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

[Eclipse96Ryder]

that car is not modded properly at all. Like stated above, no fuel mods....you prob cant even run it hard without hitting fuel cut every 5 seconds

 

[turbojoe8]

I have been contemplating the idea of trading in my 1998 Civic for a 1997-99 GSX. I don't know if it's worth it with the recalls on the GSX and the potential for a crankwalk disaster. I would eventually swap out the 2g 4G63 for a 1g 4G63 between the years of 1990-92 but I wouldn't do this swap for a while. My dad's 1997 GSX has needed a thermostat and turbo inlet hose replacement with only about 35,000 miles on it.

What advice can you guys and gals offer me? Thanks.

Joe

 

[clownface]

the recals are no big deal, most cars have a few i think. Crankwalk isnt a big deal, i used to worry about it when i first got my DSM but you get over it cause most likely it wont happen as long as you take good care of the car. I love my GSX, i would deffinatly lose the Honda and get the GSX.

 

[Todd95TSi]

I, personally, would choose a GSX over a Civic anyday! This is a bad place to ask a question of that nature. Everyone here will tell you to get a GSX just like everyone on a Honda forum will give you the opposite advice.

 

[Defiant]

It is if you think so. But you're the only one who can really make the call.

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

if ur questioning it keep the civic..

 

[crankbender]

Originally posted by RedTurboEclipse
if ur questioning it keep the civic..

Very true!!!


Also if you are moaning about having to replace a thermostat and rubber hose on a 7 year old car a DSM is not for you. No offense but older cars need to have wearable parts replaced...It is just the nature of the beast.

 

[Gary 420A RS]

trade it in for a 95-96 gsx. then swap out the bumpers for the 97-99 conversion. having the 95-96 will be cheaper on insurance. then swap out to motor for either the cyclone or the 1st gen 4g63 and rebuild the motor. 95-96 gsx about 5-6 grand. well worth it if your going for the power.

 

[midnght]

Originally posted by crankbender
Very true!!!


Also if you are moaning about having to replace a thermostat and rubber hose on a 7 year old car a DSM is not for you. No offense but older cars need to have wearable parts replaced...It is just the nature of the beast.

This is also VERY TRUE!!


If you are unsure, leave the GSX for someone who is REALLY interested and is not worried about having to make routine repairs and replacements. These cars are not like your typical honda by any stretch of the imagination. Even in their stock form.

 

[Gary 420A RS]

seriously i agree if your worried about a f#$&# hose or radiator.. dont buy the damb car.. let someone who is actualy wanting just the gsx for its power platform and chasis. i would buy it all stripped out and no motor. i would buy it just like that. i got a gsx iam planning on buying here soon and iam gonna make that my 2nd love.. gsx or just the 4G63 alone is one of the best engines out there and you cant deny that. SR20DET, RB's and 4G63's.... honda engines are good and all. but look at how much sqeezing of power is involved. i turbo charge the basic 420a engine starting at 140hp and do like 2-3 grand more in motor work and i got 350 plus to the wheel. proven hp. honda's well that's just not my bag baby. haha well yahh thats it.. all the words that i know.

 

[crankbender]

bad monkey....

No honda vs DSM thread here!!!!

 

[Gary 420A RS]

not downing honda at all.. i got a 93 hatch at home..... ls turbo all the way but i was just stating... i think i kinda went off topic though.... sorry guys.

 

[Polyol]

I got rid of my RSXS for a 97 GSX (well talon AWD). I love it and I will never go back to anything but AWD.

 

[Gary 420A RS]

has anyone ever made a street driven rear wheel drive eclipse... i know they got the kit to make a wrx rwd but what about the eclipse... can you imagine that? i know it would cut the awd launch but it would still be preaty bad ass..

 

[mwatkins]

I got rid of my 99 SI for my gst and never look back but to laugh.

 

[98RedGs]

Originally posted by RedTurboEclipse
if ur questioning it keep the civic..

Agreed.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=114858
^^ Theres you an example ^^

Theres an example of a happy dsm owner. Also there's honestly no sense in coming on a DSM BOARD and asking if a DSM is better than a civic. You will get the same kind of response as if you went to a HONDA BOARD and asked them if a HONDA was better than a DSM.

 

[JiveMasterT]

heres how to make your decision
1. if you are not afraid of doing like 5x as much maintainace as your honda, then proceed to step 2. hondas are like a worry free car and will no doubt be easier to maintain. if you are afraid of move on to step 5a.
2. now you want to find a nice and clean car. find out how many miles you are willing to deal with, what year / body style you want. after that, move on to 3.
3. talk to a number of owners, see which cars have been maintained. do compression checks on the cars move on to 4.
4. buy a gsx! just buy it! you went through the trouble, you came, you saw, you were amazed!
5a. make sure to maintain your car. they make lots of noises and stuff, these are your new buddies. take care of your car and it will take care of you.

or

5b. uh, go drive your honda and be satisfied knowing your car can go for 300k miles without an oil change. but you will never be satisfied with its power. with power comes the need for maintenance and fixing stuff you broke.

 

[turbojoe8]

Thanks for all your replies. I must have misstated my original question. I was not asking for the comparison of my Civic to the GSX but rather your opinions on GSX's in general and whether or not you guys were happy with your DSM's.

Gary 420A RS--Excellent idea! Are the 97-99 bumpers direct bolt-on's to the 95-96 GSX's? Also, what is the cyclone engine, is it the VR-4 engine? Thanks.

JiveMasterT--Good advice. What's involved with a compression check?

To everyone else--thanks again for your replies. I understand that my Civic does not require much maintenance but I was curious as to the maintenance on a 2g GSX. From your replies it is evident that the GSX does require more maintenance, which is fine by me, but I don't want to be constantly working on the car every week. I don't have a problem replacing a part here and there.

By the way, are maintenance costs for the 2g GSX resonable in your opinions? Thanks.

Joe

 

[turbojoe8]

Which BOV would you guys suggest if I was looking for the loudest and most efficient? Thanks

 

[LiquidOC]

I'll put it this way: when it's running: it's the best car money could buy

when it's not, you'll wanna shoot yourself for buying it

 

[JiveMasterT]

Originally posted by turbojoe8
Thanks for all your replies. I must have misstated my original question. I was not asking for the comparison of my Civic to the GSX but rather your opinions on GSX's in general and whether or not you guys were happy with your DSM's.

Gary 420A RS--Excellent idea! Are the 97-99 bumpers direct bolt-on's to the 95-96 GSX's? Also, what is the cyclone engine, is it the VR-4 engine? Thanks.

JiveMasterT--Good advice. What's involved with a compression check?

To everyone else--thanks again for your replies. I understand that my Civic does not require much maintenance but I was curious as to the maintenance on a 2g GSX. From your replies it is evident that the GSX does require more maintenance, which is fine by me, but I don't want to be constantly working on the car every week. I don't have a problem replacing a part here and there.

By the way, are maintenance costs for the 2g GSX resonable in your opinions? Thanks.

Joe

The bumpers should be direct bolt ons, but you will require different headlights. The cyclone engine is a japanese 4g63 with a special intake manifold that is designed to give you more low end torque. do some research on it, but ive heard they are a pain in the ass to put in.

a compression check is where you are essentially checking the integrity of the motor... i beleive there are compression testing tools at sears, just tell them what you need to do. im not the best person to ask about this, if someone could give more info it would be awesome. i had my check done for me. the numbers can be found on this site somewhere.

maintenance on the gsx varies from car to car. ive found that mostly suspension things go bad as the cars go on. you might need to do basic things though like an alternator, clutch, etc. if you treat your car nicely, it will be nice to you. i whomp on my car from time to time, and it gives it right back to me (stalling at red lights when i release the clutch, feeling sluggish, etc, but only after i beat on it.) maintenance is maintenance. if you get a junky car, you might have to shell out more to fix it. you should be able to get a good feel for the car when you drive it. when i test drove mine it felt rock solid, except for the doors which rattled a bit.

use your head and dont be afraid to walk away. there are lots of solid dsms out there, and even more junky ones. its going to be completely different than a civic though.

 

[clownface]

Originally posted by turbojoe8
Which BOV would you guys suggest if I was looking for the loudest and most efficient? Thanks

its gotta be the BOVmasters SoundMax Tripple Vented Racing Type-Horn BOV.

on a serious note, Tial has been said to be the most efficient, but as for loudest.....i dunno really.

 

[c5chris]

I had driven alot of cars out there and so far, nothing makes me smile the same way as the DSM - not even the C5! I had thought of selling the GSX a few times when I get the smallest of problems - twice a broken antenna, IC coupler busted, fried platinum Bosch plugs (around 4 sets till I went to NGK BPR7ES).

Turbo cars are tons of fun to mod and the shape of the 2G DSM still makes head turn even though mine is now a 6 yr old car. It still looks fast even while standing still. I had made good friends with other owners of DSMs and that alone makes me want to keep my car longer. If you want to talk cars, talk to a fellow DSM owner. I am yet to meet a DSM owner who does not know Turbocharging 101.

The only advantage a Honda will have with a DSM is that it goes 30 miles a gallon while ours go 15-20mpg depending on your injector, turbo setup or how heavy your right foot is.

 

[unlikely hero]

Just thinking about selling my dsm and just wondering how much it would be worth. Its a 99 TSI AWD,
every power option
98 front bumper
leather
55k
1990 big rod longblock
arp Hardware
new 2g pistons/rings
balanced crank
balance shafts removed
big 16g turbo
hard pipes
1g bov
clutchmasters stage 3
large intake pipe
full 2.5" AHP custom exaust
avcr and s-afc


Just wondering cause I've had a couple problems which I've fixed but I kinda tired of puting money into already and I've had it for only a couple months.
=Jason-

 

[blcknspo0ln]

8 - 10k is what i'd think. and i dont think you have a 99

oh, and the car's only worth as much as you can get the guy to pay you :laugh: