Out of the game for 15 years, coming back into DSMs

[jp171]

So, I've been out of the DSM world for 15 years, and I'm on a whole other side of the country from when I last owned a DSM. I used to own GVR4 1232/2000, and I had some really special times in my life in that car. I'm looking to buy another Galant VR4, and rather than go crazy with modifications, I just want to have a nice, as-reliable-as-a-DSM-can-be, nearly-stock car to enjoy driving.

To that end:

How has the aftermarket changed since I was last in the scene around 2008-2009?

What shops are there in the Bay Area and LA to work on these cars? I've reached a point in my life where my time is worth more than my money, I can do basic troubleshooting if things happen on the road, but I don't like to wrench if I can help it.

How has the availability of stock replacement parts changed? I remember it was a major issue when I had my car, it's why I left the scene in frustration then. Basic "things you'd need on any car of that age" were no longer available, like trunk weatherstripping and the nylon gear for the speedometer. Have things gotten better? I know that for Datsuns and old Toyotas, things are better now than they were then, mostly because it's easier to get parts from asia.

How's the DSM community, in terms of diversity and inclusion? I'm a trans woman, I was deeply closeted then, and I'm out now. I know different car subcultures can be different in terms of how welcoming they are: the vintage Alfa Romeo, vintage Mercedes, and vintage BMW communities I'm a part of have been great; and the Datsun community, not so much. I'm certainly not gonna try to turn the Shootout into a political rally, I just wanna be able to drive my car and go to events without anyone being a dick about it.

I'm looking at a couple GVR4s on the west coast, and hopefully selling my Nissan Cefiro soon to buy one. Thank you.

 

[danl]

Welcome back, I was out 5-6 years and then picked up the GST in my profile in 2021. Most of the parts are much more difficult to find now. There are some vendors who are making stuff to replace items that can no longer be found which is good. Also there are a couple options for replacing and/or refurbishing no longer available stock. I don't have great news on the shops front. I can count on one hand the amount of shops left that I would trust with my car.

I think the community has matured a bit with respect to diversity. It is nearly 2024 and most of us are middle age and not insecure teenagers. With that said I think you will find that this particular site is about the cars. Members don't discuss gender, don't discuss politics, and don't discuss conspiracy theories etc. If you dig DSM's and can provide valuable feedback you have a home here.

 

[CrackedDSM]

Pretty much nothing is the same anymore. Most of the people on this site are exempt from what I’m about to say, but


Modern dsm owners don’t want to lift a finger on their own vehicle anymore. Everyone wants someone to build the car for them, someone else to tune it for them, and no one wants to just make 300-400HP and be happy. Vultures that made businesses off of buying good DSMs and parting them out combined with cheap ass eBay fabulous owners have almost killed the aftermarket parts scene and damn near complete killed the OEM parts scene too. Mitsubishi doesn’t make hardly a thing for these cars anymore.

It’s not all bad, but it’s nowhere near as easy as it was. Just gonna recommend right now you entirely avoid the social media DSM scene unless you’re ready for the thunder dome.