Do you think this 97 gst is worth the money?

[whiskeyturbo]

Hello all, I have been away from the community for quite some time, the last dsm I owned was in 2007. I have had two eclipses in my time and I am looking for a third. I came across a 97 gst and would appreciate any advice on whether you think it is worth my time and money. Here is what the craigslist ad says:

97 eclipse is in alright shape and runs great, ac heat and power steering all work great. could use a decent paint job but its not terrible the way it sits. The car has a long list of aftermarket parts including:
big 16g turbo, forged wiseco pistons, forged scat rods, evo crank, 3g lifters, all arp hardware, greddy type rz bov, greddy turbo timer, hks super dragger muffler, the motor has 12k miles on it the body has around 135xxx There is alot more that im forgetting but ill remember everything over time. it has so much in it its not funny. The car currently has the black factory replacement bumper on it but i have 2 other front bumpers including a full body kit and even the factory stock bumper that came on the car.

I went to go see the car today and this is what I found. desperately needs a front motor mount, the interior is all loose and painted (needs to be fixed or replaced), the seat belts were removed and 5 point harnesses installed (I will probably put stockers back in). Passenger seat slide is broke so it slides all over the place when you are sitting in it. rear hatch release is broke, and body kit isnt in the best shape. Engine bay looks clean and well put together. In need of a tune and fuel injectors. From what he said it has a walbro 255 fuel pump and stock injectors. Also comes with a very short throw shifter that I am not to fond of but it shouldn't be much of a hassle to get the stock one back in.
Asking price of 3500 and he is willing to trade my motorcycle+$400 which would come out to about 3500.

From what I can see all in all it mainly needs all of the interior redone (including passenger seat and almost all panels), interior could use some rewiring, fuel injectors, front motor mount, body work/ paint job. Im not a big fan of body kits but it comes with the stock bumpers and everything so im not that worried about it.
Any comments or advice much appreciated. Planning on picking it up tomorrow evening.

 

[Absit]

3500 for a modded to hell FWD? Nope, not a chance.
2 grand, tops - that's assuming I'd ever look at an FWD.

 

[rlacasse1]

Fu@k no.

 

[hurricanecris24]

Not worth it. Gst around here go for 2-3k and gsxs go for 4-5k

 

[whiskeyturbo]

well I also found a modded to hell 92 gsx with 300 hp for $4500.. Lancer GSR motor, HKS 264/272 combo, and PTE 3431 57 trim.. but its beyond modded to hell and i dont like the idea of me not knowing exactly what has been done to it.

so 2500 woud be a good price for it? I forgot to mention it has an LSD.

 

[TSI from Hell]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=The+Official+%22Should+I+buy+this+DSM%3F%22+Thread

Next time, use this thread.

And to answer your question; no, it's not worth the money.

 

[whiskeyturbo]

As much as I appreciate your reply and feel like a noob for not finding that thread, I dont see anyone recieveing any replies to their posts in that thread, and I was hoping for an answer tonight sine I was planning on buying the car tomorrow. Ill probably offer him te bike and no cash, I was planning on selling it for around 2500 anyway even though the KBB is around 3k

 

[standard235]

I thought the timing belt/trans were on opposite sides for the Evo's.

How do you put an Evo crank in a DSM. Or a Lancer GSR motor in a DSM?

 

[JaxonsGSX]

I agree not worth it. Do yourself a favor and just be patient. You will eventually find a good deal. Dont settle for something your not gonna be happy with.

 

[etay89]

a walbro 255, stock injectors, and no tune? that thing is probably running ROUGH

pass on it.

and no to the 1g gsx. why would he put a lancer gsr motor (a 7 bolt) into a 1g? thats fishy.

edit:

I thought the timing belt/trans were on opposite sides for the Evo's.

How do you put an Evo crank in a DSM. Or a Lancer GSR motor in a DSM?

for the evo 8/9, they ARE on the other side. earlier evo motors were basically 7 bolts with minor differences (or major depending on how you view it)

 

[TSI from Hell]

As much as I appreciate your reply and feel like a noob for not finding that thread, I dont see anyone recieveing any replies to their posts in that thread, and I was hoping for an answer tonight sine I was planning on buying the car tomorrow. Ill probably offer him te bike and no cash, I was planning on selling it for around 2500 anyway even though the KBB is around 3k

I don't blame you, and I understand if you're in a rush... It's sad that thread like those go to waste because people don't post in them or reply to them etc. It would make it much more interactive and useful.

If I can give you my opinion, I'd say don't rush into things so much, look around till you find something truly worth the money... Think about things like: whats your plan with the car, can you perform at least the maintenance yourself etc.

Are you leaning more towards a 1g or 2g? AWD or FWD?

Anyway, good luck in your quest!

 

[whiskeyturbo]

im not too concerned with fwd or awd, I am leaning toward a 2g mainly for looks. goal of around 350hp mainly something to take to the car meets every weekend and race people. I'm a jet engine mechanic and have been wrenching on cars most of my life so that's not my biggest concern. I jumped on this car for the mods that I would eventually be purchasing anyway, as well as the LSD. I figured the interior would be cheap to fix and I have no problem doing wiring. My buddy could paint it for cheap as well and it runs pretty damn good for a car that hasnt been tuned. Its not that fast but its only running about 14psi

I forgot I had pictures =)

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[TSI from Hell]

Does it still come with the OEM bumper etc? Those bodykits look awful. (Just an opinion..)

 

[whiskeyturbo]

yea it comes with the stock bumperm the black one is a stock replacement, I definitely agree I dont like the body kits.

 

[kspharris]

Sounds like your mind is made up.

 

[etay89]

you said the car is running good but yet, it has a 255 and no fuel pressure regulator?

if it's only running 14psi, its probably bogging down any higher than that. that fuel pump is over running the fuel rail...causing it to run rich under boost.

of course, it's not my car and i'm basing what i'm saying off of personal experiences. it's one of those cars i'd buy at your own risk. first thing i would do is get a fuel pressure regulator. car will probably run alot better.

another thing..he's running a stock maf and NOT recirculating the bov? that's a big no no..and a miracle the car is even running...

 

[whiskeyturbo]

im not sure if it has an afpr.. when I went to look at it it was getting late so i didnt thoroughly go through it. I think it has one but who knows. He is one of those people that "is not recirculating ### he likes it to be louder." Says he has the tubing and fitting to recirculate it. If I even go look at it tomorrow ill hook it up and test drive before buying. He says the only downside to the venting is that it will bog down and die if you hit boost and then push in the clutch and not shift gears... a lot of unknowns with this one. buy at own risk for sure.

 

[awzer2]

i would buy it in a heartbeat.. turbo eclipses are so scarce here in palm springs so cal..
all owned by old retired rich people sitting in storages or all beat up owned by mexican immigrants..

 

[etay89]

i would buy it in a heartbeat.. turbo eclipses are so scarce here in palm springs so cal..
all owned by old retired rich people sitting in storages or <b>all beat up owned by mexican immigrants..</b>

i definitely just

thats part of the reason why its running rich is the fuel pump. pumping too much gas when its not needed..and even more when under boost

venting takes away precalculated air the ecu had planned..and the ecu doesnt see nor know this...so u run even RICHER.

if you wanted to leave it vented..fine..but as mentioned.. DEFINITELY get an afpr

 

[whiskeyturbo]

If i get it that will be one of the first things I get, along with ecmlink or dsmlink.. goin to have to do some research on that one. and it will be recirculated. getting a maf-t and all that doesnt seem worth it to have a little extra noise, and I dont plan on running over 20 psi.. key word plan on

 

[etay89]

If i get it that will be one of the first things I get, along with ecmlink or dsmlink.. goin to have to do some research on that one. and it will be recirculated. getting a maf-t and all that doesnt seem worth it to have a little extra noise, and I dont plan on running over 20 psi.. key word plan on

i can officially say "that's what they all say"

i had a build plan going on just trying to make 400whp on a 190 fuel pump

now i find myself wanting to make 450+ on a 255

 

[SpawnedX]

New Cars, Used Cars, Blue Book Values & Car Prices - Kelley Blue Book

Am I the only one who knows how to use it to see what a car is worth?

 

['97boostinGST]

Interior parts are sometimes pricey and hard to come by..a full interior reconditioning will probably be $500+.
Getting a basic tune and get the car to actually take the mods that it has and make use of them...roughly $500+.
And removing that horrible body kit and putting back on all stock panels (assuming they are not molded into the body), free if you do it BUT maybe $400+ if done by a body shop.
I personally wouldnt waste my money on a car thats probably been half assed. Does he have any paper work to show any work done?
BTW, all these prices are what i would get charge locally.

P.S. Did anyone else notice the radiator? WTF

 

[sax_man]

Holy shit I think the radiator is on upside down.... And there are no brackets either!!? wtf? And the core support thing looks kinda banged up. Was it in any accidents?

 

[eligst21]

Radiator seems upside down. and the car looks hideous with the bodykit. If it has stock bumpers wouldnt be so bad. My only concern is if he likes the noisy bov, then he probably doesnt care to take care of this car or research about it for that matter. Most dsm owners should know to not vta their bov. But other than that, if it runs fine and you feel like fixing some things up, not too bad. I personally wouldnt get it but its your bike. I backed out of a trade for a 1g gsx for my bike due to it being all torn up. Not worth it, to have to go through and find the mistakes of others who dont have a clue. The 255 without a afpr would be running like sh*t and dont understand how it would run good. I dont know, looks like a decent car but cant inspect it myself. Good luck man.