Things to consider when buying a 1g GSX

[99blueRS-T]

Ok, i didnt know where to post this, and i didnt know where to find this info, if there is a thread already, please let me know...
Ok. im looking into buying a 1g gsx, i got in love with it after i drove mi half-brother's gsx, and i have spent to much cash on my rs already, ive saved some cash and i think maybe i can start a new project, but i would like to know any "problems" or "tips" when buying a 1g(cuz my brother had some problems with his car at first) anything that can help me, things you have experienced when you bought yours,etc. is greatly aprecciated.
thanks for watching..

 

[Gigaah]

I just finished my search for my AWD Turbo DSM. Here are my experiences.

Compression check engine. I had a guy that didn't want me too, I walked away. Tester is maybe $40 and worth every dime. Depending on the money your spending IMO anything under 145 was questionable. I wanted 150+ personally. For just a nice daily driver 140 sounds OK to me...but not for building on top of..I'm pretty picky though.

Ask about Timing belt and when it was last changed..what else besides the belt was changed. If they don't know assume its over due and this will cost you 100-200 to do depending on how far you go with it. routine maintenance is 60k miles. Don't shrug this one off. Factor it into the cost of the car. The can and will snap causing decent engine damage. It costs a lot ot have it done a shop 500-600 I hear.

Check for oil leaks. plug wells..around valve cover and such. See if anything is bad.

Let the car idle, warm up make sure it don't over heat...listen/watch for idle speed surge.

Transmissions in these things can be not so hot. A little crunchy or grunts when it goes into gear. I know my FWD lasers tranny is like this in 2nd gear. Its been like that for quite some time. Even with a good transmission unless it was rebuilt don't really expect to thrash through the gears and have it slip in like butter.

Check EVERYTHING..wipers..washer motor..if it has a switch for it..flip it!! You'd be surprised. I didn't realize my POS laser didn't have a washer tank or motors till a few weeks after I got it! Most of these cars have changed hands a lot and you never know...

If the exhaust manifold hasn't been replaced it WILL have cracks in it..this is just the way things are. I wasn't holding that against any cars I was looking at..the all were cracked except one...because it was replaced. There is a heat shield that goes over the exhaust manifold...many of them have rotted off by now..but they are nice to have.

Take it out give it hell merging on the the highway in 3rd. See if the clutch holds. Pay attention to the cars habits at highway speeds. My laser is REALLY sloppy with 190k on the body. fixing such issues might cost good money.

Check for rust by the door switches. I've seen several that like to rust right around the door switch that controls the light. Once that rusts out you'll have to remove the switch so your interior lights don't stay on..and guess what..they won't come one when you need them.

Valve clatter isn't uncommon. Usually in most engines (that I've heard)it goes away once it warms up. I personally wouldn't like it if the clatter didn't go away after awhile.

The hatch struts will probably be shot unless they've been replaced. Thats common.

I'm sure someone else will chime in with other stuff.

 

[99blueRS-T]

wow, thanks ALOT, that really is helpful, im going to be cheking for some of those things, the ones of the highway i dont think i can, first of, beacause where i live there are no highways(tijuana) but ill take a drive on the street... actually later on today im seing 2 cars, one is a 1991 GSX that is priced in $1100dlls, the other is a 1994 TSi AWD in $1650dlls, i thik its a good deal i still got to see them, but for now i like the talon better, its priced higher, but also it is already registered in my country, the 1991 has to be imported and register(about 400-500dlls more..), so basically there in the same price, anyway ill check for all of those and if anyone wants to share his experienced is still welcomed, i still havent bought any car, and wehn i do im sure this experiences will be helpful for another dsm'er..

 

[overdoseheroin]

prepare for disaster.

 

[99blueRS-T]

ok, i drove the talon today, the car pulled very hard, it is completly stock and both my brother and i agreed that it pulled harder tha his 90 gsx(also stock), and the transmission shifted very nice(although i was warned about the grunts, cuz my bro's gsx has 'em) this talon didnt and i belive that is good thing, i cheked leaks and didnt found any, drove the car a bit hard and then we let it idle and it didt heat up, checked all the buttons as you said, and everything worked (except for the electric mirrors) the exterior is in fair condition, needs some re-touching, but overall acceptable; the interior is in very good condition except the driver seat wich is "un-stitched"( dont know if this word exists, sorry for my lame english..)in the legs area, i'm assuming this is beacause of the use.
Anyway what do you think about this one? i bealive its a good deal, but you are the experts...
Thanks for your responses, keep em coming..

 

[Gigaah]

A good deal is relative.
If you like it and it has good compression go for it...and don't think just because it pulled hard and drove nice it has good compression. I tested a beauty of a car that ran awsome/pulled good but it flopped compression at 90-120-120-120