Help! Buying a used 97 GST

[jm1080]

hey everyone im new to this forum and thought i can learn alot about cars here. I know a few things but not too much. Anyways i wwent to go look at a 97 eclipse gst and i was thinking about buying it, but im not really sure if its a good deal or not, supposely the car has 66k miles exterior and interior looks great no scratches or nothin all for 4900 dollars, which seems real cheap for a gst.

But there are a few problems it needs a radiator and a water pump. and he did say some little tranny adjustment, cause when u shift it out of park its rough a bit like the car shakes a bit as if it were a stick car when u dont shift right. Other than that everything else seems fine, we took it to a test drive and it was a fast car, turning and brakes seemed good, i do remember though that it did do another little shake or whatever its called like on the 3rd gear, but it was real small. Anyways the guy said he will fix the radiator and water pump for 5200 dollars, he said the tranny will be fine, but the rubber or something can be worn out if not driven properly or something like that, its an automatic too.

Anyways if someone could please help a noob out. thanks.

 

[toybreaker]

I would have a professional familiar with 2g dsm's check it over for you.

Have him check the powertrain for codes.

The tranny can be way expensive to repair. Please have him thoroughly check the transmission/t-case/driveline.

2g's have some crank issues, make sure the crank endplay is checked!!!!!!!!!!!! Tell him you want exact numbers, not a "guess". Automatic transmission cars are less likely to have crankwalk issues, but it still happens, and it's not good.

Make sure the engine compression gets checked.

Timing belt replacement at 60k? It's very important!!!!

Get all the paperwork/reciepts/maintenance records. Also check for recall/tsb compliance.

Carfax.

Make sure to check for accident damage. Some easily detectable signs are overspray in the door jambs/hatch/hood openings, and wrinkles/distortion in the sheetmetal of the inner structures. Pull the tail light bulb access panels, lift the carpet in the trunk, closely inspect everything you can.

Inspect the tires for abnormal wear patterns. Grasp each wheel and give it a wiggle, note any noises/play, and discuss it with your mechanic. The third gear shimmy you describe could be as simple as a bent wheel, or as complicated as ball joints. This may be a safety issue, please check it out thoroughly!!

Ask a lot of questions...people all of a sudden remember "incidents",...given some encouragement.

Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

 

[jm1080]

i forgot to mention i dont think there are papers or non of that stuff because the dealer place said they got the car in one of those govt auctions because the owner of the car passed away.

But when you say ask the exact numbers for crank issues and transmission and that stuff, what you mean by numbers like prices to replace or some code? sorry im clueless with that. Ima try to find a good mechanic to have him check it out, and do a carfax report.

Thanks for respons

PS i didnt mean to put this on the problem diagnosis section i meant to put it on newbie general.

 

[skinnykenny84]

I think its too much for a car with those kinds of problems, especialy an automatic gst. Now if it were a 5sp awd, maybe. Im willing to bet if it has water pump and radiator problems with that low of millage, its probably got other problems.

Let me ask you what you plan on doing with this car? Daily driver, weekend racer, show car?? etc etc.....

Also I would look through the classifieds on here, there are deals to be found!
good luck!

 

[jm1080]

i want an automatic because i dont really want a manual right now, but i want to make a show car out of it cause its already in great shape and i can add on to it, like i was looking for a low mileage stock gst and the lowest ive found on autotrader/ebay/craigslist is 66k for a gst, and its also the cheapest. it needs a waterpump i dont know why but radiator because after the person died its been sitting around and it got rusty from bein in a garage for along time or so the dealer guy said. he would fix all that and ill buy it off him for 5200 dollars, i think its cheap for a gst, but i dont know if its got more problems.

 

[1gcrazy]

Yeah it does seem a little expensive. But then again I own a 1g

I suggest if you'll EVER want a 5sp, Then nows the time to get it. Theres no lego set that you just unsnap and viola! A 5sp conversion is extensive. Not to say you'd ever be displeased with your auto for the life of the car but I just want you to be sure you want an auto and are not just feeling lazy(like me).

I suggest having it checked by a few people. Crankwalk is always possible and less detectable on an auto. Especially with the mileage. Also, most first owners that have owned Talon/Eclipses/Lasers have beat the crap out of their cars. Chances are, if its got 66k and it needs a new water pump.....the last owner was ruthless OR he was careless about the cooling system. Which, Obviously, in turn means the rest of the cars probably in the same condition except it's been QFFS(quick fix for sale) or basically cosmetically covered up.

I've seen a BUNCH of scams on autotrader with rediculously low prices on nice cars. Since it has a few things wrong with it. I guess it could be legit. There was a guy on here that bought a red GSX and someone else tried to sell it again on AT. He got flooded with emails from friends on here asking him if he was really selling it. It was goofy. Just be weary

This website is a GREAT place to learn. The search button is a very valuable tool. I recommend you become very good friends with it. Also, you can read vvaq and it'll answer ALOT of your newbie questions. I'm sure the more and more you learn on here the less likely you'll turn into a ricer. So WHATEVER you do, use the search button and dont piss off a moderator or important person on this site....That would be bad, yes very bad.

Good luck!

 

[jm1080]

yea ive been liking this site good thing i found it hehe. i also looked into the classifieds on here like skinnykenny said and there are some really nice cars there, ive never looked around on here, so im just wondering if its safe here or if there are alot of scams????