Well, I have been diagnosing a recent no start. It turns out that with everything else checked off the list, I came to check the engine's ability to rotate. The outcome found was much less then desireable. The head will not move while the accessory pulleys still rotate, albeight with much resistance to do so. I fear that the timing has jumped or something has happened internally in the block of the engine.

Regardless, here is where I would like to hear the input from others:
I am currently a University student and will graduate in about 2 more years in Business Logistics(Supply Chain Management). My driving record will be completely clean in the next month or two.
Having grown up a fair amount since I acquired the DSM, I realize that having a performance car is not a necessity, though it is nice to have around.

In my position would you:

• Buy a newer car with decent mileage for (~10k)
  A. Performance
  B. Reliabilty
  C. Sell Talon to reduce payments on the newer car
  1. Part out Talon
  2. Sell to dealership/independant owner
• Buy a piece of shit clunker that will get me through college, although, it may require more time invested to keep it as a means of transportation.
• Repair the Talon and hope it lasts the next 2 years without much heartache. (125k miles original clutch, engine and transmission)

It will be depressing to not have the Talon there since I have never owned anything but a DSM in my life. This particular Talon has been with me for about 4 years.

Your input is much appreciated.

Sell it to me dirt cheap

Seriously though I think i'd just repair it, kinda depends on how attached you are to it. Most of the time though it's cheaper to repair what you have rather than buy a new car (if you do the work yourself).

Granted, I am not YOU. But if I was in your position with the same amount of love for my car, I would defintely keep her. Get a POS Honda civic as a DD, get through college, save money up, fix her, then turn her into something even more special while making money at your new job after graduation. That's what I plan on doing if my car ever fails to get back up.

I would say buy a "newer" reliable vehicle 2000 and up. Get a good payment on it and keep the Talon because you love it that much.

Put money away on the side on top of your car payment for the ideal motor setup of your choice. Put extra time into finding a reliable vendor for a decent price that can get you what you want and nothing short.

Drop your dream motor in. Keep the new vehicle as a DD when you upgrade the other components and sell it when you think you will no longer need it.

You have to keep it!

Shawn,

Everyone is going to have a different opinion on what you should do. In the end, you're the one who has to decide what is important to you. Right now, you've got a great car, an awesome car that you love. Sure, it gives you problems now and then, but you fix the problems and move on with life, with a stronger, better car. You know that it would be easier to own a newer car, one that would require less work, less time invested... but would you love that car as much as you love your Talon? Would the loss of your Talon be worth having a newer car? But maybe it's time for you to move on, get something more compatible with your needs and desires. You know what will make you happy; does the Talon provide all of those things? Does another car? Will someone else be happier with the Talon? If you decide to get rid of it, there are going to be many days you'll wish you hadn't; where you'd give anything to drive it one more time, even if your name is on the title to a Ferrari. Eventually, that feeling may fade, but that Talon is always going to be with you, whether it's in your garage or your heart. Of course, there's no reason to believe that you'll never own your Talon again. The road of life leads us down many paths, and sometimes those paths cross over several times.

Whatever you choose, Shawn, you won't know if it was the right choice until well after you have made it.

If it sounds like I'm talking about something else, it's because I am. But Shawn's situation so closely mirrors a situation I'm going through that it's easy to transfer some of the feelings and questions.

Stash it. Get a nice, used Hyundai that you won't have to worry about, and fix the DSM as time and money allow.
You may as well set fire to it as consider selling to a dealer- the go by book, which is nothing. Broken, they will charge you to take it away.
If you just sit on it for a couple of years, attrition is going to dictate that the price in the enthusiast market should at least remain nearly constant; it may even appreciate slightly.

Hey man at this moment school is the most important thing. I would say sell the DSM get something way more reliable because as a student you need reliability, finish school get a high paying job buy an evoX seriously dont spend all your money into your DSM as that might distract you from the more important things. DSM's are very high maintenance. Good Luck thats my 2 cents

Defiant said:

Stash it. Get a nice, used Hyundai that you won't have to worry about, and fix the DSM as time and money allow.

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^^^ I second this. A break away from it might be exactly what you need.

I agree with most of these guys. Reason being is because I am pretty much in the same boat as you. My 91 is nearly dead, it is clinging to the last breath's of its life and now I am pretty much forced to watch it become a decoration on my driveway. But you know what, I am not going to get rid of it for the fact that I have put so much time and effort into the car already that whatever I could get for the car in its present state would not be worth the effort I spent and the attachment I have. I am in university as well, but I am currently rockin the 89 Mercury Topaz for probably the next year or two. I am planning out the dream build and you know what, I am going to make my first purchases towards that dream here this week. The feeling is fantastic because now I feel like the car is so much closer to not only driving again, but the way I always dreamed it would.

Yeah this might sound a little weird haha but what can I say, this car is part of who I am, I can't just get rid of it that easily. I save every penny I can for this car, I don't regret a thing!

MrBoxx said:

If it sounds like I'm talking about something else, it's because I am. But Shawn's situation so closely mirrors a situation I'm going through that it's easy to transfer some of the feelings and questions.

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Thanks for your input Eric. I like to hear the opinions and recommendations of others as it brings up alternatives that I have not yet considered as well as questions I have not yet pondered.
I wish you the best in figuring out your own endeavor, and if there is any way I can help out, let me know.

I am leaning towards fixing my Talon. Through more diagnosing, I have concluded that either the oil pump seized or that something in the head has gone awry. Also, the problem occurred upon a startup, so if it is the oil pump, then I think the damage caused would be minimal.

I completely understand what you are going through as I am in a similar position. I've had my GSX since I was 16 and I am now 18 and a freshman in college. I have considered getting rid of my car plenty of times but in the end my decision has been the same, keep it.

I do not know what you have put into your car but I have put a decent amount into it between buying the car, mods and maintenance. If I were to sell the car, I would lose way more than what I would get out of it which in my eyes would be plain silly.

I picked up a cheap beater this summer ($250 Saturn) as I don't drive my car in the winter anyways. In the spring I plan on selling the Saturn and picking up a nice Jeep/Blazer/Jimmy for my daily driver.

In the end, like MrBoxx said, you are the only one to make the decision. Just take your time and make the best decision for you emotionally/financially.

Good Luck

If you do decide to get a cheap DD, watch out!

I know a guy that blew his engine and just bought a 94 Acura Integra as a DD.

The engine in the Integra went south, a week later. He had to swap the engine in the integra before he could even use it as a DD.

I think you should find out what's wrong with it, how much time and money it will cost to fix, then decide...if you even have time to find that out. But parting it out is gonna take longer than finding out what's wrong with it and that's gonna be the only way to get a decent chunk of cash for it.

Wow, this is my first post to the hangout that I'm aware of.

We all hate our DSM's when they unexpectedly cost us money, its that way with everything. Remember, a new car is going to cost you money every month! I'm guessing $250 to $500. And then there's the full coverage insurance, $100 to $300.

NEW CARS ARE EXPENSIVE!

Being that your a DSM'er, you wont be happy with a budget model vehicle, and who would want one? Your shelling out a good chunk of your paycheck every month for what, something you don't even like driving. I dont think so gear head!

My point is this; if you get a newer car your gona have to make it your own. You'll need to personalize it to some extent. I'll bet with in a year you'll be dumping the same amounts of cash and blood into the new car as your dsm and the new car wont be paid for. Take this into consideration.

I personally don't recommend owning a tuner car (dsm) with out a P.O.S to drive during the down time.

That said, my vote is for a cheap Honda or Toyota pick up. Fix your Eclipse or tarp it for the time being. Give yourself some time to think. You can always get your money out of a decent DD Honda in six months. Theres a song that goes something like, time heals a broken... piggy bank????

P.S. Don't always assume the worst when something brakes. Sure it makes facing the possibilities easyer, but not if your going to hang it up on a guess.

What would you do with out us? DSMTuners not the same if you dont own a DSM; ask the fwd'ers . You've been coming here daily for almost two years; is there a day that goes by you don't think about DSM's? ...I didn't think so.

Don't buy an evoX! There are two types of DSM'ers. One's that want to look fast and the one's that don't!

Don't get rid of it. I almost did twice in the 6 years I've had it. Stupid... I'm glad nobody bought it.

A couple times when something is wrong I wanted to sell it and that feeling happens, but it passes as soon as you get to drive it again.
Another time I almost sold it was when I got a 94 Vette and wanted to get rid of the DSM. Then I thought about it some and ditched the Vette. I'm very happy I've hung onto it this long and I'm not looking to get rid of it anytime soon.
As Defiant said, stash it and get a beater. Work on the DSM as money and time allows.

99gst_racer said:

^^^ I second this. A break away from it might be exactly what you need.

Click to expand...

I agree

I've been in your exact same boat. I agree with most of the guys here....buy a "beater", i bought a 96 bonneville at the time(got me around nice, was comfy and i had no desire to modify it!) then i spent my sweet time waiting for money and spending the time to do everything my self. my talon has had something like 3 6 month breaks. one time it was dead for almost a year and a half....but i never gave up and had the time and desire to do everything right and by myself....i'm pretty happy i did it that way.

I got the Talon loaded up on a flatbed and towed today.
Depending on how severe the damage is, I could have it back around Christmas time, which would be a fantastic present.

I ended up getting some awesome recommendations through the local DSM crowd and found a place in which to get it repaired that is both cost effective and trustworthy.

man ive been there w/ my 2g swapped it from auto to standard took it for its first drive and wouldnt you know it head was warped... after i fixed all that everything was good and i was glad i didnt give up..



my .02
Jesse

Buy a 95 talon non turbo as your daily so you dont miss it that much

You can either keep the car or trade for what's behind Door #2.
Seriously, if there is any way you can swing it, keep her!

Remember that old guy at work that used to have a shelby or a GTO but sold it...yeah don't be that guy 15 years from now.