DSM + 178K miles = money pit

[BenHenthorn]

I don’t have a lot of spare money to spend on fixing the car and my Dad has always helped me out in that department. He's getting to the point where he’s tired of putting money into a car with 178K+ miles on it and suggests finding another car with a warranty, and he refuses to put another cent toward my car. If I do a 6-bolt and a Shep tranny how long will the other parts last (drive train parts, frame, ECT)?

If I have to spend another $10K on it just to keep it from falling apart I may just have to find a low mileage WRX STI under warranty (Suby because they're not as strict about their warranty as Mitsu). But what would you guys suggest? If I do the engine and tranny swap will the car last a long time? If I don't keep it; how would I go about selling a car with 178K+ miles on it and how much should I expect to get out of it? I love my car and would like to keep it if it doesn't put me in the hole. Can anyone offer me some suggestions or information.

 

[shallowshowcase]

be careful about wanting to make fast times in a 6speed man... just fyi

 

[PieEyedPiper]

I'm curious about the same thing, besides the engine and tranny, whats the life span of the rest of the car, are there even replacements availbale for some of the things that would be next in line to fail?

the comment about 6 speeds was pretty.... well, out of no where. But on a somewhat related line of thought, I don't believe Subaru will be anymore hospitable than Mitsu. I've heard stories of Subaru going around at car meets and shows and taking down VIN's to void all they're warranty's.

 

[BenHenthorn]

I don't believe Subaru will be anymore hospitable than Mitsu. I've heard stories of Subaru going around at car meets and shows and taking down VIN's to void all they're warranty's.

That may be true, but Mitsu told me the warranty will be void if I put an air filter on. Thats what the salesman and parts department guy told me, but Suby said little things like exhaust and intake won't void it.

 

[TUI2I30]

It has been said numerous times before, if you modify your DSM you are going to break stuff. If you want a reliable car, don't modify it. That really goes for more than just DSMs. The value of your car is up to you and the person buying it. You could try http://www.kbb.com to get a "market" value if you want. That number is more of an idea than anything. It is really hard to say what the life span of your car is or could/should be, different things break for different reasons. Good luck on what ever you decide. IMO, I wouldn't drop $10k on a car with a 178k miles on it.

 

[BenHenthorn]

It has been said numerous times before, if you modify your DSM you are going to break stuff. If you want a reliable car, don't modify it. That really goes for more than just DSMs. The value of your car is up to you and the person buying it. You could try http://www.kbb.com to get a "market" value if you want. That number is more of an idea than anything. It is really hard to say what the life span of your car is or could/should be, different things break for different reasons. Good luck on what ever you decide. IMO, I wouldn't drop $10k on a car with a 178k miles on it.

I realize that I'm going to break stuff while modifying it, but I'm pretty sure these parts are just breaking because of the number of miles on the car (Gaskets, oil sending unit, and ECT.)

I have an idea of the "market value" of the car, but I think if I'd want to find someone who wants to buy a car mostly for the MODs. I won't get squat out of a car with 178K miles on it. I think it's $4,740 if I go with KBB value. But some people will pay more if it's modded, not a whole lot more I realize but I have to appeal to someone who wants this kind of car. It appeals more as a project car.

I just want to know if there is anything else I should worry about; even after the 6-bolt swap and Shep tranny?

 

[ColdAudio]

if you drop $10k in that car, the only thing that will have 178k miles on it is the body

 

[EvolvingGST]

if you drop $10k in that car, the only thing that will have 178k miles on it is the body

True...

Well I will put it like this, what are you looking to do with your car?

If you want anything faster than high 13 seconds keep the DSM because you will void your warrantee if you try that with the STi. If you want a car that is reliable and go decent fast with a warantee go for it... You will be losing to most of us, but it doesn't seem you are in this whole thing for being the fastest. From what I read you want something reliable, and is somewhat fast. Perfect car for you then.

I would suggest you stop moddifying your car period. You are not ready to be a true tuner. I am not saying that to be mean but to be realistic. One thing that we all know is that if you modify any car you will make it more unreliable with each mod you put on. Starting with MBC. Yeah little things like an intake(BTW its not good to modify in a WRX), ICpiping and exhaust is your first and last mods before you will start altering your car drastically.

If you are gonna modify any car, be prepared for it to break.

With that said onto the next issue of selling the car. I would say realistically if it is in decent condition you should sell it for 5k as being high and 3.5-4k being realistic.

 

[BenHenthorn]

I would suggest you stop moddifying your car period. You are not ready to be a true tuner. I am not saying that to be mean but to be realistic. One thing that we all know is that if you modify any car you will make it more unreliable with each mod you put on.QUOTE]

Well, the whole point of having this car is to go fast. But my problem is my funds are drastically cut short and the guy who cut them short suggests I get a WRX STI. Unless I can prove to him that a new engine and tranny will make the car last a lot longer. I'm not saying it's never going to break again, I'm saying I'm tired of getting an oil leak after driving it 200-400 miles with the boost brought down to 17 PSI.

Yes, any car will start to break once you start modding them. But any car with 178K miles on it will break even if it's not modded. Like I said, if I put a new engine and tranny in it will it last me a whole lot longer or are there any other things I should be looking out for?

 

[EvilAWD]

with 178,000 miles on the odometer, expect things to break. most believe a new motor and tranny will fix problems. truth is regardless of how you look at it almost everything eventually if not now possibly sooner than later will also give out and those thousands your going to be spending to solve your motor and tranny problems are going to get you pissed. eventually you sell the car for less than what its worth to you. speaking from experience i suggest you get rid of it. find yourself another dsm if thats what you really want and work with that. you'll save yourself a lot of down time and headaches. BELIEVE ME!!!!

 

[BenHenthorn]

with 178,000 miles on the odometer, expect things to break. most believe a new motor and tranny will fix problems. truth is regardless of how you look at it almost everything eventually if not now possibly sooner than later will also give out and those thousands your going to be spending to solve your motor and tranny problems are going to get you pissed. eventually you sell the car for less than what its worth to you. speaking from experience i suggest you get rid of it. find yourself another dsm if thats what you really want and work with that. you'll save yourself a lot of down time and headaches. BELIEVE ME!!!!

Exactly the answer I was looking for, not the one I wanted to hear but that's the type of answer I wanted. Thank you. I do want another DSM because I love being able to go fast, I will look for one but I guess I will try to enjoy the time I have with this one now.

 

[BenHenthorn]

I think I'm going to keep it, I'm going to try to anyway. I can't find another GSX anywhere or a Spyder GS-T that's not an automatic. So I'm going to try and do the new 6-bolt block and a shep tranny. Hopefully I can get a few more years of abuse out of my DSM.

 

[dsm_illicious]

I have 161K on my car, bought it with only 30K...which isn't far off of what you have. It is a FWD though, and I know the AWD tranny needs more attention. The only problems in my car are the ones I give it from upgrading/noobiness-but nothing serious. Hold on to it-these cars rock-they're just a bit touchy.

 

[napkinthief]

I say keep it and find a cheap 95 non turbo model from the junkyard without the engine or tranny. Park it in your driveway if possible, and just pull parts out of it as they break off your car.

I got my car at 116k, Im now at 128k and so far I changed:

Power Steering Pump 60$
Water Pump 22$
Radiator 40$
Front Struts Junked
Passenger side Lower Control Arm w/ ball joint (hit a curb and bent it) Junked
Rear shocks Junked

The ones marked Junked are the ones I just ripped out of a rolling chasis I bought from my local junkyard. I paid 350, got everything, but there was major rust, bent frame, no rims or hubs, and no tranny. The whole engine compartment was intact, only spark plug wires were missing. I still got everything in that car, but its all mine muahah.

And pretty much 80% of the tubes and hoses. All belts, all fluid changes on time.

I got a new engine put in at 118k, it had 42k miles on it so I just need to replace the tranny now, which I will be putting in a manual tranny, its auto now.

Just some info that may get you thinking about maybe just getting another car to swap parts out of.