Is this car worth buying?

jeremy1375 · Jan 20, 2013

I've been trying to get a hold of this guy on cl for a few days now to buy his 97 eclipse. He said it had wiseco pistons, eagle h beams, and an aftermarket crank. Sounded like a really good deal. I just got off the phone with him and he said the motor is a 420a. I was assuming a 4g63. Is this still a worthwhile deal? I was planning to go right now to buy it, but now I'm not sure.

97 eclipse turbo 5 speed trade - $1700
I have an 97 eclipse with jbm turbo blow off valve and waste gate. Carbon fiber hood, eibach coilover shocks, ported 3 angle valve job head, crower titanium retainers, front and rear strut tower braces, aem adjustable timing gears, arp mains and head studs, wiseco pistons, eagle h beam rods, hastings rings, melling oil pump, master clutch, aluminum flywheel, stainless exhaust. new radiator, short throw shifter, rebuilt trans, new slave cylinder, big front mount intercooler, megasquirt ecu, underdrive pulley, powdercoated valve cover, new tires, 650cc injectors, walbro 255lph fuel pump, adjustable fuel pres regulator. So that's what I can tell u. But the ecu needs finishing up on wiring. So it won't start. Also will be willing to trade no junk please.

kidtsi · Jan 20, 2013

I buy it would part it out, and take the shell to the yard. First verify all of that is in there. JDM parts are Ebay though, but you can sell them to Honda kids they will be fine for low boost.

jeremy1375 · Jan 20, 2013

With forged internals, is the 420a up to the task of handling ~600 hp? That is where I wanted to take my other build, but I was thinking I could get there much cheaper with what this car comes with.

Not necessarily interested in parting out a car, but if I can make some $$$ off it, it may be worth my time.

Number1dad · Jan 20, 2013

ultimately the decision is your man, i dont regret buying mine, i just refreshed everything i could afford, dont want to buy someone elses problem. closer to stock the better i would say

Colt4G63 also · Jan 20, 2013

Are you nuts? Some kid rices out a 420A Eclipse so badly that it no longer starts, and you want to buy it? Good luck.

jeremy1375 · Jan 20, 2013

Number1dad said:
ultimately the decision is your man, i dont regret buying mine, i just refreshed everything i could afford, dont want to buy someone elses problem. closer to stock the better i would say

I don't mind buying someone else problem. If the engine had been a 4g63, I wouldn't have thought twice about it. I was really caught off guard when he said it was a 420a. If I find that the built motor in the car can handle a holset hx40, I think I'll go for it.

On my way out the door, the guy mentioned that he didn't have the title on hand, so I told him I'd buy it once he got it. Now I have some time to do some research.

Colt4G63 also said:
Are you nuts? Some kid rices out a 420A Eclipse so badly that it no longer starts, and you want to buy it? Good luck.

I wouldn't consider those mods to be riced out mods. The engine components are quality - assuming they are in there. I told him I'd be pulling the valve cover to verify the Crower retainers and he was fine with that.

Maybe I don't understand the meaning of "rice", but I understand it as a body kit, fart can, and shiny parts on an otherwise stock setup.

Miasma · Jan 20, 2013

The world record 420a made 661whp, but that was after extensive extensive modifying. The cost of building a 420a properly so it doesn't blow up is more than a 4g, ultimately the 420a crank design is the flaw and there are no modified cranks available as far as I know.

If you want it, you could probably flip it, but if your goal is 600 I wouldn't recommend it. Go 4g63

95eclispe · Jan 20, 2013

Colt4G63 also said:
Are you nuts? Some kid rices out a 420A Eclipse so badly that it no longer starts, and you want to buy it? Good luck.[
Dont see how building up the performance side of it is ricing out the car? didnt read anything about having a bomex bodykit, double deck spoiler and decals on it from vendors that dont even make parts for the car so I wouldnt just blurt out ricer just ### its a 420a.

To OP: Honestly if his price is 1700 for the car Im sure theres some things hes not telling you since He could easily get that for the engine itself if his post is true. Unless, Hes in the middle of a build and just simply cant afford it. I would ask for reciepts and take a good look at the car before making the leap to buy it. Now if you want to buy it and part it out Im sure you could probably make enough parting to pick up a decent 4g63 to make your big HP gain goal. ultimately, its your choice man.

jeremy1375 · Jan 20, 2013

Mi"sma;153186045 said:
The world record 420a made 661whp, but that was after extensive extensive modifying. The cost of building a 420a properly so it doesn't blow up is more than a 4g, ultimately the 420a crank design is the flaw and there are no modified cranks available as far as I know.

If you want it, you could probably flip it, but if your goal is 600 I wouldn't recommend it. Go 4g63

Ok. Sounds like it's not really worth it for my goals. Any idea what it would be worth on a flip? If it were a gsx, I would guess $3500. I usually use ebay completed listings to get rough values, but there's not much to go on for these cars.

grothe3297venge · Jan 20, 2013

Only way you'll really know is if you verify the parts, inspect them, and then compare used prices from then. With MS and turbo parts (given its good), you could get some money out of. The rest, depends on condition and if people need it. Or buy it, get it running, then sell for some money

phunny · Jan 20, 2013

Not a chance in hades.

immortalmcf · Jan 20, 2013

grothe3297venge said:
Only way you'll really know is if you verify the parts, inspect them, and then compare used prices from then. With MS and turbo parts (given its good), you could get some money out of. The rest, depends on condition and if people need it. Or buy it, get it running, then sell for some money

I agree verify everything. too me it sounds a little fishy, "does not run and dont have title" I could be wrong though but check it out

also after u check everything out and is legit go to the tag place with the guy they should be able to produce the title on the spot if its all good.

gst-turbo · Jan 20, 2013

i would but the choice is yours

jeremy1375 · Jan 20, 2013

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I am going to buy it - as long as he gets the title and calls me back, that is.

phunny · Jan 20, 2013

You got buying it was a good idea from this thread?!?!..?.!!?..?

I would steer very clear.

dsmjunky737 · Jan 20, 2013

You said he claims the motor is built with rods pistons crank ect. But is there anyway you can verify that.

MHuddy1213 · Jan 20, 2013

check the code on top of the piston by pulling out the spark plug to verify that is it built the way he claims it is but overall the amount of time itll take parting out the car wouldnt be worth it to me but you can make a profit of of it.

AK Maniak · Jan 20, 2013

I wouldn't buy that if it was the last DSM on earth.

jeremy1375 · Jan 20, 2013

dsmjunky737 said:
You said he claims the motor is built with rods pistons crank ect. But is there anyway you can verify that.

I am going to pull the valve cover and make sure the valve retainers have the Crower stamp, and the arp head studs are installed. If those are there, I will bet on everything else being there.

MHuddy1213 said:
check the code on top of the piston by pulling out the spark plug to verify that is it built the way he claims it is but overall the amount of time itll take parting out the car wouldnt be worth it to me but you can make a profit of of it.

That's a good idea to pull the spark plugs. I will do that too. I found the car while searching for a megasquirt ecu. It's a megasquirt 3 and that is what I really wanted for my current build - and it's not in the budget. If I decide not to keep the car, I will part it out to try and get the megasquirt for free.

phunny said:
You got buying it was a good idea from this thread?!?!..?.!!?..?

I would steer very clear.

Maybe I am just hearing what I want to, but the overall feeling I got was that I should have no problem getting my money back out of it if I decide to sell it or part it out.

JusMX141 · Jan 23, 2013

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Is this car worth buying?

jeremy1375

kidtsi

jeremy1375

Number1dad

Colt4G63 also

jeremy1375

Miasma

95eclispe

jeremy1375

grothe3297venge

phunny

immortalmcf

gst-turbo

jeremy1375

phunny

dsmjunky737

MHuddy1213

AK Maniak

jeremy1375

JusMX141

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