What do you think of this deal? (‘86 Grand National)

DavidHasselhoff

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I haven’t ever bought an “older” car, I guess this would be considered a classic now (god we’re old).

I’ve always wanted a Grand National. This one looks to be an awesome build, just a tad overkill for me. A V8 swap GN is a dream car of mine. I was looking for a street cruiser, but this has an 8 point roll cage in it sooo... yeah. The price is great, but the roll cage is pushing me away because I’d rather not have to cruise with a helmet, as I’ve seen accidents where people didn’t wear a helmet with roll cages & I’m not looking to risk that. (Possibly remove the upper portions of the cage? or that’d be more of a headache than driving without a helmet on with the cage? I’m not familiar with roll cages at all tbh)

What are you opinions on this deal? I feel that the price is fair for the amount of work put into this car. Anything I should look for or ask about before I begin engaging the seller? Again, I’ve only ever bought from dealerships & it was new vehicles, so I’m just looking for some possible tips/advice on this. Basically, Halllp!!! lol. Thanks in advance.

Twin Turbo V8 Buick GN for sale in Auburn, WA, Price: $37,000

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DavidHasselhoff

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I like it.

I do too, but that’s the problem... I like it a bit too much. I wish it was in street trim with no cage, which I would have probably gave an offer on it by now if that was the case.

Some CCW classics with polished lips & gloss black centers for street driving would look on this car.
 

ON D BIT

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Hard pass!
That is built motor and built suspension. Meaning the likelihood of something breaking is high.
Who knows the quality in this car. I would not trust it. It would be very easy putting another $15k into it just to fix what breaks.
 

GNBRETT

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I have owned (9) Turbo Buicks spanning GN's, T-Types and Turbo-T's. Everything from a basic 109 to a stroker 109 to a Stage II motor. V8 swaps in GN's usually sell for about $20k. They are NOT desirable! And the 1986 GN is far less desirable than the 1987.

That cage is old and will most certainly rattle and be very annoying and as u said a cage with no helmet is DEATH waiting to happen..... U gonna drive around with a Helmut on? Doubtful.

This car is WAY over priced. This car has been for sale several times. Its old technology. Those Turbo's are JUNK and again old technology.

This car is not for u bro! No AC, Heat or windshield wipers? U won't pass inspection with no wiper blades and with a Motec u now have zero chance of passing emissions if u need to. This is not a street car. Its a race car and a weak one at that.

My Buddys GN with a V6 goes 8.30's and drives it on the street daily in the summer with AC, heat and both wipers. And this car needs shit and will most certainly need more shit after u buy it which means its a HEADACHE waiting to happen and will have to be re-tuned after u address everything.

This car has been for sale on Turbobuick several times and gets nothing! Avoid this like the PLAGUE!
 
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DavidHasselhoff

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I have owned (9) Turbo Buicks spanning GN's, T-Types and Turbo-T's. Everything from a basic 109 to a stroker 109 to a Stage II motor. V8 swaps in GN's usually sell for about $20. They are NOT desirable! And the 1986 GN is far less desirable than the 1987.

That cage is old and will most certainly rattle and be very annoying and as u said a cage with no helmet is DEATH waiting to happen..... U gonna drive around with a Helmut on? Doubtful.

This car is WAY over priced. This car has been for sale several times. Its old technology. Those Turbo's are JUNK and again old technology.

This car is not for u bro! No AC, Heat or windshield wipers? U won't pass inspection with no wiper blades and with a Motec u now have zero chance of passing emissions if u need to. This is not a street car. Its a race car and a weak one at that.

My Buddys GN with a V6 goes 8.30's and drives it on the street daily in the summer with AC, heat and both wipers. And this car needs shit and will most certainly need more shit after u buy it which means is a HEADACHE waiting to happen and will have to be re-tuned after u address everything.

This car has been for sale on Turbobuick several times and gets nothing! Avoid this like the PLAGUE!

Well shit, I might as well Venmo you $5k for saving me $40k+ of a headache.

I know V8 swaps are less desirable, but that’s what I really want for the sound really. An all blacked out GN with a cammed LS is just fitting for the look. I want a GNX, but it’d be a sin to drive that thing around (collector’s car).

I was okay with putting about $5k into it after purchase & was considering a starting offer of $32k & my highest would’ve been $35k for this.

It’s a shame because the car looks beautiful, at least in pics. Thank you for your detailed input. You literally saved me from what sounds to be a nightmare.
 
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Tunedprt91

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Stock to mildly modded is the only way I would pick up anything these days. I picked up a fairly modded Cobra and ended up having to spend more money going back through it to fix things that were subpar. I would have been better just getting something stock.
 

GNBRETT

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Paypal is [email protected] lol j/k.... Ive been in the Turbo Buick world for over 25 years now can tell u with 100% certainty this is NOT the car for u bro. I get wanting a GN they are badass but if ur budget in $35k u can score an utterly BADASS TA block or Stage II block Turbo Buick for that price.

I bet if u put a WTB add up on Turbo Buick u can score something that would put a very big smile on ur face.

Don't get too hung up on the V8 thing thinking ur gonna go faster. The fastest Turbo Buicks are all V6's. The swap really doesn't give u any advantage other than lowering the value of the car. Of course the sky is the limit with a V8 and u could put a 481x in it and make 4000 hp with a big ole Turbo lol but for the real world the V8 has never been desired or to be an advantage in a GN.

Single street friendly Turbo's today make 1500+ hp today and a well build V6 will spool them up just fine. The fastest TSO cars in the Turbo Buick world are all 7 second cars and a few with 109 motors going mid 8's!

ALL Turbo Buicks are tuned with Methanol if running 93 octane and the Meth is being used as fuel so its like running on the street with 110 octane or so. Only in the Turbo Buick world do I see Methanol being used as fuel but its been done successfully for about 20 years now. There are failsafes that u can install such as the one AEM makes so if ur Alcohol pump shits the bed it will dump boost as a fail safe.

A GNX is gonna set u back $60-100k depending on mileage but the problem is no one wants to modify them cause it destroys the value and 300 hp just aint gonna cut it these days lol.

Well shit, I might as well Venmo you $5k for saving me $40k+ of a headache.

I know V8 swaps are less desirable, but that’s what I really want for the sound really. An all blacked out GN with a cammed LS is just fitting for the look. I want a GNX, but it’s almost be a sin to drive that thing around (collector’s car).

I was okay with putting about $5k into it after purchase & was considering a starting offer of $32k & my highest would’ve been $35k for this.

It’s a shame because the car looks beautiful, at least in pics. Thank you for your detailed input. You literally saved me from what sounds to be a nightmare.
 
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AustinSN

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I know V8s sound cool and all but that V6 was a big deal in that car and I don't think they would have the popularity they do without it.

At least that's my opinion.
 

Thorpz

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Honestly other than the vin what is left on that car that is a GN ? no engine ,no seats, no black lace wheels, no gauges, no heater/Ac, at this point you are paying the GN price penalty and only getting a blacked out Regal with some really cool parts.
 

SolarYellow

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The appeal of the late 80's/early 90's GM turbo vehicles was the 6 cyl. engine. The '87 Regal Limited (cooler than a GN) would be nice and all but over 33 years old is asking for problems.
 

DavidHasselhoff

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Paypal is [email protected] lol j/k.... Ive been in the Turbo Buick world for over 25 years now can tell u with 100% certainty this is NOT the car for u bro. I get wanting a GN they are badass but if ur budget in $35k u can score an utterly BADASS TA block or Stage II block Turbo Buick for that price.

I bet if u put a WTB add up on Turbo Buick u can score something that would put a very big smile on ur face.

Don't get too hung up on the V8 thing thinking ur gonna go faster. The fastest Turbo Buicks are all V6's. The swap really doesn't give u any advantage other than lowering the value of the car. Of course the sky is the limit with a V8 and u could put a 481x in it and make 4000 hp with a big ole Turbo lol but for the real world the V8 has never been desired or to be an advantage in a GN.

Single street friendly Turbo's today make 1500+ hp today and a well build V6 will spool them up just fine. The fastest TSO cars in the Turbo Buick world are all 7 second cars and a few with 109 motors going mid 8's!

ALL Turbo Buicks are tuned with Methanol and the Meth is being used as fuel so its like running on the street with 110 octane or so. Only in the Turbo Buick world do I see Methanol being used as fuel but its been done successfully for about 20 years now. There are failsafes that u can install such as the one AEM makes so if ur Alcohol pump shits the bed it will dump boost as a fail safe.

A GNX is gonna set u back $60-100k depending on mileage but the problem is no one wants to modify them cause it destroys the value and 300 hp just aint gonna cut it these days lol.

Oh I know the V6’s are stout. I have an ecoboost raptor for a daily & am fine with the V6. I’m just set on a cammed V8 in this car. I’m not really big on racing, just hitting it on the open hwy every now & then really, so an LS3 swap with a big cam would be more than I’d need & if I wanted som nice #’s, just drop a procharger on it as well. I just want a clean, murdered out GN. It’s not worth it to buy a GNX unless you expect it to sit in the garage 95% of the time. I can always by the GNX fender vents & get a shop to cut & fit them into the GN fenders.

I appreciate your input & might just browse the Turbo Buick forum. Thx again & I’m glad a GN guru saw this post. GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!
 

BigPoppa

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The value of that car dropped to crap once the V6 was swapped out of it. If someone pays that much for it, they deserve it.

But, to each his own.
 

VENOM1

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I’m in the same boat as the OP in that a GN is the next “toy” car I’m buying. It’s nice to know we have someone on this site that versed. I’ll definitely be reaching out!
 

Klaus

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I am not really well versed on GNs but I have never heard of a V8 swap in these as a thing of desire. The turbo V6 is like a boxer in a subi - it is the whole point.
 

DavidHasselhoff

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Welp, luckily V8 swaps drop the value... just means I’ll come across a good discount when I find the one I’m wanting. I get the V6 being the reason why the GN gained such popularity, but I’m still stuck on darth vader having a deep V8 growl.
 

ON D BIT

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Well shit, I might as well Venmo you $5k for saving me $40k+ of a headache.

I know V8 swaps are less desirable, but that’s what I really want for the sound really. An all blacked out GN with a cammed LS is just fitting for the look. I want a GNX, but it’d be a sin to drive that thing around (collector’s car).

I was okay with putting about $5k into it after purchase & was considering a starting offer of $32k & my highest would’ve been $35k for this.

It’s a shame because the car looks beautiful, at least in pics. Thank you for your detailed input. You literally saved me from what sounds to be a nightmare.
That car looks like crap! My opinion.
 

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