DSM I am Lookin' at

[fAKdded]

Signed up because I had trouble with a friends 1g NT. Started to like the 2G Turbo's, I am looking for a car right now, found this one. Might go look at it today. Tell me what you guys think.

Check it out

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=201723645&dealer_id=57846500&car_year=1997&search_type=both&make=MIT&distance=100&model=ECLIP&address=89131&certified=&advanced=&max_price=6000&bkms=1147816531027&min_price=1&end_year=2007&start_year=1995&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=17

 

[brandons95]

I think it look nice, has a few things done already you just need to have a mechanic look it over before you do anything, dont want to buy someone elses problem.

 

[hidingfrogleap]

Yeah, I'd agree with brandons95. You never know if the previous owner knew what they were doing. Make sure you see if they have all the service records. Also ask the obvious questions: Did they race it? Any salvage title on it?, check for rust, bondo work, etc etc. and keep in mind, 2g engines are prone to crankwalk. So, in short, take it to a mechanic you trust first and if the guy doesn't let you get it inspected then just walk away. But in regards to your original question. The car looks good. I like the color, nothing like a deep blue, not to mention the relatively low miles and the price for the year. I got mine with 99k on it for $8300. I know I perhaps spent too much but part of that is because it's california and the part is it's a convt. Anyways, good luck and hope to count you among the us DSM owners soon.

 

[prplhz96]

Well, I wouldnt get a FWD. Alot of people on here like them, but IMO you will be regreating it later. Look into an AWD, before you purchase anything.

 

[Apeximprt2nr]

I would definitly have a mechanic look it over. Since the kid modded it that leaves more room for possible problems. To me it kind of looks beat on and anot taken care of too well. The engine is a mess and the car in general looks kind of "thrown together". I like the front mount and color though. Go check it out with a mechanic and tell us what happens.
Good luck.

 

[Nonrml4]

It looks like it may have been painted. I would get a carfax or something like that to try to get a better understanding of the history of the car. I am against buying a modified car in general, you dont know how well they did the job. I would take the car to more of a performance shop just to check out the general stuff and some of the more technical modifications with the car.

 

[boosted_91_tsi]

Again, along the same lines... I prefer to buy as close to stock as possible, so I KNOW what has been done and how it was done. It seems to me that with that much work (the mods I can see in the pictures), and how "dirty" the engine looks would suggest to me that it was kind of thrown together. I know if I had money to be spending on goodies that I would keep it looking good and clean. Again this is my opinion, I cannot inspect the car up close, but I would highly recommend a mechanic look it over and pull a Carfax on it. It is a great looking car though. Have you had a chance to look at it up close yet?

 

[Gamble97]

Agree'd. I would find one that is close to stock. It also looks painted. And if you get it, you should find out if the owner has the stock headlights. Those look like crap IMO

 

[DSM_Otaku]

Well, I wouldnt get a FWD. Alot of people on here like them, but IMO you will be regreating it later. Look into an AWD, before you purchase anything.

AGREED. AWD owns. i'm sure there's quite a few 1GA/B GSX's and TSi's in the classifieds being sold (modified) by reputable DSMTuners members for possibly even under that GS-T's $6000 price tag

Also, like someone else already posted, GET A CARFAX report on this car. It'll be the best $ you've spent in a long time. Even if you don't find any problems (like accidents, 15 owners, bad VIN, salvaged title, etc.) you'll have piece of mind.

CARFAX reports are not gospel (shady mofo's can get around reporting an accident) but for most cars i'd say they're a pretty good indicator of a car's worth.

my rule of thumb when buying a car is looking at the details.......and asking for receipts/paperwork!!!

the engine bay and interior look dirty though!

 

[blak92awd]

theres nothing like an awd!!!! you cant go wrong. at least look into one and test drive it and see what you think. that 2g does look pretty nice though. hopefully it runns good too.

 

[Willicuddy]

As alot of people have pointed out, this car does look a little beat and it would be a no brainer to take it to a qualified mechanic especially due to all the modifications that have been done. Obviously the car has been raced, otherwise why would there be a buch of go fast parts??? Take it for a boot if you can to see if anything seems fishy. IMHO I would try to find a car that is completely stock or modded by someone who knows what they are doing and has taken care of it. That car looks pretty dirty under the hood, and a clean engine is a happy engine

 

[hidingfrogleap]

Yeah, I'd agree. The outside looks nice but, like everyone is saying, that could be a paint job to cover up some bigger problems including rust so if you do end up checking it out, get on your hands and knees and keep an eye out for that. Not to mention what Apeximprt2nr originally stated about the engine bay looking like crap. He obviously didn't take care of it and so you have to consider how much time and effort went into his mods. Like so many here have mentioned, I like to buy cars stock for that reason. That and people will often over value their mods so it makes you wonder, since cars of this year with that few miles tend to go at around $7300 or so blue book, why did he devalue his car that much if he has so many mods on it? My experience has been you get what you pay for so just be careful and good luck.

And, as a GST owner and driver of only FWD cars since I got my licence, AWD is better for putting on power and getting use out of it. In defense of us FWD drivers, keep in mind power to weight ratios since AWD is ~300lbs heavier. But when you're making gobs of power, there's no comparison. You need all the traction you can get at that point. My advice is just to wait until you get something you REALLY like for a price you can afford and afford to enjoy owning your car for. (keep in mind, insurance and gas too. I forgot about that before i bought my car, and it hurts but would I go back change my decision, not a chance. )

 

[knighteclipse1]

The car looks really nice. But my suggestion would be to try and locate a unmodified car. You can thank us for that advice later...with those upgrades I am sure that whoever owned it before like to go fast. In other words they probably ran the sh&t out of it...As far as the comment about getting an AWD, I love my GS-T, but if I had the chance to get a AWD I would definetely get one if I were you.

 

[fAKdded]

Does anyone have an unlimited account, that they wouldn't mind running it for me?

It would be very helpful and much appreciated.

 

[Spoolin4Ever]

A carfax won't tell you:

1. Why the heatshield is off of the exhaust manifold?

2. Why is there black soot looking stuff on the valve cover?

3. Does this dooshbag know what he is doing when it comes to modding?

4. Why is the AFC mounted right up top so it's easy to see and steal?Lol

5. If the car is suffering from crankwalk

6. When was the timing belt changed? It should have been done at 60K, need proof.

The interior is kind of ugly.

The tint is illegal, depending on where you live and the cops there, they may ticket you and ask you to remove it.

Overall, I don't get a good feeling about this deal for some reason. But it might not be too bad.

Although it doesn't look really bad, just not that great.

At least do a compression test, listen to the engine real close. Let it idle, drive it, let it idle, see if it smokes after a while, listen for engine knocking sounds.

 

[knighteclipse1]

Pass on it if I were you, get the AWD which is unmolested and as stock as possible.REALLY, thats the smart thing to do...Its worth the extra money to get one that way...