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Im Looking to buy a DSM, Help me Pick

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fretmelter

10+ Year Contributor
39
0
Aug 4, 2011
Accident, Maryland
Ok So, Im looking to buy a 1g DSM. I have a mitsubishi SUV right now. But it might get taken away from me LOL. So I have saved some money and im about to take it upon myself to buy a car on my own. I only have about 3500 to spend and i need one soon for college. I have been looking around in my area and i have two cars that I narrowed it down to. Which one would you guys buy if it was your choice. I need AWD for the winter and both cars have it. The Following will be specs of the cars

FIRST ONE
Evo3 16g Talon Tsi - $1800
I am selling my 1990 eagle talon tsi awd 5sp,
The Good
walbro 255 pump
Gm Maf
Maf translator
Denzo 830cc injectors
Manual boost controller
EvoIII 16g Turbo
EvoIII Turbo Manifold
Front Mount Intercooler and piping
fidanza lightweight flywheel
ACT 6 puck sprung less than 50 miles on it
16in Rota slipstreams
Apexi 3in Exhaust
Apexi Super Airflow Converter II
set on 18-19 psi 350awhp
not original 6bolt that was in it, I replaced it, only has 85,000 miles, clean title
very very little rust

The Bad
Transmission has a broken center diff, runs terrific, is driveable, needs new tires, clear coat is faded some...but I do have an old tranny that can be included in the deal that does have a good center diff I took it out bc of bad syncros, you could use the center diff from that and have it welded, I just dont have the time anymore



SECOND ONE
1991 eclipse turbo all wheel drive - $3000

well i hate to see it go but im selling my 1991 mitsubishi eclipse gsx turbo awd. the car is what you would expect for its age with some faded paint and a little rust. it has 143,000 miles and is an automatic ive had a few maintenance things done to it but the car is unmolested and would be a great project car which is why i had it, unfortunately when my girlfriend told me i had to sell it to get a motorcycle she wasnt kidding :( with that being said im asking $3000 or best offer

The guy above also says that the car is his DD and the timming belt was replaced 10,000 miles ago and the turbo was replaced 20,000 miles ago.



Both cars are close to me and I will pay in cash. They have pics and both are in about the same condition. About what you would expect from a $3000ish car.

ANYTHING would help me. Ive read about the broken DIFF on the forums. Can i tackle this? I do have knowledge about cars. As i have restored a classic truck.

THanks. By the Way My name is Guy and im new :)
 
I think the price on the 2nd one is a little high, My car is pretty much the same with a few less miles, and a few small mods and I have it up for 2500.
 
Go with the first if you have some time and money. Go with the second if you're looking for something you can work on yourself and drive immediately. ;) Auto's do better in a straight line anyhow.
 
These Arent in MD they are actually in Pittsburgh but im in Pitt for work a lot and have family here. THANKS so much for fast reply. And i Will probably offer the second guy 2500 cash. But I really just need the car to be reliable. I think the 5 speed car would be more fun but by the time i pay for it to be fixed, title, tags, inspection. Im not sure if my wallet will think its very fun. Which one will be more reliable? Of course all this depends on the car and how it was taken care of. But assuming they are both equal in that department. O and The first car has been modded that obviously shows a sign that it could have been abused correct?
 
All the AWD DSM's im m area are 2500k and there not running right or missing peices. LOL. If you can talk down 3000k (usually could with cash on hand) Its not to bad in my opinion. Unless you really want a stick. The first one is a good price with those parts. I would do it. Plus if you get the first one you still have money to work with the car. I was in the same sitch last school semester, I needed a car and looked everywere, finally got a DSM found this website and now im involved with it deeply. Mine is a 91 auto awd and I love it, Still have not taken it out in the winter yet as a got it at the end of last winter. But i cant wait to snow drift in open parkinglots!!!!
 
Thats awesome that you were in the same boat and it all worked out. I do like the First one because of price and mods. I just have no idea the time or effort it takes to fix the diff. I dont know if i should have a shop do it and pay. or do it myself. How long can I drive on the broken diff. Also the center diff, is that the diff for the back axles? or is there another diff back there? and if its welded doesnt that mean the back tires will always spin the same speed. So if i go around a sharp turn, i will have wheel spin or hop?

1st one is the better deal. if your looking for something reliable maybe dsm isnt the answer :(. they love to be taken care of.

O god don't say that. I just dont know what else is AWD and in my price range with the miles. I could go suby, but one that price would have wayyyy more miles.
 
UPDATE: Ok guys so i took in all of your advice. The second guy would not budge on price and it is lil high. So i went and visited the first guy to look at the car. He was SUPER nice. And i did like the car alot. He used a electronic controller for what he said was "idle", what does that mean? besides the obvious of course. He says it only tunes idle. Anyway. He took me for a drive and i was really surprised at how well the car pulled. Even with the broken diff. But after about 2000 or 2500 it seemed to fall on its face. I can only equate it to if a clutch were slipping. But he said its not the clutch and you would smell the 6 puck clutch if that was it. Could this be because of the broken center diff? i have a pic of engine if you guys want i can post. Now the car is set at a low 8psi. And the interior needs the back trim pieces(like where the back seat is). What do you guys think?
 
1st one is the better deal. if your looking for something reliable maybe dsm isnt the answer :(. they love to be taken care of.

Don't listen to him ;)

The Mitsubishi 4G63 Turbo I4 engine (what these cars have) is a very reliable engine, which is why it has been the engine for 19 different cars since 1987. Good reliable, tough engine. Read more about it here: Linky
 
id take the 2nd one but im partial to autos and i like cars that no one has been into, you dont want to have to go back and redo work that should have been done right the first time.
 
im going to be completely honest and im sure many will agree.. if you are going to college and you already have a tight budget i wouldn't suggest buying a DSM at this point in your life.. as cool as the cars are maintenance is pretty high, especially if this is going to be your first turbo.. you know ## gunna want to beat the hell out of it.. trust me haha

My DSM Song - YouTube
 
A DSM is only as reliable as you make it out to be. Do not not try to mod it without proper maintance and supporting mods and it will be just fine. I say the 1st one unless you can talk the 2nd one down about $500-$600.
 
The second one is a little more then high. From the sounds of the description it should be around 2k. That's about what my Talon TSi AWD BB'd for. The first, if you can find tranny in good condition for less then a grand and do the work yourself is your better bet.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
 
I like the second one..But it has too many miles on it for 3k$..I would offer him 2k cash..If the maintanence has been done than it should be pretty reliable for you, and it sounds like the guy loves that car, which is a good thing..

Kelly blue book the 91 auto with 143K on the clock..Private party,I bet it doesn't book for 3k..
 
ok I got all the info. I'm ganna give the first guy 100 down. The second guy will not budge on the car and I really think if I do maintenance and keep it on low boost. It will be realiable. Does anyone know where to get the interior pieces like where the rear seat is. On the sides
 
Thats a good idea, Ill look there. And @ LaBong James that song was pretty good. And probably true ,you also sound like every kid i used to go to Hghschool with LOL. But well if i really do have to get a car im gann buy it. Tanks for everyones help. If i do have to buy it im sure ill be on forums for questions again
 
i honestly wouldnt mod a car if it was my daily and i was already straining for money. being without a daily is harsh.
 
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