Potential DSMer

[Corvix]

Sup you guys, I'll keep it short and to the point. I've been lurking for awhile and always admired/wanted a DSM. But after much much and more research I've always been deterred by the horror stories of maintenance. I'm in the market for a new vehicle and a "good deal" seems to have popped up in Tennesse . Heres the jist of the ad - 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
66k original miles. CLEAN AND CLEAR TITLE READY TO GO !
5 speed manual

-ALL new fluids, Around 10 miles on fluids now.
-Enkei 17"
-Battery relocated to trunk
-EvoIII 16G Turbo
-3" turbo-back exhaust
-AMS Big fmic kit
-Greddy Type-RS blow off valve
-Walbro 255lph fuel pump
-AEM big rotor kit front rotors/adapter plates

ZERO rust/rot.

The car will be sold for $4995, Needing:

- 4 tires (have tread on them but should be replaced before winter).
-Sideskirt is off, But included.

My concern is that this will replace my ONLY vehicle and I will rely on it heavily. Being a college student and part time worker is this a good idea? Also I am at the moment mechanically challenged but I have the urge, partience and dilligence to learn. This is something I would like to get into as a hobby. I'm willing to put in everything I got into this. If this is not a good idea I understand but I'm trying to look at it logically. I've made an appointment to look at it Saturday, taking a friend who is significantly more knowledgable with me. Anything in particular I should look for? Thanks again!

 

[Bud92gsx]

With 66k miles there is almost nothing that could be wrong with the car..Unless is has been beat to hell...


Timing belt water pump, ask when that was last done for sure..

I would suggest keeping your other vehicle, just in case something happens..

I see no tuning device, or afpr, to hold that 255 pump..But it could be there and just not listed..

 

[russell3123]

Seems like a decent deal. If you do buy i would get the timing belts replaced asap. These cars can be reliable if taking car of. Most horror storys are from idiots that had no idea of what they were doing , but thats how we learn.

 

[Rob88]

i daily drive a Galant VR4 with 80k miles. its my only vehicle and the only time i dont have something to drive is when i do upgrades to it and dont finish it same day. the car over all with low miles generally they do fine. its once they get past the 100k mark and they have upgrades and the guy before you beat it all to hell that you have issues. sounds like a solid deal with low miles.

 

[TofastForU_99]

Seems like a good deal. When I first went to college I drove a 95 tsi awd with no issues with around the same mileage. one thing is for sure DO THE MAINTENANCE. Also it is good to know someone that KNOWS what they are doing not someone that thinks they do, This will save you a lot of trouble in the end. As far as stuff breaking... something will break but that is what this forum is for and all the GREAT Vendors that DSMTUNERS has. Stay away from EBAY and GL. SIM

 

[silicosys4]

Logically, no its not a good idea to have your hobby car as your DD. Could you give him $4000 cash and find a reliable DD for $1k so you can take your time, save up for decent parts, do things right with the GSX, and not have to put dd miles on an expensive build if you go that way, or worry about it breaking? Maaaaybe....

 

[darthvadar tsi]

I daily mine and im in college. I always keep up on maintence. I dont run the crap out of it. I also dont race it or mod it anymore than it is. I have only bolt on mods and a stock motor. I think that is the best opportunity for you to get a dsm with only that many miles I would look into it more and test drive it and check everything out.

 

[Bud92gsx]

I have just over 100k on mine..The only things I've ever broke were turbo's..DD'd it for a couple years with no problems..

 

[1gAWT]

It's a great hobby but these cars will nickel and dime you. With the help of Tuners, dsmtalk, plymouthlaser.com, and vfaq also with the addition of local forums you'll be able to learn everything. Just have to remember to make that DSM your bi***, don't let it make you it's own bi***. I'm 17 and a student with a job, with metric tools and a jack you should be fine.

 

[doubleclutch]

Looks like low mileage and not too heavy of mods. I daily drove a 96 gs-t. They only time it broke down was mine own fault (let to much oil leak onto the timing belt for too long). Not a bad car and it had 146,000 on it (newer motor though)

 

[Corvix]

Thanks you guys for all the positive and speedy replies. Will definately take note on the belts and what not. I'm hoping being regular/anal on maintenance will turn it out into a great DD.