Getting Started Tuning a DSM

[Prince_P]

I was looking to get started Tuning DSM vehicles, but I’m on the fence about purchasing a 1997 Eclipse GS-T for $4,000. It has minor paint fading, with minor rust in the wheel wells, but other than that it’s clean.

I’m off put by the things I’ve heard about how unreliable they can be.

Just looking for the opinion of people more knowledgeable than me

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

In this day and age you're going to be hard pressed to find one that hasn't been kissed by rust and still has it's clear completely intact. Heck 10+ years ago that was common so unless it's absolutely destroyed, priced too high for what it appears worth, or eaten heavily by rust then keep a teeny bit of an open mind about it. If it's in your price range, and you like it, why not?

That being said I've owned several. Handfuls of them I pieced together. Others I bought running. Once everything was sorted and the basic maintenance was taken care of they were just about as reliable as any other car. I feel like they've always gotten a bit of a poor light on them considering the majority of people beat on them (as we're all tempted to because hey, turbo) or they simply skip on the upkeep. If you >care< for the car, don't abuse it every single time you go for a cruise, and keep in time with its upkeep requirements I really don't think they're "unreliable."

Heck my very first GSX I put together in a carport in the winter using tools such as a great neck socket set and a steak knife. I daily drove it for 2 years after that with only minor issues like a relay dying or an intercooler coupler clamp coming loose and scaring the heck out of me during a third gear accel.

 

[Prince_P]

In this day and age you're going to be hard pressed to find one that hasn't been kissed by rust and still has it's clear completely intact. Heck 10+ years ago that was common so unless it's absolutely destroyed, priced too high for what it appears worth, or eaten heavily by rust then keep a teeny bit of an open mind about it. If it's in your price range, and you like it, why not?

That being said I've owned several. Handfuls of them I pieced together. Others I bought running. Once everything was sorted and the basic maintenance was taken care of they were just about as reliable as any other car. I feel like they've always gotten a bit of a poor light on them considering the majority of people beat on them (as we're all tempted to because hey, turbo) or they simply skip on the upkeep. If you >care< for the car, don't abuse it every single time you go for a cruise, and keep in time with its upkeep requirements I really don't think they're "unreliable."

Heck my very first GSX I put together in a carport in the winter using tools such as a great neck socket set and a steak knife. I daily drove it for 2 years after that with only minor issues like a relay dying or an intercooler coupler clamp coming loose and scaring the heck out of me during a third gear accel.

Thank you for the encouragement. Anything you would recommend I keep an eye out while test driving our inspecting the GS-T?

 

[pauleyman]

I've owned these since 1992 and mitsu since 1987. We have now entered the point where the newest turbo dsm is 25 years old. Picture a 1969 camaro in 1994. That's where we are now. Expect issues. Like any vintage car rust is probably the kiss of death. Everything else can be fixed depending on parts availability. That is also a concern now. Some stuff you just can't get if you had a bucket of money.

 

[Mahreeoh17]

You really have to love these cars to commit to them, like any enthusiast vehicle.

Depending on how far gone the car is, and how much you like it will depend on what you'll end up with.

There's a video on YouTube where a guy restores a 1989 Honda CRX to his taste, took 25k in budget to do so. He loves those cars.

I'm about 6-7k on my Eclipse , not counting the money I paid for it and it's still not running, I've had it exactly one year. But I genuinely want to build this car for my son and I.

Gotta pay to play, no matter the platform.

 

[biglady112]

In this day and age you're going to be hard pressed to find one that hasn't been kissed by rust and still has it's clear completely intact. Heck 10+ years ago that was common so unless it's absolutely destroyed, priced too high for what it appears worth, or eaten heavily by rust then keep a teeny bit of an open mind about it. If it's in your price range, and you like it, why not?

That being said I've owned several. Handfuls of them I pieced together. Others I bought running. Once everything was sorted and the basic maintenance was taken care of they were just about as reliable as any other car. I feel like they've always gotten a bit of a poor light on them considering the majority of people beat on them (as we're all tempted to because hey, turbo) or they simply skip on the upkeep. If you >care< for the car, don't abuse it every single time you go for a cruise, and keep in time with its upkeep requirements I really don't think they're "unreliable."

Heck my very first GSX I put together in a carport in the winter using tools such as a great neck socket set and a steak knife. I daily drove it for 2 years after that with only minor issues like a relay dying or an intercooler coupler clamp coming loose and scaring the heck out of me during a third gear accel.

Just so you are aware. A true western US car, likely isn’t going to have rust. I am from Colorado, and an actual, lifelong Colorado car that has been half cared for, won’t have those issues. No need to scare the man. For many of us, rust is not a thing.

 

[chrysler kid]

Thank you for the encouragement. Anything you would recommend I keep an eye out while test driving our inspecting the GS-T?

rust is a 100% factor in these cars. if the rust is visible you should go into this car knowing the price you buy it for will be the most it will be worth if you try to resale it. rust only gets worse if left un treated

a dsm is never to be a primary daily driven only vehicle. if you are buying one it should be as a second car. if you are new to fixing 90's era cars you should stay away from this platform. not trying to be mean, but never trust a dsm to be reliable. its not the vehicle, its that most problem solving for issues require you to have first hand knowledge of turbo systems and volt meter experience.

the factory service manuals can be found free online at Www.charm.li