How hard to find.......?

[Phlerr]

Hey all I just joined and thought I'd ask y'all since I'm having absolutely NO luck with my search. What I'm looking for is a 99 GSX. But the kicker is I'm wanting it stock so I can start from scratch and believe me trying to find a stock GSX is about as easy as finding a unicorn. I'm not a complete noob when it comes to dsm's either, my 1st car was a 96 GS-T and I'm looking to get back into the swing of things. But any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanx

 

[Nicklepage1010]

As soon as your probationary status is up, check the classifieds section.
Great to have you back!

 

[Paintballaa5]

Just keep looking on Craigslist or your other local classifieds. It'll be hard to find a bone stock car since they've all but been molested, so you might need to compromise and decide how much modding is enough. For instance, I found mine with nothing but a intake pipe, and a big ol' cannon muffler on it. I figured that wasn't bad at all, how can you go mess that up.

Make sure you get receipts for any major work, (timing jobs, rebuilds ect.) and poke around as much as you can.

 

[pauleyman]

They're out there but that 99 is very specific. Unicorn is a good name. I found my 97 Tsi AWD last year from the original owner with 52k on it. Be prepared to pay a premium for a good find and have cash ready. If one of these shows up on craigstlist or autotrader.com you have hours to jump on it. Literally. I searched for about 4 months and when this one came up I jumped at it. It was and is perfect in every way and 100% bone stock down to the air filter.

 

[Phlerr]

Yeah trust me there's plenty of em out there that's been rode hard and put up wet, that's why I was wanting to go the stock route. But if all I had to settle for is an intake and exhaust thats been put on it I'd be tickled pink.

 

[bradselph]

It will be pretty hard, if you open up your search to maybe a 97-99 instead of just a 99 you will have a little more luck.

If your dead set on a 2gb you could even just get a 95-96 and convert it yourself unless your set on the 99 for the limited edition parts.

You will most likely be driving across multiple states if you do find one.

 

[AwD4g63TsI]

You get the idea from what everyone is saying. It took me a good 2-3 years before I found mine-a white 99 GSX with one female owner, 50k miles and completely bone stock. I also paid a premium for it. But to me a stock GSX with 50k is worth more than any amount of molestation of unknown origin.

 

[TheFallenJosh]

Where in Knoxville are you? And its not impossible, just difficult. I picked up my 95 gs-t (since been converted to a talon) bone stock last summer, granted it was in pieces but it was 100% stock. Contact me and I cand help you look around locally, and get you involved in the local DSM community.

 

[Rsawd95dsm]

What? Mine fell into my hands. I did nothing except for buy the damn thing and its problems ever since Theyare out there just be patience youll find it

 

[pauleyman]

I"ll second the multiple states. I had mine shipped 1500 miles and paid 1000$ just for that alone.

 

[Seamus]

I would say just check Craigslist constantly for your city and others within reasonable distance. Heck I bought a 100 percent stock 90 gsx with 93k last year off Craigslist. It even had the stock air box.

 

[Miasma]

I'm on the same search myself. But probably just gonna swap a TSI

 

[TheFallenJosh]

I'm on the same search myself. But probably just gonna swap a TSI

why? tsi's are getting harder to find.

 

[brownie956]

Just got to be patient and willing to take a trip for it. Check ebay and craigslist every night. I checked all major cities in the continental US almost every single night when I was looking, took me more than a 1/2 year I think...and had it shipped across the country (GA-WA). But it was worth it!

 

[4Lurker4]

why? tsi's are getting harder to find.

Not in Canada, for us Eclipses are rare, TSIs are an easier find. "You want what you don't have" that's their appeal.

 

[TheFallenJosh]

Not in Canada, for us Eclipses are rare, TSIs are an easier find. "You want what you don't have" that's their appeal.

The production numbers are still a whole lot lower, but I understand. Its the same reason I converted my eclipse to a talon.

 

[JusMX141]

Not a tech thread = moved to the Hangout.

 

[Miasma]

Not in Canada, for us Eclipses are rare, TSIs are an easier find. "You want what you don't have" that's their appeal.

Haha you took the words right out of my mouth.

I'd be happy with either really, I just prefer the appearance of the eclipse.

 

[RallyEclipse98]

Just out of curiosity, why only a '99? Is it because you want a black leather interior? Perhaps you assume the car will have had fewer years of abuse and racked up miles?

My quick story:

In September 2011 I started searching for my ideal DSM. I wanted a Northstar White '99 Eclipse GS 10th Anniversary Special Edition and it had to be a 5-speed and unmolested. After running the VIN's of a dozen or so, I found they were only made in May of 1999. I knew it would be hard. I searched daily on craigslist (up to 750 miles), AutoTrader, Cars.com, Ebay, and heck I would even search google to see what came up on forums, etc. I became obsessed. There were times I would check 4-5 times per day. But my persistence paid off and I found exactly what I wanted. Heck, I even got a good deal on it.

Quick tips: Have cash ready! You do not have time to transfer funds around or do a payment plan with the owner. These cars are amazing looking cars for the money and people want them. I don't care how much DSM bashing you have ever seen, from my experience a clean example of one sells fast! I lost out on many deals because I couldn't drive to a cars location before it sold. Also, get pics before you drive somewhere to look at a car. A lot of people say their car is clean but in reality it has a busted bumper, lifter tick, 3 styles of wheels, and hasn't been cleaned ever. Also, you must be patient. It took because 11.5 months and countless disappointments.

Long post. Hmm hope someone finds it useful. I have my perfect DSM and I am very happy with it. I see people who bought a $800 DSM and have to sort out hundreds of hours worth of rice. Not me. And it sounds like not you (OP) either. Having a clean car is worth your patience.

 

[dsmspick]

Does it have to be a 99? There was a red 95gsx in the Wichita Kansas craigslist for 1500 bucks. I also don't know what kind of car your looking for (shape wise)

 

[n0de]

No.. this is a hard car to find, even in its shittiest condition. Speaking of which im having him send me pictures of it right now.

 

[99ECLIPSEGSXDSM]

Took me 3 years to find mine. All stock besides rims, air filter and hks hi-power muffler. Why don't you try autotrader.com? I see much better quality dsms on that site then on craigslist.

 

[mcrae_06]

Yeah trust me there's plenty of em out there that's been rode hard and put up wet.

Exactly, finding a beautiful unmolested one is damn near impossible; nobody buys a turbocharged all wheel drive car to drive it like a minivan...

 

[ofgofg]

If you shop craigs list in several states you will find the car of your dreams. Just have to be willing to put some work, time and $$ into making the deal and getting it home. There are more clean DSMs than you think out there.

 

[TunaTalon]

Yeah trust me there's plenty of em out there that's been rode hard and put up wet, that's why I was wanting to go the stock route.

Maybe, just maybe, somewhere out there is a retired old phart that had his AWD Talon professionally modified just to take his wife on multi-day road trips and never abused the car or even did a brake boosted launch. Hint, check the classifieds here on Dsmtuners.