Ready To Get Back In The Game

[CleVenger-6]

It's been a year to the week that I sold my 96 talon. Since then I've had a nice reliable 2000 chevy silverado that has not broke down once. Still have it and will for a while. So now that im finally getting some money back together and have a reliable daily driver I want to get myself a project. I want preferably a awd 90-92.5 dsm.

I want some advice from other dsm'rs and there experience. I am thinking of one of two options. First one is too buy a junker, that may or may not run for 500-1k dollars, or to go with 2500-3500 and get one that runs pretty well.

What would you guys do and what have your experiences been with either of these decisions?

 

[Lofty]

In my opinion just make sure its stock.

Fixing a neglected stock car is one thing.

Trying to fix a modded car that was neglected is a whole new animal.

Trust me.

 

[oldman420]

Also check for sub-frame and strut mount rust. Those problems can prove to be very expensive to fix.

 

[DSM_PWR]

I personally would go with a $500 awd shell... They make great projects and it gives you the time to get all the maintenance done so you wont run into problems later...

 

[EnvyMyGsx]

Man it couldn't be a better year, I sold my 97 gsx 2 years ago and finally picked up another one a month ago, I couldn't be happier right now. Seems like dsmers are giving them away. I picked up 97 w/ 50k orignal miles, 0 miles on the new 2.3l, cnc'd head, stage 4 shep trans basicly all the heart of it is done. Worked out great for me and got it for a sick price. I wouldn't recommend this for everyone because like some stated above taking on someone elses project that was neglected is a whole nother ball game but I knew this kid for 4 years now.

Also on top of that I got back all my gauges and aem that I sold him 2 years ago for nothing.

Look around you will find a deal, with the economy and everyone needing money make someone an offer they cant turn down.

Jim

 

[My1GLaser]

I would say that it depends on your goals for the car.

If you want a high hp built car, then you might as well start out with one that is cheap and needs some motor/tranny work or an AWD roller as suggested. If you are gonna tear the motor and tranny apart and do a complete rebuild anyway then just start from scratch. Plus you will know the ins and outs of the whole car if you do a 4 month rebuild. That's what I've done twice now.

On the other hand, if you just want to throw in a 50 trim and supporting fuel/ecu mods then get one that is in good mechanical shape and get her on the road in a few weeks. A stock 6 bolt with good compression and oil pressure can handle around 450hp reliably. I have heard of as high as 500-550hp, but that would depend on how long you want it to stay together IMO.

 

[EGuenther]

Just get one with a great body, mechanical repairs are easy and usually upgrades any way, body work and paint matching is a pain. More than likely you'll do the mechanical work yourself and save money on labor, body work is better left to the shops, which means you'll be paying a lot of money that could go towards go-fast parts.

 

[EnvyMyGsx]

Just get one with a great body, mechanical repairs are easy and usually upgrades any way, body work and paint matching is a pain. More than likely you'll do the mechanical work yourself and save money on labor, body work is better left to the shops, which means you'll be paying a lot of money that could go towards go-fast parts.

Ya thats how I see it too. Think about it though, you get it at a cheap price the money you put into it will only ad value. I'm building my 97 from the ground up with everything knew and still havnt put much into it.

 

[boostedorbusted]

i would get a good car that is clean and not hacked up but some good mods done isnot a bad idea. that way you can enjoy it and plan whats next.

 

[CleVenger-6]

Thanks for the advice, I kind of like the idea of buying a shell and starting from scratch. Im building up everything on this next car, so I guess why would I want someone elses mess that I dont know what they have done.