23rd Apr 2008, 20:28

True but when new it had new Corvette owners concerned. Love the exterior wish they devoted more to the interior.

31st May 2008, 23:21

Are you serious?

NO WAY is the Grand National a stone as to what available now (especially not the 1987 model-year). Find another car on the street that's putting out 355 Lb-feet of torque at 2000 RPM - at any displacement or technology. The intercooled GN can still blast a WRX (for example) and a LOT of other cars out there.

Are there faster cars out there today, yes, absolutely, but nobody can deny the contribution that the intercooled Buick Grand Nationals made to the performance, small displacement (or even large displacement) cars of today.

Also, bear in mind the technology that was available back in 1987. The Grand National was light years ahead of it's time. One example might be the distributorless ignition system, which Ford then later tweaked into their version in the EDIS (Electronic Distributorless Ignition System) ignition system. I'm a MegaSquirt (http://www.megasquirt.info) tuner. I breathe fuel injection. I also breathe turbo's. Just ask my 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - Garrett T3 turbocharged, MegaSquirted and EDIS'd.

I was also the owner of one of the very few made 1979 Buick Regal Sport Coupe's which had a 231 cid V6 AIResearch turbocharged engine with a 4bbl Rochester Quadrajet carburetor. That was my first car ever, and I tore it down, punched it, cut the crank, slapped in some TRW Powerforged pistons and went to the drag strip.

No matter what the cause, the intercooled Buick Grand National cars of the 80's were bad-to-the-bone machines, and there is no denying the deep respect that they still hold today on the street and at the strip.

Find another 21 year-old car that does that!

Best.

ETM - Germantown, WI.

2nd Oct 2009, 18:55

I have been seriously considering buying a 1987 Buick Grand National, but wasn't quite sure about it. After reading these comments, I'm convinced that I must take the chance to own this car.

Much love to those who love their wheels.

16th Mar 2010, 22:02

I own a 1987 GN. A true piece of history from Buick that will still scoot with the very best of them even 23 years later. Always a Mustang eater, it also snacks on nearly every rice machine in sight, without turning off the air conditioning. Everywhere I go I seem to find people who will strike a conversation as soon as I park it.

Naturally, this being Canada, it sleeps in the winter, but roars all summer while the winter truck rests. Great Fun. Igs

24th Jan 2011, 18:54

I like the GN. Very, very fast. You should all be happy, you own the best car in the world!

15th Jul 2013, 16:17

I have an 86. Anytime you want to see what vehicle is a stone, let me know. Remember the turbo V6 can be modified. Jason White, with his stock block V6 is running 8s 1/4 miles. That's not a stone.

16th Jul 2013, 13:48

Now if you could get rid of that factory 80 MPH speedometer and put in a 200 MPH one like the newer GMs, you'd be set.

18th Apr 2018, 03:57

What good would that do? These cars had a shut off chip at 120 mph.

18th Apr 2018, 07:46

So you can easily remedy that for only around 100 bucks.

19th Apr 2018, 13:07

And after you do that it tops out at around 150 mph max.

19th Apr 2018, 18:36

Higher than that has been recorded. Not condoning it. Ever been 150 by the way? I have on a track in a different brand. It’s really moving. Don’t condemn this car over a factory speedometer. Personally I would rather be quick, more so than achieving highest top end. Lastly, how fast do you want to go? Do it on a safe track vs the street.

20th Apr 2018, 12:48

No, never been 150, and it never bothered me that the speedo only went to 85 mph. Just replying to an earlier comment that made no sense. My favorite part about the GN was not only the body style, but the fact that they left Corvettes of the time in the dust. I enjoyed every mile of it on mine.

20th Apr 2018, 14:55

Sounds like commenter 3:57 is all set for one, as all his reservations have been met.

21st Apr 2018, 14:28

Don’t get what the fascination is over beating another GM model. I could see Fords or Mopars.

24th Apr 2018, 19:29

Very simple. It has always been a GM no no for them to build another performance car that could compete with the Corvette. In the meantime, this nice looking lead sled, that was considered an "old person's brand" with a V6, blew a stock Corvette away. Ever notice that other GM cars that were equipped with LS and LT V8s all had detuned versions of them? Again they always want to protect the precious Corvette. Just because somebody likes a GM, doesn't mean they have to like them all. I'm a huge fan of older GM cars, especially Pontiac, but yet I despise the Fiero.

25th Apr 2018, 09:22

Wonder why the supercharged 638 HP manual trans Cadillac was produced? New Camaros. Even different vehicles like a Trailblazer SS for those that like high performance. The Corvette is a sports car. Different segment. Only 2 seats, unique distinctive styling, also available as a convertible. On 1/4 mile drag strips Corvettes had far less presence. The Grand National was ahead of its time. I do not think people were really ready or wanted a 6 cylinder turbo car then, irregardless of how quick they were. And then even faster mods could be done on top. Good looking car, sinister looking, but not enough for me to buy one back then. I stuck with classic and other new Chevrolets, and still have my 70 SS Chevelle. It sat next to 3 different late model Corvettes in our garage. They were bought and sold, yet it remained. And that is another point. A Corvette owner often owns 2 or more other vehicles. The limitations of 2 seats and seasonal use is a big factor. I see a really fast GM Crossover somewhere on the horizon. My opinion.