thinking about buying a 91 GST, need advice

[Dream On]

I found a 91 GST in my local paper and called about it and drove it today. it has some problems that i'm not sure how expensive the fix could be. first off, it has 140k and is a 5 speed. there is an oil leak by the turbo towards the front of the car, and the guy said he tried to fix the leak, and now it only leaks a little bit. the engine didn't look too clean, but maybe it has been taken care of cause it is stock. all the electric stuff works, and it shifts smooth. when braking it shakes quite a bit, but my dad just said that the rotors are probably warped. the idling on the car is a little weird too. it starts off normal, then the revs pop up a little bit, pretty noticeably. its kinda weird, it goes back down then repeats. there are other little cosmetic problems, but those don't really bother me. my plan is to get the engine rebuilt eventually, and transfer it into a 2g awd, so the looks i don't really care for. the turbo seemed to be working properly, it felt like it had a lot of power, but i've never really driven a turbo'd car. i'm going to go look at it again in a couple days. anything i should do to see if this is a good buy? its $1900 negotiable. thanks for any input given.

 

[Eclipsed]

Originally posted by Dream On
I found a 91 GST in my local paper and called about it and drove it today. it has some problems that i'm not sure how expensive the fix could be. first off, it has 140k and is a 5 speed. there is an oil leak by the turbo towards the front of the car, and the guy said he tried to fix the leak, and now it only leaks a little bit. the engine didn't look too clean, but maybe it has been taken care of cause it is stock. all the electric stuff works, and it shifts smooth. when braking it shakes quite a bit, but my dad just said that the rotors are probably warped. the idling on the car is a little weird too. it starts off normal, then the revs pop up a little bit, pretty noticeably. its kinda weird, it goes back down then repeats. there are other little cosmetic problems, but those don't really bother me. my plan is to get the engine rebuilt eventually, and transfer it into a 2g awd, so the looks i don't really care for. the turbo seemed to be working properly, it felt like it had a lot of power, but i've never really driven a turbo'd car. i'm going to go look at it again in a couple days. anything i should do to see if this is a good buy? its $1900 negotiable. thanks for any input given.

That idle shaking is called idle surging. Some DSMs do that. The car seems legit. I would only pay around 1500 for it. If the brakes need to be resurfaced which seems like they do, that is a pretty nice chunk of change fix. Tell him that the rotors need to be fixed and the idle surging will have to be fixed also so tell him you'll pay him 1500 cash, he should take it. I cant say whether or not I'd buy it because I haven't driven it. All I know is that I would not pay 1900 for it.

 

[ericismyname]

idle surging is a major pain to mess with.

 

[herovueboi]

leak is bad, I suggest you get it for cheap, I mean i'm sure it won't be a daily driver in this condition, but it'd be fun to work on, 1500 sounds like a good price to ask for!

 

[BUCK]

My bet on the shake is Caliper binding or Tie rod ends vice rotor warp. Don't be surprised if he's stripped the Turbo Oil Line Supply Threads (helicoil) - or a crack in the Flex section of the Turbo Oil Drain Line ($55) - Idle prob could be anything from a dying ECU to a loose Vacuum hose - Sounds like a reasonable deal & good 2g AWD plan - I hope... Good Luck!

 

[EvolvingGST]

well i dont know about leaks around the turbos... that normally doesnt sound good and if its dirty like greasy its leaking oil and has been for a while... i also assume oil is burning... But the shaking is caused by warped rotors so that will cost u a couple hundred to fix like 2 or so.... i would offer 1500. Oh yeah... if you want AWD... buy it dont convert it ^^;

 

[ericismyname]

if u buy this car u will probably end up putting alot more money into SURPRISE SUPRISE, the joy of a 1g. also alot of un-cared for 1gs end up getting like 180 to the tank. takes alot to get it back up there. i think i get like 280? ive heard some getting well over 300 on there 1g. anyway, if u do end up buying it, good luck. See if he has any service records on it, and try to get a carfax report.

 

[Eclipsed]

Originally posted by ericismyname
idle surging is a major pain to mess with.

I replaced my throttle body and put in a new throttle position sensor and idle surge went away.