91 talon tsi awd for $4k-good idea?

[excel8951]

im looking at buying a 91 talon tsi turbo. I am a novice to intermediate mechanic; i know just enough to get myself in trouble. further more I don't know much about DSMs. Im' looking to buy the car as a second vehicle primarily for having fun in and driving the crap out of. I'm trying to consider value of the car and the amount of time I may spend fixing it before I end up buying it. the guy is asking $4000 for it. please let me know what you think.

Heres the specs:

Built motor with only 5k miles.

Tuned at 22psi on 93 pump gas. Approx 400HP.

Recent Work:
3k Miles on Proffesionally Built Motor (I have receipts for over $3000 in the engine alone)
Fully Balanced Rotating Assembly by Obers Performance in Lititz
Bored/Honed Mains, Honed Cylinders, Cryoed block
Balance Shafts Eliminated
1g Rods w. 2g Pistons (8.5:1 Compression)
All new Rings/Bearings (Total seal, Clevite,etc)
All new seals and gaskets (Mistu 4 layer metal head, intake, exhaust,etc)
New belts (Mitsu Timing, Alternator)
ARP Hardware (head studs, mains bolts, rod bolts)
Fresh 3 angle valve job

More receipts over $1000 for:
New ACT 2600 Clutch Kit
New oil pump
New water pump
New Alternator (Lifetime Warranty)
New Battery
New Axles (Lifetime Warranty)
New Tie Rod Ends

Upgrades:
Slow Boy Stage 2 Head w/ 1mm oversized valves
Slow Boy Intake Pipe w. K&N Filter
Slow Boy Short Route Intercooler Piping
Slow Boy Boost Controller
BJ Aluminum Intake Manifold
Genuine Evo 3 16G Turbo,
Evo 3 Exhaust Manifold and 02 Housing
Apexi Down Pipe
Thermal R&D Exhaust
Spearco Front Mount Intercooler
WEB 272/272 Stage 2 Cams
RC 680 Ported Injectors
MAFT w. 3" GM MAS Sensor
Chipped ECU with Keydiver Tune (Jeff Oberholtzer)
Symborski Shift Kit
KYB AGX Gas Shocks
H&R Springs
New ACT 2600 Clutch
AEM Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
AEM Fuel Filter
Braided Fuel Lines
Walbro 255lph Fuel Pump
Blitz Blow Off Valve
Magnecore Plug Wires
EGR and EVAP Eliminated
Unorthrodox Underdrive Pulley
Brushed Aluminum on Intake, Valve Cover, and Boost Pipes

25k miles on rebuilt trans with Evo upgrades

 

[Xeiros]

What kind of shape is the car in? Any known mechanical problems?


Sounds like a good investment if something isn't gone to hell.

 

[gtbread77]

im looking at buying a 91 talon tsi turbo. I am a novice to intermediate mechanic; i know just enough to get myself in trouble. further more I don't know much about DSMs. Im' looking to buy the car as a second vehicle primarily for having fun in and driving the crap out of. I'm trying to consider value of the car and the amount of time I may spend fixing it before I end up buying it. the guy is asking $4000 for it. please let me know what you think.

Heres the specs:

Built motor with only 5k miles.

Tuned at 22psi on 93 pump gas. Approx 400HP.

Recent Work:
3k Miles on Proffesionally Built Motor (I have receipts for over $3000 in the engine alone)
Fully Balanced Rotating Assembly by Obers Performance in Lititz
Bored/Honed Mains, Honed Cylinders, Cryoed block
Balance Shafts Eliminated
1g Rods w. 2g Pistons (8.5:1 Compression)
All new Rings/Bearings (Total seal, Clevite,etc)
All new seals and gaskets (Mistu 4 layer metal head, intake, exhaust,etc)
New belts (Mitsu Timing, Alternator)
ARP Hardware (head studs, mains bolts, rod bolts)
Fresh 3 angle valve job

More receipts over $1000 for:
New ACT 2600 Clutch Kit
New oil pump
New water pump
New Alternator (Lifetime Warranty)
New Battery
New Axles (Lifetime Warranty)
New Tie Rod Ends

Upgrades:
Slow Boy Stage 2 Head w/ 1mm oversized valves
Slow Boy Intake Pipe w. K&N Filter
Slow Boy Short Route Intercooler Piping
Slow Boy Boost Controller
BJ Aluminum Intake Manifold
Genuine Evo 3 16G Turbo,
Evo 3 Exhaust Manifold and 02 Housing
Apexi Down Pipe
Thermal R&D Exhaust
Spearco Front Mount Intercooler
WEB 272/272 Stage 2 Cams
RC 680 Ported Injectors
MAFT w. 3" GM MAS Sensor
Chipped ECU with Keydiver Tune (Jeff Oberholtzer)
Symborski Shift Kit
KYB AGX Gas Shocks
H&R Springs
New ACT 2600 Clutch
AEM Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
AEM Fuel Filter
Braided Fuel Lines
Walbro 255lph Fuel Pump
Blitz Blow Off Valve
Magnecore Plug Wires
EGR and EVAP Eliminated
Unorthrodox Underdrive Pulley
Brushed Aluminum on Intake, Valve Cover, and Boost Pipes

25k miles on rebuilt trans with Evo upgrades

If the reciepts are in your hands and you have the dyno sheet for 400hp i would give $3500 if the body and interior is clean maybe

 

[Gs Dewd]

4k is a lot. I would start at 3k. I just bought a 93' Gsx a few months back for $800 in decent shape. So deals are out there. I have had to put around 1k into it in the past 2 weeks. About half of that was upgrading somethings to "my" requirements and the rest was things it actually needed. Buying a pre-modded may seem to save you some loot up front but in the long run it can actually cost you more money if the "mods" where not done correctly / half azzed as my car was. I spent about a month or so right after I bought my car just repairing wiring and such just to get the thing to run right to "me". Previous owner thought the car ran perfect. Just look the car over real good before laying down that kind of money. Oh buy the way my car's engine was "rebuilt" like 12k miles before I bought it. I just had to go thought the whole thing and basically rebuild it again due to someone not knowing what they where doing.

 

[936DSMboy]

Do it dude you will not end up regreting, it if he doesnt want to lower the price get it anyways it sounds like that car would be a little monster. shoot if I had the chance to get me one of those I would get one in a instant if I had the money and the luck to find one here in the houston area. yeah if he has the dyno sheet and recipts then do it

 

[TSI from Hell]

im looking at buying a 91 talon tsi turbo. I am a novice to intermediate mechanic; i know just enough to get myself in trouble. further more I don't know much about DSMs. Im' looking to buy the car as a second vehicle primarily for having fun in and driving the crap out of. I'm trying to consider value of the car and the amount of time I may spend fixing it before I end up buying it. the guy is asking $4000 for it. please let me know what you think.

Heres the specs:

Built motor with only 5k miles.

Tuned at 22psi on 93 pump gas. Approx 400HP.

Recent Work:
3k Miles on Proffesionally Built Motor (I have receipts for over $3000 in the engine alone)
Fully Balanced Rotating Assembly by Obers Performance in Lititz
Bored/Honed Mains, Honed Cylinders, Cryoed block
Balance Shafts Eliminated
1g Rods w. 2g Pistons (8.5:1 Compression)
All new Rings/Bearings (Total seal, Clevite,etc)
All new seals and gaskets (Mistu 4 layer metal head, intake, exhaust,etc)
New belts (Mitsu Timing, Alternator)
ARP Hardware (head studs, mains bolts, rod bolts)
Fresh 3 angle valve job

More receipts over $1000 for:
New ACT 2600 Clutch Kit
New oil pump
New water pump
New Alternator (Lifetime Warranty)
New Battery
New Axles (Lifetime Warranty)
New Tie Rod Ends

Upgrades:
Slow Boy Stage 2 Head w/ 1mm oversized valves
Slow Boy Intake Pipe w. K&N Filter
Slow Boy Short Route Intercooler Piping
Slow Boy Boost Controller
BJ Aluminum Intake Manifold
Genuine Evo 3 16G Turbo,
Evo 3 Exhaust Manifold and 02 Housing
Apexi Down Pipe
Thermal R&D Exhaust
Spearco Front Mount Intercooler
WEB 272/272 Stage 2 Cams
RC 680 Ported Injectors
MAFT w. 3" GM MAS Sensor
Chipped ECU with Keydiver Tune (Jeff Oberholtzer)
Symborski Shift Kit
KYB AGX Gas Shocks
H&R Springs
New ACT 2600 Clutch
AEM Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
AEM Fuel Filter
Braided Fuel Lines
Walbro 255lph Fuel Pump
Blitz Blow Off Valve
Magnecore Plug Wires
EGR and EVAP Eliminated
Unorthrodox Underdrive Pulley
Brushed Aluminum on Intake, Valve Cover, and Boost Pipes

25k miles on rebuilt trans with Evo upgrades

If everything was professionally done, and he has receipt, then it's worth 4k (if it wasn't beat to death nor has super high mileage since those upgrades).

I'd still ask for a bit lower; but don't low ball the guy.

Any pics or? I mean, look for the obvious, compression tests, boost leaks, rust on the strut towers. If you're satisfied and can afford it, then go for it.

 

[Below Ambient]

thats a lot of value in parts alone... id grab it for less if you can, then tear it apart to make sure everything is done properly...

 

[empie1]

Unless that car is immaculant, inside, outside and mechaincally, your out of your mind to pay more than 2500. Its a 20 year old car thats obviously been built to be abused. Aftermarket parts and builds dont add value. Its money out the window unless proof of purchase/dyno and mechanical condition are there.

 

[myturbo]

Get it. Dsm's are getting harder to come by. & getting extensiv'ier now days!

 

[JaxonsGSX]

Go check it out, if nothing is wrong with it and you'll be happy with the purchase, i'd say its worth it.

 

[empie1]

Get it. Dsm's are getting harder to come by. & getting extensiv'ier now days!

This isnt true at all.

 

[xxxspeedxxx]

i bought my 91 gsx for 900. 4k is alot even thou its fixed up. i recommend you to buy a cheaper one and work on it your self.

 

[Absit]

No. If you buy that car assume everything that's not stock is currently broken or installed incorrectly.

 

[Foz]

Deals are definitely out there... I picked up two 90 tsi's in mixed condition for under a grand. But it would certainly take more than 4k to build either to that kind of performance.


It comes down to built or bought, and can you trust the quality of the build?

 

[rlacasse1]

No. If you buy that car assume everything that's not stock is currently broken or installed incorrectly.

That was a really stupid statement.

If you but the car just check it out good, make sure everything is done good and looks as if it was. If it looks jank then walk away. Just make an intelligent decision on the car then buy or walk away. That simple.

 

[Absit]

That was a really stupid statement.

Enjoy an optimistic life of disappointment.

 

[dsm'r sk1mp]

Great investment if you have the correct knowledge of DSMs. The advice has been covered. look for obvious problems. I strongly suggest compression test, and if he will allow you, show up with cash in hand but only buy after draining the oil completely into a brand new drain pan, using a window screen as a filter over the pan. I know its kinda over kill but for that amount of money you should be as cautious as you can. you really do not want to get stuck with some one else failed project if you know what i mean. My two cents

 

[empie1]

Enjoy an optimistic life of disappointment.

Lol...great statement.

 

[SuperFudge]

See if you can get the car for $3500 maybe even a little lower because 4k seems to high. Also as long as he has receipts to back all that up then your golden
Just my 2cents

 

[cficare68]

Sounds like a nice car but cheaper is always better.

 

[LandoAWD]

I paid more for my 91, but I knew the owner/mechanic/builder, the whole history, etc, etc.

 

[flaatr]

No. If you buy that car assume everything that's not stock is currently broken or installed incorrectly.

That was a really stupid statement.

Not necessarily untrue or stupid... most everything that was not stock on my car was installed incorrectly. Just depends on if the guy you buy it from knows what he's doing or just thinks he does.

-Raffi

 

[excel8951]

I bought the car. It runs like a raped ape and I love it. Im having a stupid issue with the lack of tension on the alternator belt but thats it.

 

[perks563]

RC 680 Ported Injectors

Isn't anyone else a little curious about ported fuel injectors?
Besides that, as long as he has all of the receipts and when you look over the car and test drive it and determine everything is good, go for it. You could even bring it to your mechanic to have them check it out. Best of luck.