The Official "What's this DSM worth?" Thread

[firefightermdc]

Brian, not a bad price for a good runner. You've probably heard it before but here are some 'hot spots' to look at:

1. Make sure you can get 1st, 5th and reverse...it might be more than a throwout bearing (bad short throw or the clutch. Heavy ACT kits can act like this)
2. Run a sight line down the body...make sure the horizontal wheel gaps are right and the body damage is limited to the doors.
3. Is the rear diff an LSD? Ask if you can jack up the rear and check it if you can. (also 3 or 4 bolt diff?)
4. See if a buddy can follow you while you test drive and check for smoke out the tailpipe.
5. Go through he normal checks...water in oil, rough idle (vac leak), HVAC, wipers, ect)

As far as the throwout bearing, the vast majority of the work is pulling the trans. I'm guessing he installed the ACT clutch and didn't replace the bearing at the same time.
It's a big job regardless.

If everything he says is true, this could be a good car to start on.

Dave532
#532
NASA PTC
Rally America PGT

great checklist!!

 

[EvoKnievo]

Hey guys, brand new to the forum, this site has been more than helpful in researching!
First off, i am buying a 1991 GSX 5spd from a lady that is the original owner, she is about 55 years old.
The car has 70000 original miles

I asked her what all she has done to the car/ problems
Has new timing belt,
Both power window motors have been replaced
New clutch (2500 miles ago)
The left rear caliper is locked up.
that is all the problems she has had.

I work for Carmax as a Technician and am new to the DSM world, what other issues may arrise from this car.

What would you expect to pay for this car? reasonable cost?

Like i said, bone stock even the stock intake/exhaust.

Thank You.

 

[outkastracing]

u can expect to pay any where from 1200 to 2500 depending on the condition with that low of miles youll probably want to pay the upper end sounds like a good deal calipers take 20min to replace and there cheap!

 

[AndrewD5418]

Upgrade to the 2 pistons fronts while you're at it!

 

[kittay]

I've seen gorgeous low mileage 91 GSX go for 6500. But if she's older she may not know the value. Blue book has it around 3500$.

Did she say how much she wants for it?
And better post up some pics!!

 

[dikdiamond]

Wow that sounds like a good deal! Def post up some pics. I paid 3500 for a 92 GSX with 115,000 miles,no body rust. If you have access to a Haynes manual that can give you a more detailed look at as far as maintenance goes. Good luck,sounds like a once-in-lifetime deal reagrdless of price

 

[meliketoball]

Do it! Cars like these driven by old ladies are considered brand new!!!

 

[TheWanderer]

Thanks for the input guys, still have to check everything out in person tomorrow. I figured on using my n/t for parts (to a certain extent mind you)...

The guy that is selling this car has a 2g for sale also, slightly modded, but it needs a lot more...

I guess my main questions are this: how much different is the n/t trans from the turbo trans? Also, can I use the coil packs from the n/t in the turbo? or even the connectors from the n/t to the turbo? I dont see much of a problem considering they are the same motors basically...

Dave532, how can i tell if it is a LSD? Also, if you could pm me some info about the horizontal wheel gaps and what they should be, it would be appreciated. Bear in mind that I am quite new to the DSM scene. As for smoke when test driving it, I don't believe I can test drive it, he said it doesnt run due to the coil pack wire being corroded. Apparently what happened was that the previous owner had issues with it, so he cut it and soldered it together somehow, then it corroded and now the current flow breaks after awhile. Only one way to find out though guess I will find out tomorrow.

Thanks again guys, good chance I will take it. Worse comes to worse, i will just use the parts from it to turbo the N/T

 

[Turbo_Joe]

OK guys I got one. Bone stock 1995 Eagle Talon Tsi FWD auto turbo..I know, sucky combo. Its black with grey leather, needs a new front bumper cover because I messed it up loading it onto the car dolly and it needs a new head gasket too. Should I go ahead and fix/mod this car or should I just sell it and get a awd 5 speed project. I only have $500 in this car, not to bad for a super clean 2g turbo car with leather and new tires. If I do decide to sell it do you think I could actually make a little money off of the car or should I just list it for what I got in it? What would you do?

 

[adiffrentcity]

Fix the headgasket and drive it while searching for your awd 5speed project. Even with a busted bumper cover you could sell it for much more than 500 bucks or use all the parts other than the suckamatic trans to fix up your project car if its a beater.

 

[GSX Eclipse]

So here is this car I want to pick up cheap. I still don't know if it is turbocharged or not and the guy says his son put about 3 thousand into the engine. If thats true it was done atleast 3 years ago. Now I want to go see the guy again and if its gotta 4g63 I want to throw him a lowball offer. Here are some pics, It was raining out when the pic was taken and the car was mainly dry. It had a few drops of rain here or there but it's parked in the driveway under a thick layer of trees but in sunlight. The body has no rust and the undeneath isn't that bad either. If I find out it's got a turbo how much should I offer him for this project?

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[98ls1ttop]

ok sadly im thinking of buying a 3rd dsm. ive got a 92 gsx here i was gonna build the motor in it ### it roasted a piston. the tranny is fresh, like 4 miles with a new clutch. i was wondering what should i expect to pay for either a car with a toasted trans or just a complete engine . im trying to see if its better to rebuild my entire engine including head or just buy and engine....or just another car with a toasted tranny. any info is appreciated!!

 

[Black95awd]

what are your goals for the car?

 

[98ls1ttop]

not a drag car....but fun weekend car. fmic, 50 trim, supporting mods. very rarely driven. just get it out when i need it

 

[my dreamt dsm]

k guys, scared to post in here cause of all the guidelines and rules... but... i just went to check out a 98 gst with 134k miles. an old lady bought it before him and he bought it when it was @130k miles... now @4k miles later, he's selling it for $5300 with clean interior and clean paint... is he trying to get rid of it before problems get bigger. i mean gosh! i think because of the old lady owning it... i looked like the car just came out the lot! not to mention the car is COMPLETELY STOCK except for a greddy bov!!!

before the flame, i think i was a good follower and did all my reading. but some how it's not clear to me. i've searched it certain times... like 20... but... well from what i read. i noticed that before buying a dsm...
-check the clutch pedal by pressing it all the way down.
what i did was pressed the clutch pedal all the way down. the rpm dropped like 2- 300 rpms.. is that bad.
-listen for ticking noise by the belt ( i think that's what i read)
will, i listen and i heard like a ticking by the driver side manifold where the spark plugs go into the cover. is that also bad. is that just bad valves ticking or bigger problems
- gears grinding
as i've drove the car, third gear was hard to get into, and then sometimes/ random 4th gear. is that a bad sign of future crankwalk, or do you guys think it's just bad syncros.
i've been dreaming of owning one forever... is this a minor fixed it problem or SHOULD I WALK AWAY FROM THIS DEAL!

 

[silver bullit]

I would walk away, it needs tranny work, lifters need some love, and 5300 is to much for a car that needs stuff

 

[Dave532]

Agreed. There are better deals out there.

-Dave
#532

 

[imagine3163]

I would have to agree that you should walk away. There is no reason to chance it especially since that tranny doesn't sound like it is going to last long (which is another 1000 or more to fix). There are much better deals out there.

 

[Salg320]

I agree, walk away. It has a lot of miles for being a 98 and they are asking too much for it. I bought my 97 gst about a year ago with 93,000 miles for 5k. You could get a much better deal.

 

[tunethis]

Please keep looking. If you buy it, you will probably be back on here with a list of problems you are having with the car. The things wrong with that car are definitely bad signs.

 

[bacalhau16]

Sounds like its a horrible deal. There is plenty of better DSM's for sale, and at a better price. Keep looking!

 

[my dreamt dsm]

damn, fast replies... i love this forum... well, what if i get him to drop it to 4900 and i'll buy a junkyard/ warrenty tranny. valves, if it is... i can adjust. but reading all that crankwalk stuff is scarey considering that i come from a trouble free 210k mile honda civic...
damn, but i love the pull of that turbo!!!

 

[98ls1ttop]

any opinions?

 

[yucut]

Hello don't really participate here buy your probably the best group of people to ask.

I own a 95 Eclipse GST that I was getting ready to sell. Great car had a fun 5 years with it but it was time we parted ways. Anyways last Friday driving home I took a turn to fast lost control and slammed into a dirt embankment. Car took two hits one in the front which caused some damage and one in the back which only left some scratches. It wasn't to bad, car started back up again no problem. After affixing the front with some extra rope I drove home about 10 miles through the city. I didn't notice any difference in power or steering.

So my question is how much is a car with this kind of damage worth. I don't think its worth fixing. I am NOT telling the insurance(got slammed with $2500 in fees for the new car). So my choices are selling or donating. Thanks for your input!!

KBB value before accident was $3000
157,000 miles
Some small engine leaks
Car was in relatively good condition, some paint chipping on the roof a little rust at the edge of windows, dirty carpeting, interior plastic cracking.
No major accidents

New damage
Front end destroyed, Hood bent, Front of the frame bent in, headlight destroyed, front windshield has some cracking.

Some pics:

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Thanks!

 

[AlaskanDsm]

Do you know that the frame is bent? I don't know if the support bar behind the plastic bumper is part of the frame or not, but if the frame is bent...then theres probably not much that you can do unless teres a kid that really really wants to buy it and fix it...IMO