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Comments
Otherwise thanks for sharing your entries about the Buick Grand National.
Good eye! The emblem above the headlights is something you won't see on any other GN.
1. Have you taken into account of the over sized tires you put on the GN when figuring out the MPGs? Since the tires are bigger wouldn't the odometer indicate few miles than actually driven since they they'd do less revolutions per mile than the stock size? The mileage is horrible even for a car that old. I got an 88 5.0 with a stock engine and have gotten 29 mpg on the highway numerous times, granted it has 2.73s though.
2. I can't believe you know about that Grand National at Captain Bob's Chowder House. I grew up a couple towns south of Princeton and drove by there every day while I was going to community college back in the early 90s. I was surprised when I was back there a couple years ago and that poor GN was still sitting there a little more worse for wear. Capt. Bob is a character as you can imagine.
this is the first time I've commented in ages and this format sucks compared to the one I enjoyed for years. it's completely inefficient and user unfriendly.
if it weren't for the BRZ/FR-S, Jag, Porsche and AMG (and most of the editors) I'd probably stop coming back.
Our family's Olds Cutlass had a similar dash design as what was used in the Regal and Century. A pod for the instruments, a pod for the HVAC and Radio and open space for the passenger and several strategically placed dash vents. This design must be close to 40 years old since it debuted in 1977 (for the 78 model year and was in production for almost 10 years). Switch gear feel wasn't the greatest but probably ok for the time.
Which brings me to the other sadness. So few miles and so little use of such a tremendous classic? Not even 300 miles in the month of February? I was so excited about this long-term test and really wanted to see how a car of this vintage would ahndle the challenges of daily driving. As a result of the lack of use I am beginning to believe this was just someone's secret project, to have the employer buy their long-sought after vintage car, and then maybe buy it for a bargain at the end of the "test" when all the bugs have been worked out and parts replaced. That is the only thing I can figure for the lack of use.
Sad indeed.
Only in Cali.
-- That might answer a lot right there. While older cars can be a lot of fun when you have a massive garage full of other options the more cushy and compliant new cars seem to win out.
-- I'd love to see a list of how many days each car sat idle each month. Is the GN being driven by people that just don't post or is it being passed up? Is its main usefulness in it being a conversation starter.
-- I drive a 40 year old car over 7000 miles a year and while it never misses putting a smile on my face there are nice things about getting into the new car on the other days, and I don't spend as much time in LA style traffic like they do.
My guess is a semi-universal oil cooler adapter for a similar engine should do the trick in this case at least.
Since you were kind enough to respond to comments on the long cumulative comment thread for this car, can I ask you guys to fix the commenting format on your long term test introductions? Either there is no comment thread, or in the case of the new Passat, you cannot see the thread unless you post a comment. And then once you navigate away, you cannot see the thread again until you post another comment. I know our opinions are ancillary since Edmunds killed off Insideline, but could someone on the inside throw us a bone here and at least keep the comment format you have working properly on all articles?