Buyer Research

1987 Buick Grand National — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $30,000–$75,000. There are 2 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

The turbocharged black sleeper that humbled Ferraris in its day and now trades like the icon it became. The turbo V6 is strong but aging, and originality commands enormous premiums. Verify it is a real GN and not a dressed-up Regal, and budget for turbo-era maintenance.

Known Issues for the 1987 Buick Grand National

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Aging turbocharger and fuel systemHigh — wallet impact

The turbo, intercooler, fuel pump, and injectors are decades old. Many have been rebuilt or upgraded; an unmolested original may need all of it.

Repair cost range: $1,500-$5,000

Cloned or misrepresented GN/T-type identityHigh — wallet impact

Regals and T-types get dressed up as Grand Nationals. Verify the VIN, options, and documentation before paying GN prices.

Repair cost range: Tens of thousands in overpayment

Rust in the T-top area, trunk, and floorsMedium

G-body rust at the roof (on T-top cars), trunk, and floors.

Repair cost range: $1,500-$6,000

Deteriorated original interior and electronicsMedium

Digital dash, interior plastics, and trim degrade and are hard to source correctly.

Repair cost range: $300-$2,000

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗GN claims with no VIN or documentation
✗A neglected original turbo and fuel system
✗T-top and trunk rust
✗A modified car sold as an untouched original

Good Signs

✓A documented, verified real Grand National
✓A rebuilt or well-maintained turbo and fuel system
✓Solid floors and trunk
✓Preserved or correctly restored interior

Found a specific Buick Grand National?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 1987 Buick Grand National in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.