deciding on whether to get a 97 GST

[jlagace]

hello i'm new to these forums and a real newb to DSM cars, and i need expert advice

a tempting deal has come up where someone offered a 97 GST straight up trade with my car, 98 Civic with buncha cosmetic stuff done

here's their car:
"1997 Eclipse gs-t, 5-speed, white.. 78k miles on the dot. Few
modifications include Sprint lowering springs, Greddy SP catback, custom 2.5"
downpipe, Injen intake, Greddy Type-S BOV. Paint in good condition other
than few chips. Stock wheels, painted gunmetal, nice Dunlop SP Sport
tires with about 80 percent tread left. Have some stock parts (intake
pipe, downpipe). Very fast!

Asking 8000 or REASONABLE OFFER, car is in good shape. No lowballers!

Also interested in trading car, looking for another import. Let me know
what you have. Brand doesn't matter, but be sure that the trade is a
reasonable one! Lower mileage is preferred, mods are okay.

I have pictures, will email to serious buyers. "

here's my car: http://www.craigslist.org/pen/car/38041940.html

the blue book value's are about even, around $7-8k



problem is i've heard all these horror stories about crankwalk and mitsu engines blowing but it's all hearsay, i want to hear about it straight from a knowledgeable source. the guy is selling it because he doesn't want to deal w/ turbo car maintenance and wants N/A car, he said the car shows no signs of crankwalk and that it rarely affects 97+ 2g's. i really want to trade for this car but need to be more informed about the risk. thank you guys in advance

 

[Warhead2k3]

Crankwalk is not as common as many think, but it found more often in 97's then any other year. Id say fully check out the car. Look to see it had its 60k mile service, its not smoking, and check the crank end play to be sure about cw. If everything checks out then I'd go for it. You will be giving up gas milage and reliability, but the speed difference will be like night and day.

 

[ckozlgod]

No offense but I would never buy a modded car.

 

[midnght]

Sounds like a good enough deal. Those modifications are fine to buy with the car. They are simple beginner mods that you will not have to spend your money on.


Do you have a link to the car? I just want to see if it is the same one I think it is.

 

[jlagace]

couldn't possibly be the same car, i'm in cali

i guess i should check for the clutch sticking, other than that, i don't think i'm mechanically inclined enough to check for the dreaded crankwalk

ugh sounds so risky.. do eclipses really cost alot to maintain?

 

[midnght]

couldn't possibly be the same car, i'm in cali

You would be suprised, I keep my eye on MANY cars. Some for certian reasons.

Just trying to help.

ugh sounds so risky.. do eclipses really cost alot to maintain?

Just as much as any other car out there. They are easy to maintain if you leave them alone. An intake, better BOV, better exhaust, and some lowering springs are no reason to look over an Eclipse.

Ask more about it. Has there been other modifications that were taken off? Has it ever been in a wreck? If so, what was the damage?

Things like that.

 

[Dieselboy]

If you have a little extra money left over, buy a 6 bolt block and be done with worrying (well, for the most part ).

 

[DSMeclipse4G63]

DSM's(eclipse, talon laser) arent problematic at all. ALot of people outsidfe the dsm community think they are, and it almost scared me out of getting mine. I had a pretty modded 96 civic ex, and as you can see I have quite a few mods more then my civic and the DSM has held up with ALOT more power and more abuse. The whole reason DSM's break is because people mod them like shit, maintain them like shit and drive the hell out of them. You would be hard pressed to find a car that can double its power and torque and still be somewhat reliable like a DSM. As long as you get a car thats in good shape, and you maintain the car you can mod it and still be fine. Just realize that when you add power you trade for gas mileage and reliability, but like I said you would be VERY hard pressed to find a car that can push as much hp over stock and still be great on gas and pretty darn reliable.
Andrew

 

[Dieselboy]

^^^ Well said ^^^

 

[ckozlgod]

Those modifications are fine to buy with the car. They are simple beginner mods that you will not have to spend your money on.

No fun in that at all. Part of buying a new car is getting to put on some of the first mods and knowing YOU did all the work. Part of the excitement is looking for these parts considering there are so many brands/types to choose from. Then another part of the fun is ripping open the box right after the nice UPS man brings it to your door.

But to each his own right? I guess I can see both sides.

Maybe I am just anxious to get my DSM.

 

[jlagace]

it's not the mods i'm worrying about at all

i'm worried about stuff breaking (mainly the motor). i'll keep up on the maintenance of course, but i've heard (and even read on these forums so far) about babied eclipses that are destined to break anyway.

ahh earlier in the day i was just gonna drop the offer for good
but now the opportunity to DOUBLE my torque has made me consider it again..