At what point should I say "I Quit"

[paranoidTSi]

Its been almost two years since I got my DSM (1995 Eagle Talon TSi AWD) off the hands of a dumb ass. Needless to say when I picked up the car it had been beat to hell. So the first year went through over 6 grand in repairs...including but not limited to:

2 new Front CV Axles
4 new brakes
4 new rotors
4 new shocks
2 sets of tires (alignment problem I didn't notice ruined the 1st set)
new 3g lifters
Fan Belt/Powersteering Belt/Alt. Belt/Serp. Belt/Timing Belt/Drive Shaft Belt
New Clutch
Front Passenger side Lower Ball Joint
4 wheel alignment
about 6 oil changes


OTHER UPGRADES DONE BY ME:
- New paint job in May 2004
- 3" Downpipe, 3" exhaust
- Supra SMIC (still waiting on installation)
- 14b w/ 16G Compressor (still waiting on installation)
- 6-bolt motor


Current problems:
- needs ANOTHER new clutch (only at 15K miles, IMHO a crappy clutch installation or crappy part done by the shop)
- Rims have the wrong lug pattern causes viberation at higher speeds
- Water Pump needs replacing



Now for the most part the car has ran fine for the past 6 months, the only big problem I ran into is the clutch suddenly failed.

At this point I have seriously considered selling the car, I am in love with it..more than I should be probably..the car has become my life the past year...however its been quite the wallet breaker. I guess the biggest problem I have with getting rid of it is that I love the feel the experience I get out of driving it AND the fact that other cars that appeal to me are too expensive for me anyway (RX7, MIV Supra).


So I guess what I am looking for is suggestions, what would you guys do in my situation?

 

[speedytalon]

any performance car is going to nickle and dime you... If it were me id fix the clutch and wheels and keep on driving. Remeber its a love-hate relationship with our cars. I just look at it like this ... I could be spending 250 - 300 a month on a new car with a warranty or i could just keep this thing going one lump sum at a time. Id hate to tell you to give up on somthing you love. I would stick it out. I know everyone has a different debt to income ratio... so do whats best for yourself.

 

[me612]

KEEP IT. I should be saying sell it to me, but honestly just keep the thing man. After you sell it, you are going to miss it. Sounds like you've replaced a lot of stuff. Just think about it this way, now you won't have to replace those things again in a long time. Clutch, just learn to do it yourself. Waterpump, not that difficult, just time consuming more then anything. Plus it'll give you a reason to swap in a new T-Belt if yours is looking a little used up. Just hang in there, I know it's frustrating at times, but once it works and your zipping around town again, it'll be worth all the bloody knuckles you've put into it.

 

[cuttheduck]

IF your rims are vibrating just pick up a set of hubcentric rings. They should be around 19 bucks online. Unless you really somehow fit rims with the wrong lug pattern on your car. More then likely its just has a larger centorbore then you need.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

cuttheduck - i was just going to say.. how did you manage to get a 5 x 100 bolt pattern onto our cars your wheels could very well also be off balance.

but ya man.. KEEP IT! if she has a fresh 6 bolt in her.. then why would you sell ? stick it out and once you see a 300+ whp dyno sheet.. i'm sure you'll thank us all for it

 

[paranoidTSi]

Thanks Guys, I've decided to keep it. On a bright note I took a closer look into the clutch problem...the problem you ask? a freakin air bubble in the brake fluid. So I bled the clutch again and the car is running fine again. Hopefully I don't run into any serious problems.

 

[G_S_X]

6 grand , I think that most people have paid a lot more then 6 g's on their repairs. Why would people repair these cars? DSM's are just too lovable... don't you guys agree??
maybe im alone here :x

 

[ZenkaiRacerDsM]

I gave up on my 1g and sold it... within 6 months heres a list of all that took a poo

brake rotors
tires
rear wheel bearings (had to remove hub with a torch and replace)
transmission
clutch
driveshaft
balance shaft belt

On top of that it leaked oil from both the engine and tranny all over the place. It was down way more then it worked and I just got tired of putting so much time into it and not getting anything in return. So I sold it and picked up a 2g.

 

[Defiant]

I guess the biggest problem I have with getting rid of it is that I love the feel the experience I get out of driving it AND the fact that other cars that appeal to me are too expensive for me anyway (RX7, MIV Supra).

And that's the problem. Even the other great cars leave off the AWD. True that DSMs are like nymphomaniacs with cancer (it won't last long, but it'll give you a helluva ride), but there just isn't any real-world affordable car that compares. If you want to enjoy this amusement, you'll have to part with an E ticket.

 

[CodeMonkey]

Here's my list within 6 months of buying my car (95 GSX):

- Crankwalk
- Blown turbo
- Transmission

If I didn't live close to LA (Road Race Engineering) I probably would have just given up on the car. I'm no mechanic, I just love my car ....

 

[blcknspo0ln]

oh dont be a sissy.. nothing a 6bolt/new transmission/ 50 trim wouldn't cure

 

[CodeMonkey]

Yup, that's exactly what I did!

Now I just need to get rid of that stock downpipe & cat

 

[Denji]

going on 6 months with my new awd turbo and not a dime more than regular maintenance, i dont even know what you guys are talking about. My 420a non turbo was far less reliable with 20,000 less miles. I am hitting around 121,000 now. I dont drive it very hard most of the time. I baby the hell out of it unless its a race.

 

[BUCK]

paranoidTSi: A LOT of this was just normal PM on a 95:
2 new Front CV Axles
4 new brakes
4 new rotors
4 new shocks
Fan Belt/Powersteering Belt/Alt. Belt/Serp. Belt/Timing Belt/Drive Shaft Belt
New Clutch
Front Passenger side Lower Ball Joint
4 wheel alignment
about 6 oil changes
- 6-bolt motor

& a LOT of this was TOTALLY optional on your part...
- New paint job in May 2004
- 3" Downpipe, 3" exhaust
- Supra SMIC (still waiting on installation)
- 14b w/ 16G Compressor (still waiting on installation)
-new 3g lifters

& there are a few MISTAKES on your part:
-2 sets of tires (alignment problem I didn't notice ruined the 1st set)
- Water Pump needs replacing - Shoulda been done with T/Belt Job or Engine Swap
- needs ANOTHER new clutch (only at 15K miles, IMHO a crappy clutch installation or crappy part done by the shop)
- Rims have the wrong lug pattern causes viberation at higher speeds

Now please tell me you have a BSE KIT & an Air to Oil Cooler before you blow the 6-Bolt...

 

[leakyfaucet]

Now please tell me you have a BSE KIT & an Air to Oil Cooler before you blow the 6-Bolt...

Are you the spokesperson for an Air to Oil Cooler company? If so, throw him some reasons to get one, it'll be a learning experience for everyone!

 

[paranoidTSi]

It was swapped before I got the car, the motor has been fine for the past 2 years..so I suppose it is installed right.