Might be time..?

So here's the situation, fellas.

It was back in January of 2008 that I picked up my 2000VFR. It had been 15 years or so since I was last on a bike. Didn't even know what I purchased when I bought that VFR. It was a purchase made on the logic of "600 is too small, and 1000 is too big". So I buy an 800. Turned out to be one of my better decisions in life!

Fast forward to today. Its been 6 years, and a whopping 12K miles later (bought it with 5800, has low 17xxx on the odo now). Through this website, I've learned tons of information and gained a whole new respect for fellow riders. The camaraderie among bikers is pretty unique, even more so with VFR owners. I've made a couple of good friends from this site that are also riding buddies.

Recently, however, I acquired what's known as a 1987 Buick Regal Turbo T-Type. For you car guys, basically a Grand National motor, trans, turbo, rear, etc., but yet its different. I purchased the car from an older friend of the family without knowing anything about it and sight unseen. (Hes in FL, I'm in NJ. He's the original owner since new in 1987. Its got 50,000 miles on it). I've since learned this is quite a unique car as far as how it was ordered/delivered from the factory with various options (its actually one of 1,035 that came with a factory installed sun roof. All others were shipped out of the factory to have it installed). There's some other unique things to it, but that's another story.

And here's where I'm going with all this. I really dig this car, and I've always had a passion for cars. There are numerous things that I'd like to do to this car, but of course, nothing is free! As my Pops would say, "money doesn't grow on trees" (unless you live with Randy up in Canada, eh). The wife and I are discussing, but if I decide to move forward with my plans for the car, its very likely the VFR is going up for sale.

I've read tons of posts on here about "whats it worth", and now I'm at that stage of the game. When/If I make the decision 100% to sell, I'll put an ad in the classifieds with some pics. But here's an overview of the bike.

2000 VFR
17xxx miles
2BR Slip on - high mount
Catless exhaust. I bought it this way. I don't know if the exhaust is from a prior VFR (i.e. 1999), or if its the full 2BR system. There is no rust on it, which makes me think it might be a full SS system from 2BR. Or not!
Ricks MOSFET R/R with VFRness done 2+ years ago. Voltage has been rock solid since
Corbin
Brake & Clutch fluid done end of last season.
Since I've owned the bike, its always been stored in the garage.

What does it need?
Tires good for maybe another 500-1000 miles (Pilot Road 2CT).
Chain and sprocket are original. Not worn, but starting to see a tight spot. I was gonna wait to about 20K miles, but they are getting there. I've always lubed it every 200 miles or so. Overkill? Probably. Hurt it? Probably not.
Suspension was never upgraded, front or rear. Fluid in forks last done 4 seasons ago (I know, too long), meaning this would be season 5 on it it.
Coolant needs a flush which is/was on the list for this season, but haven't committed to it yet

Miscellanous:
Runs great. No issues at all mechanically. On battery tender.
Oil changed every 2-3K, or twice a year.
I'd include any gear with the sale (if it fits and you want it).
Nelson Rigg Saddle Bags go with it.
Toolkit
Owners Manual
Printed Version of the repair manual
Seat Cowl (although the tabs have been repaired).

I have never laid the bike down or dropped it. However, when I bought it (from a dealer) its apparent it was probably lowsided. The telltale signs are on the pillion peg on the left side - you can see how it was scraped. The plastics were replaced (by the prior owner) with genuine Honda.

Paint does have a few chips here and there, but aside from those, its still downright clean. No haze. No swirls. No oxidation. I was pretty fanatical about washing and waxing the bike.

Again, I would take pictures of everything. All questions welcome.

I don't need to get rid of the bike, so that's a luxury, but I do have a choice to make. If I can get what I think is a fair price, then it'll be time to let her go. If the price isn't there, well, then I delay putting the "stuff" into my car and deal with it at a more opportune time. I'm not in a desperate position.

Of course, anyone buying it from this site would get the special VFR World consideration. It's always better to know its going to a good home versus some spaz.

Comments?

 

Wow....that's a tough decision. I love my vfr, but I love Grand Nationals also. My buddy has an 87 Grand National that he has offered to sell me for cheap, but so far I have resisted tempation. I forget the slight differences between the T Type and the GN, but I know they were cosmetic. Drivetrain is exactly the same and you can make stupid power out of either. I've seen 2000 vfr's in good shape go for anywhere from 3k to 5k depending on miles and options. I guess it will come down to what it's worth to you. Having owned numerous turbo cars, the last of which was a 472whp Subaru STI, I can tell you the temptation to mod is very strong and hard to resist.nthego: Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

The T-Type could be ordered in various colors, and options with things like your radio, antenna, exterior/interior color, etc. More of a "pick and choose".

The GN was simple - Comes in black with a gray interior. GN badging.

The GNX was the rarest of the rare. Less than 600 made. (A mint condition GNX with, say 20,000 miles on it would probably go for $75K+)

There was a model where only 1547 were produced; known as the WE4 package. It only came in black with a gray interior, but it lacked the GN badging. So its a GN, but it wasn't (once again). That WE4 package included aluminum wheels, aluminum bumper support, and aluminum brake drums making the car about 300 pounds lighter when comparing a stock GN to a stock WE4. So on paper, a WE4 Turbo T is a faster car than a GN (talking stock set up here).

With the T-Type, you could order different combinations. There were about 8000 T-Types made in 1987. About 20,000 GNs made in 1987. And as mentioned, only 1547 WE4s. My car was actually ordered with the aluminum bumper/brake/wheels. That doesn't make it one of a kind, but it apparently narrows the field down quite a bit. I have spoken to a few "authorities" on these cars, and I was informed that my car is probably in the rare category. That's always nice to hear.

 

I wouldn't sell the bike. The measly 3k ish you will get won't go very far on a car project.

No offense to the GN lovers out there cause I like em too but there has to be a way that both can stay in the stable.

 

Oh man too bad it wasn't blue
Good luck buddy I hope you can keep the yellow VFR

 

Ya don't meet the nicest people driving Buicks.

 

Keep both, I have a done to the nuts 81 Dodge D-50 with a 350hp+ 302 in it on full air ride.(Mitsubishi Mighty Max to you Merakans ) that I take to shows, Drag race, weekend cruising, (shhhhh street racing) and drive it any time its not crappy out yet I still picked up a bike for something to drive on nice summer days/nights or just to hope on and go somewhere for the hell of it.

Summer= Monday- Coffee with the crew in the evening
Tuesday- Cruise to A&W
Wed-Cruise to casino for evening Show and Shine then coffee with the crew.
Thursday- Bike night at ESSO Truck stop
Friday- Coffee with crew then Street car/bike get together (after 10pm) to watch some street racing (yeah yeah don't tell the PO PO)
Saterday day- Show and Shine somewhere close to the city (small towns less then an hours drive), Night- See Friday
Sunday- Same as Sat day
Fri, Sat I will be on the bike sometimes and sometimes the truck. weekends with no show and shines I will be on the bike probably headed out of town (maybe hit up randy for some cash and a place to crash layful: ) and just hit up some back roads.

Car= something for you and the wife
Bike= Something for you

 

My only comment is "Buy the Buick but don't sell the VFR". You will really miss it if you sell and it can't easily be replaced. It's a different kind of thrill that a car can't give. Even if you only put 500 miles on it this year it's worth keeping.

 

Something to bear in mind is how much do you use the vfr for practical reasons? Take the sentimentality out of the picture and ask yourself if you can do without having a bike at all. If the answer is no, I would try and keep it. You don't want to find yourself trying to find another bike in 6 months time.

 

I agree..to an extent. The 3kish as you say is not a huge amount. If that was all that I needed to put into the car, I wouldn't sell the VFR. But I look at it from an overall cost; meaning, if I want to dump $6-$10k into the car, and I get $3Kish for the bike, I've offset the cost going into the car by 25%-50%. That's a fair percentage.

Well, I've already bought the Buick. But I haven't sold the VFR. Yet. So I got that going for me. I know I'll miss the bike, and that's why I haven't pulled the trigger yet. The bike is a one of a kind thrill - I agree.

For practical reasons - none at all. Its strictly a toy. Could I get by without the bike? Easily. But despite my lack of need for the bike, doesn't mean that I wouldn't miss her.

********

Kind of a funny story: my wife mostly hates the bike. Never been on it - not even while parked. But when I told her I was thinking about selling it, she actually started to cry. Because she knows how much I enjoy the bike.

Of course, I'd love to keep the bike and have the car. Obviously if I was filthy rich, it wouldn't even be a thought. But as a average person doing the daily grind, finances always have to be considered.

I appreciate everyone's input an thoughts. It gives me different perspectives. Kind of strange that hunk of metal and plastic (meaning the VFR, not the car) has me doing some serious soul searching.

 

But what is the best oil to use in the Buick? :chaingun:

You should have no regrets about your decision. You can always go back and buy another VFR at a decent price but you can't just go find another car like this especially for a one owner example with relatively low mileage.


Rollin

 

Ya my suggestion is Dont Do It. Was in the same sich when I was re- building my 72 SS ElCamino and needed a creat motor...sold my Ducati SS 900 and still kicking myself every day...love my VFR . All depends on how much you ride. 12000 miles is not much since you bought her. It sounds like riding was a hobby and not a life style for you, so maybe not so attached. JMO Brooooo

Sent from my SGH-T679 using Tapatalk 2

 

Do you still have said El Camino (one of my favorites btw) ?? If so could you post a courtesy pic?


Rollin

 

Rollin..no as sone as I finished the El Camino got offered 14K and took it. So thats two HUGE mistakes on my part in less then one year. Im a freekin bone head....oh well ..you live and learn..thats why I say KEEP IT

 

Take out a loan/line of credit. Keep both, work on car while riding the bike. Only do what you can afford at a time. I know its tough but selling the bike wont make you happy when your waiting for some work to be done and you have no ride. Then you see some viffers (I would think intentionally) ride by then open em up so you can hear them sing off into the distance.

Ill leave you with that thought.

 

Well folks, after much deliberation and contemplation, I am going to move ahead with selling my trusty VFR. What it really boils down to is what Rollin mentioned above: I've gotten myself a pretty interesting car with low miles and one owner, and that's getting harder to come by.

The bike isn't seeing the road time it could be, and might even see less if I get wrapped up in the car thing. I'm leaving for FL in a couple days and will be gone for a week, so no point in posting any classified here as I'm going to try and stay off the computer and you message might go unanswered. But if there's anyone out there interested in my bike and you can wait another 10-14 days, send me a PM and we'll go from there.

Thanks everyone for your comments above. I really do appreciate it.

 

Please :nono:

 

Go for it Pliskin, I think Rollin is right for once
You can borrow my VFR if you need to. All my bikes will be in Mexico waiting for you arty2:

 

Ain't that the truth, Tink. But that comes with 3 kids, 2 mortgages, 2 college tuitions....

What's the old saying about why is divorce so expensive? Because its worth it.

Honestly though, the wife is being cool about this. I'm not going to unload the bike to the first low ball offer that comes around (haven't even set a price yet).