Need some help making a decision!!!

[Shogunstyle]

Im considering buying a 97 GST with 109K miles. The car is in perfect shape and was driven by a 40 year old lady. Its pretty cheap because of the milage and also because she wants to get her an Audi (?). Now, the things I have been hearing about the GTS/GSX is that there is an issue with crank walk. Is that true and should I let that influence my decision. Any help will be apreciated. I have included a picture of the car also. Its really nice.

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Thanks,

Paul

 

[TurboAWD92GSX]

yes the dreaded crankwalk is true. but thats only like 33% of them anyways. your probally going to end up swapping a 6 bolt motor in there anyways. bigger head, stronger block (no crank walk), etc etc

 

[98TsiAWD]

Just buy it, if it does crankwalk, build a 2.4L engine for it for $2k or less. Check out my post about the engine in the Extreme Tuner Forum.

 

[Shogunstyle]

As of right now, if I do get the car, Im only going to be driving it back and forth to work and college which arent that far from my house. All the stops that I would be making like to my girls house are on the way. Do you think with normal driving and no real racing I would need to be conserned about swapping another engine in?

 

[gritsak]

Originally posted by Shogunstyle
As of right now, if I do get the car, Im only going to be driving it back and forth to work and college which arent that far from my house. All the stops that I would be making like to my girls house are on the way. Do you think with normal driving and no real racing I would need to be conserned about swapping another engine in?

if its gonna walk, its gonna walk..no matter if its stock or modded to hell...i had a 95 gst completely stock w/60k walk on me a few years ago

 

[Shogunstyle]

Hmmm, well, how abot if I put it this way.

The car in the pic, I can buy it tomorrow for $4050.00. Because of the high milage and that the lady that ownes it is loaded and I talked her down to that price. What about now? Is crank walk an issue? I mean, I have a nice job, actually at a dealership where they sell Mitsubishi and honda and all kinds of cars. So, should I really be conserned? Or should I just take the steal and run with it?

 

[gritsak]

Originally posted by Shogunstyle
Hmmm, well, how abot if I put it this way.

The car in the pic, I can buy it tomorrow for $4050.00. Because of the high milage and that the lady that ownes it is loaded and I talked her down to that price. What about now? Is crank walk an issue? I mean, I have a nice job, actually at a dealership where they sell Mitsubishi and honda and all kinds of cars. So, should I really be conserned? Or should I just take the steal and run with it?

ide buy it...thats a good deal...assuming its 5speed, if its auto then haha but thats just me...you can just figure in around +/- 2k into the price for a new engine..you might not need it, you might..but it doesnt hurt to be prepared for the worst

 

[Shogunstyle]

Why do you have to replace the whole thing? Why not just install a ballanced crank, new pistons and let it go? I have looked for info on the crank walk issue and cant get a deffinate statement what "crank walk" is. Im thinking its where the crank just wabbles around, is that what it is? What causes this to happen? Im sorry for asking so many questions but Im really wanting this car and well, to be honest, I want to be a DSM'r Im tired of hondas!

 

[gritsak]

Originally posted by Shogunstyle
Why do you have to replace the whole thing? Why not just install a ballanced crank, new pistons and let it go? I have looked for info on the crank walk issue and cant get a deffinate statement what "crank walk" is. Im thinking its where the crank just wabbles around, is that what it is? What causes this to happen? Im sorry for asking so many questions but Im really wanting this car and well, to be honest, I want to be a DSM'r Im tired of hondas!

if the crank walks your not gonna be able to just replace the crank and pistons..when mine walked, bent all the valves, and scared up the cylinders...plus its alot easier just to drop another motor in

 

[Unreal]

Crankwalk is simple excessive wear of the thrust bearing. This lets the crank move side to side. If you buy a 2g, simply have $3-4k in the bank at any given time, and know that at any time, the motor may need replaced. As long as you are ok with that, and all the other shitty 2g stuff, then buy the car. If you want a nice reliable car to get you back and forth to school, I wouldn't buy it.

 

[Phoenix_RsX]

Originally posted by Shogunstyle
Hmmm, well, how abot if I put it this way.

The car in the pic, I can buy it tomorrow for $4050.00. Because of the high milage and that the lady that ownes it is loaded and I talked her down to that price. What about now? Is crank walk an issue? I mean, I have a nice job, actually at a dealership where they sell Mitsubishi and honda and all kinds of cars. So, should I really be conserned? Or should I just take the steal and run with it?

Well for starters, crank walk isn't as much as an issue with GSTs as it is with GSX and the TSI AWD counterparts. 2nd, have you done a carfax report on it? does this woman happen to have the reciepts of her upkeep on the vehicle? i.e. timing belt change, new water pump? and etcera......if anything, do that carfax report because you never know what actually could have happened with that car......I was in the same position 6 months ago when I bought my GST when my RS was stolen.....99 with 48k for 10,500....I said screw it and took a chance. 7k miles, and 5-6k in mods and maintenance upkeep later, I've had no major probs with mine......

To make a long story short, I say go for it......but do the carfax report, then test drive it for a while first.