Sorry...new person here asking the same question that I am sure a lot of people ask. I am in the market for a 70 GS455 (who isn't)...and I have around 15K to spend. I am not into projects, but looking for a very solid,well cared for 70 GS455. I understand with my budget, I will not get a trailer queen(nor do I want one)...looking for a very nice driver that could use some detailing. So the question is...is my budget realistic? I prefer matching numbers, just to know I got the right motor and trans. I am a private buyer looking for a keeper...for me and my kids. THanks in advance for your help Rich
You should have no problem finding a car within that budget if you are flexible. I have just purchased a 72 GS 455 after several YEARS of searching. I needed to find a car that was decent, and priced right. I spent $8000 and got a car that needs a trunk floor and tlc in plenty of other areas. You will find that even some of the high dollar cars are in need of work, as these vehicles are 30+ years old. I wanted a driver level car, and that is what I bought. My car is not a numbers matching car, and that was not a big deal for me. It is a legit GS 455, and was Sloan verified before I pulled out the wallet. I have been looking seriously since 2001. In order, I located a 70 Stage 1 in west Texas that was not matching nos, needed paint and interior. I passed on it because the owner wanted $6500 and then $8500 four years ago. I then passed on a $10500 70 GS 455 about 4 hours from here. It was a jewel of an original, but triple green. Since then, the same green car has been sold at least twice for around $20000, and the west Texas car was purchased by the ex owner of the green GS455. I also just inspected a 70 GS 455 that was supposedly a Stage 1 in New Orleans. This car had been sold at a Kruse auction in Texas. Oddly, the car has an SS block without the correct serial number. Not a restamp, just an original Stage 1 block that found its way into a GS455. This car is priced aroung $18000, and needs a trunk floor. It is Burnished Saddle, and has a Chevy 12 bolt and generic thm400. I know that the DEALER has around $14000 in this car, given the research I did on the Kruse auction it came from. These cars were going up as quickly as I saved funds, and I realized that the pickings were not going to get any better. I finally decided to make a move on a car that may have been somewhat below the condition that I really wanted, and this has prove to be a good move for me. The reality is that there are really very few "undiscovered" GS cars left. My own expericence has shown that for every car out there, plenty of the same people are aware of its existence. The guys on this board are your biggest asset. I bought mine after seeing an fyi post about it in the "cars for sale" section. Good luck, and good shopping. Rudy E
Rich, it's almost the end of the season. Cars are more expensive in general now. Save your money over the winter, get another 5K to make it 20K, and buy the car you really want as opposed to what you can afford right now. That way, when the good weather hits next year, you'll have your very very nice driver all season long, instead of getting what you can settle for at the tail end of this season
Rich, When I read your post, if I take it literally, you may be asking for a lot, at least by my standards. You want a very nice driver that needs some detailing. I take that to mean you don't want to do any body or paint work, interior replacement, major engine work, etc. You are looking for something you can clean and polish, and cruise around in it. Pretty much a "done" car, but not to a concourse level. You always want #'s matching, that comes at a price. You also want a 70, which further increases the price. I am looking for the same type of car, but in a convertible. The price tag on that seems to be pretty high as well. Now this is all my opinion, and very subjective. You may mean something totally different from me when you say you want a driver. You may in fact be looking for something with "ok" paint, but needs a repaint, needs some interior work, etc. Attached are some pics of a car that I just described as what you "may" be looking for. It is a 70 Stage 1, #'s matching, 85k mile car, has "ok" paint, needs some interior work, etc., but is in good "driving" condition. I was looking at buying it, and didn't, and it was just under your budget. Is this the kind of car you are looking for or something nicer? I think your car is out there, and may be a couple grand above your budget, and may be a couple grand below, but they aren't like shooting fish in a barrel. About 12+ months ago you would have been able to easily find the car you are looking for, but prices have increased a lot. My suggestion would be to stay patient and keep looking, or if you have to get something now, and can't increase the budget, then consider another year GS. 71's and 72's are very similiar, and cost a bit less still. Other years are even less. Just my .02.
Chris- Basically I understand you get what you pay for. In my case, I don't mind doing work on a car if it's extremely solid and isn't a project. I prefer a car in very good condition that may require some interior work, some component replacement or repair(i.e...carb, dist, suspension,etc) ...thngs that are relatively easy to fix without having to spend days/weeks working on and less time driving. Been there,done that...I am not as young or ambitious as I used to be to undertake anything big anymore. I am looking for a car that has not been abused too badly...that is rustfree and has decent paint. I would even take a car with marginal paint...if the car is really original and/or nice overall. It's all a matter of budget and making the most of the money that I have available. It seems today people don't seem to worry about dropping $20K on a toy...unfortunantely I can't do that so easily. My budget is really stretching me...but I really want to get a car. I am not a dealer that will "perfume" up a car to put it on e-bay to make a quick buck...I am looking to get something to keep and enjoy...and hoping to find a seller that wants to know their car is going to the right place. I am practical about it...if it doesn't happen...I can't worry about it...I am just hoping that my budget will afford me a really decent car. Thanks Rich
Rich, Sounds good, so would the car I posted pics of fit the bill? If so, you should be able to find one within your budget no problem.
Hi Chris- Yeah...pretty much that fits the bill. Even though a stage 1 would be nice...that isn't a priority. I would rather give up getting a stage 1 for a really clean original gs455.
Afriend of mine may have the car for you. Its a 70 GS455 The car can be driven to the west coast if you had to. I found the ad he placed in "cars for sale" look for bryan&phyllis inthe thread starter area if this link does not work. The car is clean. You'll need to do nothing to this piece for many many years. Look him up and go see it if your anywhere near Maine. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=78017
yes, thanks...I spoke with Bryan yesterday..great guy...very helpful. I think this is a bit more than I wanted to spend and I thought I would keep looking for a little bit.
A little late but- Toy? I drive mine to work. :laugh: The one thing I've learned in this hobby was that if I had saved my money and bought a solid rust free car, it would have cost 3 times the initial investment, and cost 1/3 the amount in repairs, but at the additional expense of zero time With my car, it's time AND money. I could have just spent money, but I was impatient, so now I also continually spend time, plus money. Going the cheaper route cost much more in the long run
not too sure if you are referring to me? I don't think 15 thousand dollars is going cheap... it's a matter of how much money you can afford to tie up in a car...and how much of a stretch it is for a family. If going to $15K can't buy me a car...I don't buy. I understand the collector car market is on fire...but to spend over $15K on a car to me is out of the question. Its funny, a year ago...I'd be tripping over gorgeous restored cars for this price...now I am looking for a clean driver and nothing....oh well...guess its the sign of the times.
I know you're deadset on a '70, and I know how you feel, but if I had 15k to spend, I dont think I'd be able to pass up the car I posted previously in this thread. I also don't know if I would be able to pass up 18k for Bryan's car... even though it was over my budget.
I understand...but a budget is a budget...I think Bryans car is what I am looking for...but I just can't go higher than what I can afford. What's the point of buying a car you can't do anything to because you have no money to do it? I know some may disagree...not trying to be controversial at all...but I have been in this exact situation before and had to sell my old car because the initial price was a bit over what I wanted to spend and I couldn't afford to do anything to it....for me, it is an uncomfortable position to be in. Plus... I can feel ok about having so much money tied up in a car, if its not impacting my family in a negative way. Not trying to get in a pissing contest with anyone...this is just what I can afford, that's all.
I didn't say you should push your budget, I was just saying that I would have to for that car. That 71 is a good deal, though. AS I said, I understand your dedication to '70's and Im sure you'll find one that suits your needs :TU:
