Should I buy or no?

jenglish1984 · Apr 14, 2020

I've found a beautiful 1991 Talon locally. The paint and body work is in really good shape. The car has a handful of mods. However, the guy selling it won't give any clear indication on what happened to the engine. Just merely that it stopped running one day. I've asked him several times what happens when he tries to crank the engine, but won't say anything. I honestly suspect it's the timing belt, which does scare me a little.

Now, the guy wants over $3500 for it.

Without insulting him, what should I offer? It will need to be towed, so I understand that cost. But honestly I was thinking of asking $800 - $1000 for it. KBB states around that for a good working (running) car.

Vegas Smith · Apr 14, 2020

It’s hard to say considering we know nothing about the car. No one will pay $3500 for a 1g with a blown engine.

jenglish1984 · Apr 14, 2020

Vegas smith said:
It’s hard to say considering we know nothing about the car. No one will pay $3500 for a 1g with a blown engine.

I definitely agree. I wish that he would just be straight with me on what it is or is not doing.

pauleyman · Apr 14, 2020

Pretty easy decision. 3500, not running. No way, no how.
Even if he discloses I wouldn't pay 3500 unless it had some quality work and parts in it.

jenglish1984 · Apr 14, 2020

pauleyman said:
Pretty easy decision. 3500, not running. No way, no how.
Even if he discloses I wouldn't pay 3500 unless it had some quality work and parts in it.

I agree with this, totally. What would you offer realistically?

pauleyman · Apr 14, 2020

I've never paid more than 1000 for a non running car. Having no info on this car I do not know if that is appropriate.

pauleyman · Apr 14, 2020

additionally, if it were an easy cheap fix then why doesn't he fix it? Always assume the worst.

ThunderChild · Apr 14, 2020

I'd offer a max of 1500 if the body and interior was really good. Body work and sourcing interior parts for 1gs is always alot of overhead, engine work isn't all that time consuming comparatively.

But if he's not telling you the engine issue I'd walk. People want to play hardball and that's a hard pass for me.

benspilk09 · Apr 14, 2020

Only if it's nearly stock, has low miles, and is in perfect shape.

jenglish1984 · Apr 14, 2020

This may be long winded, but here's the description:

1991 Eagle Talon TSI AWD 155,024 miles Evo 3 650 injectors with tuning chip Re-wired fuel pump. Cxracing exhaust manifold wrapped. Godspeed project Evo316G turbo Rev9 02 housing gate recirc Megan 3" downpipe 3" cat delete pipe w/exhaust running back to right behind the rear axle All parts gasket port matched Vrsf 2.5" intercooler Cx racing radiator with slim fan Cx racing radiator hoses with t bolt clamps 05-06 Mitsubishi Outlander brake caliper, caliper bracket, drilled &a slotted rotors and Hawk HPS pads, with 2g banjo style brake lines. KYB AGX struts on Eibach springs Camber bolt kit Moog ball joints and tie rods with replaced control arm bushing and sway bar bushings Alternator and power steering have lifetime warranty. And so does stock radiator. Kenwood double din radiator with full kenwood speakers and autotek amp. True 14g sky high audio speaker wire With golden plated RCA jacks Hks turbo timer. Lotek A-pillar gauge pod Blackpath center vent gauge pod GlowShift gauges Oil pressure Coolant temp air/fuel Exhaust gas temp APC voltmeter AEM Tru Boost. Symbroski shift base bushing kit with Ralco RZ short throw shifter. Fire extinguisher installed Batter relocate with breaker disconnect. Dual catch can setup relocated coolant reservoir. Front and rear strut bar. 8.5MM performance spark plug wires with NGK bpr7es gapped .028 Trans fluid Redline MTL 1/3 and MT90 2/3 X-case Redline heavyweight shockproof Differential Lucas synthetic White gauge cluster with carbon fiber background and red led lights Full led light upgrade all around 5" led bar fog lights Front switchback blinkers OEM headgasket with rings in it New OEM head bolts. Nicely painted valve cover with MAP stainless steel bolt kit. MAP exhaust manifold stud kit New radiator cap, oil cap, oil dipstick.

jinscho · Apr 14, 2020

jenglish1984 said:
This may be long winded, but here's the description:

1991 Eagle Talon TSI AWD 155,024 miles Evo 3 650 injectors with tuning chip Re-wired fuel pump. Cxracing exhaust manifold wrapped. Godspeed project Evo316G turbo Rev9 02 housing gate recirc Megan 3" downpipe 3" cat delete pipe w/exhaust running back to right behind the rear axle All parts gasket port matched Vrsf 2.5" intercooler Cx racing radiator with slim fan Cx racing radiator hoses with t bolt clamps 05-06 Mitsubishi Outlander brake caliper, caliper bracket, drilled &a slotted rotors and Hawk HPS pads, with 2g banjo style brake lines. KYB AGX struts on Eibach springs Camber bolt kit Moog ball joints and tie rods with replaced control arm bushing and sway bar bushings Alternator and power steering have lifetime warranty. And so does stock radiator. Kenwood double din radiator with full kenwood speakers and autotek amp. True 14g sky high audio speaker wire With golden plated RCA jacks Hks turbo timer. Lotek A-pillar gauge pod Blackpath center vent gauge pod GlowShift gauges Oil pressure Coolant temp air/fuel Exhaust gas temp APC voltmeter AEM Tru Boost. Symbroski shift base bushing kit with Ralco RZ short throw shifter. Fire extinguisher installed Batter relocate with breaker disconnect. Dual catch can setup relocated coolant reservoir. Front and rear strut bar. 8.5MM performance spark plug wires with NGK bpr7es gapped .028 Trans fluid Redline MTL 1/3 and MT90 2/3 X-case Redline heavyweight shockproof Differential Lucas synthetic White gauge cluster with carbon fiber background and red led lights Full led light upgrade all around 5" led bar fog lights Front switchback blinkers OEM headgasket with rings in it New OEM head bolts. Nicely painted valve cover with MAP stainless steel bolt kit. MAP exhaust manifold stud kit New radiator cap, oil cap, oil dipstick.

So it’s a high mileage 91 talon with a bunch of eBay parts... that doesn’t run currently... got it..

$20... cash.

jenglish1984 · Apr 14, 2020

jinscho said:
So it’s a high mileage 91 talon with a bunch of eBay parts... that doesn’t run currently... got it..

$20... cash.

Is that what most of those are? Ebay upgrades? Ha. I offered him $800 and he told me I'm crazy.

609DSM · Apr 14, 2020

I would stay away from it. I mean for just 3k more I believe there is a couple amazing looking galant vr4 available if they havent sold already just for price comparison. Galants were limited and the 1g were not "limited edition" cars. Just because it's old and hard to find along with sought after doesnt mean a molested car with a blown motor is worth a lot money.

Worst case scenario you have to source a 6 bolt and install. But you would still be paying 3.5k plus the motor and who knows what else. I havent seen the car so who knows how rusty it even is.

Point I'm making is a little patience goes a long way, this doesnt seem like something to jump on unless you want to rebuild engine (if he detonated a piston the block could possibly be cracked, I mean who knows what happened and what broke internally).

jinscho · Apr 14, 2020

jenglish1984 said:
Is that what most of those are? Ebay upgrades? Ha. I offered him $800 and he told me I'm crazy.

Godspeed, CXracing, and Megan Racing are all eBay parts with Megan being the only somewhat reputable of the three.. and I say "reputable" with a GIANT asterisk..

ThunderChild · Apr 14, 2020

That car is worth about $200 max realistically, as you'll have to strip all the shti off before being able to build it right or salvage what's at the core. He'll come around as long as he doesn't screw over some unassuming rube...

Vegas Smith · Apr 14, 2020

jenglish1984 said:
Is that what most of those are? Ebay upgrades? Ha. I offered him $800 and he told me I'm crazy.

None of those parts have any resale value. The cheapest stuff you can get. I think you're wasting your time on this one unless he goes down dramatically..

enriquez2000 · Apr 16, 2020

Thats a $400 rolling chasis. Seen it too many times where a guy puts money into his car thinking he should be able to get it back. Modified cars will almost NEVER be worth what you invested in them to anyone else. If anything those parts devalue the car as they are basically junk and may be a part of why the motor isnt working.

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