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

[wolf20043]

That's what I've been trying to tell him. Me personally I've been in situatuions like this before enough times to know what I was getting into. He seems to think it's a walk in the park and it's really not all that easy. He says he can do it all himself,but he don't know anything . That's what I don't understand but I'll keep pounding it in his head. The funniest thing about all this is that he has a running 90' RS that just needs shocks and brakes. He wants to get rid of it because,get this, "It has too many problems" .

That is bad. For me to do it, it would be cheap as hell, but if brakes are a major issue then he shouldnt be touching a 4g63, but to each thier own. But I will buy it for that price.

 

[Blackbob]

To be honest with you,if he don't buy the TSI...guess who will be . I'm trying to find out who the mechanic is cause I have a motor and tranny or can atleast get ahold of one if I need it. Can you say EVO swap

 

[importtunerboy]

at my work their is a 98 GSX w/ 102000 miles on it, 5 spd, red w/ aftermarket wheels, it need a new tranny and paint job, would it be worth to trade in my grand prix which i still owe 4500, for it?

 

[bOOst tsi]

Hello Well I'm looking to buy a Dsm and i found one around my area. i know you guys know more than me this is why I'm asking this question. its a WHITE 95 Talon Tsi AWD Converted to a 97 Tsi (body) the chassis has about 125,xxx miles but it has a 7 bolt motor with 10,xxx miles the Trans has 5 miles on it. the looks very clean and runs pretty good.Car is stock. interior is nice (LEATHER)and rust is not a big problem. he said he has all the receipts of all the workand parts. he's asking 7,000 for it or O.B.O. i sure can bring that price down. What do you guys think should i take it or not???

Thanks!

 

[Quasimondo]

Questions, questions, questions...

1. Why did the owner need to replace/rebuild the original engine?
2. Have you performed a compression test?
3. Why did the owner need to replace/rebuild the original transmission?
4. Have you run a carfax report on this vehicle?

 

[Spoolin4Ever]

Here's my opinion: Stop asking for opinins you don't listen to! Sheesh man! You are driving me nuts!

Only other advice is to save some money, maybe get a 2nd job

But I wish you the best of luck with it, you could get lucky.

 

[TurboKID69]

OK i am in the market looking to buy a new dsm. OK heres what Ive looked at its a 97 gst. 5spd. It is from a dealership and has a 3 month warranty. Its the burnt red which is the maroon color with the black and tan interior, cloth seats all power and sunroof. The car is stock. Its in mint condition, only thing needed is a side marker and the logo cap on the rim which id ###### replace both with aftermarket. Heres the bad its has 133,000 miles on it. Do you guys think $3,900 for it is a good deal or no. I'm not looking at dropping a 6 bolt in it yet I'm planning to put a 16g or 20g with supporting mods. Is this worth it with all these miles to put a turbo like that on it. Get back to me

 

[1993eclipseGS]

If it were exactly would you jujst said, I would buy it.. But that's just me. Miles mean nothing, It's how good the car was maintained that counts.

 

[SkyLineGtR-R34]

if i could find something like that in my area i wouldn't even think about it...just buy it immediately
sounds like a good deal
if you buy it, don't worry about putin' in a 16g or 20g, get some basic maintenance done such as change the timing belt, check compression, oil and stuff like that
dsm are very sensitive with maintenance

i think it's a good deal

 

[robmea]

a 97 for that good of a price in that good of condition i would buy it in a second and good luck with it, i am also looking for a nice dsm

 

[Splitpi]

I think that is a good deal. Even if the motor develops problems the money you save can be reinvested into the car and you'll still be ahaid.

 

[weith1111]

Yeah that's a pretty good deal if it's in good shape. Just offer them $3200 and they will give it to you for $3500. That $400 is good for the timing belt change you are going to want to do if it hasn't had one recently.

 

[natepartlan]

As stated above, loaded '98 GSX with 64k miles, new Mitsubishi-sourced (i.e. not salvage yard) shortblock professionally swapped with 5k miles on it. Warranty on engine work just expired. No mods except air filter.

Newer engine makes me think asking more than kbb.com, nada.com, or edmunds.com is justified, but $11,500?! That seems a bit excessive; I would've thought something more in-line with $7750-$9750. What does the forum say?

 

[Boosted98gsx]

i'd say that $11k is a fair price for a 98 with a new engine.

 

[TalonTsiAWD94]

Damn feels good to be back. I haven't been on this site for years. Due to the fact that I sold my dsm 2years ago. Since I could no longer afford it because I joined the Marine Corps.

Now here I am....thinking of buying a car but no cars interest me besides DSM. I've had bad luck in the past with my dsms. First one's motor blow on the way to get an oil change (may have been my fault) 3days after i had changed the timing belt.( wonder if the mech installed it wrong and that's why it blew?) 2nd DSM while selling it because i was leaving i found out that one of the cylinders wouldnt hold its psi. I've also had many other bad experience with them. But that doesn't take away from the fact that i love these cars and the dsm community. (every1 is always so helpful)

So here goes... now that I'm stationed in "so cal" I "need" a DSM so I've been looking around for a few weeks. And I found this nice 97 GSX stock. the car has 94K which in my opinion is way to much. here are some of the pros.

PROS
1."female owed" not to be sexist or anything but for the most part females don't tend to beat up cars as much as some males

2.Has proof of every oil change since the car left the lot

3.Changed brakes last year (not really sure if that means they're still good...guess it depends on lot)

4.Tires have lots of treads

5.Body its great shape

6.Timing belt changed @ 60K with paper work to prove it

7.Car feels great while driving. (but then again what do i know)

8.Carfaxs checks out good and goes with what owner has told me

CONS
1.94,000miles i think that's way to much for a dsm that i want to mod.

2.Some oil on valve cover guessing its a bad gasket no big deal


That's about all I have for the Cons which lead me to believe that it still sounds like a good deal. But the only reason I'm not sure is the whole 94Kmiles.

So anyway I guess what I'm asking is.

1.Wat do you guys think do u think an engine with 94K serviced every 3K never mod-ed. Can hold up and withstand minor mod-in (stag 1) or do you think just from normal wear @ 94K i should just walk away from this deal?...

2.Does neway one know of any good dsm shops or any shop @ all in the San Diego area where i can take the car to be checked out. I would do it myself...I don't claim to be a mech...Well not a car mech @least (I'm a F/A-18 fighter Jet mechanic) i would prefer someone to put it on a lift and check under it. Check for leaks...Do a compression test...check for crankwalk things like that before I buy. BTW how much do you think i should pay to get it checked out by someone?

3.Also shes asking for $8,500 do you think that is too much to ask for?.. I know...I know i check kbb.com and it says like $6500 for private seller and like $9'somthing from dealer... Do u think $8,000 would be too much of a discount to ask for?...I also know that kkb isn't always what u can find the cars for because the car may have a higher demand.

So yea...That's is my story I told the seller that i would call her tomorrow and let her know where i want to take the car to get inspected (should I go to the dealer?)...I would appreciate everyone's help in advance. I know this is a long post but I'm just a Broke Marine in dieing need for a car. And don't wanna get stuck with a P of S car, and have no $ to fix it. Thanks Again.... JAY

 

[this_tsi_8urV8]

OK, so what happened w/the car? Did you get it? Any problems popped up yet? Its been months since you started this thread. Also, what were the results to the compression test? Since its taking you this long to reply(3 months), I believe you are rebuilding the engine....Am I right? Well, to tell you my own experience, I bought the car for $2.5k. The car was obviously beaten on. But, I had to have it as well and I too am in Chgo. The car leaked lots of oil on the the valve cover, prev. owner said it was the cap, had problems starting said it was the starter, oil mess all over the engine bay, steering wheel shaking, warped rotors, smelled like cigarette smoke up the ass, clunky/tranny grind, dented hood and roof(hail storm). Then in 2 days, the car smoked like CRAZY. So replaced engine pistons/rings, gaskets, seals, bearings, etc. Major engine rebuilt/head too. I bought tires, cut rotors, replaced all pads, replaced rear rotors, all belts, radiator, hg 2x, ARP headstuds, manny, tranny, clutch, resurfaced flywheel, fixed t-case transfer recall, that Lynch Chrys. said was NOT leaking, put in a hi-flow cat, r.r. caliper, replaced valve cover w/a powdercoated one, replaced starter and water pump, oil cap and gasket, oil pan, pan bolts and pump, CV axles, tie rods, ball jts., valve cover bolts, Alpine headunit, blown rear 6x9 that I already had from previous car, profec 2, and finally got rid of smoke smell. Not running too bad, BUT its STILL LEAKING from the oil pump, filter housing, and the DAMN valve cover. Not sure what to do. LOVE the damn car, but not sure what to do now. Wanna get an EVO, but not sure if I'll be able to afford it. Having a newer car seems to be a better option.



P.S. Do not forget to respond about the TSI you bought.

 

[Spoolin4Ever]

Yeah, what's the status? Hope you are doing well on the new project/daily driver.

this_tsi_8urV8: Have you checked your PCV valve, and the hose coming from it to the intake manifold? Make sure that is all good, and the hose not crimped like mine was, it can cause excess crank pressure and cause oil to come out in places, not a huge amount, but a quite a bit. Also check the hose going from valve cover to the intake.

 

[this_tsi_8urV8]

OK, I had replaced PCV and still leaked oil, and its leaking a lil less. I have another PCV so I will try that and also check the lines. OR should I just REMOVE the PCV? Could that help? Is it a bad idea? I think its RRE that recommends to remove it, or could have been another shop w/a website, I remember reading it.

 

[Spoolin4Ever]

I'd say it's worth a shot (removing the PCV system), every little bit helps (reduction of crankcase pressure). Although a couple things to consider:

Some PCV valves are bad ewven brand new, especially FRAM, I bought one it was bad right out of the package. I kept the old one, it held better then the FRAM. So make sure and test and compare them. Also sometimes the new one will seem good, but under boost can leak.

If removing the PCV doesn't help then maybe put it back, no need to have all the nasty gases coming out if it doen't help any.

But I'm hoping you will try it and let me know how it goes. Depending on my oil consumption over the next month or 2, I may end up doing the same thing.

PS I guess it's OK to threadjack this one, as he's not posting

 

[Espoc19]

has 133 thous miles. all wheel turbo 1991 talon.

http://photobucket.com/albums/c278/Espoc19/

thanks a lot

also anyone know what kind of turbo this is?

 

[Espoc19]

i bought one of these cars. which one would you guys have bought?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=4592891283&sspagename=STRK:MESO:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...em=4588937229&sspagename=ADME:L:EOISSAA:US:11

 

[fwdturbobov1996]

Well since he has the stock uicp and such going to guess stock 14b.

 

[Pure92TSi]

The white one.

 

[Sotarts]

Dirty. Zip ties. Why is the turbo outlet's nipple uncovered? Looks like there's some leaking going on behid the compressor cover. There's some nasty stuff going on around the valve cover's seals. Duct tape is not very attractive. What's in the back seat--does it leak something on a regular basis? Look like it's been sitting around and not driven for a long while.

I'll give them $100 for it.

 

[Dream On]

I'd say the white one as well. It does have more miles, but it sounds like it is in better running condition. The other one seems like a gamble. And by the looks of your profile, you chose the black one.