New here

[Devinsq]

Hey guys I am new to this forum. I came directly from NewTiburon.com. No, I don't own a tiburon or any car for that matter. My brother owns one and I just chill around there. I am now getting to the age where I need to look into cars. I asked on NT and the said a DSM so I did very little google research and found this here website.

I now vaguely know what a DSM is. Isn't like a tuner of the Eclipse, Talon, and some other family? I really like tuners ever since my brother got his Tibby. I would like to stay around here for a long time because ever since i saw Fast and the Furious, I've liked eclipses. And if that what they mean by DSM, count me in.

So could you guys steer me in the right direction for gettin one of my liking?

Here is some info about me:
I am fourteen and half in driver's ed.
Need a car I can work on for a few months/ years.
Something not way expensive, something I can build up on.


Thanks in advanced..
Devinsq

 

[PogiGS-t]

Welcome aboard. Sure, a dsm may be exactly the car you're lookin for, maybe a 95-99 eclipse rs or gs to get you started.

 

[Guest]

Welcome to DSMTuners!
DSM means Diamond Star Motors. It was a joint venture between Chrysler and Mitsubishi. The cars produced were the Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, and the Plymouth Laser.
The only cars that are DSM's are made from the years 90-99, aka 1g and 2g cars.
Here at DSMtuners we are mostly all about performance, and cars that look like the cars from fast and the furious (big wings, body kits, flashy paint with graphics) are frowned upon...just a heads up.
What are your goals for your future car? I know you said you want to work on it, but what do you want to do with it?

 

[Devinsq]

With a future car I want to fix it up and such and in the engine... why do you guys frown upon cars like F&F cars? Also, I want to fix it up for maybe a little street racing but also I'd like a show car.. is theis the ploace I am looking for or no?

 

[awd6boltsi]

i picked my baby up for $300 with a broken timing belt and it has been a great project car that i havent had to dump a bunch of money into all at once... like buying a new car

 

[MrBoxx]

If you're looking for street racing, you've definitely come to the wrong place. Street racing is an illegal activity that endangers people and property. DSMTuners does not condone street racing, posting kill stories, or street racing videos. The majority of the DSM community frowns on the Fast and Furious movies because they make a mockery of the import tuning community and culture. The cars in it were created more for a fictional 'look' than for any real racing purposes. We, as DSM'ers, don't usually throw in for that very much.

As for fixing up a car the CORRECT way and caring more about the performance of your car and taking pride in it, then yes, you've come to the right place. If you care more about putting as many neons and decals on your car, making the BOV sound as loud as you can, and throwing flames out of the muffler, then you should probably find another site to visit, or perhaps look into another platform of car to purchase (Honda?) Leave the DSM's to the people who are going to care for them properly and do right by them.

You're 14. You have a lot to unlearn before you get into this. And then you have a lot left to learn once you do get into it.

Start here. Go to the 1000 Already Answered Questions page and start reading. Then read the rules and FAQ's on this site. Then do a little searching here to see if a DSM is right for you.

Good luck.

 

[jumpfroggy]

With a future car I want to fix it up and such and in the engine... why do you guys frown upon cars like F&F cars? Also, I want to fix it up for maybe a little street racing but also I'd like a show car.. is theis the ploace I am looking for or no?

Most here are into performance mods, and consider really gaudy flashy stuff like F&F stuff to be... completely the opposite of what we do here. It's really a matter of taste, and usually F&F is looked down on as "ricey" or immature, or just bad taste.

Some guys like it... I personally love the silver/blue GTR they featured in F&F2 for all of 3 minutes while it flew through the air (and later repainted for background use in F&F3... so sad), but for my own car I'm staying away from all the large spoilers/wings, flashing lights, crazy neon paint jobs, etc. I know it was more of a phase for me. When I first saw the movies, I thought "wow that's cool". Later, when I started seeing others around me emulate the movies, I thought "That's kinda unoriginal". Now when I see some honda-car with a coffee-can muffler, huge bolt-on wing, misshapen cracked body kit, and smoking out the tailpipe, I think "there goes another F&F car".

If you like it, go for it. Show cars are fun, take a lot of work and dedication, and can be something to be proud of. But just take things with a grain of salt when you ask "What's the biggest wing that will fit on my GS?" or "How do I put a hood scoop on my car?" and get some flak for it. Most people wont understand.

But yes, this can be the place for you. Read read read, if you prepare for all your mods and do it right the first time, then you'll get a lot further than if you do a few half-way things that ruin your car. Good luck.

 

[chodaboy3545]

like any car site some people like the "fast and the furious" look some like the bone stock look. It dosnt matter with a DSM you cant go wrong so you are in the right place this site has everything!! Its good to see another colorado person on here.

 

[cyclonekid77]

if your looking for a car to build up on, a dsm is great. the possibilitys are endless. if you want to see a fast talon look up john shepherd on youtube. you can get these cars at a pretty resonable price if you look around too. i got my 92 laser for $300, and ive been working on it and will hopefully have it ready to go next year.

 

[Devinsq]

I wasnt planing on exactly like a F&F car but one like this:

Nice Paint
Nice Sound System
Waxed and purdied up.
And a nice engine.. you guys frown on that? or was I mistaken earlier?

 

[jumpfroggy]

With a future car I want to fix it up and such and in the engine... why do you guys frown upon cars like F&F cars? Also, I want to fix it up for maybe a little street racing but also I'd like a show car.. is theis the ploace I am looking for or no?

Most here are into performance mods, and consider really gaudy flashy stuff like F&F stuff to be... completely the opposite of what we do here. It's really a matter of taste, and usually F&F is looked down on as "ricey" or immature, or just bad taste.

Some guys like it... I personally love the silver/blue GTR they featured in F&F2 for all of 3 minutes while it flew through the air (and later repainted for background use in F&F3... so sad), but for my own car I'm staying away from all the large spoilers/wings, flashing lights, crazy neon paint jobs, etc. I know it was more of a phase for me. When I first saw the movies, I thought "wow that's cool". Later, when I started seeing others around me emulate the movies, I thought "That's kinda unoriginal". Now when I see some honda-car with a coffee-can muffler, huge bolt-on wing, misshapen cracked body kit, and smoking out the tailpipe, I think "there goes another F&F car".

If you like it, go for it. Show cars are fun, take a lot of work and dedication, and can be something to be proud of. But just take things with a grain of salt when you ask "What's the biggest wing that will fit on my GS?" or "How do I put a hood scoop on my car?" and get some flak for it. Most people wont understand.

But yes, this can be the place for you. Read read read, if you prepare for all your mods and do it right the first time, then you'll get a lot further than if you do a few half-way things that ruin your car. Good luck.

 

[GofaST4life]

I wasnt planing on exactly like a F&F car but one like this:

Nice Paint
Nice Sound System
Waxed and purdied up.
And a nice engine.. you guys frown on that? or was I mistaken earlier?

no we dont frown on that, and in the end its your car, you do what you want to it...a car usually reflects the personality of the owner...so to each his own...

this site (if used properly) will give you more information than youll ever need, i myself have learned so much about Eclipse's , Talon's , and Laser's that they'll the only car i would ever want to own...

the fact the your 14 and starting your DSM education early is great...so read up, listen to the mods (board moderators) and wisemen and take in all the imformation you can get your hands on...

when you finally are ready to purchase, youll be able to find the car you want, know what it needs, the problems to look for, how it will be fixed/maintained...and watching your car become the master piece that YOU designed is a great feeling...

welcome to the addiction

 

[Devinsq]

so this is my plan.
My dad gives us each 6000 for our new cars, me and my bro, my bro bein 19 now and gone through 3 cars, fixing two and now gettin this tiburon... anyway...

Getting a talon or eclipse.. 2g. (95-99 right?)
Getting the thing to my house parking.
Getting some engines parts.. rods, cam,... whatever
looking and reading into a DSMlink, not to sure EXACTLY what it is.
getting engine to liking
fixing exterior
fixing interior
new sound system...

What you think that all will rn me.. I also work concrete for my uncle every summer at 10 an hour right now... you think I could have this puppy done by I get my driver's license?

 

[GofaST4life]

i think so, depending on your motivation...do you want to get a turbo DSM or a n/t DSM?

 

[Car_guy_09]

Welcome to the dsm world get used to it because you now will never look at cars the same.... Im glad to see more kids gettin into these (im 15). Look around read til your eyes bleed and im sure you will be come addicted . This site has everything you could ever want to know, Just search and read the tech stuff etc. Good luck...

 

[eclipseGSTud]

so this is my plan.
My dad gives us each 6000 for our new cars, me and my bro, my bro bein 19 now and gone through 3 cars, fixing two and now gettin this tiburon... anyway...

Getting a talon or eclipse.. 2g. (95-99 right?)
Getting the thing to my house parking.
Getting some engines parts.. rods, cam,... whatever
looking and reading into a DSMlink, not to sure EXACTLY what it is.
getting engine to liking
fixing exterior
fixing interior
new sound system...

What you think that all will rn me.. I also work concrete for my uncle every summer at 10 an hour right now... you think I could have this puppy done by I get my driver's license?

Welcome to dsmtuners! Do a lot of reading before you go out and buy a bunch of parts. I'd suggest you get a 1g or 2g GST or GSX. There's a section on this website about upgrade paths and the parts needed. Also check out www.vfaq.com and since you're interested in DSMlink go to DSMLink Homepage

 

[Car_guy_09]

so this is my plan.
My dad gives us each 6000 for our new cars, me and my bro, my bro bein 19 now and gone through 3 cars, fixing two and now gettin this tiburon... anyway...

Getting a talon or eclipse.. 2g. (95-99 right?)
Getting the thing to my house parking.
Getting some engines parts.. rods, cam,... whatever
looking and reading into a DSMlink, not to sure EXACTLY what it is.
getting engine to liking
fixing exterior
fixing interior
new sound system...

What you think that all will rn me.. I also work concrete for my uncle every summer at 10 an hour right now... you think I could have this puppy done by I get my driver's license?

Ive had the same goals but my job pays $5.85, And i think ive done pretty good and i had to buy the car too so i would say if you stay motived you will have no problems

 

[Devinsq]

i think so, depending on your motivation...do you want to get a turbo DSM or a n/t DSM?

I am not sure.. the obvious choice would be Turbo... but idk for sure.

 

[eclipseGSTud]

I am not sure.. the obvious choice would be Turbo... but idk for sure.

4G63T Turbo cars are a lot more fun to drive around. If you get a chance test drive a GS, GST, GST spyder (if you're interested in a convertible), and a GSX.

 

[jumpfroggy]

so this is my plan.
My dad gives us each 6000 for our new cars, me and my bro, my bro bein 19 now and gone through 3 cars, fixing two and now gettin this tiburon... anyway...

Getting a talon or eclipse.. 2g. (95-99 right?)
Getting the thing to my house parking.
Getting some engines parts.. rods, cam,... whatever
looking and reading into a DSMlink, not to sure EXACTLY what it is.
getting engine to liking
fixing exterior
fixing interior
new sound system...

What you think that all will rn me.. I also work concrete for my uncle every summer at 10 an hour right now... you think I could have this puppy done by I get my driver's license?

Sorry about this huge post. My car just got broken into and some things stolen, so I'm just wasting some time at a friend's house and in a funny mood. I'll release my anger by typing way too much advice for a first-time DSMer...

The whole car thing is such a personal hobby, and it's also complicated by the fact that you're likely talking about a daily-driver too. That means once you get your license, this may be your only form of transportation. That's something to take into consideration.

I'm not very experienced. I had a 95 Talon TSI FWD, and now own the same exact car in AWD (my semi-dream car). I've read tons and done little to my cars. But I'll throw in my cents anyway.

First, as always, figure out your goal. You could buy a Hyundai or used Toyota for $6k and be driving around in dependable semi-comfort. You're looking into DSM's for something more like a project, something more fun. So what do you want to work on? Sounds like mostly a nice exterior, nice interior/sounds, and a very slight engine tuning. I'd almost recommend a non-turbo, since they'll be real cheap and still look good on the outside. You could work on buffing/polishing, replace the bad-looking trim pieces on the outside, put in some sounds, and maybe an intake and exhaust. You could do that cheap, I know N/A (ie. non-turbos) go for $1k-3k around here (new england).

Problem is, if you get the performance-tuning bug at all, you'll be kicking yourself for not getting a turbo in the first place. Then you'll get "the-car-I-have" fever, which is like this: "I have this car, and I want it to go faster. I don't want to sell it and get a faster car, so I'll just throw more money into it somehow", and you get people who spend lots of money to make a relatively slow car just a bit less-slow. They'd be better off selling their car and getting a faster one to spend all that time/energy on.

If you just get a nice looking car with some fun add-ons, figure a non-turbo car can cost $1k-$3k, a good paint job $3k-$4k (or a bad one, $50... J/K), sounds anywhere from near nothing to $1k or so, intake/exhaust $500-700, wheels $500-1000. Throw in a few things, and you've got a fun car that you worked on. Without the paint job, it's very economical. With the paint job, you may be better just getting another car to work on.

So you decide you want performance. That's going to take a lot of reading, learning, time, and some money. Figure a turbo car (non-AWD) $2k-$4k. Then intake/exhaust $500-700. Then a boost gauge ($70), 1G BOV ($40 used), boost controller ($50). Then where do you go? Downpipe (100), fuel pump (80), big 16g turbo (550 or 300 used), 550 injectors (300), safc (200), logger (150), ported/tubular O2 housing (150), intercooler pipes (100-200). It just keeps going up and up. Great thing about turbos is, stock they're fun to drive and more than you'll need for a while. Get a decent stock turbo, spend some money on some nice looking addons, buff the paint and add sounds, you're good to go. Start tuning for performance, and watch the money fly away...

One last thing; if you buy any used car, set aside a certain amount of money for "regular maintenance". If I bought a decent condition 95-99 turbo DSM, I'd set aside $1k-2k for problems popping up within the next year. That way when the rear wheel hub goes ($300), or the radiator ($300), or head gasket, shocks, CV joints, etc, you've already set aside money for that in your budget. That's besides the money you want to spend on mods. That way you know how much you can really afford to spend on mods, and you don't see steam coming out the front engine bay (or blue smoke out the tailpipe) and think "I just spent all my money on a bodykit!"

Good luck. Search a lot in the forums, read the upgrade paths (Tech>Tech Guide Index>Basic HP Upgrades>Stage 0: Free mods, then stage 1), then read through a bunch of the tech articles, then read through threads in the newbie forum, then start planning out your car and ask some questions about the setup, then buy the car and fix it up. Once everything's great, start adding sound and fixing the outside. And fix it up, and fix it up, etc, finally start modding the car and wonder how you ever got along without the time-sink that is a DSM.

Good luck.