Buick bringing back the Grand National and GNX.

[nickc]

remember that turbo lag, then the smoking tire, yeah it was a t-type

 

[Topkicker]

Went to the local pharmacy and couldn't believe what I saw. Started this thread yesterday and saw this cherry GN in the parking lot tonight.

 

[buickanddeere]

I have a friend that has a Grand National, it hasn't run for several years, but he is the original owner. I used to go to the Mopar Nationals every year and I got to drive his GN quite a bit on the way to Ohio one year. It was a nice car, pretty quick for that time period, and was just a comfortable car to ride in. Handling was so so, but it was also a good looking car. In my opinion, they need to get a 2 door platform and get the cool looks back, this car just doesn't do the original any justice.

I take my GN out of the barn every summer for a brief rip. It's getting tired with 296,000 miles on the odometer. Bought it new over the phone from the dealer.

 

[Topkicker]

A guy I know just bought an 08 or 09 Mustang Shelby edition I believe. Supercharged V8, 600HP I believe. Scariest car I've ever ridden in for raw HP. Has looks to match it's power. I think it more than lives up to it's predecessors. Another friend of mine has a '12 Camaro. Biggest pooch I've ridden in for what you'd expect. V6 - 6spd car. Nothing about it appeals to me. Has 32K miles on it and starting to have stupid little problems. Power steering pump. Heater fan. Front end won't stay lined up, eats tires. I've not ridden in a Challenger. But I think they best hit the mark to capture the look. Edit: Forgot to mention the Buick GN. Just leave it alone. No way in He** they'll build a car that will be the sleeper that the GN was. That car stands alone in my opinion. None of the manufacturers built anything during that time that could haul water to it, let alone stand beside it.

I'm sure a V-6 Camaro didn't appeal to your after riding in a Shelby. Take a ride in a new ZL-1 Camaro w 580 HP and 0-60 time in less than 4 seconds. Promise you that won't feel like a "pooch" after riding in the heavier Shelby.

http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro-zl1-sports-car.html

 

[Fordman1981]

I'm sure a V-6 Camaro didn't appeal to your after riding in a Shelby. Take a ride in a new ZL-1 Camaro w 580 HP and 0-60 time in less than 4 seconds. Promise you that won't feel like a "pooch" after riding in the heavier Shelby. http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro-zl1-sports-car.html

Better yet take a ride in a 2014 viper. I got the chance to drive one yesterday. Wow what an experience. I can now check drive a super car off the bucket list.

 

[sd455dan]

86-87 Buick GN was the quickest vehicle in the GM line from 86 until the four valve Corvette was introduced in 1990 iirc.
Chev division is still all hissy and insulted with Buick beating Cameros and Vettes sports cars with a five passenger sedan that had a usable trunk.

Yep and the car that the Grand National X unseated as the fastest production vehicle before it was the SD-455 Trans Am -a title it held for 12 years...

 

[mikehaugen]

Yep and the car that the Grand National X unseated as the fastest production vehicle before it was the SD-455 Trans Am -a title it held for 12 years...

Now THAT is a car I'd like to own.

 

[Monster5601]

Interesting read but I can't help but think about the Detroit grapevine. There is chatter in the streets that GM is going to drop the Buick and GMC name plates. The grapevine said that Buick stayed as a name plate because is was supported by strong sales in China and they had hopes of building sales in North America which has yet to happen. GMC supported the Buick dealers with another line-up of re-optioned Chevy trucks and SUVs. There was no time-line mentioned when the name plates would be phased out but this chatter was in the Detroit auto rags along with the announcement of the new GM CEO.

Guess we will just have to sit back and see what plays out.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Interesting read but I can't help but think about the Detroit grapevine. There is chatter in the streets that GM is going to drop the Buick and GMC name plates. The grapevine said that Buick stayed as a name plate because is was supported by strong sales in China and they had hopes of building sales in North America which has yet to happen. GMC supported the Buick dealers with another line-up of re-optioned Chevy trucks and SUVs. There was no time-line mentioned when the name plates would be phased out but this chatter was in the Detroit auto rags along with the announcement of the new GM CEO.

Guess we will just have to sit back and see what plays out.

It's time. Never made sense to me.

Chris

 

[dodge man]

As far as reusing the Hemi name. Your right, the new hemi doesn't live up to the original, its better. I've had mine on the dyno and it made 370 hp at the rear wheels, that's with a tuner and exhaust. That's as much or more than an original hemi, but with a 345 cubic inch displacement. I get better mileage and the car rides better and handles better and gets 25 mpg.

As far as appearance, I agree, the Challenger holds the most true to the original, but I'm a little biased. I've always liked the Mustang also and it would be my second choice.