New to DSM

[pnwgsx]

Hello everyone,

So I am thinking of buying my friends stock 96 gsx 5spd. This will be a third car for me with primary concerns being a good comuter and 2nd down the road make it a fun fast track car.

Not really sure what I am getting myself into so any advice is welcome.

The Good: 116k miles, body mostly good. Rear bumper has a small crack, missing lower driver door molding, lower left rocker panel loose. The paint is good, the purple pearl color or whatever. The price,well I guess I think its good: $1500.
-newer tires, newer brakes

The bad: the car has been sitting for 2-3 years with minimal use
-the owner does not think the timing belt was ever replaced
-belts squeak
-under acceralation I hear some sort of water slushing sound or perculating sound from underneath the hood
-the heater does not work, owner said it stoped working when the water pump was replaced
-the fresh air to circulate switch appears to be stuck
-the heater fan blower (underneath the pass side) was full with crap, nest etc, but got it cleaned
-oem stereo needs code
-top and side of engine leak (dealership wanted $1500 for tuneup including seals,timing belt, h20 pump )
-vehicle needs new struts
-tie rods have "play" dealership recommends replacement
-no aftermarket parts all original
-the tranny was rebuilt 2-3 yrs ago but no documentation
-check engine light is on: code is for a bad celinoid
-fuel gauge does not work floater stuck?

That is what I can remember of the top of my head. So any advice? What should I check? What am I getting my self into?

 

[rlacasse1]

I wouldn't pay that much for a car with that many issues. Move on or get it way cheaper.

 

[eclipsemf]

I would offer like 700$ for it, it has too many problems. Some are small and can be taken care of easily like the CEL is most likely the fuel pressure solenoid which you can get from a part out for no more than 20$, and heat not working could just be bad blower motor. But then you get in to the motor leaking from the top end and the side could cost thousands if you can't take on the work yourself and be confident with the job your are doing.

 

[pnwgsx]

At first glace it appeared to be a good buy, low miles 2 owners, but the "car rot" worries me. What would be a good price ? $1200? Thank you in advance for the help.

 

[eclipsemf]

I would say 700$ maybe 800$ at the most. If you pay that and then have the dealer ship do the tune up for 1500$ with the timing belt your already at 2200$ to 2300$. Not to mention all the other problems could turn out to be a lot more $. You could get 3k-4k in to the car and still have the rust problem. You can find a much nicer dsm for that money. So I might hold off and look for another one.

 

[icancruz]

IMHO you can find a much more reliable car to use for a DD for $1k, that's just a dsm fact. Don't get me wrong they are great cars, but there are SO many things that can and will go wrong, especially if you can't do all the work yourself. also, don't think that i'm trying to talk you out of buying it, but i'd say you need to get an outstanding deal on it to make it worth your time. If your friend is really a pal, he should understand how much work will have to go into this car to get it to DD status REALISTICALLY. On the other hand, if you're looking for project, this might be a good starting point, but again, only for the right price. dsm's are great projects, because there's always something to do

you must also be warned-once you stick that dsm-modding needle in your arm(so to speak), you will be hooked. you've been warned

 

[pnwgsx]

Thank you for all the responses. I offered $1200 but my friends wife (who car it is) want to post it on CL and see what she can get. She wants to list it for $2500 which I think is WAY to high. So for now not GSX for me, guess I'm stuck driving my STi