To buy or not to buy?

[log1k]

To buy or not to buy? *UPDATE*

I am trying to figure out whether or not it is worth me buying a Grand National T-type for about 7k. It has approx. 109k miles on it, the interior has been fully redone, the engine is practically new, and is the body is flawless. Currently I drive an Eagle vision Tsi to and from school, and I am just looking for a change. I will probably drive it once or twice a week, and only in good weather, the rest of the time it will be in the garage. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

*BTW: this would be my 1st muscle car...

 

[waell]

Go for it and join the club.

 

[rob nolan]

Get it.

 

[log1k]

My concern is that its a stock turbo with 109k on it... Should that be a concern? Also are parts readily available for it? I heard the handling is not exactly magnificient . Can anyone give me a ball park figure as to what a good suspension would cost on this car ?

 

[DKREDT]

Who cares about the suspension. These cars were meant to go real fast in a straight line. My car handles well with good shocks and new springs. If you want a slalom car look for a Z28 or something.

As far as the stock turbo is concerned you can always find another one for a couple hundred bucks used.

Post the area you are from and maybe one of the guys could tag along and check out the car for you.

What color is it?

Generally T Types and Turbo T's bring a little less than GN's even though the drivetrains are the same and there were LESS of the T Types and Turbo T's made.

HTH


Do lots of reading here and www.gnttype.org


Joel

 

[log1k]

I would love if someone could come check the car out with me, and I didn't mean I wanted to make any radical turns, I plan on going straight . I live in Bergen County, NJ.

I believe its either black or a dark dark blue.

 

[ghall]

ALOT of members near you.I sold my last GN with less mileage for more---with alot more potential than this.Sounds like a good dea to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Geoff

 

[87gninpa]

Where is Bergen County?? I live in PA just across the bridge from central/north jersey. Id be happy to look at the car with you, i think it would be to your benefit to have someone look at it who knows the potential problems these cars can have. i just wish someone was around when i bought mine....anyway, if its not too far, let me know, id be happy to help

 

[Gothmog]

get it!
Don't worry about the turbo, after a couple of weeks you'll be looking to upgrade anyway...once you get the bug

 

[log1k]

The bug haha, I like that. I live in Fort Lee, where the George Washington Bridge is...

 

[Drew L]

Don't put the cart before the horse.....

Follow DKREDT's advice and read as much information as you can. Follow solid used car buying tatics by checking it's history, check the VIN# to be SURE it is what you think it is and owner history to the best of your ability. Most people on this board would agree that if some of the things I just mentioned are not in order then a car similar to the one you mentioned isn't worth near the $7,000 stated. Good luck and keep on your toes! Drew

 

[BLACK6PACK]

I have an Eagle talon tsi for my daily beater and a GN for going fast. The stock turbo on my car lasted 176,000 miles, and I have friends down here that are running 11s on a stock shortblock with over 200,000 miles on it. So, if the car has been taken care of, they last a long time.

Find someone in your area that knows these cars to look at it with you. Sounds like a pretty good deal.

 

[log1k]

*Any members in Northern New Jersey contact me plz*

 

[1badTTA]

I recomend putting a thread in the local area on this board or just another thread asking in the title for what you want in this section.

As for the stock turbo, they last longer than most people use them for and you rarely hear of a stocker going bad.

 

[TurboShane]

Mine went bad at a 110000 and boy what a cloud of smoke. Gave me an excuse to by a better one.

 

[log1k]

I forgot to ask one of the most important questions heh. Is 7k to much for 109k miles ? Seems abit steep no ?

 

[salvageV6]

That's what I paid for mine two years ago. Mine was a GN however.

Mine was loaded with options including astroroof.

Original untouched (I think) motor and tranny.
Body wasn't perfect nor was the paint on mine but very presentable.

Of course the tranny needed a rebuild a year later but that's another story, at least it was the correct BRF one.

What do you mean by almost new engine? Rebuild? Just clean?
I'd rather have a stocker with that mileage than someone saying it was rebuilt with no receipts to show who did the work.

Why did the interior need redoing? Cleaning, new seats, new rungs? What exactly was done?

And if the body is good up here that's a plus. Look for rust in the doors, trunk lid and on the frame.

Bring it to Englishtown saturday and you will get tons of opinions.

 

[log1k]

well the person I am buying it from chose to redo the seats and carpet. All parts are STOCK, and he just put in a new STOCK crank shaft.

 

[DKREDT]

Originally posted by log1k
well the person I am buying it from chose to redo the seats and carpet. All parts are STOCK, and he just put in a new STOCK crank shaft.

I think you definately want someone who knows what is up with these cars to tag along and ask some questions for you. Usually you dont just put in a new crank shaft. Who did the work? The owner or?

Can you post pics?

Joel

 

[log1k]

The owner is actually a classmate of mine. He heard some kind of noise, and took it to the mechanic. The mechanic then searched for the stock piece, and it was just recently fixed. The owner is a car junky, and doesn't seem like the type to f*ck me over. But one never knows, and yes I definitely need someone to come look at the car with me.

* and no he isn't some punk kid, he is actually 32, and ex navy engineer hehe