Looking at purchasing a new car

[OwninFools]

I'm looking at buying a 1997 Eclipse GST Spyder.
140 000km, 5 speed, lowered, leather interior, red exterior, 8000 dollars CDN

Anything I should look out for on these cars? common problems with the spyder? it's 2.0L turbo.

 

[pmanaresi]

search the forum

 

[ChvyKc]

search the forum

You may want to read the rules again. Rule #1 says:

"No "Use the Search" replies - answer the question, link to the answer, or don't reply."

Just look for the usual stuff like rust, any fluids coming from the tranny, etc. If you see anything out of the ordinary and the owner dodges your question about the problem don't buy the car. Unfortunately, there is really no good way to test the car for crank walk which is the biggest problem with 7-bolt motors so your kind of stuck there.

Also, make sure that the timing belt was done recently and it was done correctly. The car is up for it's second timing belt job (every 70,000 miles) Good luck with the purchase, let us know how it goes.

Edit:
I just realized that you stated the odometer reading in km so that would mean that the car has right around 86,000 miles so it would actually be up for it's first timing belt job.

 

[OwninFools]

I actually have a full timing belt kit for the 4g63 turbo engine, it's the same engine in the 2.0L turbo spyder right?

The kit I bought was for a 99 eclipse GSX, but the timing belt, and water pump and tensioners should be the same right?

 

[ChvyKc]

I actually have a full timing belt kit for the 4g63 turbo engine, it's the same engine in the 2.0L turbo spyder right?

The kit I bought was for a 99 eclipse GSX, but the timing belt, and water pump and tensioners should be the same right?

Yes, they are the same.

 

[usneclipse03]

Honestly to me the most important thing to do is Carfax it. Find out the cars history! the do the regular exterior, interior and performance checks. Be sure to look real carefully and the top because the reason i never went convertible is because they can easily broken into and the motors are pretty expensive to replace

 

[spinninfwdlaser]

Before I buy a DSM, I would do a compression test to it. If the owner throws a fit, be alarmed. If its as good as he says it is, he has nothing to hide. When you get it home, check for boost leaks. Have fun, and boost safely.

 

[ChvyKc]

Before I buy a DSM, I would do a compression test to it. If the owner throws a fit, be alarmed. If its as good as he says it is, he has nothing to hide. When you get it home, check for boost leaks. Have fun, and boost safely.

I agree, it literally takes maybe 10 minutes to do a compression test. If the owner has a problem with it then there is obviously something wrong with the car.

 

[Cs4g63]

I would check the stitching on the convertible. My old one went from a having little bit of the stitching being undone around the back window to half of it being gone in about a month.