Newb Here, about to buy a DSM Questions

[mat305]

I found a sweet 95 eagle talon TSI/AWD. I knew about these cars but never dreamed I would own one, (to expensive when they were new, hard to find one in decent shape these days).

The car I found is basically mint. Has 35k original miles (3 owners).

Mods:
Evo Wheels - New tires
3 inch exhaust, high flow cat
Apex Fuel Controller
Aftermarket weighted shift knob

The asking price is $6k, may be able to get it for a little less.

My questions are this:
1. In your opinion would you pay $6k for this car (I know there is a thread for this, and it states pay what you think its worth, im only asking for opinions).

2. With the mods it has is there anything that I should look for since it has such low miles? What is a good sign that the car was abused? Anything I should keep my eyes open for since it does have such low miles?

3. It has 2 open recalls:
Manufacturer Safety recall issued
#780 TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKS
Manufacturer Safety recall issued
#967 LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT

How important are these recalls? Is it still possible to get these recalls taken care of at a mitsubishi dealer?

4. The clear on the mirrors is cracking. Any idea what it would cost to get them recleared?

Thanks for any input that you may have!

Some Pics:

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[Whammydill]

I wonder why they put a fuel controller on there without having any mods that require it?

If I remember correctly, of all the models the 95 and related were most prone to crankwalk. There are articles on-site here that deal with that.

I'd run the VIN through carfax for giggles. Make sure they just didnt buy a gauge pod with low miles on it...if thats even a possibility for these cars. 3 owners with less than 40k miles on it, what were they doing with the car? With so few miles the tranny shouldn't be going crunch into second quite yet. (is it a 5spd?)

I'm sure others can think of more but I'd do those things myself. I'd definately test drive it and do a full function check of everything front to back. Check compression, boost leaks....etc. I'm a bit of a pessimist so I'm usually in the "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" category. If everything checks out, sweet find.

Personally, I'd pay 6k for it if its in the condition one could expect of a sub-40k vehicle, if it's a 5spd anyway.

I'm at work so can't see pictures....

 

[NeMiZiS]

That interior color is very unique.
Is it tan?
35.000 miles on it I'd buy it.
I tried searching, but don't remember where it is.
But there is a DSM buyers guide.
It tells you all the little things to check for, when your looking at buying a DSM.
I'll post a link to it if I can find it.

I found it.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/frequently-answered-dsm-questions/238710-dsm-used-car-buyers-guide.html

 

[95TalonOwner]

Definitely worth 6000 in my opinion. Those recalls are important and I would have them done right away if you buy it.

 

[FearlessNick]

The recalls are important. I would try to take the person down to 5,500. Or maybe even to 5g's. But you need to do the carfax idea for sure. The 3 owners with that low milege would make me wonder what is going on here.

 

[mat305]

The carfax seems like it checks out, at least mileage wise. I asked the owner why it has the fuel controller.

I will be going to check it out in person this weekend.

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[D3monX]

id pay 6k for it but you always want to try to get lower just to save you money and people are always willing to go down on there price especially these days....but thats an amazing price for how many miles is on it....like everyone else said when you check it out make sure you check EVERYTHING, ask about maintenance and stuff like that

 

[mat305]

Thanks for all your replies. Going to look at it Sunday, if it is what he says it is I will have pics of my new car uploaded Sunday night!

 

[DJ23GSX]

It looks like its worth $6k to me from the pics but i'd def check the compression first

 

[AK Maniak]

Looks like a good deal, for 6k i'd do it but i'm sure if you have cash on hand you could get it for less

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Definitely nab that one up before it is gone.

 

[eddie_dsm12]

If I were you id get it for sure. Doesn't seem like a bad deal since the miles are low hard to find those in that condition. Take it before someone else does. Jus try to make an offer that way you can keep some money for yourself. And its awd! That's all you need

 

[darthvadar tsi]

worth it, odds are you probably wont ever find a dsm with 30xxx miles on it

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

worth it, odds are you probably wont ever find a dsm with 30xxx miles on it

This^

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

And like NeMeZiS said, what color is the interior? It doesnt look tan and it doesnt look grey. I would say it is grey, since my 95 Talon has that same design in grey, but it looks too light of a color to be grey. Is the lighting just funny in the pic?

 

[Imback]

That car is mint i would definitely grab it before someone else.

 

[Carter_95RS]

You would be smart to grab that car, i know i would in a heartbeat. It looks like it may have been lowered slightly, very clean car IMO.

 

[dwsjr15]

go for it dotn pass up such a great opptunity

 

[DearestNameless]

I would buy it. Take to have the recall work. Do the maintenance. Clean it up. Have the mirrors re cleared. Get the 2Gb bumper. And have one bada$$ dsm. Good luck on your purchase!

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Looks like it could use an OEM shift know too.

 

[mat305]

hey guys, thanks for reassuring me. Everything looks so mint about the car. I am going to do a compression test and look for some of the things in the "buying a used dsm guide".

The interior is tan, just hard to tell in the picture.

If I do buy it (90% sure I am), you will see more pics sunday night/monday morning.

 

[cwriley]

definetly get recalls done if you buy it, for signs of abuse test drive, make sure trans shits fine, check suspension, look under it and look for damage, busted boots, leaks, nothing has excessive play, ask about maintenance, antifreeze, brake fluid, power steering, trans fluid, etc have limmited lifespans, and they should be replaced after a certain amount of time or miles and if its been sittin somewhere its likely they havent been changed. its a good find if it checks out, but i always lowball, why pay 6k when you could possibly get it for 5-5.5? never hurts to ask good luck

 

[mat305]

Ok, well got some pics of the engine, not sure if I should be dissapointed or not.

I'll be honest not really sure whats missing. I highlighted an area in this pic, why is there a gaping hole in the valve cover? What should be here?

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Also has some seapage on the valve cover. Anything to be concerned with? Anything you see that I missed?

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[eligst21]

as for the leak in the valve cover, simple gasket for 20 bucks and stops that. the hole is where the cam angle sensor should be. not sure as to why its missing without any engine management or anything. i could be wrong, but pretty sure you need that. overall pretty clean car ad those arent major. looks stock but make sure it smogs. im from northern California, so ive seen this car on craigslist. its a clean car, just not a fan of the 95 and 96. i got a 97 and well havent had crankwalk yet, 127k and going.

**** actually the hole might not be a hole but there is a cas in there. they come on the 2ga models. its a different one then on the 2gb. again im not sure, but i think thats normal and fine. but on my car, they're different. which i knew, but i wasn't thinking. sorry guys.

 

[mat305]

was worried there for a minute. Upon second look at a higher res picture, looks like its plugged with a rubber plug.

Doing some research, I found that 95-96 have an internal CAS? Correct me if I'm wrong.

What is the best Valve cover gasket to get, anyone have a preferred vendor to deal with for this gasket?