What is this car worth / Is this car a good deal?

[Devilsfutbol17]

I found a 1996 Spyder GST for $4900. It is a 5-speed, 91,000 miles on it, white with black top, 17 inch rims. There is 80% tread left on the tires but the guy has a brand new never used set of tires for the car that is included in the price. He says the top doesn't leak, but it had a rip and was repaired, but he didn't like it, so he bought a brand new oem top that isn't installed and is included with the car. He says the interior is really nice, everything inside works, but you have to help the top up a little bit. He doesn't know if the timing belt has been replaced or not. It has a 3 inch cat back exhaust, 16G turbo, apexi intake and a greddy bov. He says it runs great and has no issues. He says he just wants to get rid of it because he doesn't drive it and its taking up space in his garage, which sounds good to me because he kept it garaged at least. he also said that the paint is good on it, no clear coat coming off, no body damage or dents. I'm going to check for crankwalk be looking at the clutch pedal when I turn left. I have been talking to the guy over the phone and I'm suppose to go drive for 4 hours to go and buy it if it checks out on Thursday. Does it sound good? Should I ask him or check for other things on it?

 

[volkerding95GSX]

to think you can realistically sell it to someone under the condition they do not change their mind in a year and decide to resell it or part it out is whishful thinking.

you have no control over what happens to it. I am not going to have the kid lie to be about what his intentions for the car are for the sake of the sale.

you can't control what anyone else does.

, duuuuuuuuuuude... you're killin' me here. Got it.

Your not gonna attempt to see if it runs before you sell it?

No sir, I would like to, but that would require time and money, and even if it did run I'm trying to focus all my car efforts to just my gsx.

 

[vince6756]

My girl was forced to see her 1992 3000 GT sold to some kid. RIP 3000 after this MN winter. I'd advise a first time car being like the one I had. A 1991 Toyota Tercel. I had no issues and no worries. If I were you my friend I'd find a rusty but trusty before stepping up to a DSM. But if you already did buy it keep her purring and keep her shiny.

 

[slinq]

My first car was a eclipse 90 awd..... crashed it within a month, second car was a plymouth laser fwd, still fixing it. Good luck and never give up!

 

[NOREMORSE93]

Got a valve cover for it, sunroof fixed,t25 smokes a bit but replacing soon with either 14b or 16g, did a bunch of other maintenance things to it very ecxited for the summer!

 

[Kiwi21]

I was wondering what your guys thought about this car

1997 gs-t
64k Miles
Red exterior 9/10
Custom Red an Black Interior 9/10 *not over the top but close*

All the guy really told me is it has an Hks Top Mount setup with Huge FMI intercooler.. and its lowered and has a somewhat built engine
Its an ex show car and he bought it for the looks and doesnt seem to know much about them at all

He wants 3500 since the car has an overheating problem, somewhere in the coolant system *radiator, Temp sensor etc* is messed up
The car only has 64,000 miles! and one of the cleanest ive seen so far

What do you guys think? good or bad deal

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

No suggestions without pictures.

 

[KMOSES]

I bought my 99 GS-t 130k for $4300, Id say its a good deal for only 64k miles depending on the condition of the car.. rust, dents, etc

does he have proof of the "somewhat built" motor?

and are you willing to deal with the overheating problem? the "huge" intercooler blocking the radiator probably doesnt aid to the cooling problem.

 

[Kiwi21]

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I bought my 99 GS-t 130k for $4300, Id say its a good deal for only 64k miles depending on the condition of the car.. rust, dents, etc

does he have proof of the "somewhat built" motor?

and are you willing to deal with the overheating problem? the "huge" intercooler blocking the radiator probably doesnt aid to the cooling problem.

Befor i actually buy it, im going to open the valve covers and drive it.. i should be able to tell befor hand

Yes i have a lil experience with overheating issues *Supercharged Mr2*
I good radiator with high cfms and have some handy thermostates

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Ugh...

In my opinion? Someone who's gone out of the way to turbo a 420a (not bashing here, just common logic) and paint the interior accents Red? That car has been ragged to hell and back. I'd spend my $3500 on a stock AWD and be done with it.

 

[Kiwi21]

Ugh...

In my opinion? Someone who's gone out of the way to turbo a 420a (not bashing here, just common logic) and paint the interior accents Red? That car has been ragged to hell and back. I'd spend my $3500 on a stock AWD and be done with it.

Yeah thats true, it sucks it only has 64k
i would pull all those accents out and try to give the engine bay
and interior more of a stock look...
But it does bring the value down alot :/
my other option is a 99 gsx 130k modded evo3 turbo for 4500

 

[99gst_racer]

There's a big difference between a GST and a turbo'd GS.

Without knowing the exact details of the overheating issue, I'd never pay $3500 for a 420a car. It could have a warped heat and a failing head gasket for all anyone knows...

my other option is a 99 gsx 130k modded evo3 turbo for 4500

WELL worth the extra $1000 if it runs and drives.

 

[Kiwi21]

My last question is
Bone Stock Or Modded?
Or Very Slightly Modded *T28* Nothing Noticable

It seems every eclipse i see is modded body wise but not engine
its really hard to find them stock so would it be worth paying extra for a stock one
instead of buying one modded?

 

[KMOSES]

+1 GST/GSX is definitely worth the extra cash. Unless you are really into the showcar features of the gs, i usually stick to function > form

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Yeah thats true, it sucks it only has 64k
i would pull all those accents out and try to give the engine bay
and interior more of a stock look...
But it does bring the value down alot :/
my other option is a 99 gsx 130k modded evo3 turbo for 4500

Why the hell are you even questioning this?

 

[Carter_95RS]

Coming from a guy with a turbo 420a, I wouldn't buy one that's already done by someone else. There could be some big problems with that, because you don't know what's all been done to it and that can cause problems later on. The overheating issue would make me nervous, could be something small, but chances are if it were then why wouldn't the owner fix it? In all honesty, id spend the extra 1k on the gsx, just make sure it hasn't been beaten to hell and back.

 

[afoster98GSX]

I would go for it 3500 is not much.

 

[volkerding95GSX]

Update: The car talked about in this thread is for sale cheap in the market place. Take a look if you're interested! thanks!

 

[Bud92gsx]

A Sock and a little brasso and those headlights should come alive again..

 

[volkerding95GSX]

A Sock and a little brasso and those headlights should come alive again..

Very true. I'll let the new owner do that, though!

 

[lukb]

I got an 1999 Eclipse GS-T Spyder (4g63t of course)..
its Barcelona Red Pearl, with Tan top just FYI.
120k miles..
5-spd..
and its stock...

I got it for under 3k after taxes and registration...
(ok I may have hit 3k with inspection.. forget what the numbers where.. but you get the point)

It seems to run really good..
I'v had it for about a month now, and i'm going to be changing the timing belt
(I have no idea when that was last done.)
Not really sure what to expect when changing this out... read the vfaq on it... looks like a big job.. kinda

So what do you all think... was it a good deal?... or meh?

I am also (a little bit) concerned about crankwalk... but that's pretty much hit or miss

 

[MN_Eclipze]

Cant beat it. Dont worry about crankwalk. My brother 97 GSX power by a EVO 3 16g has about 160XXX original miles and it still rocking. Do the maintance and you'll be fine and if it ever break down; rebuilt time. .

 

[BoostedYeep]

From what I've seen around I think you got a good deal. Hows the body? Any major rust anywhere? Or on the underbody?

 

[97_TSi]

Sounds like a good deal i got my Talon with 121k for 3200 after everything was all said and done

 

[lukb]

Cant beat it. Dont worry about crankwalk. My brother 97 GSX power by a EVO 3 16g has about 160XXX original miles and it still rocking. Do the maintance and you'll be fine and if it ever break down; rebuilt time. .

Thanks... encouraging to say the least...

NOTE:
Only problem the car has (that I know of) is that the convertible top has a leak around the rear window..
I patched it.
Doesn't look all that great,
but I don't really care... and its down to a ever so slight leak when its raining hard, and the car is not moving... no biggie..
I keep a black towel in the back anyways.

From what I've seen around I think you got a good deal. Hows the body? Any major rust anywhere? Or on the underbody?

No rust on the body ANYWHERE.
the underbody has some rust...
but all eclipses I have seen have this kind of rust underneath... amiright?
its not bad... just notable.

 

[BoostedYeep]

No rust on the body ANYWHERE.
the underbody has some rust...
but all eclipses I have seen have this kind of rust underneath... amiright?
its not bad... just notable.

If that's the case then yea you got a good deal. The body looks really good. Have fun with her. Good pick up.