I just bought my first turbo car barring any unforseen problems. So I am wondering, for those of you who have or have had both the V8 and turbo cars, which would you keep if you could only have one, and in 1000 words or less, why? P.S. Since this is a V8 board, I'm sure the consensus may be a little slanted uzzled:
I love the torque of the BBB, but also want a GN very badly. I've never even ridden in one though. Maybe I wouldn't like it. I've seen them at the track alot and they're amazing. .... Barely enough power to do the burnout.... then they run an 11! :eek2: It has to be a completely different feeling. I really need to ride in one someday. :Brow:
That's a tough choice. Both have their strong points. As a daily driver the turbo car is hard to beat. Twenty miles per gallon and the ability to drive to the track and run twelves is cool. They are just really nice, comfortable cars. The older cars are nice too. Big block torque is a hard feeling to compete with. I say keep them both!:TU:
As an owner of both I wouldn't want to make that call. I have to exclude my 70 Stage1 for sentimental reasons. I love THAT car and it simply is not for sale(I've already been offered lots more than it's worth several times) so basing my decision between my turbo car and my GS isn't fair. At heart I am a big block guy. I choose one as my weapon of choice when racing and at the stoplight. So, I'd have to say GS.... but, my TType is my daily driver and with less than $300 dollars in parts and some critical adjustments it runs 12's gets 20 mpg with A/C and although not as rare as the GS, gets thumbs up from knowledgeable enthusiasts on a regular basis. Even though it's a little hairdried V6 it does a pretty good imitation of big block torque when the turbo spools.
V8 Baby! Why? The major thrill of a well tuned V8 is a head rush to drive throughout the ENTIRE rpm range. The turbo, imho, is a major head rush at WOT only. The real "unleashed energy" is not as evident as it is on a beastly V8, which almost urges you to slam the pedal down. If I had to make a comparison, I would do it using roller coasters as a likeness. The turbo would be one of these newer, smooth steel roller coasters and the V8 would be the old psychotic wooden one's where you live the ride through every seam and imperfect learching angle. When you get off, you know you've been abused. That's a V8 man.
Ken, :laugh: I love that roller coaster analogy! Personally, I've only ridden in a GN, never driven one. I would have to agree with Ken, the turbo cars seem to come on when the foot nears the floor. Granted, they are fast, but from my perception, it was a "comfortable" fast. Nothing that made you want to grasp the dashboard and scream to your driver if he/she knew what they were doing. I remember the first time I rode in my boss's Chevelle, I was grabbing the door, the seat, whatever I could. Good golly, miss Molly, I didn't know what was happening... And I personally would choose that spontaneous torque over the subtleness of the turbo. I wouldn't mind having both, though... :grin: I do envy the gas mileage of the GNs.
actually, I'm in the process of dumping all my V8 cars to get a turbo car, I will eventually have another big block car but you have to remember that the T-Type I'm getting will be my ONLY car so I have to weigh the options so it makes sense to get the turbo for all around drivability. I normally ride one of my motorcycles everyday so the T-Type will be for occasional driving, the other factor here is that it is my fathers 1985 WH1 T-Type that I'm getting and I've wanted that car since June 6th 1985 and the deal was I sell off the cars and some bikes and he'll give me the car....the choice was easy now...if someone would just buy my 68 Skylark I could get the friggin T-Type
Tough one for me!! I've got to have one of each!! Although I voted for my next project....................Regals with Extra cylinders!! Everything else is been there done that!!:Brow:
Consider this, your driving down the street at say 30 to 35 MPH and hit the pedal to the floor, the turbo spools up and all you do is smoke the tires for another hundred feet before they catch hold and away you go. The power surge is a definate RUSH, that you cannot get from a naturally asperated vehicle. I have owned several Grand Nationals and they are in my opinion the most phenominal car produced in the US. You will never see another modern musclecar that can even come close. And all that power from a tiny little V6 block, whoa!!! My humble opinion only Mark
I have owned both a 1970 GSX and a 1987 turbo regal. My favorite is the 1970 GSX with the 455. I love the way it sounds, responds and looks. IMHO it was the best muscle car every built period! I will gladly put up with the milage to ride in a big block. I am really tuned into the GS body style. The turbo regal comes in a close second. I love the feel of the acceleration when the boost comes in. They are also good looking cars and I enjoyed driving it everyday. Mark
:3gears: Buick V6's produce very good power. turbo or not, always produce good power.:TU: And very good on gas, as i own a 1976 buick century with a non-turbo engine and i know how good on gas they are, and they produce good power. Although i have ridden in a V8, and trust me, you cannot compare a V6 to a V8. V8's sound good, drive fast, feel nice and powerful, and there is a few more very admirable things about a buick V8. In my opinion, get what you feel is best for you. Hard choice, but both are very good. -Cody
I disagree, We have both, and id never be able to choose, they each have huge strong points, but the 1989 TTA is another modern muscle car thats more than capable of the same thing and then some. We are supposed to get ours on thursday!
I've had both but I'd rather old school muscle. The GN's are nice for modern style muscle, but the original stuff is what's remembered.
I appreciate my gsx more than my we-4 t type, the x gives me more of a thrill because I'm more into the 70's. but If you add a third factor into the equation -a GNX :laugh: that would create a problem:beer owen
I loved the 87 GN we owned ( brother has now) but I will go with the GS for these few reasons: 1. Cost of maintenance/ parts lower for GS 2. Police have it out for the Black GN's in this area 3. Anyone with a little mechanical ability can repair the GS. The GN is a unique car that has unique problems. Therefore, you must purchase expensive diagnostic equipment and learn to work on it yourself. But the power generated from the GN is a blast. The first day I had it ( Sept 2000) I backed it up to the playground fence at our daycare. The kids came running up to see it. They were treated with a **** star posi-burnout that had everyone buzzing. For those of you who plan to purchase one, beware of persons who tell you they can work on it. My story can't be told here, but it happened twice. ou: That is why I had to sell it. At least my brother got it! In the end, both cars are great to own, and I would be happy with either. Russ Waters 1970 Skylark Convertible 455
I have both, and I am selling my GN to buy another GS, so you can guess where my vote is. The GN is faster and a thrill to drive. Anybody who says a GN isn't scary fast, has probably only ridden in a stock one or one in need of a tune. Most out there have been modified, and it seems like the slow ones "only run twelves". I have street driven ones that run in the 10's and 11's, and they aren't scary. Not scary because you can't drive them, which would be the case with most GS' that run 10 or 11. Scary from the standpoint that they seem so sedate, idle quietly, A/C running, knocking down 20 mpg, and then they break the drag radials loose at 65 mph on the freeway!:jd: So why would I pick a GS then? Same as Russ said, if you are not real mechanically inclined or know someone who can work on a GN, it is a nightmare. Some (not all) can be the most tempermental, hard to diagnose, hard to dial in cars you have ever seen. For me, the nearest "expert" is 50 or so miles away, so anytime it acts up in can take weeks or months to fix. But if anyone in the WA area is looking for one, just let me know!!
simply in regards to getting horsepower figures and style i have to go old school! you can not beat a big V8 and the poll shows that i am not the only one who feels this way :TU: if you like the rush of a turbo why not turbo a V8? GAS MILEAGE, WE DONT NEED NO STINKIN' GAS MILEAGE
