Is a high mileage GSX worth it?

[Derek Neal]

I found a GSX with 187k miles on for $4500. i'm ready to jump on it but i don't know if it's worth it or not. It has some fender damage and strut tower rust. What do you guys think?

 

[steve]

Not with some fender damage and strut tower rust, in my opinion.

Strut tower rust is the cancer of 2G's

 

[Dericsh]

I think this is a relative question that kinda depends on you. If you’re mechanically inclined and you can handle all the maintenance and other issues that might pop up, then I wouldn’t worry about miles too much as long as the body is in good condition(with strut tower rust, that’s not a great start). Remember this can be $1k+ of more money added into the price of the car.

Or maybe you’re a paint shop tech and you can fix the damaged fender and faded paint and stuff but not sure you can do a timing belt.

My 1g was “running and driving” with 250k miles on it. Ive never put a mile on it because I had to tear it all apart bc it had an oil supply failure. I only paid $600 for it, but over the past two years with all the parts I’ve collected plus the labor I’m about to have to perform at some point, I could have gotten one of those perfect $8k examples and be enjoying it right now.

I wouldn’t really recommend a DSM (especially as a daily) to anyone who has to pay someone else to do the work for them.

 

[ShadyDoins]

Motors can be rebuilt, everything can be rebuilt...but rust is a real problem. Maybe try to find a non running one with no rust and then just do an easy low budget engine rebuild and you have a car that is basically new