How reliable has your DSM been?

[DSM IN MN]

I would have to know WHY it was a salvage title... was it hit? If so where.

That's the thing, my dad searched his database and only saw "salvage". We couldn't find out why. The guy that is selling it doesn't know either because it's have like 5+ previous owners. The frame isn't bent or anything (says the seller)...


IDK. My parents think that I shouldn't get it because it will and would be hard to sell.............................................................................................

 

[DSM IN MN]

Bump

 

[z24frank]

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

I agree!

 

[Theo90TSIAWD]

Ok, I need some people to help me sum up DSM's for my parents. The car I'm looking into buy THIS TIME is a preatty good one. The engine AT THIS TIME has a "miss" which the guy said the plugs and plug wires need to be changed, my dad thinks that may be causing it.

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.

IDK, you guys know becaus eyou own the cars. Help me sum it up so it's easy to understand..............

The biggest week point in the community for this car is the attraction to people who want a really fast car that is cheap. When someone wants a $1,000 car, most of the time they don't have money to fix it. It's someone between 16-25 that wants to go fast for cheap and they don't take care of their car.

I bought my car for $750 and I have put about another $750 into getting the maintenance all up to date and I'll be putting another $1,000 into it before I feel like I'm really ready to start stepping up on the performance end of things, you can probably expect to do the same if you want a really good runner.

 

[Lumix315]

It also comes down to how much money you have in your bank account.
Not to mention it's how the the previous owner treated my car. I have yet to do any mod. And if they are mods, it's because they were cheap and the OE part had to be replaced. Such as my clutch, it's being replaced with a $100 ACT 2600 I bought off a guy that snapped his timing belt and it seriously has only 20 miles on it.

FIRST...Hey, I totally understand you when you talk about finances. I'm a bit tapped right now, myself. So trust me, I get it. SECOND...I wasn't mentioning anything about money to insult you. I was merely trying to reassure you that, the way I see it, you're ahead of the game, due the fact that you've only spent $1800 in extra's so far. SO, KUDOS! Lastly, not only do I agree with you on "money in the bank," but based on what I said before about how well YOU take care of the car, I can't neglect the fact that it matters JUST AS MUCH how the PREVIOUS owner maintained the car, as well. It makes all the difference in how smooth your ownership will go. So, good call. My apologies.

Now, it's time for me to put A LOT of elbow grease into my car to "git'r'done!"

That's the thing, my dad searched his database and only saw "salvage". We couldn't find out why. The guy that is selling it doesn't know either because it's have like 5+ previous owners. The frame isn't bent or anything (says the seller)...


IDK. My parents think that I shouldn't get it because it will and would be hard to sell.............................................................................................

DUDE!!! If it's a salvage title...just STAY AWAY from it! Period. Your parents are right. DON'T BUY this one. Find something that's in, truely, decent shape. Set yourself up for success! Don't buy the first one you see because you think it's the "ONLY ONE" out there, or that you'll be hard pressed to find another one. Trust me and the other, older, members on this board, there are TONS of these cars out there. DSM's were built for a SOLID decade! The possibilities are endless. Keep searching, man. Like it was already stated, PATIENCE is a vitrue! You'll find a good one soon enough.

 

[Rob10_99]

What was the price for this salvage title one? like $3k? I'm brain farting,
If he's trying to sell it for 3k as a salvage tell him 1k or your walking. The thing with salvage is it can be anything from a stolen stereo to the unibody being found in the desert.

Look for repainted areas, like under the hood/a pillars and rear end. New undercoating on it? Bolts look like they were taken off, particularly subframe/engine/suspension bolts.

 

[DSM IN MN]

What was the price for this salvage title one? like $3k? I'm brain farting,
If he's trying to sell it for 3k as a salvage tell him 1k or your walking. The thing with salvage is it can be anything from a stolen stereo to the unibody being found in the desert.

Look for repainted areas, like under the hood/a pillars and rear end. New undercoating on it? Bolts look like they were taken off, particularly subframe/engine/suspension bolts.

My dad being in the autobody industry for 13-14 years now looked at it.......... still don't know. I start up a whole stink for nothing........... the car ISN'T MINE. I'm not getting it.........


My dad WANTS to buy me this: RED 1997 MITSUBISHI Eclipse GSX (Car/Truck) located in the Red River Valley area.

but that will then make it I have to do anything he wants whenever............

Now IDK if I should take it or just leave this subject alone.......

 

[BGRIPTP]

Pieces of shit.

 

[DSM IN MN]

[/QUOTE]DUDE!!! If it's a salvage title...just STAY AWAY from it! Period. Your parents are right. DON'T BUY this one. Find something that's in, truely, decent shape. Set yourself up for success! Don't buy the first one you see because you think it's the "ONLY ONE" out there, or that you'll be hard pressed to find another one. Trust me and the other, older, members on this board, there are TONS of these cars out there. DSM's were built for a SOLID decade! The possibilities are endless. Keep searching, man. Like it was already stated, PATIENCE is a vitrue! You'll find a good one soon enough.[/QUOTE]

!!!BTW!!! Just because it says salvage it doesn't mean it crap and you should run as far away as possible, it just means it's been worked on. FYI my dad and uncle do car rebuilds. It all depends opn who did it.

 

[DSM IN MN]

Pieces of shit.

Who? Second time I have heard that in two days......

 

[BGRIPTP]

Who? Second time I have heard that in two days......

DSMs. They are 15 year old Mitsubishi's.

 

[DSM IN MN]

DSMs. They are 15 year old Mitsubishi's.

You own one, don't you?

 

[greenydsm]

something isnt right in that add.


didnt anyone notice the spoiler?

97 gsx's came with the high rise spoiler

 

[dsmgearheadtune]

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.

once youve entered the DSM world your never leave, your 1st one no mater if it was a 1.8 1st gen or a tsi, gsx 2nd gen, theres always something to do to make it faster, better handling, exc. even if you say you wont ever buy another one after youve spent days tring to fix the smallest problem, its just that easy, its a family

 

[Boot92]

Pieces of shit.

DSMs. They are 15 year old Mitsubishi's.

Funny you say that. I would take a 1G DSM over a 2G Eclipse\Talon

especially if between the years of 90-91 (or is it 92) because those are 6 bolt, and don't have crank walk. *Cough* like 2g's *Cough* Yes I know 1G's have it too but not all 1G's.

personally kid you should really buy something cheaper like a 1.8L DSM

Fix it up, learn stick, keep it, then move on to a 2.0L (swap or buy another)

trust me 1.8L is a little easier to fix and theres no such thing as bent valves on them so thats not a problem right there.

they are also much cheaper, to fix, buy, maintain, and insure.

I'm NOT saying don't get a 2.0L, I'm also NOT saying don't buy a 2G (unless its a RS of course)

but it would be in your best interest to start out small (like with a 1G 1.8L) and save your extra money and get something much better when you get your license.

I had a 200whp car for my first car and I wish I would have just got something cheap to mess with, and save my money for a good car.

 

[DSM IN MN]

something isnt right in that add.


didnt anyone notice the spoiler?

97 gsx's came with the high rise spoiler

IDK but as you can see this car has been painted before (the ad says, AND the suppose to be black part in the front bumper middle inlet it body color.........) I'm sure if it didn't come on it stock from the dealer it was a change before it was painted...........

 

[BGRIPTP]

Funny you say that. I would take a 1G DSM over a 2G Eclipse\Talon

especially if between the years of 90-91 (or is it 92) because those are 6 bolt, and don't have crank walk. *Cough* like 2g's *Cough* Yes I know 1G's have it too but not all 1G's.

personally kid you should really buy something cheaper like a 1.8L DSM

Fix it up, learn stick, keep it, then move on to a 2.0L (swap or buy another)

trust me 1.8L is a little easier to fix and theres no such thing as bent valves on them so thats not a problem right there.

they are also much cheaper, to fix, buy, maintain, and insure.

I'm NOT saying don't get a 2.0L, I'm also NOT saying don't buy a 2G (unless its a RS of course)

but it would be in your best interest to start out small (like with a 1G 1.8L) and save your extra money and get something much better when you get your license.

I had a 200whp car for my first car and I wish I would have just got something cheap to mess with, and save my money for a good car.

My first mistake when I was 16 was to buy a non-turbo. Go big or go home.

 

[DSM IN MN]

My first mistake when I was 16 was to buy a non-turbo. Go big or go home.

AMEN!

 

[Dsmj89]

A DSM summed up : Expensive... Done.

 

[Rob10_99]

Wait, expensive and broken, I think that's the right term...
.... "roller" comes to mind...

 

[LiquidX]

Here is some advice that will last a life time. If you don't feel right about it, question it or had a bad feeling, trust yourself and steer clear. My first DSM, I didn't know too much about it and I wanted it so bad that I overlooked sertain things and it was nothing but problems and a loss of money. If I were you, I would find one that you feel certain about and your parents won't hassle or question the integrity or lifespan of the car.

Hope this helps. Sometimes waiting is worth it.

 

[Theo90TSIAWD]

Every car has problems, you just need to decide which problems you are willing to put up with or fix and if the other perks of the car will make up for the down side.

But in general; Any car you take care of will last a VERY long time. I'm going to hit 200K on my 1990 talon before the end of the year, so obviously the cars can't be that bad eh?

 

[Boot92]

what makes DSM's reliable or Fix em daily, is really how you drive, and take care of them.

and how there previous owners drove, and took care of them.

you can run em hard, and give the car what it wants, but don't sit there and just beat the shit out of them all day. basically, don't dump the clutch constantly, Go easy on the shifting, don't rip the E brake while your driving, and don't bang the Rev limiter. It's ok to hit it once in awhile, but not all the time unless your motor was built to take it. so basically, don't drive like an idiot, and your DSM will brake down less, and be very strict on the maintenance.


but most important....when your working on a DSM...NEVER MAKE SHORTCUTS!!!!
you'll regret it every time.

 

[mindset]

FIRST...Hey, I totally understand you when you talk about finances. I'm a bit tapped right now, myself. So trust me, I get it. SECOND...I wasn't mentioning anything about money to insult you. I was merely trying to reassure you that, the way I see it, you're ahead of the game, due the fact that you've only spent $1800 in extra's so far. SO, KUDOS! Lastly, not only do I agree with you on "money in the bank," but based on what I said before about how well YOU take care of the car, I can't neglect the fact that it matters JUST AS MUCH how the PREVIOUS owner maintained the car, as well. It makes all the difference in how smooth your ownership will go. So, good call. My apologies.

Now, it's time for me to put A LOT of elbow grease into my car to "git'r'done!"

No insult taken

But I understand what you mean.

 

[Lumix315]

Original quote from LUMIX315:
DUDE!!! If it's a salvage title...just STAY AWAY from it! Period. Your parents are right. DON'T BUY this one. Find something that's in, truely, decent shape. Set yourself up for success! Don't buy the first one you see because you think it's the "ONLY ONE" out there, or that you'll be hard pressed to find another one. Trust me and the other, older, members on this board, there are TONS of these cars out there. DSM's were built for a SOLID decade! The possibilities are endless. Keep searching, man. Like it was already stated, PATIENCE is a vitrue! You'll find a good one soon enough.

Response from DSM IN MN!:
!!BTW!!! Just because it says salvage it doesn't mean it crap and you should run as far away as possible, it just means it's been worked on. FYI my dad and uncle do car rebuilds. It all depends opn who did it.[/QUOTE]

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Okay little man. One, if you're going to quote me, do it correctly. Make sure that it ACTUALLY quotes me. And Two, for YOUR information, YES - if the car is branded a salvage title, it's shit. INSURANCE COMPANIES brand cars with a salvage title after the car, that was once deemed by them a TOTAL LOSS, has been "repaired.". When you FUBAR a car up good enough, there comes a point where it doesn't matter how much it's been "worked on," that car is just never going to be the same again. I, merely, told you to stay away from them, NOT ONLY, becuase of the fact that it's a crap shoot on whether or not the car can be fixed, but from a financial and insurable stand point(something you said, yourself, that you were MOST afraid of), you're going to be in for a headache. Surely, your dad and uncle, being in the business for SO long, would be aware of this and would've educated you on it, as well. But hey, you're only 14, and to each his own, I guess. You'll learn these things in due time.

All I wanted to convey to you was to find a solid, UN-branded/molested/modified car, as you possibly could, to save yourself as much headache as possible. You know???..To get yourself started on the right foot. I guess, however, you didn't want to hear that. It seems to me, that the more I read your posts, you're finding reasons to discredit the people, who have already been through some shit with these cars, that are trying to steer you in the right direction. SO, it leads me to the question, why the hell are you asking for this communities help if you're just going to shoot it down? Stop whining about how your dad doesn't like this, or you know this car is a POS, but what do we think?...

Buying a DSM is no different than buying ANY OTHER CAR. Pick a QUALITY car to start with, make sure it's not rusted, make sure it runs and drives well, make sure it has a clean title, make sure you can afford it, and then work it out with your parents, so we can ALL move on to topics that have more, constructive, substance to them. ANY other questions...use the SEARCH button.

It's not rocket science.

No insult taken

But I understand what you mean.

COOL! I'm glad we cleared that up!