new noob

[chefbrown12014]

Hi .. With tax season here ive been looking to buy i car for myself. I have 2500-3500 to spend. Ive been considering the 96-99 gsx or the gst. In fact ive decided come hell or high water, a turboed eclipse will be mine. I already know the rule: maintence before mods.

Is there anything i need to know as a new owner? How reliable are these cars? What should i be watching out for? Does it REALLY matter if i get gsx over gst?

Does the gsx tranny REALLY bolt into the GST? (Id be surprised if it does.)

Anyone know or is selling one in the northern cali area?

Oh...and lastly...while ive always loved the bump...

What is the bump?! Yes THAT bump...on the hood.

 

[chrysler kid]

I wouldnt discriminate between a gsx or gst, If you can find either car in unmolested virgin condition pounce on them

The gst is faster stock and typically cheaper and easier to work on

Gsx is more coveted for its all wheel drive but they are rare to find in anything less than project car status.

You could fit a predator hood on turbo and non turbo cars so there was really no function than a little extra clearance for the upper timing cover on the turbo models

Reliability is questionable, any 20 year old sports car is going to need work. If you can tackle the timing belt job your car is good another 60k miles, less if you want to make more modifications to go fast of course

 

[lasershark]

Does the gsx tranny REALLY bolt into the GST? (Id be surprised if it does.)

What you are referring to is an AWD swap search it for more info as that would do you more good that me rambling.

 

[Rich94]

I prefer the awd, but that's because I live in Minnesota and we get snow. Snow + AWD + Studded winter tires = A Fun time! If you're building a drag car you'll have more traction issues with the fwd.

 

[chefbrown12014]

My goal is to have a daily driver DSM that looks nice and is fun for back roads. Maybe some time attack. I figure gst should be ok for that.

 

[DBT spyder]

GS-T is fun daily and backroad, i have a gst spyder and im in love with it. just as with any other car routine maintenance is usually all you gotta worry about, unless youre like me and drive it hardcore everywhere you go. the bump is for 2 things, 1 it makes extra clearance for the timing cover as chysler kid said, but also ona 420A model it makes clearance for the battery n computer GSX vs. GST personally i like the GST bc its a lil less expensive and they dont make a GSX convertible. i had to have a vert so the only option was GST. basically the only REAL difference in the two is awd or fwd.

 

[lasershark]

My goal is to have a daily driver DSM that looks nice and is fun for back roads. Maybe some time attack. I figure gst should be ok for that.

If you don't mind driving this search engine will compile craigslist for you by distance from your zipcode...
http://www.searchtempest.com/

 

[chefbrown12014]

Thank you for the search engine. It will help a lot. Im still waiting on my tax return but at least i know its en route. Once my money is in hand my search will get into overdrive.

 

[828DSMs]

If I was in your position I would get a gsx just because I love awd cars I dd a 07 wrx yes I know don't give me crap and my weekend warrior is a 6/4 combo 92 talon

 

[lasershark]

Thank you for the search engine. It will help a lot.

No problem, keep us posted...

 

[chefbrown12014]

If i can get my hands on a gsx that is what i will get. But i think even that might be reaching. It seems like all the good eclipses are in socal and i am in bay area.

Im more than willing to settle for a gst. I can awd that later. The things i wont settle on is year, body style and engine.

It must be turbo.
It must be 2Gb.
It must be 96 or newer.
I prefer 98-99.

I realize this might take a while. So be it.

 

[dsmBear]

Hey man I'm in sac and I believe there are a few gsx in Craigslist I know there's a 1g talon awd turbo in sac for sale

 

[chefbrown12014]

Ive only seen the white 1g gsx with hella A.M. parts in it. I only want 2gb body style though.

 

[Tigerinstincts]

I've owned both the gst and gsx and I prefer the gsx for traction but on the highway, the gst is much better since it's lighter. The awd though is just so much more versatile and feels a lot more stable and safer.

Awd is more expensive to maintain but totally worth for those launches off the line. Im in the sac area too and there's a 95 talon awd on craigslist for only 2k (flexible) but says the engine most likely needs a rebuild.

Things to check for when you do buy a DSM is check the basics. Oil condition (tranny/engine oil), other fluids (brake, power steering, coolant, clutch), make sure the bov (blow off valve) is recirculated back into the intake tract, look at axles to see if the boots are cracked, check for rusty suspension, cracked or frayed belts, look for any leaks or if the engine bay looks freshly wiped down that could mean there are leaks he/she maybe hiding, etc.
Next have them drive you around town and try to notice any oddities like squeaks when going over bumps (suspension bushings shot), how the car sounds at idle, maybe the car overheats, idk just try to notice things that a new car normally wouldn't do. These cars are 20 years old but if you dnt expect to put in a lot of work then try to be extra keen on noticing little things. Basic maintenance may not be enough to keep certain dsms going as a lot of damage has been done considering how old they are. Leaks and suspension condition would be my main concern as those cam be more involved to replace if you're not up for it.

 

[chefbrown12014]

Im kinda hell bent on that currant body style. Ive always loved the 96-99 front and rear bumpers and the wing on the eclipse. Im trying to stay away from getting a 95 anything because of that. Im willing to wait on what i want.

 

[CiscoBite1Time]

Looks like your after the 2gb eclipses. If that's the case a 96 eclipse isn't a 2gb unless someone has already did the conversion. You will be looking for 97-99 eclipses.

 

[dsmBear]

Yeah you could also,just do a conversion plenty of gb nt at pick n pulls also found this it's about 2 hours from sac
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5500497090.html

 

[chefbrown12014]

Dsmbear, ive been considering the one for some time. (Thank you for helping me look btw) it seems to gave a lot for problems. Id rather not buy a lemon. There was i green one i was looking at but it sold....sadly.

Besides. At present the irs seems to lack any speed with sebding my money so my search has not yet went into overdrive.

I will post when money gets here. I expect it in the next week or two...