95 Talon ESi, good buy?

[Fayt]

Alright... I found this 1995 Eagle Talon ESi for sale. Body wise, PERFECT CONDITION. No dents, no rust on the outside, not even a scratch on this car. It is in perfect condition for 10 years old. Interior is the same. No stains, cuts or anything. Engine wise, it starts right up. It has 113k, 5-speed manual. It has a whirring noise in the engine bay, my dad says its from a bad alternator/bad bearing. The guy was asking 2500, but there are two very MINOR rust spots in the engine compartment. He then said $2300 out the door, covering all taxes and titles costs. And because of those 2 spots, my dad won't let me get it. He says that the strut towers are starting to rust out and can collapse. I asked how often that happens and he said not very often. I'm trying to convince him that since I will only have the car for about a year, or less, I shouldn't have to worry.
I'll get pictures today of the actual car and spots, but this one is close enough to where they are and the size of them. Look at the two black O's near the fenders, thats where they are and approx. the size. The rust hasn't even started to go through, it is just flaking on top. You can't feel anything from inside the wheel well.

They are spots too; about the size of a baseball around. Not all the way through. The rust is only starting to flake a little bit. Everything runs fine though. Shifts smoothly, engine picks up nicely, starts right up with no problems. Good buy?

Also, if anyone has a 2g DSM, 5-speed, <150k miles for sale under $2500, PM me; I'm extremely interested.

 

[suncad03]

for the rust they all rust at that same sopt and it is not that big of a deal to fix just get it taken care of!!!

the wine could be the turbo right at your face

but the power steering have been known to wine

if you know any thing about turbo's you know that car has been moded
and looking loke a good buy for a fwd


I would bug the hell out of your dad
and become a dsm owner

 

[Fayt]

Its not a turbo. This is just a picture I used to show where the rust is actually at. The one I'm buying is still N/A ESi with a 420a motor in it. I am going to bug the hell out of him, because my first car (which he said was a perfect buy, excellant car) was a 1997 Saturn SL2 with 130k miles. Well, engine got rod knock about a month later and blew. So, I'm about to tell him that the last car which was deemed good enough by his standards sucked. I think this car is excellant. He has no idea, because he hasn't been looking at DSM's that often. He even said at his Firestone service center, they don't come in that often. Hmm, because their good cars?

Last time I followed his advice and spent an extra 1000 on a ####ing Saturn motor that sucked anyways. I think this time I follow my own advice and buy this car because I KNOW that it is in excellant condition for its age. I live in Ohio, we have horrible winters; yet the only rust on this whole car is in 2 spots? Shit, look at other cars from 1995 that have been in Ohio since. They have bucket loads more of rust. We'll see how our convo goes when he gets off of work @ 3.

 

[Templisk]

www.kbb.com check the retail value of the car against the price asked. Then show your dad the differences, chances are it'll be in your favor.

DSM > all.

 

[Fayt]

Retail price is about $700 more then what their asking. Retail is close to $3000. He still doesn't think it is a sound investment. Still awaiting his arrival though. I mean, if the rust is the biggest concern, I'm not going to have to worry about rust until winter, and I doubt anything is going to happen of it then. Hes just a bi***.

 

[Templisk]

Seriously, if it's just a rust problem the $700 dollars that you save by getting an underpriced DSM can be used to fix the rust, and get a paint job among other things.

It's your car, get what you want and be happy with it.

I had $2,000 sitting in front of me, been trying to get a DSM for a year or so now. I've had plenty of chances to try for a 1g AWD, or other random cars around here like the 5.0 Mustangs. In the end I know I'll be happiest with a 2gb AWD DSM. So I'm waiting and driving my mom's 1993 Buick Regal.

 

[Fayt]

Actually just found out KBB on it as around 4k I don't think that is right . But, no need for a paint job, just to fix that small rust spot, which can probably just have a metal plate welded on then painted over. I would wait for a TSi AWD, but they are never around here. Last one that was sold went for 8k, I don't feel like waiting for another 2 years to get a Talon. I'd be happy getting this one now, saving money, then sell it once a good AWD comes up.

 

[Templisk]

Double check the model/year entered, and the mileage, and options.

I'm about ready to break down and grab a N/T 2g or a cheap 1g AWD just to have something of my own until I can afford a 2g AWD (preferably a 97+)

To each their own I suppose, kbb is the standard for selling/buying vehicles. Some sell higher or lower obviously for certain reasons that should be considered (severe mechanical/visual defects, modifications, title)

 

[Fayt]

Bah...the guy selling it was a dick. He said we can't even test drive it down to my dads work to have it checked out, won't release the history of the car (salvage title), and can't guarantee it'll pass e-check. So, I am looking at this car now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ory=6352&item=4542624983&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Its about 20 miles from me. My dad said the CV ball joint, or whatever the guy said is wrong isn't that big of a problem, not sure on how to fix them though. Also, I'm not too sure my dad will want to get it with the parts he has put on. Hopefully that isn't the case. He tried selling on ebay, but didn't get what his reserve was. He asked at least 4000 for it, so I'm going to try for 3200-3500, because there are problems. The oil sensor and speed sensor aren't working, CV boot control arm, drivers side ball joint, some coil overs, and high-flow cat are included, and CV boot pass side control arm. Plus, it has 146k on the body, 39k motor, not sure on trans.

 

[Lordpaxin]

seems that would be a good price, the car looks good, and sounds decent.
with some minor mods to add to the party.

fixit dsm's are a way to get a jump on a good car for cheaper prices. Just have to completley Evaluate the ENTIRE list of shit to fix. and run that price against the amount your saving buying a busted car.

Where in Ohio do you live?

 

[Fayt]

Berea, Ohio... about 20 minutes south of Cleveland.

If it was my choice, I would of gotten the 95 ESi from the guy and fixed whatever was wrong with it (if anything.) My dad however, is against it so much. I hate his standards... I just hope he lets me get this GS-T after driving it. I want to learn how to fix cars, and upgrade them... haven't had a chance to take any classes at school, or learn on my own (I had a 97 Saturn SL2; learned some car audio stuff. Now I drive a 93 Dodge Caravan because the Saturn was wrecked... w00t.) I hate driving the van so much. It eats gas so bad too; $40 a week to fill her up and get a whole 190-200 miles out of it. I paid $15 a week to fill up the Saturn, its a huge ####ing difference. Another thing... my dads facial reactions were kinda.. weird when he saw it was already modded. I hope he doesn't freak when it shifts and the BOV goes "pssh". Not quite sure if he has heard that sound before..... this will be an adventure all in its own.

Or is it just worth waiting another couple months and seeing what comes out on ebay/autotrader/newspaper for a better deal? I've heard mixed opinions on this... most are just like "makes sense." Ok, thats not a good answer. Is it worth it, or is this a good deal that I should jump on?

 

[Lordpaxin]

Turbo > ESi
AWD > FWD

i would personally wait for a Tsi Awd, or a GSX

 

[Fayt]

I would have to wait about... 3-5 more months to get the $ for an AWD model. I'll just have to think about whether or not getting this GST is worth it. I could always upgrade the engine, then when/if I sell it, replace the OEM parts, transfer the aftermerket parts to the AWD model.

 

[Lordpaxin]

basically its a decision you will have to make on your own.

settling for less than what you are going for is always rough, and you kick yourself for it