2G Looking at a car, need opinions.

[granta335]

Been following a build since last August. Car is finally ready and I’m not sure if the price is right. 1995 GSX, essentially a VIN swap. Rebuilt 7-bolt motor, trans, t-case, lots of new parts. Interior is decent but paint job only looks good in pictures or at night. Poor masking, dripping, orange peel, etc.

Engine has Evo 3 16g turbo, unknown injectors, no tune yet.

I need honest opinions. The seller’s bottom dollar is $9,500. What would YOU pay for something like this?

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[dwb]

So basically a stock 2g with an exhaust, turbo, and intake? Do you have a better list of mods?
What do you mean VIN swap? Was it a salvaged title? Did you verify it's actually an AWD?

 

[granta335]

So basically a stock 2g with an exhaust, turbo, and intake? Do you have a better list of mods?
What do you mean VIN swap? Was it a salvaged title? Did you verify it's actually an AWD?

I don’t have the full list on me. Seller has a bunch of receipts in the glove box. Off the top of my head it’s a rebuilt/refreshed motor with ARP head studs and brian crower valve springs. An exhaust, 16g, intake, fmic kit. Engine, transmission and t-case came from a parts car that I sold him. He rebuilt all of them. New tie rods, brakes/rotors (stock), front bearings. Lowering springs from parts car, cloth interior from parts car.

The car is in fact awd. Clean title. Rust free but has had 16 owners and has been in one fender bender according to carfax.

During the test drive, the car hit fuel cut on the first pull, which I assume was from lack of a tune. Otherwise it felt good, sounded good, shifted through all the gears well.

I have another thread that I posted with a bunch of pictures of the build.

Thanks for the help

 

[curt-s]

How much do you love the car? We all have our own prices for different reasons, perhaps we already have one or prefer the other generations..
It doesn't matter how much we would pay, it matters how much you feel it would be worth to you -- stock or not.

In fact, I think I'd trust a stock part rebuild a bit more than some wild build list of random components. Sure, it's nice to get aftermarket components but .. I don't know, if it was some random person I'd be questioning the skills behind the build.
If it's no better than my own, I ain't buying it (setting the bar low).

 

[Doubleot]

IMO I don't see this as a 9500$ car, but that's just me. The engine bay being flat black really bothers me for some reason. 16 previous owners means it could have other unforseen issues but it is an older car now. Really nobody can tell you what it's worth as it's your money but I would personally pass and keep looking.

 

[MyBoostedGST]

Can you clarify what a VIN swap means?

I understand that it’s AWD, but is it a FWD converted? Is it a Talon converted to Eclipse?

That engine bay absolutely kills it for me. Why is it flat black? If it was the original color of the car that is one thing. But to spray it flat black?

The good old “rebuilt, just needs a tune” sale. Always a crapshoot.

BOV vented to atmosphere with a MAS.

With you even considering the $9,500 price, you are clearly looking for a good car (aka aren’t looking for the best deal, looking for the right car). This ain’t it. Personally, I wouldn’t consider buying it based on my assumptions of you (only answering that as your question specifically asked for what we would pay for it).

 

[granta335]

Can you clarify what a VIN swap means?

I understand that it’s AWD, but is it a FWD converted? Is it a Talon converted to Eclipse?

That engine bay absolutely kills it for me. Why is it flat black? If it was the original color of the car that is one thing. But to spray it flat black?

The good old “rebuilt, just needs a tune” sale. Always a crapshoot.

BOV vented to atmosphere with a MAS.

With you even considering the $9,500 price, you are clearly looking for a good car (aka aren’t looking for the best deal, looking for the right car). This ain’t it. Personally, I wouldn’t consider buying it based on my assumptions of you (only answering that as your question specifically asked for what we would pay for it).

VIN swap was something a friend of mine called it. It is a true ‘95 Eclipse GSX. It just has an engine, transmission, and t-case from another. That is all I mean by VIN swap.

Based on the price he’s looking for, I had no interest in buying it at that price. I agree with you guys. However, after stating that I would like to pass, he asked me what my price was. I haven’t given him an answer yet, hence why I am asking around for options.

I agree that the black bay is a turn off. However, knowing that the car is rust free (I have seen this car when it was just a rolling frame and have pictures), for the right, much lower, price it would be a good starting point. It may sound bad, but if I could somehow talk him down to the $5-6k range, I would consider it. If not, I walk and start the search over again.

Only reason I’m considering it still is because I have documentation of the build. I’ve seen how solid of a shell it was, and am hoping for the right price it could be a good starting point to begin building it to my standard over the next handful of years.

 

[CrackedDSM]

$9500 is too much for my broke ass penny pinching blood, but honestly if it doesn't have rust in all the usual spots, and it compression tests good, doesn't smoke or have issues mechanically...then send it.


The "boost cut" or "fuel cut" kinda concerns me, but eh. Like I said, if it's mechanically sound and rust-free...not the worst deal I've ever seen.

 

[pauleyman]

VIN swap was something a friend of mine called it. It is a true ‘95 Eclipse GSX.

I dont think it is. Look at the trunk. The carpet tray dips down behind the rear seat. If i recall the awd doesnt do that. I dont have mine with me or i would go look.

It just has an engine, transmission, and t-case from another. That is all I mean by VIN swap.

Based on the price he’s looking for, I had no interest in buying it at that price. I agree with you guys. However, after stating that I would like to pass, he asked me what my price was. I haven’t given him an answer yet, hence why I am asking around for options.

I agree that the black bay is a turn off. However, knowing that the car is rust free (I have seen this car when it was just a rolling frame and have pictures), for the right, much lower, price it would be a good starting point. It may sound bad, but if I could somehow talk him down to the $5-6k range, I would consider it. If not, I walk and start the search over again.

Only reason I’m considering it still is because I have documentation of the build. I’ve seen how solid of a shell it was, and am hoping for the right price it could be a good starting point to begin building it to my standard over the next handful of years.

 

[19Eclipse90]

I thought the same as Paul. Maybe they did a spare tire delete, or something.

Here’s what the 2G AWD trunk we’re thinking of looks like.

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[bettfootball]

Run away.

 

[chrisman287]

Pretty sure this was a GST that was converted and is using a GSX VIN now. I would look over how well that part was done.

If all is well, the kinks and paint can be fixed. The absolute most I could see myself paying is $6500. Realistically $5-6K sounds better.

As always, be prepared for the worst when buying these cars.

 

[granta335]

I dont think it is. Look at the trunk. The carpet tray dips down behind the rear seat. If i recall the awd doesnt do that. I dont have mine with me or i would go look.

That’s interesting, I never would have noticed that. How would one swap the VIN between cars, though? Weird.

 

[pauleyman]

Pretty sure this was a GST that was converted and is using a GSX VIN now. I would look over how well that part was done.

If all is well, the kinks and paint can be fixed. The absolute most I could see myself paying is $6500. Realistically $5-6K sounds better.

As always, be prepared for the worst when buying these

That’s interesting, I never would have noticed that. How would one swap the VIN between cars, though? Weird.

If this has a swapped vin buyer beware. Sounds very illegal.

 

[granta335]

If this has a swapped vin buyer beware. Sounds very illegal.

Agreed. Will be watching out for that.

 

[jesse12345]

I can confirm my 95 gsx has that dip down. I thought the same as you guys until I went out to look. I don't know if it's because it's missing the foam deals underneath.

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[granta335]

Just got off the phone with the guy. I respectfully told him my concerns and where I stand with my current financial situation and he told me to "f**k off" before I could offer him a number. Dodged a bullet, I think.

 

[Ludachris]

BOV vented to atmosphere with a MAS.

And "no tune yet". Makes you wonder what kind of can of worms you'll be opening. Could be nothing, but I can't help but see it as a red flag. I've watched people put in bigger turbos and injectors and not tune it, then go race people on the freeway - I certainly wouldn't buy their cars, at least, not for good money.

 

[Ludachris]

Just got off the phone with the guy. I respectfully told him my concerns and where I stand with my current financial situation and he told me to "f**k off" before I could offer him a number. Dodged a bullet, I think.

Well, there you go.

 

[pauleyman]

I can confirm my 95 gsx has that dip down. I thought the same as you guys until I went out to look. I don't know if it's because it's missing the foam deals underneath.

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This is a fascinating issue. I would think all the awd would be the same.

 

[99dsmer4g63]

My 99 gsx has the dip for what it’s worth or who cares.


-Daniel

 

[jesse12345]

If I were a betting man I'd guess it's for the spare tire but in order to fit the spare there's the deals underneath that raise the trunk flush to fit it. I'm not entirely sure though. Mine did sit flush when I got it but for whatever reason I lost the pieces that go underneath.

 

[CrackedDSM]

Just got off the phone with the guy. I respectfully told him my concerns and where I stand with my current financial situation and he told me to "f**k off" before I could offer him a number. Dodged a bullet, I think.

Definitely dodged a huge bullet.

 

[miliman13]

Idk , no one here knows what was dodged!
How many DSM need a tune ?
How badly did all our cars run , before we tuned them ?

As a person I would not afford a 9k Dsm
So I would pass solely on that alone, but I have also been looking and I got to tell you, things have changed.

I’m FL the price for a running , complete AWD 2G is average 12k.
Because I see them from 9-20k
With less of them going for 15-20, know I know things are worth only what someone will pay for them.

But all the kids who idolize these cars, are old men now, some with spending $ (not me) so perhaps there’s a reason these cars are so insanely priced today when years ago we could get them for a half eaten chicken wing

Just cuz a car a different paint in the bay is evidence of nothing.

There’s rarely any 2G’s AWD reasonably priced (in the country) you either find a shell and build one.

Or you pay the market tax.

 

[jesse12345]

I got the shaft on my gsx but I just accept it. People around here want so much money for a crusty one, it's pretty sad. I am happy getting really poor condition ones for cheap, to give them a new life and not spending a fortune. I'm always on a tight budget. Some would say I'm still stuck in 2014 pricing, which means if I ever sold one of my cars I wouldn't be asking for 10k plus. But thats different from someone trying to buy it off of me when I don't necessarily want to sell. Your going to have to bid high to pry them away from me.