DSM, good or bad?

[victor1990]

I was trying to see why people say Mitsubishi's aren't good and reliable. I've had my car (95 GST) gone to the shop already two times and I really want to know if I should get rid of it. I'm tired of this hassle and getting a word from DSM experts would really help, if anything. I love turbocharged cars but if these problems are going to persist, I may just get rid of the car.
Please, help me. Anything...

 

[streetdsmpwr]

What did you need to get fixed and how many miles are on the car?

 

[nuclearr]

Your car is 15 years old problems are to be expected with a car of that age. Due to neglect of maintenance or just age gets to parts and they go out. I have had many dsms turbo or N/A I could go drive for hours with no problems. But I also bought all of them in poor mechanical condition and brought them back to life.

 

[Zdrummer15]

DSM's aren't more unreliable then any other car. They have that reputation because being turbocharged cars, some people choose to upgrade and drive them hard without keeping up on maintenance.

 

[D's GS-T]

They are overall good cars, the biggest problem is that they are old turbo cars that have been beat on for so many miles. People have to realize that these things are old, and unless its had a very easy life (which most have not) they are going to break. I mean its 2010, the newest dsm is over 10 years old . As much as i love DSMs, they arent for everyone, you kinda really gotta know your stuff, be willing to learn alot, or know someone who does know their stuff to avoid paying out the ass for things like repairs. if you can find a nice near stock to very lightly modded dsm with descent miles then it would be a great car, otherwise you'll spend time and or money getting it fixed, thats just the way these cars are now days. If people would have taken care of them they would be great, but people didnt, so this is what you get.

 

[LiquidX]

Exactly, repairs are to be expected on cars with some good aging and not to mention a sports car that gets abused. It's just like a human, when young we are strong and resiliant, but the old we get the easier we are to be damaged or break. Keep up with the maintaince and to the repairs that are needed and it'll treat you good.

What did the carfax say about it's history? How many previous owners? There are DSM's out there that aren't worth what their price tag says because of underlying problems with the car. Some are seem very good but just crap out because of the age like mine did. I had 1 woman owner and sold it because she was starting a family. Car was 100% stock and I did all of the maintaince to it. It started to break down and ultimatly I had to get a new turbo, transmission and engine. Things break as they will with all cars but once they are fixed, they are just as strong as any other car out there.

 

[Rob10_99]

DSM's aren't more unreliable then any other car. They have that reputation because being turbocharged cars, some people choose to upgrade and drive them hard without keeping up on maintenance.

That would be the #1 reason, along with timing belts, most dsm's would make it 200k before something went wrong. Look at the mitsu trucks with the same engines, its not the powertrain's fault you like to WOT everywhere with 30psi on a stock longblock is it?

 

[DSM1G90]

True, I've got a 20 yr old DSM (built in 1989) with 178k miles on it, but did have a motor swap about 4 yrs ago (still have original tranny) and just before I bought it, but I don't drag, slam it hard, break traction, hard pulls, still all stock, et.al. and the only thing I've done with it outside of the belt replacement procedure is system flush one summer, ECU, brakes, ps line and tires...and these are basically maintenance items due to simple age.

Thing starts up, runs smooth and gets me on the freeway without a hitch...

I plan on doing another 178k on it, if possible.

-DSM

 

[stefanOst]

DSM's aren't more unreliable then any other car. They have that reputation because being turbocharged cars, some people choose to upgrade and drive them hard without keeping up on maintenance.

Bingo! Like any car which people drive hard, there is going to be wear and tear. Also, the last DSM made is still a decade old at this point.

Toyota has a reputation for building the most reliable, longest lasting cars. But remember, who beats on their Corolla or Camry? No one, that's who.

 

[victor1990]

that's true, i guess. it has 170XXX miles on it but then my mechanic fixed some pistons, the head, some valves, fuel pump but i think just getting rid of this car and let someone else work on it will be better. im really willing to save up for an EVO or at least for a down payment. one that is up to date, knowing it will have low miles. im getting quite some money from school, income and what i make i think in a year would be good. who knows what will happen. I can wait; i have the patience for it. and it was the motor that needed to be fixed btw.

 

[yepes281]

If you have they money go for an evo. If your not willing to work out the few problems your dsm may have right now, give it to someone whos willing to. You have to pay to play.

 

[LiquidX]

that's true, i guess. it has 170XXX miles on it but then my mechanic fixed some pistons, the head, some valves, fuel pump but i think just getting rid of this car and let someone else work on it will be better. im really willing to save up for an EVO or at least for a down payment. one that is up to date, knowing it will have low miles. im getting quite some money from school, income and what i make i think in a year would be good. who knows what will happen. I can wait; i have the patience for it. and it was the motor that needed to be fixed btw.

You'll prob. spend the same amount of money on the DSM getting it fixed and built compared to buying an Evo that's stock.

 

[xhackerekx]

If you have they money go for an evo. If your not willing to work out the few problems your dsm may have right now, give it to someone whos willing to. You have to pay to play.

and u pay more and more ...... evo is more expensive

 

[LTUDSM]

You'll prob. spend the same amount of money on the DSM getting it fixed and built compared to buying an Evo that's stock.

alot of people can make evos as same ,as the dsm...... even a new car being no maintaining good,can fail...

 

[yepes281]

and u pay more and more ...... evo is more expensive

Ha i didnt even think about the $14,000 hes gunna end up spending on the evo compared to the $14,000 he could put in the dsm to make it a complete monster.

 

[ziggo0]

Ha i didnt even think about the $14,000 hes gunna end up spending on the evo compared to the $14,000 he could put in the dsm to make it a complete monster.

Reliable monster.

 

[xhackerekx]

Ha i didnt even think about the $14,000 hes gunna end up spending on the evo compared to the $14,000 he could put in the dsm to make it a complete monster.

+1

 

[victor1990]

Thanks a lot guys. You all really helped me out by not just listening to put downers of DSM's without giving reasons why. I mean, come on, I really love JDM and what not, but I just need a car that I would be able to work and learn at the same time. I just got into mechanism and help is what I would prefer, not hate from haters. We'll see, but thanks again guys. Give suggestions if possible. Thanks, Victor.

 

[Denji]

I find my Talon to be extremely reliable.

I have 175,000 miles on my car. I've had the car since 115,000 miles

The problems I have come across in the 5 years I've owned it is:

clutch master cylinder
Slave cylinder x2
Clutch itself
Coil pack
valve cover gasket
alternator
A/C clutch
Starter
Battery
o2 sensor

I don't know if that helps any but its really not so bad. I boost around 18 psi daily

 

[TalonTsi_291]

DSM's are just bagged on for being unreliable for the facts already mentioned. A: they are 10 to 20 years old. B: people mod them with out taking proper care. C: mod them improperly or with out all the other supporting modifications. and D: drive them and beat them like hell. You have to understand that people compare our cars to wrx's, sti's, evo's, srt-4's, and the maxda speeds. Of course those cars are gonna be more hastle free then ours. They are all brand new. If you take any of them ten or twenty years down the road from now. THEY are gonna be the unreliable cars that are always in the shop. And ours will be so old, and broke so many times that we've just fixed eveything possible!

 

[LiquidX]

Thanks a lot guys. You all really helped me out by not just listening to put downers of DSM's without giving reasons why. I mean, come on, I really love JDM and what not, but I just need a car that I would be able to work and learn at the same time. I just got into mechanism and help is what I would prefer, not hate from haters. We'll see, but thanks again guys. Give suggestions if possible. Thanks, Victor.

We did infact state reasons for why they are "unreliable". What does JDM have to do with the DSMWTFWTF

If you needed a car to be reliable from the start that would not have problems, then why did you choose to get the DSM anyway?

 

[nestamon99]

I have own my 90 Eagle talon for 10 years and originally had 80k when purchased. The car now has 213k miles and the only problems I seem to have are transmissions that I keep breaking. The alternator just went out last sunday! I have a 20g turbo, 720cc injectors, 3" exhaust and 3.5" intake with MAFT. Aside from timing belt and seals, the car still pulls hard. When people get frustrated with set backs, they are quick to call it a POS!

 

[FLASH1970]

Sure a car that's 15 years old with 170K on it will have some problems now and then. But, the 2g looks 18 million times better than an EVO in my opinion. And, a few hundred in repairs and a headache now beats a few hundred every month for a car payment plus the more expensive insurance. If you can fix things yourself, you can save a TON of money. Be patient, learn how to do things, and get a cheap backup car if you need to.

 

[DSM1G90]

But, the 2g looks 18 million times better than an EVO in my opinion.

And true, IMO seeing 4 doors on a car just doesn't cut it as a road machine even if it's all tricked out. That's the family/chic/grandmas/bro 1st car that has been modded up to look sporty.

Why I can't get over why DODGE returned the Charger in a four door trim. Be like FORD taking the Mustang and adding rear doors to it. "Yeech"

Just not personal enough like our DSM's are....

-DSM

 

[Nikolay_Ruskov]

i bought my car on 170 000 now is with 195 000
when they have so many miles they brake down every month something new most of the time
and i bought my car completley stock