Need some help assessing Engine pics

[ames904]

Hey everyone, I am considering a 97 GSX around my area and would like your opinion on the quality of the engine in these pics - if it is completely stock and how clean it is in your opinion, it has approx 60k miles on it. Thanks guys!

 

[95 gsx]

You cant tell much from those pictures in regards to "quality of the engine". Go drive the damn thing.


....It looks clean. Un-modded too.

 

[talonracn49]

Right down to the crappy blow off valve, and restrictive air box.

Hard to tell about the turbo from those angles. But most anyone who would have upgrade the turbo would have at least put an intake on it.

How it looks on the outside is not a good way to diagnose how it was maintained. Do you have access to the records?

If not, you will want to get the t-belt, water pump, b/s belt, tensioner, and idler pulleys replaced, so that you KNOW they have been done. Use that as a negotiating tool -- and then get the work done!

 

[95 gsx]

Right down to the crappy blow off valve, and restrictive air box.

Hard to tell about the turbo from those angles. But most anyone who would have upgrade the turbo would have at least put an intake on it.

How it looks on the outside is not a good way to diagnose how it was maintained. Do you have access to the records?

If not, you will want to get the t-belt, water pump, b/s belt, tensioner, and idler pulleys replaced, so that you KNOW they have been done. Use that as a negotiating tool -- and then get the work done!

He's right, it's time for the car's 60k maintenance. That could get pricey so take his advice and use that to your advantage.

 

[ames904]

He's right, it's time for the car's 60k maintenance. That could get pricey so take his advice and use that to your advantage.

Wow, I forgot about that. Thanks for letting me know. Since it's a 97 I doubt it has a warranty, how much is the 60k maintenance going to cost you think? Would I be able to purchase an extended warantee through a dealer? The seller is firm with the price, which is understandable because it includes about $1k in extras.

"How it looks on the outside is not a good way to diagnose how it was maintained. Do you have access to the records? "

Thanks, seller won't provide me with the VIN number until we meet. The seller also has receipts for all maintenance done on the car (says no accidents, 1 owner + oil change receipts.)

"If not, you will want to get the t-belt, water pump, b/s belt, tensioner, and idler pulleys replaced, so that you KNOW they have been done. Use that as a negotiating tool -- and then get the work done!"

I wish I could! There is no negotiation on the price.... What's the best bet for me to get these things done? Has anyone here purchased their car with around ~50k miles? Thanks

"You cant tell much from those pictures in regards to "quality of the engine". Go drive the damn thing."

-The thing is, the seller is a 5 hour car-drive away from me, and I can't make the drive until this weekend. I'm definitely gonna drive the damn thing though, heheh - can't wait actually.

 

[Snobordin8]

Thanks, seller won't provide me with the VIN number until we meet. The seller also has receipts for all maintenance done on the car (says no accidents, 1 owner + oil change receipts.

That doesn't make any sense. What's his reasoning for not giving you the VIN until then? It'd suck to drive all the way there and find out it was a salvage title or the mileage didn't check out. I'd definitely try to get the VIN before you make the trip.

 

[ames904]

That doesn't make any sense. What's his reasoning for not giving you the VIN until then? It'd suck to drive all the way there and find out it was a salvage title or the mileage didn't check out. I'd definitely try to get the VIN before you make the trip.

I asked her* (sorry forgot to mention sex) reasoning, said she was "uncomfortable". She said that she would be happy to go over a carfax with me once I got there. ??? I don't know she sounds very over-protective of her car , which is probably a good thing. I will definitely demand the VIN if I have to pay anything before seeing the car though.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

how much is the 60k maintenance going to cost you think?

Thanks, seller won't provide me with the VIN number until we meet. The seller also has receipts for all maintenance done on the car (says no accidents, 1 owner + oil change receipts.)

I wish I could! There is no negotiation on the price.... What's the best bet for me to get these things done? Has anyone here purchased their car with around ~50k miles? Thanks

-The thing is, the seller is a 5 hour car-drive away from me, and I can't make the drive until this weekend. I'm definitely gonna drive the damn thing though, heheh - can't wait actually.

A 5 hour drive and the owner will not give you the VIN? To me, that throws up one hell of a red flag. There is absolutly no reason for him to NOT provide this information unless something is up.

Just because it's being sold by an "individual" doesn't mean that it's really not coming from "Joe Blows" car lot who goes down and buys a car from auction, fixes it up good enough to sell, then you're stuck with a POS. It happens all the time here in Houston where they will act like they're an individual seller until you actually get a look at the title and then find out the truth. Without the VIN in advance I personally would have to pass.

That's how they get you...............with the "lets get the kid drooling and then he won't know what hit him" scenario.

60K maintenance: (ballpark) $500+ in parts if you do it yourself, $1000+ if you have someone else do it.

And everything is negotiable.

Also, women make the best salesperson for a guy.

 

[ames904]

A 5 hour drive and the owner will not give you the VIN? To me, that throws up one hell of a red flag. There is absolutly no reason for him to NOT provide this information unless something is up.

Totally understood, just left a msg on her phone saying that I need the VIN number (also found out that I need it for insurance purposes (for quotes) ) . Thanks man!

 

[drivemusicnow]

If I was going to look at the car, I would drive up by myself, just so you CAN"T physically buy the car. This means that you'll have to come back and buy it with a friend (to drive it home) yes 5 hours is a long time, but find something in the area that you can do, or a friend to visit or something.

Depending on how good of a deal it is, you can always negotiate. Especially with $1000 minimum in work (if you don't do it yourself) that needs to be done if it hasn't already.

The VIN thing isn't all that weird, as some people are scared that someone will steal the VIN and pictures and try to scam people with it. (hey, it happens).

 

[ames904]

Hey everyone, thanks for your responses! I got the VIN number and a carfax and everything checks out. I will be going down there this weekend to have the car inspected by eithera mitsubishi dealership (I guess they call it a diagnostics test) or by a mechanic at a maintenance and repair shop - anyone know which one would be better to use?

Finally, if everything goes well, and after I test drive the car and look it over, I will rent a truck with a trailer and bring the car back to my place. Has anyone done this before? I was thinking about using Ryder since I saw some good reviews on their auto trailers + trucks, as opposed to U-Haul. Any help is appreciated guys. Thanks

 

[andymoraitis]

This may help you out a bit;

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238710

The dealership should run a compression test, get the car on a lift and also run an OBDII sensor check/diagnostics to make sure that everything's right.

As far as trailering the car, pick whichever one offers the sturdiest trailer since you'll need all four wheels off the ground. I've personally had great experiences with Ryder.

Good luck!

Andy

 

[ames904]

Thanks for the info Andy, I have it printed out and it is coming with me.

Can a certified mechanic perform the OBDII test as well? Because the dealership is not open tomorrow, and it looks like I'm going to have to call up a service center to have a mechanic look at it. Second of all, I just got off the phone with the seller, and it sounds as though she doesn't want to pay for the 60k miile service, it got confusing and I asked her if she was willing to buy an extended warranty through her dealer and I would pay her for that (in order to complete the maintenance) and she got VERY defensive and was like "you have to buy the car as is" - of course after having a mechanic look at it. She said she didnt hear anything about a 60k mile service and that she had a GoodYear guy look at it when she brought it in for the tires (he looked at the engine too) and he said everything looked fine. I am confused about this 60k mile service, if anyone could help me out , it would be appreciated, and what they would do in my situation. Thanks.

 

[andymoraitis]

Sure a mechanic can do the OBDII diagnostic although a dealer with native knowledge is preferred. Any OBDII scan tool will hook up and let you know if there are any trouble codes and you can even have this done at an AutoZone. I'd also print this out and bring it with you for reference so that you know what each code means:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191516

As far as the 60K mile service, I would try to negotiate some money off for it, but you won't get someone to pay for the whole thing. I bought my GSX with 58K miles on it and negotiated 800.00 off since I knew the cost of having the full t-belt service would run me close to 1K but mine also had issues with boost leaks, misfires, etc, etc.

If I were you, I'd take a good look at the car, be as objective as you can, and take notes about the things that don't seem right mechanically. Arguing about money off for a paint chip is worthless, but things like fluid leaks, sputtering under acceleration and such can all be used to negotiate since the driveability of the car is affected. Just don't be afraid to walk away and be reasonable in your negotiation by putting yourself in the seller's shoes.

Keep us posted and GOOD LUCK!

Andy

 

[ames904]

ANDY, THANKS man!!! I'm so pumped, I'm leaving at 5:00 AM bright and early to bring this thing back with me hopefully tomorrow night!!!!! She'll definitely be in good hands....

 

[The_EE]

Congrats brother.. post pics ASAP