How reliable has your DSM been?

[habitatguy187]

1. What kind/year/model of dsm?

2. How much?

3. How old are you?

4. Do you have a job?

5. Are you afraid to take things apart which you may not know how to put back together again?

6. Do you love the eclipse in the first "fast and the furious" movie?

 

[whe3ls]

In other words you PROBABLY will put more money into it then you paid.....? (More then likely).

i have. but i got my car cheap and it wasnt running. my buddys girl freind has spend more than i have on her car. 4 heads 4 head gaskets 3 timings belts

 

[lazyazzdaddy]

I just need to know how to explain to them, DSM's aren't fix 'em drive 'em forever. From what I have heard, not the case.

I take it your father does not own a Harley. All cars break something from time to time ours just have a bad rap because they have been owned mostly by younger people who tend to push there cars a lot harder than the average driver at the same time neglecting to do maintaince along the way.

 

[jjrock5]

Dsm is not a car, it's a lifestyle. I say this because you will spend many moons away from the public trying to fix something. If you love these cars like I do, these fixes will only be looked as a portal to tomorrow having a faster, tougher, long lasting vehicle that will beat the snot out of 90% of the cars out there for a fraction of the price. These cars are loyal only if the loyalty is returned. Don't give up on the machine, we need to keep the masses moving forward.

 

[DSM IN MN]

1. What kind/year/model of dsm?

2. How much?

3. How old are you?

4. Do you have a job?

5. Are you afraid to take things apart which you may not know how to put back together again?

6. Do you love the eclipse in the first "fast and the furious" movie?

1. 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Gs-T

2. $2,300 (Was $4,000 then down to $2,500 after sitting for a few months and my dad got him $200 lower).

3.14 and have ALWAYS loved 2g Eclipse's.

4. No. I plan on getting one. Fo the time being I'm working at my dad's bodyshop mowing lawn, sanding things, just whatever needs doing.

5. I don't know EVERYTHING about these cars, yes I guess I need to know before I take apart.

6. That car was the starting point of likeing Eclipse's.

FYI the car I'm talking about have euro lights, a BLITZ body kit and I hate BOTH! I want to do a 1997-1999 conversion.

 

[Mr PopUps]

Awesome. Nuff said.

 

[95420A]

The 2gB Eclipse is one of the sexiest cars on the road straight from the factory, good choice on doing the conversion. My first car was an Eclipse and that was way before the Fast and the Furious and I've always loved them. When everyone I knew was doin the Honda thing I stuck to my DSM's and although they have given me a few headaches along the way I wouldn't change it. DSM owners are a very tight knit group with everyone always willing to share there knowledge with the new guys. Like jjrock5 said, it's more of a lifestyle. The best piece of advice I have ever been given and now pass on to you is do it right the first time, never half ass things just to get it on the road because it won't stay there for long. Do all the scheduled maintenance and don't drive like a mad man and these cars are pretty reliable.

 

[jholmes]

My second car (I was 16 at the time) was a 94 GST with 130k on it that I picked up for 1500. I drove that car for 2 years (occasionally went to the track) without an issue and would probably still have it if it wern't for telephone poles, snow storms, and crazy women.

 

[954TalonTsi]

Well i know that i have put more money into mine then i paid. I got mine at an auction for 650 but it needed a ECM. Go They are awesome cars to have and a joy to drive. Take the time and make them the right way, and you have a nice machine on your hands.

 

[allrice4g63]

let me tell you a little thing about dsm maintenance it should not be ignored. i bought a 98 talon tsi with 55k on it last june and i already have over 1000 bucks in to just fixing everything on it from the wheel bearings to valve cover. obviously the guy who had it before me was just lazy as hell and did nothing. iv been working on it for over a year now and i still dont have all the things tuned up like they should just a headache if neglected kind of a karma!!!

 

[DSM IN MN]

The 2gB Eclipse is one of the sexiest cars on the road straight from the factory, good choice on doing the conversion. My first car was an Eclipse and that was way before the Fast and the Furious and I've always loved them. When everyone I knew was doin the Honda thing I stuck to my DSM's and although they have given me a few headaches along the way I wouldn't change it. DSM owners are a very tight knit group with everyone always willing to share there knowledge with the new guys. Like jjrock5 said, it's more of a lifestyle. The best piece of advice I have ever been given and now pass on to you is do it right the first time, never half ass things just to get it on the road because it won't stay there for long. Do all the scheduled maintenance and don't drive like a mad man and these cars are pretty reliable.

You do realize I am 14 right? Just a question. Some people don't know. I do know from hearing it that they aren't easy. No car is. But an Eclipse just needs a little more love.

I am MOST AFRAID of the insurence! I mean if I get a job to fix it, the money will be gone JUST from insurence. OUCH! IDK. Just doesn't seem to be a right way to go.......

 

[allrice4g63]

i pay 90 bucks a month for liabilty with comprehensive and thats with one open bottle on my record and one dwi.. i own a 98 talon tsi. so it aint that bad i pay more for my gas in a month then i do insurance

 

[csamn2007]

Yeah insurance will kill you. my first car was a ford escort (I was 16 at the time) it cost me 220 a month alone. The thing i am originally NY which is higher insurance, im not sure what minnesota is like.

Good luck!

 

[95gst16g]

My insurance has been the same since I have been 16 and now I'm 19.I started driving my first car was a honda civic si hatchback.Talk about unreliable.Anyways I thought my insurance would go up when I bought the eclipse because it was turbo.I called my insurance guy and he told me it would be the exact same.I have liability and the insurance didnt move.I have not had any problems with my DSM yet.The Honda is a whole other story.I dont know what didnt break on that thing.Screw it I am now converted to DSM and will be FOREVER!

 

[jdodds]

Id say go for it. My 16 year old brother saved up enough money to buy an FD rx7 all by himself(ten grand) and hes put quite a bit into fixing it up and learned to tune it all by himself. Insurance isnt really that bad if you shop around. Ill have to ask my brother what hes paying since he just got his license yesterday. He took it from stock to 436rwhp in under a year on a 15 year olds budget. If he can do it, you can too.

 

[ilco187]

dsm's have been draining my ass for the last 7 years for cash, i got a new path coming soon im goin the Nissan twin turbo 300zx way, i drove one and it was the same experience as the first ride in a tubo dsm was, mind blowing, but this new path is even MORE mind blowing.

 

[talon913]

i got my dsm in a trade for a fc rx7 so it was free..i replaced 3 turbos i was buyin blown ones yea people that dont care will #### you over like that i guess.but anyways ive put lil over a grand in jus turbos gas radiator oil leak which still leaks oil from god knows were .ive ownd 18 cars this year and they all have been hondas crx and integras actaully.but a dsm with care and love will last you for a while.dont be scared when something breaks i was i gave up alot i wanted to sell it for like 400 bucks at one time then i found a new condition 14b for 50 bucks which took alot of ...just to sum it up if you break somethin dont give up fix again.. like the saying IF AT FIRST YOU DONT SUCCEED TRY TRY AGAIN.with $300 your easily rapin 95 percent of so called fast VTEC hondas i would know they always do fly bys on me around my town...maintain.is the key

 

[No_Skillz]

Piece of shit.

Don't buy if:
1. It's your first car
2. You are looking for a reliable daily driver
3. You are not a car enthusiast
4. You don't plan on throwing more money at it
5. You are not willing to learn

Do buy if:
1. You're ####ing crazy
2. You want to go fast for cheap
3. You're technically minded
4. You're patient
5. You find lying on a slab of cardboard after a day's working relaxing
6. You like bruised knuckles
7. You have a steady supply of disposable income
8. You pay attention to detail
9. You get immense satisfaction from turning a POS into a semi-reliable, fast, great looking car & great driving car that will get compliments on a regular basis.

 

[whe3ls]

dsm's have been draining my ass for the last 7 years for cash, i got a new path coming soon im goin the Nissan twin turbo 300zx way, i drove one and it was the same experience as the first ride in a tubo dsm was, mind blowing, but this new path is even MORE mind blowing.

you think a dsm was bad. you know what you have to do to change the spark plugs. you have to pull the motor

 

[90-GST]

i have. but i got my car cheap and it wasnt running. my buddys girl freind has spend more than i have on her car. 4 heads 4 head gaskets 3 timings belts

Seems to be something wrong there if she's going through that many heads.

I take it your father does not own a Harley. All cars break something from time to time ours just have a bad rap because they have been owned mostly by younger people who tend to push there cars a lot harder than the average driver at the same time neglecting to do maintaince along the way.

Maintenance before Mods. Remember that and you will have a reliable ass car.

I am MOST AFRAID of the insurence! I mean if I get a job to fix it, the money will be gone JUST from insurence. OUCH! IDK. Just doesn't seem to be a right way to go.......

I am 18, under my mom's insurance, but am the primary driver, and pay $140 a month for full coverage with a $200 deductable. I was paying $85 for liability on my 90 gst.

Piece of shit.

Don't buy if:
1. It's your first car
2. You are looking for a reliable daily driver
3. You are not a car enthusiast
4. You don't plan on throwing more money at it
5. You are not willing to learn

Do buy if:
1. You're ####ing crazy
2. You want to go fast for cheap
3. You're technically minded
4. You're patient
5. You find lying on a slab of cardboard after a day's working relaxing
6. You like bruised knuckles
7. You have a steady supply of disposable income
8. You pay attention to detail
9. You get immense satisfaction from turning a POS into a semi-reliable, fast, great looking car & great driving car that will get compliments on a regular basis.

I like the "Do Buy"s. But I disagree a little on the "Dont Buy"s. My car is a reliable DD, as well as about 4 friends of mine that have DSMs. You just have to remember maintenance before mods.






But to sum it up, a DSM is a car you will fall in love with. It is not for the faint of heart, or the lazy. Dont buy it expecting to have a car that never breaks, because, unless you pay a good amount for the car and find one hell of a deal, it has most likely been abused and not maintained properly. You WILL keep putting money into it. First it will be to get it running. Then you will want to go faster. Either way, the car will never be "done". Have fun with it and take care of the car.

 

[gingerbredman00]

I pay 243 a month for my insurance..
it could be cheaper but that car kicks a!!
(no regrets) money wise

 

[whe3ls]

Seems to be something wrong there if she's going through that many heads.

they where all bad to begin with. its all shorted out now

 

[2slow4utsi]

When I got my 2g it was an auto fwd and I did ALL the maintenance you can think of. This was over a year ago in February and I have had zero problems since then. I am able to go hours one way and hours back with no problems. This car has been a DD since over a year ago and is still running strong. These are very reliable cars when you treat them well. Sure, everyone likes to hit boost but don't do it everyday.

-Danny

 

[zhjiln]

hear is what i have to say about dsm's. fast,, temperamental, and will break and leak oil unexplainably

yep.... that about sums it up...

 

[greg90gs]

buy the car and find out for yourself, dont worry about insurance, otherwise you will never e happy with any car that you "want" to drive. just remember dont give up and like previously stated just ask for help take it from me this site does wonders, i have owned my 90 gst for a little over a month now and i bought it from a guy whos wife used it as a daily driver, and he used it to race the mustangs in his small town, i got mine on a trade for my pos rusted out 1993 chevy s10, the guy new it was a turd but still traded, since purchasing the car i have replaced fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel filter, battery, battery hold downs, alternator,radiator, radiator hoses, power steering hoses (and it still leaks), oil pan, oil, and still have a list of problems that i am working on, and i dont regret any of it, its fun, i love drinking beer in my garage with a few close friends talking about whatever drunk woman they were with the night before, buy the car and you will fall in love too, just take everything one step at a time and two good words of advise, never underestimate your car because she will surprise you when you least expect it, and never think that everything is fine and in good working order there is always something that needs or could be done, and when you start considering performance mods that "COULD" be done, well thats when the real fun starts.