2G Buying my first tsi

[StanleyDSM]

So I'm looking at trading my spyder for a 95 eagle Talon tsi fwd. But the thing is he said number 1 cylinder has 20psi for compression and that he thinks its the piston rings. And he also said that he put a 1st gen cam sensor and crank on it and that it misfires. I'm going next weekend to do a leak down test on it. But I thought I'd get your opinions. By the way ik it looks rough but I wrap cars for a living so the body isn't no problem. Lol

 

[StanleyDSM]

Lol where are you getting these knock off prices from???? Because these are knock off prices here bud.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/370915359705

 

[StanleyDSM]

Nope you can't that's why your sand the rust and Primer it then wrap it but. I don't know about my own job I guess. Lol

 

[91stocker]

It looks like the drivers side floor pan was full of water at one point.

 

[Type1DSMr]

Add a lot more than 150 x 1.5 for oem gaskets and bolts. Just for exhaust gasket, bolts, turbo gasket, turbo bolts and washers is around 130 and intake gasket and bolts is around 40. That not even touching the inside of the engine. Oem rebuild gasket kit with arp head studs plus new oem bolts for everything else, would be 500+.

 

[cmehlxl]

Lol where are you getting these knock off prices from???? Because these are knock off prices here bud.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/370915359705

sounds like you have it all figured out~ good luck

 

[Maes]

Wow that car needs a total overhaul and looks hacked up. I wouldn't buy it you would be spending 2-3 times to fix everything correctly. Pretty much would be buying a shell that's in bad shape already.

 

[StanleyDSM]

sounds like you have it all figured out~ good luck

Completely bud

 

[Maes]

Instead of being a smartass buy it and everyone will watch you blow your money when instead you could buy a dsm already running and not looking like a pos. Don't even say theirs none around you, look elsewhere and drive and pick it up.

 

[PlanZero]

Offer him a crisp $100 bill
Quick story. I drove about 1.5 hours into the hellhole of Staten island last winter to look at a 97 Tsi (yeah I know, should've known better) which the owner claimed the Body was 9 out of 10, interior was 8/10 and engine was 10/10. As with any pics on CL it was a crap shoot but she only had 90k miles so I took a chance.
We got there and the car was completely covered in snow. The only spot visible was the back left tire, which was flat. Giant rust hole in the rocker. Broken taillight. Interior looked like a bobcat got loose. Engine looked like it came out of a swamp. Put some air in and took her for a ride. I was scared to death. Suspension, alignment, brakes completely shot.
I was ready to beat the crap out of this kid. I asked if he was delusional or on drugs when he came up with those numbers. Completely wasted my time.
So he was asking $2k I think, and I said I wasn't going to insult him with an offer. Mind you, he was selling the car for a friend who moved to Fla., and desperate to sell.
So he said, just curious, how much would you offer? And I responded by pulling $100 out of my pocket. I said this car is barely worth the scrap price, but I am only offering this because I don't want to see another DSM die a horrible death, and this fu**er is on her last breath. He thought I was nuts.
Ironically, a few hours later he called me and said I could have it for $300, but by that point I was already back in PA and the next day I got my 96 Tsi for an amazing deal from the original owner, with 20 years worth of scheduled maintenance records!
So don't settle for a POS! You will regret it when you see a better deal a few days, weeks or months down the line and all your money is tied up in emergency repairs.

 

[StanleyDSM]

Lol wow people are judgemental today. I think it's funny though, I ask about what you all think is wrong with the low compression in cylinder #1 and most of you didnt even reply to the actual question. You just complained.

Instead of being a smartass buy it and everyone will watch you blow your money when instead you could buy a dsm already running and not looking like a pos. Don't even say theirs none around you, look elsewhere and drive and pick it up.

 

[Maes]

It could be a ton of shit wrong why it has low compression. Either the block or the head most likely. You'll find that easily searching the forum. In my opinion it's not even worth the time to actually care what's wrong with the compression in cylinder 1. It's a waste of time to me. Why would you waste your time is the question you should ask yourself.

 

[PlanZero]

Should've used a different title for the thread
If you can get it dirt cheap with all the parts (say $4-500) go for it. He said he got it in a trade anyway. Worst case scenario you can part it out and make a couple bucks. Best case, rebuild the engine and romp around for awhile.

 

[ThunderChild]

Wow, alot of crap slinging going on...

Op, don't trade anything for that car. If he would take a solid 500 for it and whatever parts he has, and the body is at least rust free, id say cash out for it, and do a ground up on it. Then you would know exactly what's in it. It will take time and patience, but worth it in the end. You don't have to spend a fortune on parts if u shop smart.

Now granted, it might b a headache, but it looks semi-straight, and most of the parts are there. Does it all need rehabbed? Hell yes, badly. But that's the joy of it.

If you are wanting something to get together quickly and drive, forget it. That is a straight up project car, IF it's not rusted out. If that is your goal, save up and buy a runner that's been at least cared for a bit.

 

[StanleyDSM]

It could be a ton of sh** wrong why it has low compression. Either the block or the head most likely. You'll find that easily searching the forum. In my opinion it's not even worth the time to actually care what's wrong with the compression in cylinder 1. It's a waste of time to me. Why would you waste your time is the question you should ask yourself.

Then why waste your timing complaining?

 

[StanleyDSM]

Should've used a different title for the thread
If you can get it dirt cheap with all the parts (say $4-500) go for it. He said he got it in a trade anyway. Worst case scenario you can part it out and make a couple bucks. Best case, rebuild the engine and romp around for awhile.

Yeah I'm gonna rebuild it completely I just thought I'd ask some people what they thought about the problem not the whole car. I mean I'm not blind I can see what's in a picture. Lol

 

[Boomdeeze]

Yeah I'm gonna rebuild it completely I just thought I'd ask some people what they thought about the problem not the whole car. I mean I'm not blind I can see what's in a picture. Lol

To comment on what is wrong, it is almost impossible to diagnose what is wrong with that car from reading your description of the problem. All we have is it has low compression in one cylinder and runs like crap. To be honest it seems like the engine is blown and he is blaming it in a wrong sensor and possibly bad rings. I bought my GSX and everything in the engine bay was hacked/rigged. When someone is willing to cut corners on part of a build like the engine, be ready to go through the wiring and drivetrain too. Seems like you have your heart set on buying it so I'm not going to try and convince you not to. All I am saying is I would not touch that car as there are many more DSM's in better condition for sale, you may just have to drive a little to get it. I have honestly seen parts cars for sale that are in better condition than that car. If you buy it, good luck with the build man and go through everything.

 

[Maes]

Then why waste your timing complaining?

I'm not complaining. You asked for opinions. Like everyone else pretty much said don't waste your time.

 

[StanleyDSM]

Yeah about the engine not the whole car. But thanks for being so much help.

 

[2gGst98]

Well my 2 cents if I may

As said before its kinda hard to say what's wrong when all that's said is it has low compression on one cylinder. Are we 100% sure it's only 1 cylinder? It miss fires, are all the cylinders low possibly? Did you get around to doing your leak down test? Any info on the results? That will help out a lot by saying possible reasons.

As for the car, I myself would pass. Unless he would take 500$ for it. Definitely not trade a spider for it, as that is convertible with a 4g64 2.4l. And as for not that many gst's in NC, a quick search in Charlotte brought up over 6 of them 1g's and 2g's. They are here, but as you said it's not your DD so that is ok, time isn't an immediate factor. I still wouldn't trade a running spider for a non running gst. MAYBE and that's a big maybe, a trade for a GSX. And those are here in the good old NC also. So my suggestion would be to be patient and not jump on the first or even the second unless your mind is made up, then do what you do my good friend.
Edit: I believe I found the post in CL and their are better ones IMHO here in NC for same price. Few in GA also only 1-2 he drive from me I'm in concord so maybe extra 30min - 1hr. They need no work minus paint, and for few hundred more. What I'm saying is they are their, don't jump on the first one, I did and only now about 5 years later is all the maintenance and everything done minus paint haha. But that's last on my list anyway. And be prep aired to spend way ,ore then just 2k. I only buy quality and I'm close to 4K I keep all receipts, that's without the price of the car.

 

[StanleyDSM]

Yeah there are but no one wants to trade. That's my only problem. Like as soon as they here its a gd they say no. Lol

 

[StanleyDSM]

Okay what about this?

https://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/5352925987.html

 

[2gGst98]

I understand, and it may not be that bad off for a trade. Never know until you gamble. That one is a NA also, thought you wanted to get away from NA. I'm on CL all the time, I'll try to help if you don't end up getting the other one.

 

[StanleyDSM]

I just wanna get into a 4g63 really. But first is a 4g63t and the second is just a 4g63.

 

[2gGst98]

What about your 4g64 you have in your car. The spider does not have a 420a motor, correct me if I'm wrong I may be but was told otherwise awhile ago. How good of shape is your car in? I would just put like 2-3k into it motor and put a 4g63 head on your block then run a 14b or 16g and have fun. Then when you get really comfiy pulling your car apart and making it better, do a AWD swap on it. Their is a write up on how to, just so you know their is options for your spider.

 

[91stocker]

Okay what about this?

https://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/5352925987.html

Lol id give him scrap value for it.

Save some cash, 2500-3000 will get you a decent awd 4g63.

Or if you really want a project find a nice roller. Theres two nice looking shells for sale on here atm.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/1992-eagle-talon-tsi-awd-shell.498281/
and
http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/1990-rolling-shell-gsx.499572/

Dont forget you can have a car shipped for around 600 from basically anywhere, so a project car doesnt have to be local.