easy to get to high 12s with alky and a few minor MODS.

4. Problems - paint, rust, cracked drivers header (easy fix), parts are getting harder to find, some small electrical problems.

5. Check the board, auto trader, Kirban

The only thing it seems the muscle car market is on the move up so you don't know if it's the time to sell or if they will go higher.

 

[84GNPILE]

How do you feel about Scantools,computer-controlled cars,trouble-codes,searching for parts-(your used to that eh?), and general ridicule by friends about owning a Monte Carlo Jiffy Lube Express Boat???

Well then- no worries.Welcome Aboard!!!

You own a Plymouth so you can only go up from there.j/k

All BS aside, I love my 84pile even though it's far from finished and I've yet to drive it over 2 miles, but you'll find mucho help here and if your lucky enough to afford one that's a driver,you'll love it.Riding in my friends keeps me excited about finishing mine some day.I've even put my 68SS Chevelle project on hold to play with this one....

 

[cwelk87gn]

They are a fun and fast ride! I wouldn't go so far as to call ANY 15+ year old car reliable, but a TR is as reliable as anything else that age.

 

[Lee_Burough]

Let me suggest that you find a Buick club in your area, make some friends, and then look for a car.

Your local Buick buddies will be a large resource in finding the right car (they will know where they are hiding inyour local area ).

They will be able to look at a car with you and add their two cents: They will have "been there and done that" when they see the strong and weak points of a given car.

These cars are getting older. They require some additional vigilance to keep them a daily driver. Not that much however, especially if you get a car somebody else has kept up.

 

[87gninpa]

when i got mine last summer as a daily driver, i wasnt really sure about how well it would hold up. currently, i drive it at least 400 miles a week, it runs mid 12s all day, and i havent had any major breakdowns as of yet(crossing my fingers). i also get 17 mpg consistently in the city and anywhere between 22-27 mpg on the highway. with a scantool and simple mechanical knowledge, these cars a re very reliable and driveable everyday. i really dont see myself driving anything else at the moment. btw, i got mine with 140k last summer and i currently have 168k on it. and once again, havent had any major problems. there is really nothing to worry about with driving these cars everyday as long as you keep up on the maintenence and generally take care of the car. hope this helps.

 

[87gninpa]

Where is williamsport, pa? im in bucks county. if its anywhere close, id be happy to let you look at and drive the car to get a feel for it before you buy.

 

[IWannaGn]

Its in North Central PA, They had a GN down here at a dealership that does performance cars and it was really nice. They sold it already I think though.

 

[IWannaGn]

Yeah i'd love to have one. I still figure it will be more reliable than my 69 RoadRunner . It won't really be a daily driver mabey just a Spring/Summer/Early Fall cruiser for a few times a week to work and then on the weekends for shows/ cruise-ins. I figure that at least with the computer it can tell me whats wrong instead of with a old car like mine having to spend a entire day figuring out its missing becuase if a bad plug wire or some electrical gremlin or something. I figure if its a nicely kept/upkept(thats what im looking for)one that the body will still be in good shape(NO rust). I am sure now I want a GN(just for the more sinister looks) not a T-Type(nice sleeper look but not "mean" enough for me). So guess im looking for a 87 GN , now the hard part will be finding a guy that wants a RoadRunner for trade or selling the RoadRunner which has not been the easiest thing lately.

 

[87gninpa]

If you have any pics of the roadrunner, send them to my email address. i know a few guys with gns that are looking for something a little different. im not too far from you either, only a couple hours

 

[IWannaGn]

I sent you a invite to Photoisland where I got some pics.

 

[INEEDAGN]

You wouldn't be the first person to leave the mopar world for a GN. Been there done that, I used to be the most die hard mopar guy you'd ever meet. At least a GN is not a chevy, but you'd better get used to it being called a monte carlo.
I bought my 72k mile GN in very nice shape with $3,000 in mods for $9500, needing only minor stuff due to age (headliner, window felts, etc..) I wish I would've bought one that was stock though and modded it myself. Also you should consider an 86 GN if you find one, the only major difference is the grille. Read as much as you can here and on gnttype.org before you buy, it really helps. gnttype.org has all the info you need to make sure you are getting a real GN such as vin# decoding and rpo sticker codes. Hope this helps.

bob

 

[IWannaGn]

Thanks. I really am looking forward to getting one. Just hope that I can get one this Summer(if I can get the RR sold). Whats the difference and why do you recomend a 86?

 

[denn454]

i have an 87 t-type. probably as reliable as any car out there if i wasnt' constantly tinkering with it. Don't be too afraid to buy one out of state. i did and got a better car than i could find here, and for less money, even counting shipping. Luckly for you there are a ton of buicks out by you. just be sure to get tons and tons of pictures, and talk to the seller, if anything sounds fishy it probably is. just walk away from it. Most of these cars are in pretty good shape, there well maintained and well cared for, but as with anything there are rotten appels in the barrel.

The only difference between an 86-87 is the grille, and a claimed 10 (i think) hp, although there is nothing different in the engine, it was just raised on paper to make the 87 look better, and more sold that year. but do go with an 86-87 if you can, they run far better than 84-85, and don't get anythign older than that.

have you ridden in one yet? if not try to get someone to give you a ride. then you wont' be asking if you shoudl get one, but where you can find one today.

 

[INEEDAGN]

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=118551&highlight=power+steering+cap

The above thread points out all the differences between them, most of which are very minor and the only visual difference is the grille. They didn't make as many 86's so you won't find as many for sale but if you stumble across one you shouldn't ignore it just because it's an 86. As far as price they should be close but the 86's may be a bit cheaper than a similar 87. I guess it depends on the seller. Good luck finding one.

bob

 

[IWannaGn]

Is there anywhere in PA preferably in North Central PA Williamsport area that you guys know of that deals in these cars or anyone known to fix them or any actually clubs. All I get as far as car clubs for my area is my Mopar club, a Hot Rod Club, and a Mustang club. No Buick of GN specific clubs......thats with a google/yahoo search and asking around.