GMTruckGuy74

I won't repost another Yukon 2-door picture since you covered it with this GT picture, but man these full-size 2-door SUVs were popular where I lived in central NJ growing up. As camino posted that he couldn't order one, the local GMC dealer near my house never had a problem getting four-five 2-door Yukons in stock (SLE & GT models, never saw any SL base ones). Even when the 4-door took over in popularity, they still stocked two-three 2-door models until their demise in 1997. Used ones when I worked there in 1999 & 2000 didn't last long either. I still want one of these bad boys dearly. I keep my eye out continuously looking for one, both for sale on the street and online. One day I will get one of these SUVs. Of course it would be nice of GM to reintroduce the 2-door full-size SUV (here's a poor photoshop, but I still like how it looks):

1970s - Introduced their own motorhomes, which can still be seen on roadways today even though production ended over 30 years ago!!

1970 - The beginning of the future SUV craze...

1955 GMC Suburban Carrier (aka "Town & Country"): 1957 GMC Suburban Carrier (aka "Town & Country"):

1956 - GMC offers factory-installed 4WD as an option:

I for one would be more than happy to go to a Pontiac dealer and sign on the line for a brand new 2009 Pontiac G8 GT Sedan right now if I knew I had a job in September and could get a loan for the car (oh yeah, and could afford the payments too on a $32k GT model ). Depending on how things play out between now and when my SmartLease ends in November, the G8 is still on my shopping list. Not everyone here at C&G hates this car

I grew up around a lot of pickup truck owners, and many were GMCs. My grandfather had a '55 GMC 102 2nd series ("Blue Chip") pickup that I remember riding around in with both him & my dad when I was real young... it's engine blew and my grandfather "parked" it in his backyard to one day fix up (never happened). From the age of 6 up it was a play toy for us grandkids, and I spent a lot of my ouitside time pretend driving it and using it as my construction truck, spaceship (Star Wars period), and overall playground equipment (I had a great imagination, huh!). Back to the neighborhood - my next door neighbor worked for the state department of transportation and always had a GMC Sierra worktruck. His personal truck, an early '80s Ford F150 2WD and later a mid-'80s Ford Ranger 2WD pickup always seemed to give him problems - but those GMCs never did. My other neighbor owned a '84 or '85 GMC S-15 Jimmy and he babied that thing for many, many years (he still had it when I moved out in 1999!). Many other neighbors had Chevy trucks, and like the GMCs they never let their owners down (one neighbor had an awesome '91 Chevy Silverado 1500 Sportside 2WD that I lusted after too). I guess it all goes back to granpa's '55 GMC and a boyhood of play that today makes me a huge GMC fan.

One of my many dream trucks that I hope to own one day

I have a soft spot in my heart for the Chevy SSR. I love seeing them on the road still to this day, and maybe one day in the future I can buy a decent used one to park alongside the decent used GMC Syclone I buy too

We have one that is 6-7 years old and is used at least twice a month, if not more. However, I recently made hamburgers on it and they were horrible. The wife didn't comment, so I knew she wasn't happy with them either (remember, no news doesn't equal good news!). I cook hot dogs and chicken on there a lot, and no complaints. I wonder how bacon would turn out? The wife uses the oven to make bacon, but not the broiler which I think would make it better (the oven seems to take forever and it's not cooked enough for me; I used the broiler last time to cook it more and it worked). We have a small GF grille, only able to do 3 big burgers at one time. We don't use it a lot, and I use the gas grille in the warmer months for cookouts, so I won't spend the $$$ to buy a bigger GF grille.

No updates to report. The owner wants me to come back for a test-drive on a nice day, and so far the weather in southern NJ hasn't been nice to take the car out (threats of rain, gray skies, and spotty rain showers). Plus I want to take someone with automotive mechanical knowledge with me that knows what to check out, and once I have that information I can then work out the financials. I'll send the owner an e-mail tonight after I watch the weather report letting him know I'm still interested and working things out.

DF - don't think that that thought hasn't crossed my mind too yesterday (looking for another classic car for the amount I can possibly spend on this Grand Prix). The only problem to that is if I go classic for the amount of money I have available means I'm not getting a "daily driver" car and one that can require a restoration, which I have no skills, time, or money to complete. I like this '87 GP because it's a car from my childhood, is already considered a classic in the state of NJ (20 years old is the requirement), and while needing some TLC-type of attention, is in great shape and can be used immediately for show at local car shows and cruise nights. So it would suit me well for what I want, although it's not like it's a classic 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix (my favorite of all years). But that dream is just about impossible to make come true ocn - This car will not go down in value at this point. That's what I've been thinking - this car can be sold down the road for at least the amount I'm paying for it, if not more since I'd be taking care of it. I'm sure if I like these cars, someone else out there does too. It's in beautiful physical condition. If it is as good mechanically, I'd say the price is on the money. I look at it as the modern-day barn find - a time capsule car that has been used but not abused. The opportunity I've been waiting for to find a decent conditioned '80s GP has finally come. Now it's up to the financial part, but after someone much more qulaified than me examines it first so I don't buyy a money pit caddycruiser - well, he doesn't have it parked outside for sale, and from what he said about not having a need to sell it, I can agree with you. However, he did state that he knows if he lists the car for sale or does park it outside he knows it will sell quickly. So I don't know how to read him quite yet. I did state that I'm interested, I want to take it for a test drive, and I want someone with knowledge to look it over with me (even if it's just general automotive mechanic knowledge and not G-body specific knowledge), all to which he agreed and did not seem pushy. I like the fact that he acknowledged my comment about keeping the car "well-cared for and garage kept" and said that he wants this car to go to a good home - which tells me that he may negotiate on the price. I will definitely stay in contact with him and keep that line of communication going. And while originally I wanted to buy this car and use it as my DD, seeing it in person and acknowledging that it's a 22 year old car made me realize this car would best be suited for summer duty and pleasure driving. That plus the really nice unsold 2008 G8 sedan parked outside reinforced the fact I still want a new car to drive too (selfish, I know!).

I decided to stay up and download all 285 pictures off my camera. Here are the somewhat crappy photos I took when I saw the Grand Prix in person today: (Sorry about this pics darkness - I tried getting a shot of the dual/dual exhaust, but it was getting really cloudy at this time and the interior lighting wasn't all that great) And the Pontiac 6000 sedan that was in last April's pictures was gone, along with a few other vehicles that I noticed on past visits. The late '70s/early '80s El Camino Conquistador was still there, bed loaded up with stuff. I did ask him if it was for sale, which he quickly replied no to. I told him I was asking because I knew that Carlisle Fairgrounds was looking to buy one for an upcoming show. He seemed intrigued by that comment, but didn't say anything more about the El Camino. On a side note, he apparently is a G-body Grand Prix fan... he told me he also owned 1981 and 1985 GPs, both red in color, one with a red vinyl top. He said the wife took the '81 in their divorce settlement and he sold the '85 several years ago since he had the '87. I asked why he went with white after two red cars, and he said that the red was discountinued in '85 (or did he say '86?), so he changed it up a bit. I think the color combo is great - white exterior with a gray half-vinyl top and a gray cloth interior.

Well, I went to check out the car for a whole 15-20 minutes today (I did get to start it up!). It is a very nice ar for being 22 years old and I have to agree with caddycruiser in that if I were to buy this car, it would not be best as a daily driver. However, I see the potential in making this car - a car similar to what I grew up with at home & learned how to drive with - a fun summer pleasure vehicle and something I can take to local car shows and cruise nights. That being said, I talked with the owner and had the opportunity to sit in it, start it up, see the engine bay & trunk areas, and did a quick walk-around (thank God that Thule bike rack is not mounted to the car permanently!). It is in excellent shape, showing some wear but no where near what an unloved GP of this vintage has. The car has an updated (mid-'90s maybe?) Delco CD AM/FM Radio installed, a Monte Carlo SS GM dual/dual exhaust setup (just one pipe leading out to the duals in the rear), the owner changed the door panels out with those from a GP Brougham model (more upscale and comfortable, he said), comes with two new-old stock exterior mirrors due to a vibration behind the glass when you close the driver's door, and has the original window sticker and I think he said manuals and other paperwork too. In one of my e-mails to him yesterday I asked if he could tell me a price range he was expecting to get for the car, and being a professional salesperson he ignored that question completely (which I expected anyway). I asked again today what he was expecting to get and was given this answer - "I don't need to sell this car, so I'm not giving it away. I expect to get no less than $4,000-$4,500 for it". We ended the conversation soon after, as the dealership was closing (he was the only one there in this very small dealership) and I had a combo birthday/retirement party to go to. Because of the time and weather concerns (gray skies), he said I was welcome to come back next week on a nice day for a test drive, and that he would put it on the lift so I could see how clean the underside is. I asked if he wouldn't mind me bringing someone with me that is more knowledgable with mechanics, etc. and he said that it was no problem. He asked if I was still interested, to which I replied yes, and he said he liked how I eneded one of my e-mails by saying that the car will continue to be well-cared for and garage kept if I do buy it. I take that as a good sign and hope things work out. At this point I need to find someone that's willing to go with me next week for a test-drive and brief inspection of the car (remember, I'm no mechanic!!). I also have to figure out a way to make this purchase if I do decide to go for it. If he said he'd take $3,000-$3,500, I'd be more confident about syaing yes to buying it. I know an extra grand might not be looked at by many here as out of the question, but it depends on my finances, what I can afford with insurance costs, and this means I will need to find a part-time 2nd job to pay for the car & insurance costs (I know the wife will not like a 3rd car again unless I take the measures to not incur new, additional costs out of our current paychecks). I want to drive it and have a more qualified person examine it for me, plus look into a loan, but I am interested in getting this car. I took 3 or 4 pictures today that I have to download out of my camera (with about 280 other pictures going back to late November). I'll post them as soon as I can.

Thanks for the reply caddycruiser... I agree with you about making the '87 Grand Prix a daily driver year round. It would more than likely be garaged for the remainder of this winter and once the April showers wash off all of the road salt, then it would start seeing some driving duty. But I'm going too far ahead here, if something works out with the dealer I need to see if my auto insurance will cover this car. I don't want to buy it and then not be able to get coverage!! I also am thinking that I need to rid myself of the AURA if I do this and find a decent beater to use when the GP is "parked". If you look in the pictures I took last year, there's an '80s Pontiac 6000 parked next to it. I wonder if I can get a package deal and make the 6000 the daily driver? Here are the two pictures from last April for reference:

Well, if time allows today I'm going to try to stop by and see the car. I'll take my camera and get pictures if I do see the car. I'm afraid the owner will want $10k because it's a well preserved car I think I'll tell him that I just want to see the car today and will get back to him early next week with a price - that way I can try to research it some more. $3,000 cash would be a great deal and one I probably could pull off. We'll see...

If GM does declare Chapter 7 Bankrupcy, what happens to the inventory that is already on dealer's lots? Does it get sold off to pay GM's creditors? If yes, does it have to be auction-style? Can you imagine the immense size of these auctions, where a specific area in a large city (take Philly for example, they could use the Philadelphia Race Track & Casino) hosts an auction? I wonder if prices would be low, say a $35,000 vehicle selling for $20,000??? BTW, in no way or form do I wish for this to happen. I'm just posting a "what if" scenario. As for me, if GM declared Chapter 7 and each dealer had to sell off their inventory ASAP to raise cash for GM, I would definitely look into a 2009 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 Crew Cab 4WD or 2009 Pontiac G8 GT Sedan. Then I'll be driving either one for a LONG time. However, if GM closes and I can't get a new GM vehicle, then the wife gets to pick out something new (whatever she wants and we can afford) and I'll take her '08 Pontiac G6 V6 Sedan and drive it for a LONG time. And what happens to all of the lease contracts (GMAC SmartLease vehicles) still in existance if GM goes belly-up??? Will someone come collect my car in the middle of the night???

UPDATE #2... So apparently, he responds very quickly. Here is his response: So in your opinion C&G, what would this car be worth? He also sent me another e-mail asking if I could stop by Saturday (tomorrow) to see it in person. I'd like to get C&Gs advice and opinions on what price this car is worth before I go any further. It is kept in the dealership's garage and has been under a car cover since I first saw it last May. BTW, If I bought it, this would become my daily driver once my AURA's SmartLease contract ends. It'd still be well-maintained, cared for, and garaged too. I guess I'd also look for a winter beater, as to not let road salt from NJ's winter storms damage this car. Please post away... Thanks!!

UPDATE... So here I am at work this morning and we're on an early dismissal day (aka "half day") due to parent/teacher conferences. This is the block (period) that I usually eat lunch; howver, it's too early for me and they give us a 45 minute lunch after the kids leave and before the parents are to arrive anyway. So I decide to check my personal e-mail and this is what I find sitting in there from 7:30 AM this morning: So I quickly reply back with the following: So I now patiently wait for his response!!

Had to make a run to Blockbuster tonight for my step-son (needed to exchange his GamePass game), and there's a Toys R Us right next door in the shopping center. I promised the little guy a new Hot Wheels track add-on (launcher), and upon entering the diecast aisle I see new Hot Wheels cars on the pegs. I look through and find the following: 1970 Chevelle SS Wagon (2009 New Models, #19/42); 1968 Oldsmobile 442 (Muscle Mania, #06/10); Custom V-8 Vega (2009 New Models, #23/42) (see attached pictures for each) I bought the Chevelle SS Wagon & Olds 442 and passed on the Vega, as I'm not a big fan of them.

Hope you have a great one!!

I only have 1.5 kids (14 y-o & 3 y-o), so while a 4-door is definitely more practical, I could get by with a 2-door. The wife on the otherhand wants the convenience of a 4-door. I'm still hung up on the '01 2500 extend cab (see the post right before this one). If I had to make a purchase by this weekend, I'd probably end up with that 2500. Seeing as how I have the lease tying me down right now, unless I found a beneficial-to-me way out, I don't think I'll end up with it. I need to stop online window shopping, if only for the purpose of keeping my sanity!!

Well, here it is two days later and I still can't get the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 SLT Extend Cab 4WD out of my head!! It doesn't help that the landscaping company that was responsible for snow removal the last two days in my development had similar Sierra 2500 Extend Cab pickups plowing the streets; nor as I drove around on errands today I saw no less than four Sierra 2500's on the roads or in parking lots (they're stalking me!!). I think for my sanity I need to go see this truck this weekend Also, I've been thinking about the 2001 Regular Cab SLE 1500 Z71/4WD too. I really need to find out if the selling dealership has any maintenance records available, and any background history on the truck they can give me. If it turns out that it is a well-kept, reliable truck, I'd definitely be interested in it more. Anything that is not a GMC Sierra is not keeping me interested very long (like the Alero coupe I posted about). If I'm going to not have a new car/truck by late summer, I want whatever used vehicle I end up with to be something I do want and not have to settle for. In the meantime, I'll keep looking over the next several months - there's no immediate need for me to do anything, and I'm not sure how I could get out of my lease in a beneficial way at this time without costing me money that I don't want to part with.

PCS, thanks for your input, I do appreciate it. Common sense is telling me to pass on the '01 Sierra 2500, as the extend cab is not as roomy for the family and I don't have a need for a 3/4 pickup and the capabilities it offers. As for the '01 Sierra Regular Cab, the main benefit is that I could have it paid off in about 12 months with low payments - unless I was able to negotiate a much better cash deal and drive away with it. It may not offer room for more than 3, but a small payment or no payment is much better than worrying about making my current lease payment after June. daves87rs, your advice on the Jimmy/Blazer (and Bravada) are spot on. I've spoken with a couple of other people I know that are more knowledgable with mechanics than me and they told me to stay away from the Jimmy/Blazer/Bravada - especially since 4WD/AWD systems can be costly to repair, in addition to other reliability issues. I was looking at a 2001 Jimmy SLT 4WD with 110k and a 2000 Bravada Platinum with 105k. My two friends basically said no and recommend I stick with a car if I'm going with an older, used purchase to hold me over. Both also were leary of the '01 Regualr Cab with 175K, saying that repairs could run costly too. But they said those trucks with the 5.3L V8 engine are known for lasting over 200k miles and said if I could drive away with it for $2,000 cash, it might be a good deal (they both recommended a mechanic to check it out first before I do anything). Throwing Oldsmoboi in here, he has mentioned to me in the past to look at used Oldsmobile Aleros. I've always liked the GLS Coupe, so I did a Craigslist search in my area and found this one: Link The good thing with this car is that I could drive it and pay it off in 24 months and that's about when my stepson will be turning 17 - I can give it to him as his first car (of course I know he won't like it - he wants a Scion Tc - but who can refuse a free car when offered???). The wife likes this idea too, however I need to see what I can do with my SmartLease (there's a local CarSense dealer that is advertising they are looking to buy newer, decent condition used cars, so I might stop by there this week to see what can be worked out).

Here's the info on the '01 Sierra SLE, Regular Cab, Longbed, Z71/4WD: