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Requesting help- Whats wrong with this car?

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Root Beer

Probationary Member
13
0
Aug 9, 2015
Omaha, Nebraska
Hey guys,
I've been browsing my local craigslist page and stumbled across this gem.
http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/5156572245.html
Now it looks great body wise, and for $2750 it just seems to good to be true. The guy mentions that there is a small valve cover leak. Should I be worried? Do you think he drove on it and it caused intake manifold damage? What do you guys think, is it too good to be true, it just seems sketchy to me but I really want this car.
Thanks,
Andrew
 
Hey guys,
I've been browsing my local craigslist page and stumbled across this gem.
http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/5156572245.html
Now it looks great body wise, and for $2750 it just seems to good to be true. The guy mentions that there is a small valve cover leak. Should I be worried? Do you think he drove on it and it caused intake manifold damage? What do you guys think, is it too good to be true, it just seems sketchy to me but I really want this car.
Thanks,
Andrew
Manifold damage? No. not from an oil leak. Doesnt sound too good to be true. Sounds very average for a car in mediocre/poor shape.
 
I agree with pauleyman. Ad and price is pretty much inline with what I see there. If anything, I would say the price is a couple hundred high.

The main thing you will need to look at is how well all of the modifications were executed. From experience, undoing another person's bad work is not fun.
 
Manifold damage? No. not from an oil leak. Doesnt sound too good to be true. Sounds very average for a car in mediocre/poor shape.
Okay. What kind of things should I be looking for when I go to buy? This would be my first turbo car, I am 17 and worked all summer to get an eclipse. Do you think the valve cover issue is bad and may have caused some damage to the internals? How easy of a fix would it be?
Thanks for the reply.
 
I agree with pauleyman. Ad and price is pretty much inline with what I see there. If anything, I would say the price is a couple hundred high.

The main thing you will need to look at is how well all of the modifications were executed. From experience, undoing another person's bad work is not fun.
What sort of flaws should I be looking for when I go to view the car?
Thanks for the reply Nord.
 
This car seems to be far from stock, one thing that caught my eye is the un-recirculated bov. He doesn't mention anything about having dsmlink and/or running speed density, so there should be no reason why that bov is not recirculated. Honestly man, from previous experience, the more stock these cars are the better they will be to upgrade and work with, especially if it is going to be your first car and you will need it to run reliably.

The main thing you will need to look at is how well all of the modifications were executed. From experience, undoing another person's bad work is not fun.

Like NordicSaab mentioned, undoing another person's bad work is a PITA!
 
This car seems to be far from stock, one thing that caught my eye is the un-recirculated bov. He doesn't mention anything about having dsmlink and/or running speed density, so there should be no reason why that bov is not recirculated. Honestly man, from previous experience, the more stock these cars are the better they will be to upgrade and work with, especially if it is going to be your first car and you will need it to run reliably.



Like NordicSaab mentioned, undoing another person's bad work is a PITA!
Thanks for the reply man.
I know, I would MUCH rather own a near stock or completely stock and built it up so I know what is and isn't under the hood, but this is the only one I'm really finding for sale in my area. The others are priced super high and have some mods done to them, and I'm beginning to think this car would be my best bet.
 
Okay. What kind of things should I be looking for when I go to buy? This would be my first turbo car, I am 17 and worked all summer to get an eclipse. Do you think the valve cover issue is bad and may have caused some damage to the internals? How easy of a fix would it be?
Thanks for the reply.
You won't like this answer. Given that you're asking if a valve cover gasket can damage internals tells me you do not poses th e knowledge to own one of these cars unless you have alot more money. Fact is they're old and require work. That car didn't look that nice to me. If you're dead set on a dsm in my opinion that one isn't it.
 
I'd strongly advise against a car with a dash that's labelled "illest". LOL!
Pauleyman is right on, if you don't swing your own wrenches, keeping these cars running will get expensive quick. Most of us have some kind of backup car to use while we're working on our DSMs.
 
Just checked out the ad. Car looks rigged together. Looks like the guy is selling it because he doesn't have enough money to fix all the stuff that's wrong with it. The valve cover gasket can be had for 10-20 bucks. It would be a money pit for you. Just what I can tell.
 
i would also suggest to not go for this car man, it will be a money pit, and you will not be able to enjoy it. Either try to find a less rigged together DSM or get something reliable until you do in the meantime, sadly these cars do require mechanical knowledge, money, and lots of patience.
 
I would agree with the others. I made the mistake of buying my DSM jerry rigged together and honestly i dont even know how i made it home. Granted it has come a long way down, just dont get involved in this particular one or alot of F bombs will be said
 
Depending on budget there are plenty of things to look for.
General maintenance especially if it comes with records
Good tires
Drives well with no issues
If there are issues know what you are getting into.
Cosmetically ok
Better it looks. More it usually costs. I'll take an ugly mechanically sound car over a pretty broken one. I do have exceptions as I have lots of experience but in a nutshell look for more basic stuff. If you're not sure about a modded car ask.
 
Looking at the ad. There isn't much the owner hasn't touched. If you can drive the car and it accelerates, turns, and stops well I would offer the owner $2000 and walk away at anything more.

Everyone here can give you advise on things to check, but you wolnt really know what the issues are until you have spent some time with the car.

Take the issues one at a time and learn here from the collective group. Most of us have good advise when not being d-bags :)
 
Looking at the ad. There isn't much the owner hasn't touched. If you can drive the car and it accelerates, turns, and stops well I would offer the owner $2000 and walk away at anything more.

Everyone here can give you advise on things to check, but you wolnt really know what the issues are until you have spent some time with the car.

Take the issues one at a time and learn here from the collective group. Most of us have good advise when not being d-bags :)
I will definitely try to bring him down on price. Going to have a look and drive it tomorrow. I will let you guys know how it goes- maybe tomorrow I will own my first DSM! :D
 
One thing that disturbs me is the fact that this guy put all this time and money into this car and didn't even fix a valve cover leak, which takes 20 mins and $10 to fix. As well as replacing the $5 side marker, then claims that's the only thing wrong with it. You really should find a stock DSM to learn on, but this could always be a trial by fire. Just hope you have a backup vehicle.
You won't like this answer
I always admire Paulyman's brutal honesty LOL
 
One thing that disturbs me is the fact that this guy put all this time and money into this car and didn't even fix a valve cover leak, which takes 20 mins and $10 to fix. As well as replacing the $5 side marker, then claims that's the only thing wrong with it. You really should find a stock DSM to learn on, but this could always be a trial by fire. Just hope you have a backup vehicle.

I always admire Paulyman's brutal honesty LOL
I agree, he said his reasoning was because he is moving to another state and he can't take it with. I don't know. I mean it's kinda sorta stock? :p
 
To each his own. I'm not afraid of anything. At 17 these cars can be an expensive handful if you don't have the skills to repair it. So one of several scenarios plays out. You learn and fix. You pay. You give up. Even the learn and fix can get pricey but at least you should keep the car running. My son is your age and his first car is an awd laser but he's got me to back him up. I'm likely going to drop 1000 on maintenance just in parts before I give him this car.
 
It looks fast but it's got a 14B on it.

I'd say the owner beat the shit out of it and got tired of putting more $ into it.

Test drive it thoroughly and listen for any funny noises.
 
what is your budget?
This car is already out of the question. Went by and took a look at it today. Squealled like a bi*** on start. Barely made out of the driveway, and on test drive, the clutch was slipping hard.. Simply told the guy thanks and left.
 
No worries man, try not to buy on impulse, that's one of the worst things with having cash in your pocket. I've had to learn that the hard way. Keep on looking and evaluate your options, also if possible take a friend or family member that is familiar with cars to get a second opinion. It helps
 
No worries man, try not to buy on impulse, that's one of the worst things with having cash in your pocket. I've had to learn that the hard way. Keep on looking and evaluate your options, also if possible take a friend or family member that is familiar with cars to get a second opinion. It helps

This is 100% on point. Take your time when buying these cars
 
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