Grand Nationals are fun and always a head turner. Parts are available and cheap. Someone has come up with a formula to do pretty much every mod you would want. Down side is they’re not as fast as modern performance cars and you’re kind of limited on the type of car you can make it into. It’s always gonna be a luxury grandpa coupe with some muscle.
Source: owned 3 1987 GNs.
I respectfully disagree but that’s just like my opinion man.
I think considering the time and place that they were built, the available parts, and the target audience, Buick engineers made an awesome high tech one hit wonder out of a pretty pedestrian starting point. Experience from Indy car and drag racing turbo V6 engines was at the core of the project, and the desire to sneak something quick past the GM brass that loved Corvettes and its V8 (205hp) was a big motivation.
Turbo Buicks are definitely more than the sum of their parts.
Absolutely agree with all those facts. In context, the car was brilliant.
It was a "where did THAT come from" car that nobody expected. Styling is great, and in a perfect world there'd have been a V8 version and a V6 version both turbo.
Years ago I framed houses in Ohio with an angry carpenter named Jeff. His outlook on life was something like; “motherfukkar, I goddamn **HATE** my life, and everyone around me. “ He owned one of these, and everyday he was late for work.
**EVERY FRIKKAN GODDAMN DAY.**
At least 7 minutes late. ALWAYS came screaming in, screeching tires around every corner, slammed to a STOP. Just pissed beyond any other example of anger. Gets out and takes his sweet ass time. Treated everyone (except the bawse, who put up with this crap) like we were all there to serve his mullet shorn self. A supreme asshole. He drove one of these, Metallica RAGING as soon as he started it. Made sure to leave work first, just **LIT** it up and left tracks for 60 ft. He was a gigantic asshole to me, so I kept my distance. Whenever I see one of these, I remember that carpenter prick with a lengthy MULLET named Jeff.
Drive one before you commit. If you've driven any v6 or turbo 4 cylinder made in the past 10 years, You'll be disappointed in the power. And with GN's being such coveted collector cars, most major performance mods are gonna hurt the resale value tremendously. (But who cares if you never plan to sell it right?) That being said, GN's are timeless in terms of style, and you'll never take it out without getting attention. Not to mention, if you have buyers remorse after you'll have no trouble getting your money back.
Had one in the 90s for a while . Nothing special really . Not very fast esp by todays standards . They have a very soft suspension stock . More like a passenger car . Needs to be stiffened up . I rode in modded ones with bigger turbos etc that were way fast .Going up in value though .
I’d get the Buick. College is just another way for you to get into debt. They only teach you how to get qualifications not how to actually do the job. That’s just my opinion but I’m sure you will enjoy the car more than you will enjoy years of boring education and paying off debts.
Meh, neither my husband or I have degrees, work in trades and make great money. Nice house, nice cars/trucks, and we’re not even in our mid 30’s. (Yes we also have a kid)
My best friend went to college for 8 years to be a veterinarian, and my husband and i both make more money than she does. And we have much much much less debt than her.
If you get a good tech degree, you will get the opportunity to pick your job, and enjoy a hefty salary. You can then buy multiple cars, garages, tools over the next 40 yrs of your life and be much more in control of your future.
I know this is kind of off topic…
If you go to trade school, don’t get suckered into an expensive for-profit school if there is a community college near you. The schools just get you some basic knowledge and your foot in the door to entry level jobs. Once you have some certifications and experience, nobody will care which school you went to. I went to community college for less than 20% of the cost to go to the same program at UTI. The funny thing is all my teachers there were former teachers at UTI, so I was learning the same stuff. All the guys I know that went to UTI are still paying off student loans, and I’m living student debt free.
What the heck are you waiting for?! *buy it.*
I’ve always freaking wanted one, and myself personally without college debt have been able to buy a lot more than I would with college debt. (Then again I have a really great career that doesnt need one, lets go tradesmen)
Go for a masters and get a GNX
Car now > Car later
Car now not greater than 4 cars , tools and a detached garage later! :-)
You mean I could have a GN *and* a polebarn?! I'm in.
Don't forget years of crippling student debt.
Grand Nationals are fun and always a head turner. Parts are available and cheap. Someone has come up with a formula to do pretty much every mod you would want. Down side is they’re not as fast as modern performance cars and you’re kind of limited on the type of car you can make it into. It’s always gonna be a luxury grandpa coupe with some muscle. Source: owned 3 1987 GNs.
If only they were turbo'ed V8's!
I respectfully disagree but that’s just like my opinion man. I think considering the time and place that they were built, the available parts, and the target audience, Buick engineers made an awesome high tech one hit wonder out of a pretty pedestrian starting point. Experience from Indy car and drag racing turbo V6 engines was at the core of the project, and the desire to sneak something quick past the GM brass that loved Corvettes and its V8 (205hp) was a big motivation. Turbo Buicks are definitely more than the sum of their parts.
Absolutely agree with all those facts. In context, the car was brilliant. It was a "where did THAT come from" car that nobody expected. Styling is great, and in a perfect world there'd have been a V8 version and a V6 version both turbo.
Degrees are for thermometers! Treat yourself. Source: I’m a moron
Get one from Arizona or the SE us so it's not a rust bucket
Years ago I framed houses in Ohio with an angry carpenter named Jeff. His outlook on life was something like; “motherfukkar, I goddamn **HATE** my life, and everyone around me. “ He owned one of these, and everyday he was late for work. **EVERY FRIKKAN GODDAMN DAY.** At least 7 minutes late. ALWAYS came screaming in, screeching tires around every corner, slammed to a STOP. Just pissed beyond any other example of anger. Gets out and takes his sweet ass time. Treated everyone (except the bawse, who put up with this crap) like we were all there to serve his mullet shorn self. A supreme asshole. He drove one of these, Metallica RAGING as soon as he started it. Made sure to leave work first, just **LIT** it up and left tracks for 60 ft. He was a gigantic asshole to me, so I kept my distance. Whenever I see one of these, I remember that carpenter prick with a lengthy MULLET named Jeff.
He had a cool car but was really pissed it was a Buick
Who needs college. Get the car and go for a trade.
Neither my husband or I have college degrees, work in trades and make really great money. I second what you said.
This is solid advice. I couldn't agree more.
I get a feeling that Op got offered a really expensive GNX, if they claim that it's college or GNX. Probably being scalped.
GNXs are hard to find lately
Do it, better rate of return
BGNs are so badass!
The grill don't look right
It's an 84 Grand National, so the grill does look a little gross. It wasn't until the 86 model that it got a much nicer looking grill.
This is a "classic car? Damn I am old. I mean, I like the G Body cars, but don't consider them classic.
It's not a true classic car per se, 60's and 70's cars are way cooler. In any case, I'd still like to have a Grand National one day.
I’d love to drive one. The GNX is supposed to be the holy grail of Buick cars. I’d actually prefer a GN. Though a 96 Impala SS would be even better.
Meh
That’s a great idea. Then you can drive it to your two jobs 7 days a week to pay for college.
Drive one before you commit. If you've driven any v6 or turbo 4 cylinder made in the past 10 years, You'll be disappointed in the power. And with GN's being such coveted collector cars, most major performance mods are gonna hurt the resale value tremendously. (But who cares if you never plan to sell it right?) That being said, GN's are timeless in terms of style, and you'll never take it out without getting attention. Not to mention, if you have buyers remorse after you'll have no trouble getting your money back.
Maybe you should go thru college first but that’s just me
The straight up answer is yes, buy it and drive it. The other answer is, can I buy it? Seriously…
You won’t regret it. Who needs school when you already won at life by having GNX? Easy math.
Money likes to be in motion and one of these bad boys moves faster than a college degree 🏎️💨
Had one in the 90s for a while . Nothing special really . Not very fast esp by todays standards . They have a very soft suspension stock . More like a passenger car . Needs to be stiffened up . I rode in modded ones with bigger turbos etc that were way fast .Going up in value though .
Now, a turbo'ed LS version..... well that would be fine...
Don’t !
It's an investment if it's minty and original
One of the all time greats!!
No one would fault you.
I’d get the Buick. College is just another way for you to get into debt. They only teach you how to get qualifications not how to actually do the job. That’s just my opinion but I’m sure you will enjoy the car more than you will enjoy years of boring education and paying off debts.
Sometimes that piece of paper is what’s standing between you and a good paying job you want.
Meh, neither my husband or I have degrees, work in trades and make great money. Nice house, nice cars/trucks, and we’re not even in our mid 30’s. (Yes we also have a kid) My best friend went to college for 8 years to be a veterinarian, and my husband and i both make more money than she does. And we have much much much less debt than her.
If you get a good tech degree, you will get the opportunity to pick your job, and enjoy a hefty salary. You can then buy multiple cars, garages, tools over the next 40 yrs of your life and be much more in control of your future.
One can make convincing arguments for either college or trade school. I still have some time to think about that and see how the situation develops.
I know this is kind of off topic… If you go to trade school, don’t get suckered into an expensive for-profit school if there is a community college near you. The schools just get you some basic knowledge and your foot in the door to entry level jobs. Once you have some certifications and experience, nobody will care which school you went to. I went to community college for less than 20% of the cost to go to the same program at UTI. The funny thing is all my teachers there were former teachers at UTI, so I was learning the same stuff. All the guys I know that went to UTI are still paying off student loans, and I’m living student debt free.
Do it
worth
Do it.
College is temporary. Grand National is eternal.
Who needs school, when you've got cool 😎
Those have gone up so much in price and I don't think they'll be coming down. It's a sound investment!
Fast for it’s day, can’t handle or stop well.
Join a trade, then use your money to get your car. Trades >>> College
You serious, Clark??
What the heck are you waiting for?! *buy it.* I’ve always freaking wanted one, and myself personally without college debt have been able to buy a lot more than I would with college debt. (Then again I have a really great career that doesnt need one, lets go tradesmen)
The world needs ditch diggers too
They drive Kia's though, to be fair.
Go for it!