New member, Buying a DSM Advice Please!

[Junkyardspecial]

Nice to meet all of you, browsing the forums, this seems like a good choice. Now, I dont actually own anything DSM YET. But I wanted to see if this was worth buying, Seller is offering for 3000, but I worked him down already, and to repair the oil leak problem he noted. Its not a terrible leak, but I want it fixed. He works at a car dealer and has it up on a lift as we speak.

Here is the listing, what do you think, is it worth the money? Any serious problems I should look for on these cars? Im from V8 land so im trying something new here.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/2397917381.html

Thanks!
Jaymes

 

[kj-barrett]

Nice to meet all of you, browsing the forums, this seems like a good choice. Now, I dont actually own anything DSM YET. But I wanted to see if this was worth buying, Seller is offering for 3000, but I worked him down already, and to repair the oil leak problem he noted. Its not a terrible leak, but I want it fixed. He works at a car dealer and has it up on a lift as we speak.

Here is the listing, what do you think, is it worth the money? Any serious problems I should look for on these cars? Im from V8 land so im trying something new here.

Thanks!
Jaymes

Well, These cars do one thing to people. "They will make you a mechanic." It's a love hate relationship with them. If you get one just don't go balls to the wall with it unless you build it right. They take special care to run right , BUT when they do they will blow your pants off!

The only main problem that people have is a blown head gasket or piston rings.

Main Problems With My 1g When I Got It:
Valve cover gasket
Alternator
Water Pump
Fuel Pump
Transmission
Blown Turbo
Busted exhaust manifold
(Keep in mind the guy I got mine from raced the hell out of it until I saved it .)

 

[Junkyardspecial]

This car never saw a drag strip apparently, I asked for numbers out of curiosity but I figure its a good thing that I dont know. Im looking into more a show car appeal now so taking it easy is going to be more likely, good oil, and plugs are a must no matter what car I own.

Also, Just noticed youre from Joplin, Hope all is well.

 

[kj-barrett]

This car never saw a drag strip apparently, I asked for numbers out of curiosity but I figure its a good thing that I dont know. Im looking into more a show car appeal now so taking it easy is going to be more likely, good oil, and plugs are a must no matter what car I own.

Also, Just noticed youre from Joplin, Hope all is well.

Thanks man, I was 8 blocks from where the tornado hit.

If its just for show then ya you shouldn't have any big issue just the standard maintenance. Hope to see the car!

 

[Junkyardspecial]

Thanks man, I was 8 blocks from where the tornado hit.

If its just for show then ya you shouldn't have any big issue just the standard maintenance. Hope to see the car!

Thats good to hear youre ok, I am a professional storm chaser and I go to school for meteorology so I was drooling to go after that storm.I just hate to see them when they do that type of destruction, is breathtaking and devastating.

Ill make sure to make a thread when/if I purchase this beast.

I wish you the best!

 

[kj-barrett]

Thats good to hear youre ok, I am a professional storm chaser and I go to school for meteorology so I was drooling to go after that storm.I just hate to see them when they do that type of destruction, is breathtaking and devastating.

Ill make sure to make a thread when/if I purchase this beast.

I wish you the best!

Thanks man!

 

[97 Demon]

that seems like a solid buy to me, i want to get a 1G awd to build the hell outta.

in the mean time i have my 2Gb and it is a monster. i have 80lbs compression~ all across the board and it still runs like a champ.

 

[ricktb]

first off... dsms are getting old be prepared for some level of maintenance between $2,000 to over $15,000. The choice you make now will dictate your next 5 years or more, and you don't want to end up with a car that spends more time in the garage than on the street, seriously! Expect to do work on the suspension, and rolling chassis above all else. Hope the unibody and engine are in good shape, because these are the last things to want to spend money on. I have had mine for almost 5 years, spend over 8,000 on it and have yet to spend a dime on the engine. Thank god the timing belt held up all this time.

second you will want to spend the first year of ownership deciding the upgrade path you want to take. At first I wanted to go for the glory but after a while I realized that I'd be lucky to achieve 300 horse on my budget any time soon. If you set the bar to high you may never achieve your goals, and look back in disappointment, end up selling it off for parts or something.

good luck, if your set on dsm's shop around make sure you find the right one. Also dont buy a 2ga if you really want a 2gb ### the conversion is expensive and you'd rather put the money into HP anyway.

PS that looks like a shit deal, replaced engine at 170K says it has been abused, and you only want to put on OEM timing belt according to this site. Plus $3000 is a lot for a 1G

 

[Junkyardspecial]

I appreciate the feedback, Ill see what I find when I see the car in person, like I said, Its either this or another foxbody which is just as old, I suppose these cars have more that can break as they are awd, and turbo. Lets just say I worked the price down, I wouldnt pay 3000 myself.

 

[brandonwh64]

If you lived close to me then there is a 91 Talon TSI AWD with 108K original miles with NO mods and was only daily driven for 2800$

that would be more of a deal. Buying a car that has been modded is like buying a box of chocolates ( ### forest gump qoute) you never know what your gonna get.

 

[canonize-ryda]

Yea i got 2 completely stock lasers turbos rs models from 1990 for 100 bucks(they have 189k each). Swapped engine and now one is a half tank of gas from running down the street. Best decision i made and now everyone wants me to sell it to get more money for a new one but i like this one. Already did alot of mods. Just hope she fires up. Hope i see a new dsm owner one here. I'd buy it, seems with all the modding you'd have a nice power plant there.

 

[brandonwh64]

Yea i got 2 completely stock lasers turbos rs models from 1990 for 100 bucks(they have 189k each). Swapped engine and now one is a half tank of gas from running down the street. Best decision i made and now everyone wants me to sell it to get more money for a new one but i like this one. Already did alot of mods. Just hope she fires up. Hope i see a new dsm owner one here. I'd buy it, seems with all the modding you'd have a nice power plant there.

I admire the lazer cars, even tho they are the same shell as a talon/eclipse, they say Plymouth and people associate that company with muscle cars and American stuff. Even tho the talon and eclipse were made in America at the time you would still have a hard time making a person believe it was.

 

[phunny]

I'd say that's too much money. It's a 21 year old car that IS going to need work.

 

[Below Ambient]

3k is a bit steep for a car with an oil leak that the owner doesn't want to fix...

Have the car inspected and get an estimate, then negotiate the asking price with the cost of repair...

I would also ask the owner about tuning so you aren't left without any understanding of how to take care of the car...

 

[68442]

Never been to a race track but driven like at one EVERYWHERE. You don't do all those upgrades to drive like a grandma. If your set on this look it over well, start it cold and get it hot and check everything twice.

safc 1, dsm link ??? Maybe I read that wrong, has both?

 

[Junkyardspecial]

Like I said The price was knocked down he also said if I buy gasket set for oil leak he will do a Dye Test and replace them for me for free, he works at a huge car dealer here in STL. I think for the price he gave me and the problems fixed it should be a bit better. Im about to leave to see it, Bringing my jack stands, compression tester and a few other tools.

Also i saw you mentioned SAFC 1 and DSMLINK he said dsmlink was installed but he has safc 1 boxed up, it just comes with both.

 

[68442]

Great on being prepared, I think you'll be happy and not be one of those "my dsm blew up on the way home" type buyers. If you got him down a decent amount from asking you are making good even if there are a few issues. Dsmlink being there is a good plus, should be the cable and chip in the ecu, don't buy it without making sure.

Good luck

 

[Junkyardspecial]

Everything was there, I will be buying this car, but I want to sleep on it. We wrote up a contract with him saying he will do the oil leak repair with the discount in price still. He is tossing in ALL stock parts, and all the way down to the Window sticker that came with the car. He bought me the carfax, it was in a minor accident in 1991, but no signs of damage to frame and insurance covered damages. HE was very modest, and I thought the car was going to be in bad condition, but engine was polished, along with anything else possible. Other mods he didnt list were there too like a beefed up alternator. Silicone coolant tubes. Greddy Type S BOV as well. He told me everything minor that was wrong, like the Supra SMIC could be pushed in more, and he would show me how or help me out. Tires are good, second set are better. Ive never seen such an organized seller. The car has an excellent clutch no feel of wear, very firm and confident shifts. I Hope I enjoy it here!

 

[NeMiZiS]

Did any one search?..

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-miscellaneous/200797-dsm-buyers-guide-what-look-when-buying-dsm.html

 

[Junkyardspecial]

Yes actually I did, but being new to the site I had trouble finding it, I got the help I needed anyway, so its all good.

 

[myturbo]

It is way over 100% worth it! ... Dsm's are "drasticly" going up in prices!!! ... This one is honestly pretty close to a steal!... Helli would take off tomorrow get a loan & go their with 3k ! Wouldnt wth try to talk him down! Lmk if you decide not to get it man.

 

[kbiker76]

I actually just found that 1g on craigslist and was interested I wouldnt pay 3k for it though thats a lot of miles even if it does have a good motor in it

 

[Junkyardspecial]

I bought it I paid 2500 with all repairs. The paint was glossy, and like I said, had little mods here and there that werent mentioned that made it more worth while. BUT it still has 21 year old car issues. Bad headliner, so on.

 

[brandonwh64]

I bought it I paid 2500 with all repairs. The paint was glossy, and like I said, had little mods here and there that werent mentioned that made it more worth while. BUT it still has 21 year old car issues. Bad headliner, so on.

Well congrats! start with the maintenance then work your way to the small things, performance over appearance

 

[Technoklipz]

Congratulations! It is going to be an experience and be ready to learn a lot about the mechanics and electrical part of it. Let us know if the oil leak gets fixed. Take care!