'96 Tsi 50K miles...should I buy it?

[DiamondStarCar]

Alright, I havn't posted in a while because I got out of DSM's after I sold my 93 tsi. Now, I am looking for a 2g turbo and I found this '96 Tsi (fwd) with only 50,500 miles...supposedly it runs great and all records (2nd owner) are included. I'm posting some pics for everyone to check out, but his asking price is super steep for an Eagle Talon...despite the low miles. Please help me by talking me into or out of it. He is asking $6,900 (ouch) or best offer...which is 6,900. I would pay something like 6k or so but it appears to be pretty clean and it's about 2.5hrs. away from where I live. Check it out:

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As you can see, it's the base tsi without the leather, sunroof...and it has that pinstirpe. I am going to drive it Friday if I decide to show more interest in it (basically if I can talk him down on the price), if not, I really don't know that it's worth it. Please help!

 

[Eclipsei95cl]

Whats the blue book value from your area on that car? I would only pay KBB for it. But yeah its a talon and its a fwd...But the 50k miles is nice.

 

[Defiant]

I gave $7K for my AWD with 66K a couple of years ago, and it needed a clutch, tires, and AC repair. I don't think $7 for that kind of mileage is out of line (and KBB have no idea what cars of this ilk are actually "worth" [what a customer in the real world will pay for it] to those who want them).
It has its original airbox, BOV and no strut bar, so it's probably not been beaten to crap.

I don't know if you have any reservations about FWD, but I have immeasurable ones. Then again, I drive much too fast and I don't know how to do things with FWD when it goes wrong.

I'd sure not be concerned about the pinstripe.

I don't think he'll have any trouble getting his asking price, but who knows what things are like in that area's market.

 

[szewczyd]

Pinstrips

 

[Lunch_Box]

If it is in great condition then that price isn't bad. It has low miles and looks like zero mods both are a plus.

 

[EdwardNorth]

I don't think $6,900 is that steep for a TSi with 50k miles. If it's in good condition and mechanically sound then it sounds like a fair price. I still see 2G GSX's going for over 10 grand on Autotrader and they have 70-80k or more miles.

On a personal note, I paid a LOT more than that for my Talon when I bought it last year. Granted though it only had 11,xxx miles on it, had already been decently modded, and came with a truckload of extra parts and all the stock parts. It was in pristine condition as well and was basically a brand new car. So it was a very unique package. But my point is for a good car with good mileage, that price sounds like it's certainly not out of the question.

 

[DiamondStarCar]

Hmm, I expected everyone to turn me away from this one, but the positive responses are really bringing my spirts back up. Well, I might as well throw in a few more details. First, it's completely stock...everything. The guy that has it bought it from a woman who got her leg amputated and could no longer drive a manual. The mileage is ridiculously low for it's age and the pics make it look pretty convincing. The guy selling it is in the army and had no idea what a 6bolt or 7bolt enigne was before I explained it. He didn't even know about the infamous crankwalk. Therefore, he's not really into driving fast...he spends most of his time on the army base. My main concern is buying it an not being happy with it. Oh yeah, KBB says 5,200 for excellent condition which sucks because the same year Eclipse with just as many miles/options is worth 5,950 on kbb. Oh well, I'm not worried about that...kbb and edmunds don't realize how hard it is to find a low mileage, good running, stock talon/eclipse these days. I'm still going to drive it on Friday, but I'm not selling my current car until I'm 100% sure it's what I want to do. I'm still open to anyone else's comments.

Thanks those that posted their advice.

 

[1993eclipseGS]

It's a cheap price, But it is fwd also. My friend sold one for $4,000 and it was awd with low milage. I bought fwd and modded it and didn't believe everyone about the traction issues. Spinning into 5th gear isn't fun. My car is now basically almost stock and being sold for a 2g awd. Good luck on your decision though.

 

[EdwardNorth]

I bought fwd and modded it and didn't believe everyone about the traction issues. Spinning into 5th gear isn't fun. My car is now basically almost stock and being sold for a 2g awd. Good luck on your decision though.

What he said. Make absolute sure you want to go FWD. If this is what you want though, that car looks like a great choice at a reasonable price, so I say go for it!

Have you driven turbocharged FWD and AWD vehicles before? Just wondering if you have previous experience to base this decision on.

 

[1993eclipseGS]

I Went from fwd to awd, Then back to fwd because I thought it was a good deal. Once I modded the car to extremes, I realized it's just not safe. Even with my old s16g and stock fuel/exhaust @ 16psi, I was spinning everywhere once boost hit.

Just drive the car and make sure you really want it. I know from experience i'm done with fwd's, Even though the fwd guys will argue, I had a taste of both and if someone tells you their fwd is not that bad, Then it must not be modded enough.

Goodluck.

 

[DiamondStarCar]

EdwardNorth: Yes, I have had experience with both turbo fwd and awd. I had a '92 tsi fwd that i left almost stock and a 93 tsi awd that ran high 13's. I'm still into DSMs and know all about the traction (or lack of) issues fwd offers...especially as you start modding. I'm looking for a decent daily driver that is still faster than my current integra gsr wich is not only fwd but also torqueless. If I was serious about drag racing, autox, or any other type of racing that is favorable to all wheel drive, I wouldn't have even thought twice about this car.

Thanks alot everyone. Still thinking...

 

[DiamondStarCar]

Ok, I'm definitely checking this thing out tommorrow. If anyone has anything to add about what I should check for in a 2g post up.