[tirebird]

Besides the T/A, I also own a slightly modified 86 Grand National. Slightly, in my case, means upgraded Turbo, intake, and exhaust. I can accurately say in the two plus years I've owned the car, the days are few and far between when I'm not asked if the car is for sale. It's "bad to the bone" looks(that was Buick's ad campaign in the 80's) is real popular today. It's fun to drive and although quick to 30, it will easily get whupped in the quarter(14.5sec/91 mph) by many other cars today. However, I still get a smile when hitting the gas and hearing that "whoosh" as the turbo spools up. The trouble today is finding any 86-87 GN(the most desirable and quicker of the lot) that has not been abused or super modified. Now, with GNX's, most of those are stock and gaining in value. You can still find them for sale once in a long while in the 50-80K range. Most GN's, on the other hand, go for less than 20k. But, that will change in the next 10 years.

Besides rust and other modifications, you need to look for two problem areas. The "Powermaster" brake system is unreliable and expensive to repair. Most owners swap out the system for a traditional vacuum arrangement. Secondly, the cars can be tough to "smog" when the registration is up for renewal. The engines, especially, CO2 readings, can be really dirty. So, if you see a GN for sale and it's relatively unmolested, by one. You'll love driving it.