GS Market, Practically Speaking

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by Roadmaster49, May 28, 2019.

  1. Roadmaster49

    Roadmaster49 Well-Known Member

    I was browsing some of the member cars for sale. I wanted to leave comments but I understand that is frowned upon unless you are in line to buy. I did not notice many in line to buy, if any on 3-4 of the nicer ones. That's not a statement about anything, just an observation.

    So I have no money to buy any of these cars. I often wondered and wonder how you guys did it? You managed to get married, have kids, buy houses, and have a stable of GS's that are now worth no less than $25,000 to $75,000 or higher.

    I have two Reattas which were purchased with a parts car for a total of $7000.

    I almost bought a 71 Stage 1 last winter out of the craigs list --->

    https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/d/scottsdale-1971-buick-gs-stage-1/6889889766.html

    Some guys on this forum thought this would have been a mistake, partly due to the fact that 71 Stage 1's need super documentation to authenticate. Frankly, I think this is a Stage 1, but it's not that big of a deal. 2 of the ads on this forum from members, one is an AquaMist car 4 speed and the other is a Black automatic - neither are original but both are phenomenal cars, we can agree.

    While documentation on this Phoenix car might be nice, it would frankly add $10,000 to the car, maybe. And in the end, I think we all agree it is at least a GS by V.I.N. and has a Big Block set up and this color is a favorite color of mine. But I got to looking at it real close, and the tin worm has really worked on the body.

    To do a proper restoration, amateur mostly, would run me $60,000 + on this car? So I hesitated. To get two cars and be happy with them off this forum, I saw prices of $29.5 firm, $35K, $40K, a 72 GS350 for $12.k, $29K for a 1970 GS350, $25K for a 69, and that just scratches the surface in the Buy/Sell. A couple of projects including a $4500 71 GS350 with no bites.

    Now, I have a 17 year old off to college next year, a mortgage, and so on, 56 years old saving for retirement and the one thing I do have is great credit, so I would need to use that to get a 66-72 GS or perhaps a Turbo Buick from later or something. But what is the market price? And is there any way in heck I can possibly buy 2 cars? Kind of a one and done deal.

    What's the market? How much should I expect to spend for 1 or 2 cars? I am not a fan of 1968 GS, but if one of them was a great looking 1968 GS for a bit less and the other was a 1970 GS with a bit more "stuff" and price commensurate, then maybe buy a 1968.

    It just seems like sticker shock every time I see one of your nice cars for sale. I'm like "I can't afford that!" I always had to buy beaters or Centurions. But I never restored them. Maybe I am not cut out for this game, this market? Maybe I'm the poster child for why you buy nice cars periodically AND DON'T SELL THEM!

    I know I can put a couple of full sizers in the garage for $15,000 easy but that won't scratch my GS itch.

    Market comments welcome. Thanks
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
  2. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    I think there is a White GS 350. on the forum For Sale. If i did not have a car. And wanted one. It Would be that car. If i just came into money. It would be that car. We dont buy cars for investments. We buy them to make us happy. Some people make money on them. Not many though.
     
  3. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    1970 Stage 1 His colorado car. You would thank me later. If you bought his car. You should look at it. That’s my .2 cents And like you i’ve seen A LOT of cars. And i’m very picky
     
    1970 STAGE 1 likes this.
  4. TexasT

    TexasT Texas, where are you from

    I feel ya on the cost. If I had to buy my GS or T again I'd just get a skylark or regular regal and put something together. No way I could fit a "done" car in my budget. Too bad Buick hasn't built a car i would buy in the last thirty yrs so I could afford a used one. I have my sights on a G8 gt or GXP or one of these Chevy SS cars but even those are more than I want to spend for a decent unit with under 100k miles.
     
  5. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    I am not married, and don't have any kids, but here's how I afford my habit/addiction: Hard work and sacrifice.

    I work 55+hours at my job Monday-Friday. Then, in my "free time" I do side work on older cars/motorcycles/atvs/snowmobiles/lawnmowers that we otherwise wouldn't work on at my place of employment for another 5-10 or so hours a week.
    I don't have a car from this millennium, even my daily driver is a '74.
    I haven't bought a new phone since the year 2000. I make do with the hand-me-downs my family has, and I don't care that my current phone is a 6s or S6 or whatever it is, I just know it's a Droid 6 something with a cracked screen. That saves what, a grand a year for car parts? I also don't own a computer.
    I buy used tires and used parts and refurbish them, very rarely do I buy new stuff if used is available.
    I eat 2 things off the dollar menu at Taco Bell if I'm feeling fancy, otherwise it's things like bologna sandwiches, mac n' cheese, frozen pizza, or things like that. Every. Day.
    I still wear the T-shirts I've had since my 20s, and I'm 39 now. I also haven't bought a new pair of shoes in 3 years. My work boots get resoled. The only new clothes I get are from family or friends as presents.
    The heat in my house in the winter is set at 55 while I'm gone, 65 while I'm there. I don't have air conditioning.
    I don't go on vacations. The closest thing I do is I go to visit my family every year. When I need a break from work, I generally hang in a couple hundred mile area from home.
    I haven't been to a doctor since I was in high school and my parents paid for it. I deal with aches and pains every day, and I just deal with it.
    Some of my cars are worth in the 30-40k range, one was appraised at 60k, but I've gotten them for 1500-6500 each and done all the work myself over years and years. I don't have a new diesel pickup's worth invested into all of them put together.

    Now if you can talk your wife and kids into living like that, let alone yourself, you're there.


    Hard work. Sacrifice.

    EDIT: here's a pic of the 9:45 p.m. dinner of a 6 car owner after coming inside from after work "work".

    20190528_214648.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
  6. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    I know of a pretty nice ‘68 GS400 coupe (minor rust, driver paint, Edelbrock headed 455) that sold recently for about 10k, and another ‘68 project car (needed patch panels, paint and and freshening) that went for 7ish. The ‘68 GS convertible (red) linked earlier at 12k was well worth a look. The big thing is paint. It’s expensive and everyone who’s paid for it adds it into their asking. Drive a car with shabby paint until you can paint it, or do a Maaco quickie if you want shiny. Also, consider a Skylark with a healthy engine swap. Most people don’t know the difference anyway. Ask around, too. Most of the people on CL are fishing, especially the Turbo Regal ads. Just because every GN is listed at $20k plus doesn’t mean they all sell for that. Decide if you want a show car (or close) or a fun driver. Drivers are a lot cheaper but they’re usually not on CL or at a dealer.
    Patrick
     
  7. Smartin

    Smartin antiqueautomotiveservice.com Staff Member

    Every car I buy is bought with borrowed money...unless it is a direct result of a car I have sold. It usually takes me about a year to pay off the loan, sometimes more. There are also factors of having investments in other areas that finally pay off, etc...and some folks just have great paying jobs LOL!

    I have become very smart (read: cautious) in how I buy cars now. I will absolutely not buy unless I know I can make money on the sale. I just bought my 57 Roadmaster for well under $15k. I know that the market will bear about $25k for it, so the purchase was a no-brainer. Deals like that hardly ever come along. I had the same deal on my 58 Roadmaster. I made $8k on that car...even after a $2k transmission rebuild.
     
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  8. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Had my first Buick at 27. Nothing special. picked it up off the back lot of a buy here pay here for 100.00. It became the car that memories are made from. Got into big trouble in the late 80's had to sell the car to pay fines / cost / probation ect. Got married at 30. had a kid before I was 31. Didnt have license, a car, a job or any skills. Started learning a trade which opened the door to other trades and better jobs. Bought junkers, fixed em drove em as long as they would run. Family need of a decent reliable car comes first. Years roll by Kids grow, life changes, ya move up. 2010 comes around and I buy something for my self. A buick like my first but this one will get done the way I want it. Side jobs, buy and flip a few cars a yr. Keep my eyes open for opportunities.
    No way I would fork out 25K for another car but will buy as many decent ones as I can for 500 - 100 each and use that as leverage to get into something else. Currently have 7 Buicks. 2 are nice the rest parts or flippers. You'll get there. take your time, eyes open. No hurry. got the rest of your life to buy cars.
     
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  9. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    My green car isn't a GS, but (as stupid as this sounds) I know there's $30k easy tied up in it. But that's because I've owned it since 1999 and theres decades of time and money in it. Now my white car was a cash deal, but it's a lowly 350-2 Skylark (that I love driving every bit of not sometimes more than the 530hp big block 4 speed car). Many of the cars you see going up for sale lately (at least one of which I know you eluded to specifically) were purchased many years ago when these cars didn't bring what they do now. They were nothing more than outdated transportation at the time. Considered tacky and inefficient. Now they're more collectable, it's just a different market.

    And also as I've learned, some guys on this forum are just loaded. Through many different avenues (business ventures, years of flipping, family ties, whatever), they just plane jane pure and simple got the bank roll to do it. They're also some of the same guys that will hang out with you at an event in the hotel lobby till the wee hours of the morning sipping beers and talking cars. If I've learned anything, the Buick guild doesn't care about your net worth.
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2019
  10. gsgnnut

    gsgnnut Well-Known Member

    Same story here. Lots of hard work, elbow grease and horsetrading. I bought my buicks because I liked them most under 1000 bucks no borrowing money. Wrenched everyone myself including paint and body work. Had 3 Kids ,mortgage, then college. Not much left after that but spinning wrenches on the neighborhoods broken vehicles and equipment earned me buick money for parts and part cars. 40 years later I had an out of control buick hoard and a dozen cars all had for well under a grand each. I drive old daily drivers and no car payments and love every one. If you don't have the cash you can't afford it is my mantra. My wife is happy driving anything and doesn't ask for anything and loves cruising in the buicks the boat or the sleds and. I'm the luckiest poor guy on the planet. Every hear the song "power windows" by Billy falcon? That's me. I'm louis but instead of the 69 dart it's a 70 buick.
     
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  11. gsgnnut

    gsgnnut Well-Known Member

    Power windows by Billy. Falcon
     
  12. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

    I kind of kept my cars over the years. We don’t go to casinos at all and don’t generally waste much money. My wife does not like to shop, that’s a plus! Her sisters used to ask me if she was mad at them or something because she would never go shopping with them. Our one son who went to college got his Bachelors degree in 3 years at the University of MN and then earned his Masters degree through becoming an adjunct teacher, saving thousands.We never bought a new car either until the new Challenger. I will eventually have to stick money in the house though so all is up to snuff before retiring. As previously stated by others, hard work over the years helps too. Good luck, cars are fun.
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
  13. bill lagna

    bill lagna Well-Known Member

    ITS A SIMPLE GAME You gotta pay to play ! We all want more then the budget will permit. so we buy
    a little less and work to make it more.
    2nd You need a wife willing to put up with our BULL S##T !!!
    Bill
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
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  14. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    It took me 18 yrs. to get my car on the road. Still not finished. Lotta Dreaming.
     
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  15. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    I sold a lot of stuff. To get money for parts. Plowed snow for 20 years to scrape for parts. never ends
     
  16. quickstage1

    quickstage1 Well-Known Member

    Hard work and a lot of overtime. My 70 Skylark was my first car, owned it since 1988. The only things I have paid someone else to do was having a short block built 17 years ago, a front end alignment and having my NOS quarter panels put on. Dad taught me how to do body work and paint, mechanical work and interior work. I painted it at home, re-upholstered the seats in the basement and built engines and transmissions in the garage. Same for my GS Conv., I did a frame off in my two car garage, took me 6 years to complete but the only things I paid someone else to do on the car was engine machine work, front end alignment and having the frame powdercoated. I hung new 1/4's, replaced the floors, all body work and paint, interior, rebuilt the 4 speed, rebuilt the rear and even put the convertible top on myself. If I had to pay someone else to do this for me I would find another hobby. My twin boys are going to be 17 this year and I've tried to teach them the same things. They have done a ton of work themselves on their two cars that we fixed up together, a 79 Regal and an 87 El Camino.

    Ken
     
    1972Mach1 likes this.
  17. 69GS400s

    69GS400s ...my own amusement ride!

    There are guys here who have gone through a lot more cars than me .. but I've been through about 20-25 Specials, Skylarks, SportWagons, and GS's in almost 40 years of playing with Buicks so here's my advice -

    Whatever car you choose .. make sure it is a close to rust-free as possible !

    Nothing costs more in time, effort and money than dealing with rust and rot.

    If I was starting out now, I'd much rather start with a nice clean-bodied 10K Special or Sky and make it my own than buying a Stage1 4-speed rust bucket for the same 10K.

    .. and a lot of us bought our GS's 20-30 years ago for well under 10K - I bought my all original 78K mile (at the time) 69 GS400 Convert. in '93 for $5,800
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
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  18. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    I passed on a pretty nice driver ‘69 GS ‘vert in 1989 because $6k was too high...
    Patrick
     
  19. Philip66

    Philip66 Well-Known Member

    I think your questions are maybe one of the reasons people put BBB's in Regals or square bodies, or whatever. By the time you spend $30-50K on something, you're not gonna want to thrash it. If you buy an 85 Grand National with a blown motor for $2500.00 on Craigslist, $10K on an engine, $1K on a Trans and converter; $15-18K would build you a killer car that you can enjoy beating on.

    Now understand, that this is just a generalization and the numbers I used may or may not work for you. A clone or a tribute car looks just as good as a numbers matching original at a fraction of the price. It just depends on what you want to do...

    My $.02
     
  20. alvareracing

    alvareracing Platinum Level Contributor

    look at my avatar, you see all those GS's, yes that is my detached garage where everything gets done. I have owned most of these cars for well over 43 years. that 73, I was 16 years old in high school when my dad gifted it. I have built and restored them all including paint and body work. Worked 2 jobs so I could buy the tools and equipment needed to do these jobs. I learned by doing them and talking to experts for advice. Just did it!. That 70 X look-a-like, is a $39 car, saw it advertise for $50 jewed the guy down to $40 and found $1 in change under the carpet. Many and many thousands $ later with many years of work it is what it is. Everything I have, did not happen over night, and my love for these Buick's started way before I could drive. I don't care for sports or much of a TV guy, all I always do is work in the shop. Either on my stuff or someone else car. Done dozens of restorations for others and that has helped pay for my racing. Now, my body is feeling it. Everything hurts but my mind still wants to do more. All I can tell you my friend unless you have started this hobby when this cars were reasonably prized, you probably won't be able to do it now. I have been saying to our local Buick club years back that, it is getting to a point where I can't afford to do a restoration myself, how in the hell can people do it when they don't do any of it them self. Well, that's those deep pocket guys I guess. Good luck in your soul search.
     

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