Looking at buying a somewhat modded '97 TSI AWD w/ 11,400 miles. Smoke and rust?

[EdwardNorth]

Hello all,

Tonight I went to see a great looking '97 Talon TSI AWD. It has only 11,400 miles on it, and the body and interior are in beautiful conditon! I had a couple of questions though that I was hoping you could answer.

1) I know that there are tests to do when you drive to check for signs of crankwalk, but one way or another, with mileage this low, is it a pretty safe bet that it would be years before any related problems arose (if ever)? I should mention that we didn't drive it tonight, if everything checks out my wife and I will go back on Saturday to test drive it and check it out much more deeply.

2) The car looked great, but I have a couple of concerns about it. 1st and MOST important, From the time he started it to the time he shut it down (about 5-10 minutes), white smoke came out of the exhaust. Now this car has been sitting for awhile, although he said he does start it every week or so. When he revved the engine, more smoke poured out accordingly.

I would say it looked like really really thick condensation, moreso than actual lingering smoke. The exhaust smelled only like exhaust, no sweet or other smells besides that. Do you think it's just condensation from sitting most of the time, or might there be a serious problem with such a young vehicle?

The other thing I noticed was bits of rust here and there underneath the car. I know he said he drove it for one winter, but is this about right for a 7 year old car with 11,000 miles that sat most of it's life? I think it could be cleaned up without too much trouble, but of course my main concern is the smoke.

If it's an internal engine related problem, well, I will have to give this car a pass. I'm replacing my daily driver so whatever I buy has to run perfectly right out of the gate. It would be a shame though because it's probably the best looking Talon I've seen, both in condition and style.

Here is a link to the add on traderonline.com for you to see.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

 

[flowfx]

I wouldn't get a 7 year old car with 11k on it unless it's some type of exotic. Just doesn't seem right...

About the smoke, I'd suggest taking it out for a spin for 15 minutes, get the car warmed up, let it clear the pipes a little bit (been sitting awhile).. then look out back.

There's a BEAUTIFUL white 97 GSX for $14k in the classifieds, has some very nice mods and a new motor.. if I had the money I'd look at that.

 

[EdwardNorth]

Well, I just got an email from the owner. He let the car run for a good hour, and now there isn't a trace of smoke/haze/condensation/anything to be seen. He said that it's never done that before and believes it's just from storage.

Your thoughts?

Oh, as far as the mileage, he apparently bought it 2 years ago when it only had 1600 miles. So he's put almost 10 grand on it over the last 2 years.

 

[flowfx]

Those modifcations in NO way whatsoever equal anywhere near $6k.

And another 1k in replacement OEM parts?

It has ***11,000*** miles! There should be MAYBE $100 in replacement parts.

 

[EdwardNorth]

Originally posted by flowfx
Those modifcations in NO way whatsoever equal anywhere near $6k.

And another 1k in replacement OEM parts?

It has ***11,000*** miles! There should be MAYBE $100 in replacement parts.

It's wierd, but the very first owner of the vehicle bought a whole stash of replacement factory parts to keep around. I think the current owner worded his add wrong. The "factory parts" aren't actually installed on the car, they are just spare and go as a "bonus" to whoever buys the car.

As far as the mods.... I didn't total them. The owner seemed to be pretty helpful and friendly. He seems to be pretty well off, not at all does he seem like someone who would try to scam, if that's what you're getting at.

 

[TurBoGs-T]

Originally posted by flowfx


It has ***11,000*** miles! There should be MAYBE $100 in replacement parts.

very true. Something definately seems fishy about this one.But it does look good. As far as the smoke. My car sat for about 9Mos and when i started it up it was smoking. Got an oil change and everything cleared up. Definately a great find if all it needs is an oil change.

 

[EdwardNorth]

Again, remember that the $1000 in factory parts are spare parts that were never installed on the vehicle. Just spares for a rainy day I guess.

Anyway, thanks for the replies! Does anyone else have any other thoughts about this Talon? I guess now that the smoke issue is supposedly cleared up, my question is about the amount of rust underneath the car. Is it normal to see a fair amount on such a young car that was driven in at least one winter?

Thanks guys.

 

[historychannel]

I remember when this guy was asking for like 21K but he has been droping the price for maybe a yeah and a half. Hey I live in waterford too

 

[EdwardNorth]

Wow, it's really been on the market that long? He doesn't seem to be in a hurry to sell it, that's what he told me anyway. Did you ever go and take a look at it?

Cool, a fellow Waterford ummmm.... person I don't know what they call us here so that will have to work! What do you drive now?

 

[historychannel]

Right now I drive a crappy 94 oldsmobile cutlass supreme, It sucks. And yeah that talon has been up for what seems to be a long time but never went to go look because 20K on a talon seemed like a little much for me. Man is it hard to find a good DSM in MI or for that matter within 300 miles.

 

[EdwardNorth]

What exactly are you looking for? 2G? Turbo? It seems like the going rate on any 97-99 AWD 2G is in the low to mid teens, even with mileage up there at 60-70-80k. Since I'm looking for a daily driver, I might just get a 99 GS and turbo it a year or two later. This TSI seems like a pretty decent deal though, so it will be tough deciding what to do.

 

[98RedGs]

Carfax it.
If it has originally 11k miles it will show on carfax. Not saying hes lying but its got light rust and really low miles. Those two factors dont go together very well. But the smoke I believe would be from it sitting up and not being driven.

Goodluck!

 

[szewczyd]

Also the white smoke in my opinion is very noraml if the car is stored, my car did the same thing when I brought it out of storage and after it sits a few days, if the smoke is white that is just moisture. I agree with the above person 98 GS rust and those miles area little fishy unless he kept it outside or the car got sratched. And the scratch is what is rusted.

 

[98RedGs]

Originally posted by szewczyd
Also the white smoke in my opinion is very noraml if the car is stored, my car did the same thing when I brought it out of storage and after it sits a few days, if the smoke is white that is just moisture. I agree with the above person 98 GS rust and those miles area little fishy unless he kept it outside or the car got sratched. And the scratch is what is rusted.

My point is if he was that meticulous about the car to keep the milage down that low then he should have been just as meticulous about the condition he stored it in. If he didn't condition the car before storing it then thats why it rusted. I dunno tho, I guess I would have to see alot of more shots of it.

 

[Maximum404]

I live in waterford too.....VT that is, yeah vermont!

 

[EdwardNorth]

The rust was on parts of the underbody only. The actual body and interior of the car was in extremely good condition, I'd say like-new. Makes it even more surprising that the rust was there. If it wasn't for that, the car could pass as brand-new, I believe.

I guess the best way to describe the rust would be "globby". You had the black parts of the metal and then here and there would be this "globby" concentration of surface rust. Scattered and globby is the best way to say it.

So would you guys give this one a pass based on this?

Thanks again for the replies! I will be pulling a carfax soon.

 

[dsmturboawd]

im in troy, thats right by waterford. ill go look at it with you if you want.

 

[luv4turbos]

I think it sounds like a hell of a deal. As far as the rust in spots.I would consider that normal. Was it in a heated and cooled enviornment. If not then it was exposed to condensation for the last 7yrs,which would in my opinion cause surface rust .

 

[midnght]

Sounds iffy to me, but let a more experienced DSMer go with ya and take a look. 2 Sets of eyes are better than one!!

As for the rust, you live in Michigan, and you get harsh weather, right? I had a little 'surface' rust it is normal for people that live in the general area.

 

[EdwardNorth]

Thanks for all the replies guys! dsmturboawd -- I'm not sure when I'll be able to get out to look at it and do a test drive, but thanks for the offer! I'll let you know, I just might take you up on that!

The big thing it comes down to is cost. I was originally planning on spending 8 or so grand on a N/A with low miles, because I need a reliable daily driver that will last a LONG LONG time, and I want to spend most of my extra money modding my RX-7. But i really want an AWD turbo despite the daily driver bit, so I'm trying to decide if I should stretch my modding out over a MUCH greater time period and pay that much more for this Talon.

Decisions, decisions.

Thanks again, everyone.

 

[midnght]

Originally posted by EdwardNorth
I want to spend most of my extra money modding my RX-7.

You answered yourself.

That FD is your best bet. They are outstanding machines.

 

[flowfx]

Originally posted by EdwardNorth
Thanks for all the replies guys! dsmturboawd -- I'm not sure when I'll be able to get out to look at it and do a test drive, but thanks for the offer! I'll let you know, I just might take you up on that!

The big thing it comes down to is cost. I was originally planning on spending 8 or so grand on a N/A with low miles, because I need a reliable daily driver that will last a LONG LONG time, and I want to spend most of my extra money modding my RX-7. But i really want an AWD turbo despite the daily driver bit, so I'm trying to decide if I should stretch my modding out over a MUCH greater time period and pay that much more for this Talon.

Decisions, decisions.

Thanks again, everyone.

if you want something for a long term project, go get a 98-2002 Subaru 2.5RS coupe. 2.5RS, and can throw a tubo on easy as hell. AWD of course. They go for 10-14k.