Looking at an eclipse, let me know if its worth it

[FusionTalon]

ALright i finally found a GSX after a year search. Its a green 1998 with 98k on it. 5 speed. I guess the guy said that it has a greddy turbo and a aftermarket blow off valve. After market exhaust. Says it spools good and runs great. Also has slotted/drilled rotors and aftermarket rims. $7999. Seems like a good deal to me but i need a fairly reliable collage commuter car, probly wont mod it anymore than it is untill i get out of collage. What are things to ask and look at when i check it out on saturday?

thanks for all replies in advance

 

[Purevil]

Sounds pretty good, ask him if you can see some maintnence records. Makes sure the timing belt was done within the last 60k, maintnence is key on these cars so as long as the owner kept up on his oil changes and changed the fluids, belts and filters when required in the manual. It will be perfectly fine.

 

[Snobordin8]

Sounds like a good deal if it's in good condition. Find out what turbo it has on it. If it's upgraded make sure he hasn't been running like 20 pounds of boost on the stock fuel system. Make sure and do a carfax on it too. Also a compression test would tell you how the motor is doing. Get some pictures and more info and let us know what you do. Like said above ask for maintenance records too.

 

[yangtech]

if everything checks out, i would say its a good deal for a 1998...

 

[Dream On]

Even if you are a poor college student, you'll probably still try to mod it. My car is making me so poor...but I love it.

 

[Boost Demon]

Definately look at tires, see how the breaks sound/feel, and ask about what type of fluids he used and any records that he may have had. And for crying out lound man, post some pics so we can all play "guess that turbo" and see what she looks like, good luck

:edit:-get the vin# to check for the recalls being done and if he still has the factory stereo, get the code if you end up buying it.

 

[dalatinromeo]

Sounds like a pretty good deal. Ask for the specific name of the turbo that is on the car. Then find out if the timing belt was ever changed, if yes find out when. Ask about other maintance on the car like how often was the oil changed, and if he ever performed a compression test. Look at all the fluids and oils, make sure all of them are clean and full.

Then look at the exterior making sure no dings, dents, or scratches. Look for tire thread.

Now get in a good for a test drive, leave the radio OFF. Don't automatically beat on it. Just to see how the engine, tranny, and clutch feel. Then open the car up to make sure the car runs nice and strong.

Now that your done with the test drive mess with all the buttons and electronics. Making sure everything is working. This is a good time to check out the interior. Don't forget to check the sunroof.

Finally pop the engine after test drive to make sure nothing is burning, smoking, or sounding messed up.

I know I might have done a little more, but this is what I mainly have done every time I have purchased a used car. Hope this helps.

Stay boostin, if you do get it have fun moddin

 

[flyboy346205]

Go to KBB.com. Check the price of the car on there. Then, add on half the cost of all the mods he's done. That should give you a pretty accurate number. When you go look at it tomorrow, check for funny noises that a car shouldn't be making. Look underneath the car for oil residue, this will tell you if there are any leaks. And always take the car for a test drive. Listen for funny noises then too. Best way to do this is roll up the windows and turn off all air conditioning/heater. Make sure the car isn't sluggish on acceleration. If he's got a bigger turbo on there then it will take a little while to spool up, but it shouldn't feel like it's bogging down. Also, check the spot welds underneath the hood to see if they've been altered. This is to check if the car has been wrecked or not. If i think of anything else to look for, I'll let ya know.

 

[big_88_ca]

Make sure to test for crankwalk, when on idle play with the clutch to see if the rev changes it's an indicator of crankwalk but it would even be best to bring it to a shop where they know how to mesure shaft play. Try the power window, if they are moving too slow they will need to be changed soon. Check for rust where the front shox are mounted and under the hatch. Look if there is blue smoke coming out of the exhaust after a good pull to see if the turbo is leaking.
This is what I found that was current problems with 2g's.

If it is in good shape it is definetly a good deal!
Good Luck!

 

[napkinthief]

Be careful, I saw a car like this on ebay just a few weeks ago that sold for under 5000. It was low wing spoiler, 97k miles, green gsx. THere may be some damage if its already being sold again.

 

[Ludachris]

Here's a good read:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200797

It's located in the Tech Guide under Misc. Articles.

 

[FusionTalon]

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alright heres the pics, thanks for the info...hopefully someone can guess the turbo...

 

[eclipsemustang]

its never a bad idea to do a compression check

 

[ericbev]

It sure does look clean. Ask the guy for the specifics on what was done.

 

[GSTac]

I see you live in NH and I know where this car is located. I will not say who the dealer is to be fair, but I have visited this place. He always has DSMs, and online they look great. When I went there in person, a lot of the cars looked beat. I checked out a one owner low mileage talon there, and it looked great online. The write up said it was in great shape, blah, blah, when I went to see it, it was a rust bucket and was in the shop for repair (don't remember for what). All that being said, he did have some nice cars there, and I would think they can't all be bad. I believe he gets a lot of cars at auction. You never know whose problems you are buying. Just do a carfax report and when you check the car out look at everything. Even the stupid little stuff. Play with everything in the car. Stuff you wouldn't think to look at until you take the car home and then you turn on the a/c it blows luke warm air or something like that (you get the idea). The dealer knows you want the car, and he knows what he's got. Just don't get to excited and buy a car that you haven't checked out thoroughly, because you want it really bad. I looked at about 5 GSX's before I found one that wasn't a piece of shit. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and pass on a gsx, till you can find one that is worth your time and money.


That's all I have to say about that. Good Luck

 

[FusionTalon]

Ok, i just came back from checking the car out. Seems nice. It has a clean body, motor and undercarrige (im aware that these things can be easily cleaned to make it look good). It has a ding in the hood probly the size of a small hand, nothing serioous. I checked every possible wiggle and cling in the car. The only thign i found to make a sound was the rear left axle. It seeme to wiggle probly like half a millimeteri could barely feel it wiggle just could hear it a bit. Seems solid on the road. Pushes 1.0 on the boost bar which i dont know what it is in psi. Its nice sounding and pulls hard. Shifts smooth, has a short throw kit in it. FMIC, Greddy turbo (16g?) upgraded suspension, injectors and fuel pump. Greddy exhaust. T belt looks good, looks like 10-15k on it. The car mostlikley has been beaten but seems to hold up decent. I had it up to 8500rpm a few times, no smoke.

now the problem. Apperently the car has a steering box leak. The guy said he had to add fluid to in a few times. He said it dripps on something like exhaust or the engine (somehting hot) and causes some smoke, which a tiny amount could be vaguely seen after i drove it around. Now, is the seal or the box it self an expensive fix, can i please have some prices? and is it easy to get at...becasue my jeep is ....but this is a rack n pinion set up :\.

Also, this car is going to commute 20 mins to collage and back every weekday...would u think it can be reliable? i dont mind turning wrenches if i have to, just dont want to see a connecting rod go next day i get it. Maitenece will be done very frequently. tell me what u all think --Thank you!!

 

[redg1clipse]

you could always do what me and my brother did, we went and looked at a car, and took it to the dealer that we knew that was good, and they checked the car ou\t for us, found out the car had problems took the car and list back and told him we were not intrested, thats what i kinda recamend.

 

[will90Eclipse]

you could always do what me and my brother did, we went and looked at a car, and took it to the dealer that we knew that was good, and they checked the car ou\t for us, found out the car had problems took the car and list back and told him we were not intrested, thats what i kinda recamend.

I agree Get a mechanic to check it out for ya, if it is the steering box it shouldn't be a big problem. But if its something else then you know the guys F-ing with you.

BTW The body looks great on that car

 

[No_Skillz]

I believe the Greddy is an 18G, and 1bar is about 15psi.

 

[Dream On]

I had it up to 8500rpm a few times, no smoke.

Also, this car is going to commute 20 mins to collage and back every weekday...would u think it can be reliable? i dont mind turning wrenches if i have to, just dont want to see a connecting rod go next day i get it.

Hmm, odd seeing this grouped together.

 

[liquidloot]

Hah funny stuff, i was acutally at this guys dealership yesterday, you might be kind of dissapointed when you see this car, the body is kind of beat, but not horrible. The hood has a good dent in it w/ a side of rust.
Also in his description he doesent mention it, but this car has a 50shot of nitrous in the back, which probably hasent done the engine to much good. I also saw a strut bar in there, i dident open the hood, but im just listing the mods i saw he doesent mention in his add. Personally I could of bought it yesterday, but i dident becuase i feel the gst is a better deal.

Hah i dident read your last post before i wrote this, so forget alot of the stuff i just siad.

I'm buying that gst he has for sale, it should be at my house sometime this week.

So far my expeience with the guy isent the greatest, but i'm still buying the car. What happened is i went for a test drive, the car drove pretty nice, up untill the alternator went to shit right on the test drive. So he's getting a new alternator replaced and then bringing it to me, since i ####ing drove 2hours to get it, and the thing died on the test drive.

Anyhow good luck, i think the best thing we can do on both of these cars is cross our fingers, you more so then me Since that gsx is pushing 100k miles, while this gst is at 56k.

 

[nsxwidebodied]

honestly that looks like a greddy, or maybe a t3/t4 turbo, it does look good, and its at a good price

 

[flacopower]

i paid 6700 for my green STOCK (which in this case i find to be better) spyder gst.. had 80,000 miles. i think the 50 shot is a pretty good indication that it has been ragged pretty hard.. oh and i wouldn't take it up to 8500 too often..

 

[liquidloot]

So, did you end up getting the gsx or what?

 

[FusionTalon]

So, did you end up getting the gsx or what?

im gona check the compression and a little bit more driving, then i wil lget it. you gota screen name for aol or yahoo or somethin, can u give me a few pointers on the car, sounds like u know it pretty well