Buying a DSM

[Javi_dsm]

Yo guys, I have a 98 GS as my daily. I finally saved up some money to throw down on a Turbo 2G. Just basically asking for recommendations. But GS-T or GSX? And what should I expect to spend one one to own? (Let's say, running with about 150k or less miles) thanks guys!

 

[Lester B]

Gst is fwd. gsx is awd.
I've owned both. If you plan on making serious power get a gsx.
They're getting harder and harder to find.
Be prepared to work on them. If you're not mechanically inclined, or don't have a ton of mechanic money, I wouldn't go for a higher mileage one.

Welcome and good luck!!

 

[DsmDanny9]

Exactly what he said. Even lower milage cars will have their quirks that need worked out, especially if it's already modded. I picked up a very mildly modded car and I'm still working out issues. Just keep your dd solid because sooner or later your car will go down. Look for strut tower rust as well as rear rocker rust. Those 2 spots are common.

 

[Mangz]

GSX

 

[Techn0Nut1996]

I hope you have better luck than I have.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

https://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/6133203812.html

https://springfield.craigslist.org/cto/6087821696.html

 

[Chaotic Deconstruct]

If your looking for a 2G DSM I would advise looking for a 98-99 GSX as those years had a better ECU and the two piece thrust washers. Apparently some late 97's did as well, but I wouldn't know how to tell.

As for price it can be difficult to gauge. I purchased a high mileage, completely stock down to the radio, very clean body, one owner car for under $5k. Had to drive 4.5 hours one way to purchase it. Some individuals will say that is too high and they wouldn't pay that much. For me in the mid-south AWD DSM's, of any generation, are getting pretty rare. I see horribly hacked up cars with owners asking $4-9k and I just scratch my head. Also remember to look for cars with the factory rear LSD option if possible.

As for miles I feel condition is far more important than miles. My current car has over 225,000 miles on it but looks and drives better than many 60,000 mile cars I've been in. Look for as few owners as possible. Solid mechanical cars have a tendency to stay with a owner longer. Most people will only sell a car once they see a repair bill coming they don't want to deal with. With longer ownership comes a better repair history, especially with high mileage cars. Highway miles are usually much easier than city driven mileage so always keep that in mind.

For me a clean, original, fully functioning one owner car trumps a modified, faster DSM nearly anytime. Reason one is I'm not inheriting a potential disaster. If it's stock and it breaks YOU get to choose what you want to do and how YOU want to do it. DSM owners have a tendency to be cheap, and having owned a couple modified cars previously I had to learn that the hard way.

 

[Chaotic Deconstruct]

https://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/6133203812.html

https://springfield.craigslist.org/cto/6087821696.html

I don't really have an opinion on the red auto GSX as I'm not an auto fan so I couldn't recommend it as I would never buy it.

As for the black GSX, I personally wouldn't touch that car. It definitely isn't something I'd call 9/10 on the exterior, nor 7/10 on the interior. I can definitely picture this car having atleast 4-5 owners. Bumper has been replaced, and somewhat shoddily it appears. It's missing the driver's side wheelwell paneling and has lost the front part of the lower body molding in the driver's side. All those things scream previous accident to me, which is something that I absolutely avoid in cars now. I just picture a wiring nightmare given the lack of radio and the addition of a turbo timer. All the spare parts make me assume an underfunded individual owned this vehicle, given the current condition of the car and the fact the spare parts seemed cobbled together. I could be wrong though, and everything can be repaired if you have patience and some coin.

The price isn't horrible though, and it is a 2GB, so there is some value there if you are in a hurry and have to purchase something.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Just was browsing to see what was in the Midwest since it is the closest to me.

 

[Chaotic Deconstruct]

Just was browsing to see what was in the Midwest since it is the closest to me.

No worries! I was just commenting on the cars for the original poster. It's really hard to find a clean DSM anymore, so cars like the ones you linked are 95% of what we are left with to purchase haha!

I actually think you Midwest guys are lucky, as I see more DSMs for sale in the Midwest than I ever find anywhere near me in the South. We have a deluge of STI's in the south though !

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Well I'm tryin to save the good ones, one at a time and I have FOUR. Two need engine swaps and I have the engines just not enough time workin 6 days a week.