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It's been really tough parting out my 1g

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Ludachris

Founder & Zookeeper
8,053
3,072
Nov 12, 2001
Newcastle, California
For those who don't know, I started parting out my 1g GSX a couple months ago. It's almost all gone now. I have an interested buyer for the stroker motor and the last few valuable parts on the shell, and a bunch of little stuff in bins. I plan on pulling the steering wheel to keep it as a sentimental piece of the car that is 100% responsible for this site being built, and the beginning of my unexpected journey with DSMs.

I won't go into all the reasons that led me to part it out, that's not really why I'm posting this thread, but I will say that it's been something of a spiritual experience for me. I didn't want to post a thread announcing my plans when I made the final decision as I was afraid I wouldn't end up going through with it when people started replying. It took me a couple years to come to this decision. So I did a quick fire sale and sent it all out quickly, trying not to think too much about it.

It wasn't until I pulled off the tail lights and a fender this past weekend, and then saw the buyer post photos of it on FB, that it really hit me I guess. It made me feel like a part of my passion for these cars is being shared with other DSMers as they take parts from the car that started it all for me to use on their own builds. The soul of my car is spread out across the country. I know that sounds cheesy as shit, but I think my connection with this car and this community has made a mark that will be there forever.

I know I'm not the first DSMer to experience this, and maybe I'm just a little too sentimental when it comes to my cars. But the 1g had a major impact on my life. It represents a lot of great things for me, some really significant experiences. It was originally my wife's car before she was my wife, back when we first met nearly 20 years ago. That was back before I took it over, installing a boost controller, catback exhaust, and Eibach springs, among other things - at which point she never drove it again because she didn't like the fact that she had to slow down for speed bumps LOL!

It's been a fun journey with this car. The fact that it has been such a sleeper that very few people know about has always fit my personality perfectly - especially when I would go out to the road courses. I'm a quiet guy. And I didn't know how much these cars matched my personality until I owned one. It's been sad to watch the platform age. But it happens, and I hope that the website I built as a result of my passion for these cars will help the remaining DSMs out there last a little longer and show their owners how to build their car up right. Hopefully even as the number of cars out there continues to shrink, the passion for them will remain strong.

I still have my 2g in the garage, but my plan is to find another 1g down the road and do more of a simple street build. Something I can take to Cars and Coffee meets and talk to people about and have fun with on the weekends. I already have some ideas for the build, but it's still a little ways off. I'll obviously be sharing it here when I get it started.

Here's to all the other DSMers out there who have gone though a similar experience parting out their cars.
 
I'm glad you mentioned the sentimental and spiritual aspects - I feel the same way, particularly about the 2523 2Gb AWD Talons. They came out during an "interesting" time in my life, and buying one inadvertently changed the direction I was headed, without a doubt for the better. Now that I've owned mine for 15 years I would have a pretty tough time letting it go - lots of life events and memories (good and bad) can be attributed to that car. Without it, certain things wouldn't have happened and certain friends wouldn't have been made.

I put mine away for 7 years due to more life changes, but recently my friend got a stock 2G and it totally revitalized my interest in DSMs again. In the past few weeks I've practically melted my Visa buying up all the parts I need/want to get my Talon back on the road. Once you're infected with the DSM bug it's practically impossible to cure, even if there are no symptoms for nearly a decade!

Some of the parts I have ordered recently came from fallen Talons in junkyards, so in some small part the "spirit" those cars (may have had at one point) lives on and I am glad for that.

For those who haven't discovered it yet... Back in 2013 I extracted all the 2Gb AWD Talon VINs from CAPS/ASA and made a Google Docs spreadsheet that documents paint color, interior color/material, transmission type, build date, and a few other things. Then I made a web-form that people can use to submit additional information (not in CAPS) about a VIN, such as whether it has sunroof/ABS/LSD, how many miles it has, where it was last known to be, etc. Who knows if my efforts are really "worth it" or not, but I have enjoyed the project and have gotten messages of appreciation from others for doing it.

Long live the DSM!
 
Please tell me you aren't scrapping a clean shell...

Too bad you weren't still in CO, I'd buy it.
 
I know you said you don't want to get into details as to why your getting rid of the ledendary white banner car.
but What made you decide to part it out instead of just selling it? It's a sad day to see that thing go

What year 1g will you plan on building next? I look forward to seeing your next build
 
Parting out is the only way to get close to the monetary value back compared to what was put in. No one will spend 20k+ on a 1g dsm, despite more than that being sunk into them.

Thanks for sharing ludachris, it's good to know you're not losing passion for these cars, just switching gears :thumb:
 
My DSM and the community has taught me a ton both in vehicles and personal growth. i've made a shit ton of friends across the world running my own DSM tuning forum. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. Another thing that tickles me is how much DSM owners share with one another.... both in knowledge and in hard parts. I've had so many good parts given to me, so many people come out on their own free time to help me figure things out and wrench on my car. It's amazing. It's definitely taken me from being just a computer nerd into knowing how to do all kinds of things on cars. Most of the people that know me ask me questions about their vehicles when something isn't right and I'm not even trained in auto repair..... well except for the DSM "training" me.

The thing that scares me the most about these cars is that as they age parts will become more and more scarce. People keep blowing up AWD 5-speeds and there won't be any trans parts left for anyone. Same with eprom ecu's. If we don't get some aftermarket interest in making these harder to replace parts our cars will eventually fizzle out and die. I, also, doubt they'll ever be worth any kind of money. Maybe 40 years from now when someone still has one in great shape.... of course prius will be 500hp by then and it will be no use. Probably won't be able to buy petrol for it either.
 
Parting out is the only way to get close to the monetary value back compared to what was put in. No one will spend 20k+ on a 1g dsm, despite more than that being sunk into them.

Thanks for sharing ludachris, it's good to know you're not losing passion for these cars, just switching gears :thumb:
This ^

The car would sell for maybe $4k not running... maybe. Part outs will get you 2-3 that easily depending on the quality of parts you have on the car and the condition of them. The last couple of parts that are fairly valuable are the CF hood and hatch with FAL rear glass. I have a local buyer for those and I hope he might be able to make use of the whole shell.
 
I know you said you don't want to get into details as to why your getting rid of the ledendary white banner car.
but What made you decide to part it out instead of just selling it? It's a sad day to see that thing go

What year 1g will you plan on building next? I look forward to seeing your next build
I don't know about "legendary"... LOL

It was a combination of things really. The car had been sitting for a few years. I didn't have the time, the money or the resources to do what I wanted with it, and there was no telling when I would be in a position to get it put back together. The longer the car sat the more work I'd have to do to it and I didn't want to watch it rust after I moved it out of the garage and to the side yard this past summer.

I would have had to deal with transferring the registration from CO to CA, which can be a hassle when the car hasn't been registered for over 5 years, and emissions laws here in CA make it a real pain in the ass, and/or expensive. I don't have a tow vehicle anymore, so a dedicated track car no longer makes sense and you can't really call a car streetable here in Sacramento without A/C in the summer - at least I can't. I also am now wanting to have my girls more involved in my automotive passion as they get older, and this car isn't conducive to that when they can't ride around in it. Since I had stripped out all of the creature comforts, the backseat, etc, it would be a shit load of work to put it all back in. Makes more sense to just part it out and go find another decent shell later when I'm in a position to build it up.

Having recently bought a house this past summer I also needed cash to put towards some much needed repairs/maintenance. It's expensive being a home owner again, especially here in CA.

It was a perfect storm of sorts. When I stepped back and really put thought into it, I eventually came to the conclusion that this car no longer made sense to build with where I am in life right now. I knew that a few years ago but I only just accepted it recently. My life is a bit different than it was when I was tracking this car. I couldn't justify holding on to it while all the good parts it had went to waste. Might as well sell them off while there was still a good amount of interest in quality parts. Who knows how long that will last.

I'd really like to eventually find a 1gB Talon AWD, though I know that will be tough. I'll take my chances.
 
I hear you. Bought a house in 2014, getting married in a few months (the cost of that alone could have built a monster). sometimes wonder if I am willing to sink the cash and time to even keep up with the modernization of the common powerplant these days. Even bargain Kia sedans are pretty potent compared to the DSM hayday.. just more piggish due to safety standards.
Every hour spent on the car is an hour lost to other shit that needs to get done around the house or life in general.

Hey, theres nothing saying that another platform wont come calling later. But they dont make them like they used to and everybody is convinced the planet is actually in danger from our emissions.
Please.
The planet has been through worse and survived.
It is is that are screwed. /carlin

Already see it in genetic deformation count increases leading to cancers and other problems.
anyway

Good luck. Youve been instrumental in keeping the platform alive, dont kid yourself any other way.
 
Having recently bought a house this past summer I also needed cash to put towards some much needed repairs/maintenance. It's expensive being a home owner again, especially here in CA.

And the secret is out as to why my car is still not at the track yet. It is so hard when all this other house stuff comes. And I hear you on buying another DSM that can be driven on the street here in Cali.. There is a way around smog that is completely legal in California though. There are counties that do not require biannual smog tests for registration (calavaras, tuolumne, and others up the hill). P.O. box or know someone you dont mind getting your registration notice yearly up there and you will be good to go.

Not a very common piece of knowledge here but I seem to be one of the few taking advantage of it. Maybe keep it in mind next time you want to play with a DSM.
 
Great post, Chris.

It took several years to get to where I was able to part mine out due to the same sentimental feeling, but 2 years later I still have no regrets. And I too am thankful for what it taught me, and the people I've met in the DSM world, and the direction it took me in life. There's a solid chance I wouldn't be working in the aftermarket automotive industry or even doing metal fabrication if it were for owning my DSM for 12 years.

It is satisfying knowing that other DSMers can and are taking advantage of the parts too. Your DSM lives on! A few local friends got body parts of mine hanging on the wall in their garages. I think my dad does too and he's not even a car guy. :D

Similar to your steering wheel keepsake, I've hung onto the hood of mine. And I just hung it on the wall in my new garage 2 days ago. It still has a Wendy Pate sticker on it after 7 years. :)

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Sad new's indeed, just glad your sticking around. I was thinking you were selling everything ans moving on to a different platform!

I may be taking a similar rout to your's this fall, I haven't been in the community long in the grand scheme of things but Dsm's really got me into car's and into fixing them. I've been in conflict for the last while about selling my dsm and all the parts to fund my goal of obtaining my ultimate dream car (mk4 supra), it sucks to have to choose between the two but I no longer have the room for 3 cars and a project car is basically out of the question right now. If I do sell it I know I'll come back to the Dsm community in a few year's...you just can't not come back after finding out how awesome these cars are.
 
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I have parted out and sold a few complete cars ... it is never easy if you put a little of yourself in that said auto, which I believe all car guys and gals do ... sad to hear it but glad to see it in a sense that it will give you chance to build something new ..... Although that damn hood is sick ( hint hint ) I wish I knew where I could get that hood vent.
LoL ..... I hope we can the next generation of your 1g build. I always say that from the first Starion to the last 99GSX they get er each and every time.
 
I have parted out and sold a few complete cars ... it is never easy if you put a little of yourself in that said auto, which I believe all car guys and gals do ... sad to hear it but glad to see it in a sense that it will give you chance to build something new ..... Although that damn hood is sick ( hint hint ) I wish I knew where I could get that hood vent.
LoL ..... I hope we can the next generation of your 1g build. I always say that from the first Starion to the last 99GSX they get er each and every time.
CF hood vent:
http://roadracemotorsports.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81&products_id=850

;)
 
I have been looking at your JAM 2.3 on craigslist for a couple weeks straight. Just drooling over it wishing I had the money to buy it. Had no Idea it was your motor. Havent been on here much since I got my DSM and am just now starting to build it. Its always bittersweet when you have to let go of a car and its great other people are getting to use your parts to continue on. But by far this website is the real legacy. It has always been a one stop shop for knowledge about these cars and although I haven't participated much I have been on here for hours reading. This platform is aging but there really arnt many new cars that interest me at an affordable cost. Im sure everyone here would love a new GTR but when it comes to bang for your buck these cars are still the best around in my opinion.
 
Huh. I figured that you would be buried in it.
 
The more you modify a car the harder it is to sell, and the harder it is to drive. T25 for life club here

Prices will keep going up for unmolested cars. My second gen is bone stock save for hard piping and I get compliments every time I fill up at the gas station. You just don't see these cars anymore, and the fact my car isn't lowered with a huge douche life sticker by the windshield wipers makes you more approachable ;)

How the heck did I join 1 year after the founder joined. Man I feel like the old lurker.... 14 years man
 
Iam in the middle of parting mine as well after years of owning and doing 1 off thing in the &g Galant Community. Its hard to let go but feeling better about moving forward.
 
I parted out my GS-T in 2012 after having it for 10 years. It felt pretty bad, but once it the shell was sold to a friend, we moved to Florida and I lost all interest in cars. Then in early 2015, we came home to Illinois and EVERYTHING reminded me of my 2g. I literally was entrenched in DSMs and cars again within weeks of coming home. Nostalgia, sure... but the love doesn't die in everyone.

Now I'm 34 and doing this DSM thing again. I just picked up a '97 GSX with 75,000 miles on it. It feels great to be back. And hell, Chris, you and Paul are legends to a lot of us. Especially the old-school dudes. I remember Paul's car from WAY back when and the Wendy tribute.
 
Thanks a bunch .... when its ready body and paint ( stock CF hood and that vent ) it will be a nice addition.

Sorry to derail, if you want one like it look at the Mini-Cooper, they are just alike.

And to Luda , my respect to you sir, I have been in and out of this hobby many times in my lifetime, which by being a great-grandfather will give you an idea.
The passion never dies, so you will be back.

Mandy
 
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