Want to buy car but has issues. Need opinions.

[DOtheDEW]

I am new to the DSM world and pretty new to cars in general. I am looking at buying a Eclipse but it has some problems. This is what the person said about the car... "The speedometer does not work. I've replaced the speed sensor and reconnected the wires but cannot figure it out, sometimes it jumps around during driving but I'm sure the problem is a simple fix I'm overlooking. The new speed sensor is already installed and comes with the car.
There is a hole in the clutch/bell housing. I have been trying for two weeks to patch it without dropping the transmission but unfortunately that is what it has come to. It drives but will leak gear oil. The shifting remains smooth and the clutch is great but the oil has to be put in every week or so. The only way I can think to fix this is to drop the transmission and put a new one in or, drop the transmission and take it to a welding place to have the aluminum welded. The hole is about the size of a penny. I was going to drop it myself and take it to a shop to get welded for less than 100 but time has constrained me and I cannot get it done because of the move."

So I was wondering what is the worst possible outcome of both the speedo and the transmission and costs. Thanks!

 

[99BEATERGS]

Year?
Model?
Miles?
Whats he asking for?

 

[miguelmcv]

If he all ready replace the Sensor then it should be the gauge (inside the car).

About the Tranny, I would say may be is off, If it has a penny hole size, It wouldn't keep the oil at all, which the drain Hole is almost the same size and will empty the tranny in 1 min.

He says It has the Hole at the Bell Housing, Which has nothing to do with the Oil Location, well if the Hole is close of the gear case, then yes it could happens.

My thoughts are that it has a hole at the Bell housing and the leak is from the Seals which can leak badly and drain the tranny in a week or two.

If the price is good, I would get it, Obviously if there is a good, good, good deal.

Just keep on mind that you might need a new tranny.

 

[DOtheDEW]

It is a 95 GS with 167XXX. Asking 900.
This is what he has replaced, "Bottom end of engine was rebuilt as were the headers.
The clutch, water pump, o2 sensors, timing belt and radiator were all replaced before I purchased the vehicle.
Since I purchased the vehicle I have replaced the rear shocks."

To me this seems like a really good deal but I just wanted have some other opinions.

 

[GSX401]

A non-turbo model with those prices isn't worth anything, not even 900.00. I have seen mint condition, all stock GS models with under 100K go for less than 2000.00.

 

[SrKegler]

Add in the price of replacing the transmission. Also keep in mind if the speed sensor isn't working, mileage is probably greater than is being shown.

Tough decision with it being an NT. On one hand, it's hard to find a running vehicle for under a $1000. Junk yards are paying $200 just for the scrap.

I'd probably offer him $500 just because of the transmission problems. If you're lucky you can just replace the seals. If not you've got the car cheap enough to warrant replacing the transmission.

 

[miguelmcv]

I am agree with (srkgler).

Go cheaper or look for a GSX or GST.

I have seen a lot of GS and RS for Cheap, But never have cross my mind to get one of them.

 

[Pyromonty502]

900 bucks isn't that much, but for real you are going to end up putting alottttttt of money into that car. By the time you replace everything you could have bought one in mint condition for much cheaper. I just bought a 98 Rs with 64K for 4500$. The only problem with the car was the headliner. besides that, it was freaking MINT. I spent 200$ for a replacement and that was all that was wrong with the car. BUT. This car (the one you are looking at as well) are OLD. All of the hoses should and need to be replaced. Also everything needs to be flushed. new oil, radiator, the whole bit. you will possibly need new tires, brakes, struts,etc, there is a list of things. If this car has the problems it has, the previous owners clearly did not take good care of it. It sounds to me that this is your first car because you are saying you are new to it, correct me if im wrong, but most likely you are looking for a daily driver. Don't start with a project. save up some cash and don't impulse buy anything. It took me a while to find the car that I bought. I had looked at alot of them, and some had minor problems that you overlook just because you are excited. My new car doesn't even have a stain in the factory cloth, and has original paint that is in better condition than my 2006 nissan altima that I baught brand new. you will save your money in the long hall. If you are looking for a project that will take you years to put together, 900 bucks for a running car, isn't too bad. But if you buy this car, expect there to be a ton more problems. This sounds like a craigslist ad. Never believe what the owner says untill you have seen things for yourself. He's trying to sell you the car for a reason, if it was an "easy fix" he would have fixed it. Be smart and don't go home with a "pos" unless that is what you are looking to buy. Good luck finding what you are looking for.

 

[DOtheDEW]

So I decided to keep on looking. I will wind up getting a RS/GS as a DD then buying a GST/GSX after I save up. Then the real fun begins. Thanks for the help and opinions.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

So I decided to keep on looking. I will wind up getting a RS/GS as a DD then buying a GST/GSX after I save up. Then the real fun begins. Thanks for the help and opinions.

I think that is a good idea.

 

[Gostlrs]

Hell I won't pay more then $1500 for a running GSX or GST & i have gotten 4 of them at that price..

 

[DOtheDEW]

I wish I could find a deal like that. The only problem is I'm 19 and in college and having to pay for insurance too. It was like $2400/yr for a GS-T Spyder. I don't want the Spyder anymore but I am just gonna save up and buy a GSX!!!!!!!!

 

[raiderrodney]

I think you made the right choice. Just be patient and you will run across some decent deals.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

 

[paulb1320]

$900 is a fair price, but if you don't have adequate time and/or skills to fix the problems you should leave it IMO

 

[Anubis_4_99]

$900 is a fair price, but if you don't have adequate time and/or skills to fix the problems you should leave it IMO

he speaks the truth

i bought my 96 RS for $550 without even hearing it run.

as it sat it needed an alternator, battery, and two tires to even drive.

and right now the parts i have ready to go on are strut, throw out bearing, rear mount, O2 sensor, head gasket and intake manifold gasket and a couple other small things i cant remember.

that's not to mention what I've already replaced (VSS, thermostat, a/c compressor, plugs/wires, oil change and radiator flush)

buying a used car isn't just a buy and drive away deal, gotta plan for the unexpected repairs. i always like to try and have $3-400 left over to fix anything major that needs done because anyone i have ever bought a used car from has tried to hide things from me that need fixed.

what people dont understand is if they were honest with me i would still buy it

 

[95AWDTerror]

I picked up a 95 TSI AWD Talon with a blown transmission and no motor for $1500. Body is in great shape, interior is well done with Sparco seats, new carpet and headliner. For me $1500 was a bit on the high side, but I want a project that I know what goes into it.

 

[99BEATERGS]

Yeah id try and find a 97 to 99 year that you wont have to spend alot of money to get on the road.

I made the mistake and bought a 99 GS with 160K miles on it for $2500. I should of looked else were i ended up needing 4 tires. front ball joints i didnt notice the windsheild had a crack. needed new batt and termials. it took another 1000 to get on the road and its not worth $3000. And by time 3k miles come around it has leaked a qt or oil.

im sure you can find something out there for somewhere around 1500 that has decent miles that has been kept up.

 

[jay1892]

Think about it though he's not loosing anything, parting it out will get him used to DSM's. And he'll easily break even with the money he make's from the leftovers. I think the experience wrenching is worth all of that.

 

[Dewayne Waldron]

Don't waste your time

 

[silicosys4]

Don't waste your time

+1. It boggles me why any dsm enthusiast or budding enthusiast would pick up a gs when civics are a dime a dozen and play the "N/A gas saver eco-car" role much better imo. If you are going to dsm, do it right.

 

[95AWDTerror]

+1. It boggles me why any dsm enthusiast or budding enthusiast would pick up a gs when civics are a dime a dozen and play the "N/A gas saver eco-car" role much better imo. If you are going to dsm, do it right.

Fully agree. If people are looking for eco-car, civic is a better route to go IMO.

 

[Anubis_4_99]

Think about it though he's not loosing anything, parting it out will get him used to DSM's. And he'll easily break even with the money he make's from the leftovers. I think the experience wrenching is worth all of that.

not everyone has the space/time/extra money to be able to part a vehicle.

 

[cbower]

someone must have quite a few tickets for that pricetag on insurance. Just wait and find a gst or gsx. I almost bought a 97 GS with 108,000 miles on it. My buddy thought it was the GSX otherwise I would have laughed in his face for asking $3k. "There are some bad electrical issues and the clutch grabs really low" was enough to walk away. Then it only took me 2 more weeks to find a GST Good Luck

 

[MichGS96]

look for a GSX or GST

 

[andrewrnava]

i would save for a gst or gsx no non turbos