Looking to get into a DSM, wanna know if it's worth it

[Specialized]

Hey guys! This is my first post on these forums and basically I need some help deciding whether this 1996 AWD Talon I found is worth the money.Its got 120k miles on it and does show a few minor things. The front valance is cracked, a trim piece is missing where the mirror comes into the door, the door closes with one thump followed by a secondary thump ( I think someone put the speaker incorrectly because my old maxima used to do the same thing) drivers seat worn (its a given with 120K miles). It has brand new inner and outer tie rod ends as well as new front rotors and pads all around.

The ABS light was on when i test drove the car and the dealership was trying to tell me that it was just a sensor and could be fixed no problem and theyd fix it first thing monday. Well it just went into the shop thursday. I don't know why they are dragging their feet on this and why they wouldn't get it fixed before it was on the lot baffles me. Other than that, the car drove like a champ, perfect steering and acceleration and the transmission throws were smooth and crisp.

Kelly Blue Book puts the car at 6150 but I always seem to think they are in the dealerships pockets where as Edmunds puts the car in the mid 4s. On Auotrader they had the car at 7K, on their website they had it for 6500 and on cars.com they had it at 6000. Pretty big price spread. Would offering them in the high 4s be reasonable? I really love the drive of this car and its a big step up from my 4runner that has 202k miles on it but I dont want my emotions to get the best of my wallet.

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[gstowner]

From the pics it looks pretty clean. Do a compression test on it. Or ask them too. Ask when the timingbelt was changed last. I wouldn't be willing to pay what they're asking for it. You can find a way better deal if you shop around. To be honest I wouldn't be willing to pay over $4500 for it. Thats just imo.

Good luck

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

I also wouldn't offer anything over 4500-5000 for a car that is remember 10 years old now and 120xxx miles.

 

[Specialized]

thanks for the quick replys. I'm gonna offer 4700 on the road taxes and title. then its time upgrade time!

 

[Specialized]

Well heres the new deal. The guy from the used car place called me and said they took it to midas and they replaced the ABS pump and said the light is still on. For me this was the deal breaker. I wasnt about to pay 5k plus for a car with that issue. He said that the owner would take it to the mitsubishi dealership and get it fixed for me but he also warned that there would be less wiggle room in the price because of all the money they have dumped into the car. Then he kind of shot himself in the foot and said the car is gonna be sent back to auction unless we work out a deal. What I'm gonna ask him is would he be willing to settle for a price that is a few hundred above auction price. They already dumped god knows how much into trying to fix the ABS, new tie rods, new front rotors and pads all the way around. I figure that they would rather get a few hundred out of the car rather to send it back to auction and take a reasonably big hit on it. so the question is:

What would be a resonable "above auction" price to offer him and also, is it going to be expensive to fix the brakes if the pump has already been replaced and its not the culprit of the light

 

[GeosTalon]

It could be something bad in the harness, a chaffed wire for the sensors by the reluctor rings. I'm surprised nobody threw a scanner on the car. That'll usually give you some sort of a clue as to where to look.

Does the car stop? I'm amazed they replaced the pump without knowing that is was definitely the pump; it's not like it's a cheap part.

 

[Specialized]

Yea I was pretty suprised that they couldnt diagnose it and nail the problem and yea the car stops fine. No shudder from the brakes what so ever. Stopped on a dime during the test drive, with the light on.

 

[MCDGexx]

I wouldn't spend more than 6k. I got my GST for $5,550, and thats with less miles than that one.

 

[GeosTalon]

Offer him $4500, see if they bite. There are other deals out there. You can probably tap the wealth of knowledge on the board and fix it yourself. Ask how many people here have had good luck bringing their car to a mechanic that doesn't do only DSM's.

 

[Specialized]

i wasnt thinking about paying anywhere near the 6000 they were asking for or even 5k. I was thinking that the car might go for mid 3s at auction. And yea, I sort of figured that midas (or was it meineke? cant remember) wouldnt be able to fix the problem

 

[GeosTalon]

I don't know, if you've got someone who just wants the car because it's turbo AWD.

But then again, there are other fish...

 

[Specialized]

Your right there are, i've been looking on auto trader, craiglist, and cars.com and its pretty vacant here in md of good deals. Hopefully one will pop up soon if i can't get a deal of the lifetime on this one

 

[dr1ftx3]

I found my car on autotrader. Its a great source.

 

[micus]

theres gonna be plenty of new cars comming up, but if this one is clean and bone stock it might be the right one for you. ive read on this site about alot of people who have used problems, like bad idle, trouble lights on etc as bargaining tools to then take the car home and fix the problem for like 100 bucks so you should take that into consideration.......

 

[dadadadadada]

if i were in your position i wouldn't get it for that much. like said before, there are many other cars out there and im sure you can get a better deal on one than this. you can check on ebay if you don't care about buying stuff off there, its not like they sell crappy cars and many of them want you to ask questions about the car so if there isn't sufficient information/pics just ask them. also, if you don't mind doing it, try to find a car with "ugly" body that not many people will be interested in and just do some body work on it or just prime and paint. on the other hand, if its really what you want to get and it looks like its in prime condition then go for it but don't be afraid to back out of it, there are many other AWD GSX's out there, spend some time lookin around and you might find one in just as good condition for less. Just and idea. : ) good luck

 

[Specialized]

Yea you guys are right, if I get it, I get it. If not no big deal. Thanks for the help guys and thanks for being gentle with the newbie.

 

[Spoolio]

offer the guy like 3500$, tell him that you need to replace all kinds of stuff, espescially that timing belt since im guessing its never been touched, also your gonna start to need to replace some sensors that ushally go around 130k-140k, but that depends on your car also., plus its a 7bolt motor w/ 120k, probably never mechanically checked out.

 

[GeosTalon]

offer the guy like 3500$, tell him that you need to replace all kinds of stuff, espescially that timing belt since im guessing its never been touched, also your gonna start to need to replace some sensors that ushally go around 130k-140k, but that depends on your car also., plus its a 7bolt motor w/ 120k, probably never mechanically checked out.

All good reasons to consider looking elsewhere. You don't want to purchase a nightmare.

 

[Jrivas617]

by the way your saying it youve already made your mind up...I say pass the deal b/c they are bs'ing the hell out of you...thats there job to not tell the whole truth and let you make hasty decisions...I really think you should go through with the buy b/c the car has hella miles on it and they are pricing it like it has 80k miles on it...You want your car to atleast be an invesment or asset that you know you can sel for around the same price in the future...Pls make a wise decision...as in my opinion i say no to that...