Want to buy a talon tsi...but hes asking way too much.

[fmars62]

I know this kid through a friend of mine and he has a 95 talon tsi with some work done to it but nothing crazy, i know he said he put a 6 bolt in with a 16g i think. stronger axles and other parts he said that can hold up to 500hp, but...the car doesnt have 500hp right now. idk how many miles are on it or if theyre are any problems with it, and he wont go below 4k. which is ridiculous, just looking at it i woudnt pay over 3k and thats if it is running perfect and nothing needs to be done to it. so how to i talk him down? i really want it.

 

[Anubis_4_99]

Offer him what you want to pay? I dont understand the issue here.

Inspect the car, ding it for everything you see wrong and tell him straight up. I've gotten several cars talked down several hundred to even almost a couple thousand for just doing that.

Alot of people dont understand what "good condition" is and just assume because it runs and drives means it's gold.

 

[90projecttalon]

Just pick the car apart about what you see is wrong with it. look for strut tower rust as well for being a 2g, then throw him a offer that your willing to pay.

 

[ericemery]

an AWD 2g with "work done" is certainly worth more than 3k if its running perfect and needs nothing.

Have you priced out all wheel drive DSM's lately?

 

[sobmurda]

Just set up a time to look over the car and if you like it, pull out the cash rite in front of him and offer whatever you want to pay!!! Usually works with me. Good luck!

 

[Anubis_4_99]

an AWD 2g with "work done" is certainly worth more than 3k if its running perfect and needs nothing.

Have you priced out all wheel drive DSM's lately?

How many have you seen that were perfect and needed nothing? My experience buying cars, is if they say it needs nothing, they are one of three things.

An idiot, a liar, or someone with more money then they know what to do with.

 

[nickk90]

an AWD 2g with "work done" is certainly worth more than 3k if its running perfect and needs nothing.

Have you priced out all wheel drive DSM's lately?

It really all depends on where you live . What goes for 3k in one area goes for 6k in others.

 

[fmars62]

yeah, thanks guys i was gonna put it up on a lift and take a look at it. but what exactly should i look at, being it a 2g talon (sorry noob question)

 

[ericemery]

How many have you seen that were perfect and needed nothing? My experience buying cars, is if they say it needs nothing, they are one of three things.

An idiot, a liar, or someone with more money then they know what to do with.

2 of mine are in perfect working order. and the 3rd is on its way. You dont find perfect cars when your hunting for a deal...

Besides, he said if it was perfect, he wouldnt pay more than 3k... I didnt say it, he did. Obviously since they are so rare that you have never seen one, how is it that its only worth 3 grand?

 

[TallestHERETIC]

Don't stop with just the first DSM you see. Upgraded (or poorly upgraded) DSMs are a huge risk and a humongous headache.

I found a red 98 TSI AWD in another town and all it needs is a repainted hood and 4 new tires, all for 2400. Has 100K on the clock. All stock, too. Just needs a little TLC.

A junkyard a couple blocks away from me is selling a 1G for $900! Passed by it on my way from work. 90K, stock and needs new paint. Probrably runs better than some newer cars!

Stock DSMs are still out there. You might have to look a little harder, settle for less, and be willing to get your hands dirty.

 

[fastgsx99]

Its a fair price to me.

 

[Anubis_4_99]

2 of mine are in perfect working order. and the 3rd is on its way. You dont find perfect cars when your hunting for a deal...

Besides, he said if it was perfect, he wouldnt pay more than 3k... I didnt say it, he did. Obviously since they are so rare that you have never seen one, how is it that its only worth 3 grand?

I was basically saying that it is more likely the seller is hiding things, or doesn't know about things that are wrong and it wasn't worth the price due to that.

I agree that 4K for a perfect Tsi isn't a bad price, but i haven't seen very many that were.

 

[doubleclutch]

Not a terrible price... if it isn't worth 4K to you then don't pay it...

 

[fmars62]

Im nOt going for it cause its upgraded, id rather go for one thats stock but i rEally like this one.

 

[Tyeler18]

4k for a modded DSM? I paid 1k for an all stock 98 GSX with 110k, just needed a clutch. These things aren't worth gold like some people (in this thread as well) think they are. This is a 12 year old car at the newest that have been beated all across hell by morons.

 

[fmars62]

4k for a modded DSM? I paid 1k for an all stock 98 GSX with 110k, just needed a clutch. These things aren't worth gold like some people (in this thread as well) think they are. This is a 12 year old car at the newest that have been beated all across hell by morons.

thank you.

 

[Boomdeeze]

Its all in how much you want to spend on the car and what you think its worth. And for the worth part, a car is worth as much as the owner thinks even though it may not sell at his asking price. It all depends on what condition everything is in on the car. I recently sold my 95 tsi that had bad rust on the strut towers for 3k and had 3 people that wanted to buy it with cash. It was also mostly stock besides minor bolt ons. Each car is different and the car is worth as much as someone is willing to pay. Good luck

 

[jcart953]

4k for a modded DSM? I paid 1k for an all stock 98 GSX with 110k, just needed a clutch. These things aren't worth gold like some people (in this thread as well) think they are. This is a 12 year old car at the newest that have been beated all across hell by morons.

You must have gotten lucky I've been looking for a GSX for a while and never seen them go for 1k unless it was just the shell or had 200k + on the motor.

However, to answer the OP question you can do the following:

1) Ask for VIN# and get a Car-fax
--this can reveal many of things; and can give potential leverage for car discussion

2) Ask to see if he has receipts as for the parts/works he's done

3)Try to find something wrong with the car (i.e. bad tires, paint/body work, interior) and try and use it as a reason to sell the car. Test his limits and try and get a feeling of what he might be willing to bargain with you.

4) Don't let him know how much your interested in the car.

check out this site for more detail information:
http://www.carbuyingtips.com/used.htm
Skip down to Step Four: Negotiating a used car price with private seller

Has lots of hints and tricks for you.

 

[Tyeler18]

Its all in how much you want to spend on the car and what you think its worth. And for the worth part, a car is worth as much as the owner thinks even though it may not sell at his asking price. It all depends on what condition everything is in on the car. I recently sold my 95 tsi that had bad rust on the strut towers for 3k and had 3 people that wanted to buy it with cash. It was also mostly stock besides minor bolt ons. Each car is different and the car is worth as much as someone is willing to pay. Good luck

Precisely. To the average teenager or non DSM'er who wants to get in the game, they tend to think these cars are worth more than they really are. It's the same with any car forum though. The people on the forum know the cars aren't worth 3/4 of what the general population buys them for, however, people still buy them not knowing. Prior to owning all the DSM's I have, I thought they were worth gold and was willing to spend a pretty penny on a modded, beat up, DSM. Luckily I'm patient and did my research prior to purchasing any and found that they really aren't worth what people ask for them.

You must have gotten lucky I've been looking for a GSX for a while and never seen them go for 1k unless it was just the shell or had 200k + on the motor.

However, to answer the OP question you can do the following:

1) Ask for VIN# and get a Car-fax
--this can reveal many of things; and can give potential leverage for car discussion

2) Ask to see if he has receipts as for the parts/works he's done

3)Try to find something wrong with the car (i.e. bad tires, paint/body work, interior) and try and use it as a reason to sell the car. Test his limits and try and get a feeling of what he might be willing to bargain with you.

4) Don't let him know how much your interested in the car.

check out this site for more detail information:
Used Car Buying Tips, Check the used car history, Avoiding Scams, Running Autocheck Vehicle History Reports
Skip down to Step Four: Negotiating a used car price with private seller

Has lots of hints and tricks for you.

All in the patience and knowing where to look. 3 weeks ago I picked up a 90 AWD talon with 77k, 100% stock down to the factory CD/cassette player, even the rare plastic BOV cover. Leather interior, sunroof, and a 5 speed. Drove it 2 hours home for $400. It's got brand new tires on it and the PO even put 1/2 tank of premium in it for us. The deals are out there. The only DSM I've paid more than 1k for was my GF's mint, all stock, 98 GST spyder and the only reason was because we waited for forever for to find one to match her strict criteria and jumped on the perfect match. I did drive 11 hours one way to get it though.

 

[Awdspyderman]

YEA DON"T OVER PAY OR PAY WHAT THERE ASKING, I made the mistake and paid 12k for my spyder with 60k on the clock but than again I am the second owner so im kinda on the fence about it too!! To the OP GOOD LUCK and make sure it MAKES YOU HAPPY at the end of the day

 

[Heartless]

I agree with awdspyderman, do what makes you happy. But my advice is to find one with a blown engine and start from there. You can never fully know what has or has not been done, let alone know how its been driven or tracked. Just my opinion but I'd rather know whats there then make a 4k gamble and it last a week, then again could last years. No one has a crystal ball to tell you whether or not its a good buy or its not going to come back to bite you later. Just something to think about.
*At the same time no one can say its good for x hp, you don't know til its there, anything can happen and not make it that high, or it could make 1000hp.

 

[4g63dreams]

KBB put a good condition TSI at 4.2k. Usually the more mods it has the less the value of the car to those who aren't into upgrades. At least that what my father says.

I saw and bought a 96 TSI for 2.9k with a clutch engagement issue. 1k later still had it then swapped the clutch hydralic hose and i was set. As a bonus the mechanic patched a hole in my down pipe at no charge ( the pipe was rusted and broke in half)

I am extremely happy with my purchase. And now that I have the car, I WOULDN"T pay 4k for it. Knowing what I want to do with them at least.

Things you should look for is rust. you can tug on the wheels and suspension to make sure it isn't loose, check brakes conditions, and also pay attention to how it rides at different speeds. 4k really isn't that bad.

It's all up to you. like they said before, BE HAPPY. When you drive it, does it make you happy? Psh, I know I am.

 

[fmars62]

also one more thing guys, if i do get this should i make it my daily driver (sell my 08 impreza 2.5i). I just got my subaru 5 months ago, but i want more power and a car that i can have fun with and i have been wanting to get into the dsm game for a long time now. im going to college 3 hrs from home, and for auto technology so if something goes wrong with it i can just put it on the lift at school. what do u guys recommend?

and yes i know dsm's have problems but thats the fun of it, i want a car that i can have fun with, fixing it up and stuff.

 

[Boomdeeze]

Even if a car is modded, I don't see how people think the car is worth less than kbb. If a car is modded right, it will be faster and more reliable than a stock one would be. If you spend 8-10k on a fully built dsm, it will be cheaper than getting a stock one and building it up yourself. If you want a stock one and will keep it stock, then buy a good low mile stock one. If you are planning to mod it, try and find one that is something close to what you want and you will save money. Its all in what you want out of the car. If you plan to mod it just research what it will cost to do that with buying new parts, machine work, and even a lot of time.

 

[LOLVTEC]

first off you'll want to see if it really has a 6 bolt. ask a friend of yours to play mechanic (he actually needs to know about cars just a little bit so he can point out problems with the car). take a picture of it and post it here.