I have some questions about this 92 LASER AWD

[98autogstspyder]

Ok guys, when it comes to looking at dsms to buy, I pretty much know what to look for. I own a 98 eclipse spyder gst already and have been a member of the south florida dsm for quite some time. However, I have found a laser that I have some questions about.

Ok, here is everything I know about it.

1992 Plymouth Laser AWD 5 speed. It has about 100,000 miles on it, and the timing belt and front seals were replaced. Car is just about stock except for a cat back and some 3rd gen wheels with brand new tires. I dont know if the transfer case recall has been done or not but I will ask. I know that I should check all fluids , under neath the car for rust and all that fun stuff. The car does need a new clutch and he is prepared to install it. It is an ACT 2100 clutch. Right now the stock clutch is slipping bad he says. Ok so first question. how much should that add onto the price of the car.... the cost of the clutch and labor.

Second question, when I go to check out the car, How do I tell if the engine is healthy if the clutch is slipping. He wouldnt exactly be able to go through all the gears with a slipping clutch. Would revving it in neutral to about 5 or 6k rpm be enough for me?

Last question. This car he says he has owned for about 3 or 4 years now. The car sits in his garage and he has drivin it about 10 miles total in the time he has owned it. I dont really know why he has driven it so little but thats not up to me to understand. He says that he starts it up every now and then to keep it running. I believe him, but just in case.... what can i observe with my senses about a dsm that has hardly been running in the past few years. The car obviously does not have insurance on it, so we wouldnt be able to drive it very far anyway.

I would like to purchase the car, break in the clutch and drive it back up to tallahassee where I live within the next two weeks. Hopefully it makes it there

Alright if you guys have any suggestions I would appreciate it.


Tyler

 

[MrDSM]

First Question.... an ACT kit costs a little over 300 dollars usually. I would give him no more than 1500 for the car and thats only if the body is in very excellent shape. To give you an idea where im coming from, my TSI had a bad tranny in it with a 255LPH, 2600, Guages, Intake and I pais 1200 and another 600 dollars for the tranny plus install.

 

[98autogstspyder]

you really think its worth so little? kelly blue book says its worth about 2500 coming from an individual selling privately. Im willing to spend about that.

Tyler

any ideas on the last question? thats the one im really curious about.

 

[babell2]

Cyl Comperession test for engine health even numbers accrost within 10psi, Vacuume guage as well looking for around 18 psi of draw at idle and no pulsing. Take off the intake and spin / shake the turbo compresser for turbo health. If it grinds or has a lot of shaft play take another $700. off the price. Just my $.02

 

[MrDSM]

I would lowball him, then if he doesnt bite on the offer - raise it until he agrees

 

[XTurboSpYderX]

check to see if you can tell if it HAD mods, and they were removed... I wouldn't give him much for the car... lowball him and see how far down you can get him.


P.S. I paid $1700 for my GSX with a blown headgasket rolling on brand new 17" TE-37s and I paid $2500 for the Talon with only 63,000 miles on it, bone stock with a spare engine, new 16g, new exhaust, and new ACT2100, Joe-P BC, S-AFC, walboro 190, dejon tool intake, and K&N filter, that were ALL still in the box and had yet to be installed on the car...


so I wouldn't even DREAM of giving that guy more than $2k for that car...

 

[98autogstspyder]

i understand , thank you guys for your responses. I've been looking for this car for a while, they are rare in this area (ft. lauderdale) and the guy hasn't even put ads up on it so i dont think he is in a super hurry to sell it. But i will do some low balling

I may go above 2 grand for it... but not much now that yall have said that.

I have been looking on dsmtuners' classifieds, cars.com, ebaymotors, local listings and dsmtrader daily now for the last 3 months for a 1st gen awd 5 speed with less than 120,000 miles. All of the running ones seems to be selling for about 2500-3500. why are they so overpriced then.....

Tyler


so as the overall engines health... the compression test should do the trick? and double checking here... perfect compression in all four cylinders is 165 a piece right? this tool can be picked up at a discount autoparts or a place like that... if i remember correctly they cost about 20 bux right?