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?

 

[91stocker]

If it were running i might pay $300 for it.

 

[MakeItHappen]

Are you specifically looking for an rs shell (non-turbo)? If not then I'd look into a 4g63t car with a broken timing belt. A lot of 1g's can be had for $300 with broken timing belts and I've even seen some 2g's on craigslist.

For $300, it doesnt look like much of a steal: crappy paint, steal wheels, lack of hood, etc... IMHO I'd hold off for an awd (with broken t belt or something similar) as mentioned above. It's easier to rebuild a motor than to try to source a junkyard motor.

i was kind off looking for a non turbo and i have wanted a eclipse for years
but i dont really like 1gs, the paint is black and dusty but i was gonna use a air sprayer and automotive paint to paint it different (see how well it works with my air tank and quallity of paint)
around here even 95 talons go for $5000 with problems

 

[stracer107]

Id buy it at that price. But u need to make sure the wiring harness and the hoses and hard lines arent all hacked up. 420a engines are easy and cheap to come by for a good runnig stock engine. Look for a wrecked avenger eclipse talon rear damage. Good doner car. Also the auto trans in the 420a cars are worthless. The 5 speed manual is better but they dnt hold up to burn outs very well (need an lsd) ive threw spyder gears threw the houseings a time or two. As for putting.a new engine put a timeing belt and teniser on b4 you install it and an altanator. If a person knows what they are doing you can start to pull your engine friday after work and drive it to work (school) monday morn. If you have ?'s or concerns there is plenty of people on here that can help you. You can also send me a pm and I will do what I can to answer your ?'s as well.

 

[boost97gst]

worth it from reading first post. A 16y kid and find parts cheap if he searches diligently. You can have a running operational car for a total of 1500 uuuhh, with mismatched paint. Or hit craigslist, find a beat gst/x,TSi or spider 4g64 and get ta working on the long haul boy!

 

[WES_393]

All I have to say is this: Turbo DSM shells can be found for not much more than that and in much better shape.

 

[bryanwheat]

All I have to say is this: Turbo DSM shells can be found for not much more than that and in much better shape.

I've bought quite a few turbo 2g shells for 200 bucks in better shape than than that one. A 420a shell is worth scrap price if you ask me.

 

[squid267]

I think itd a good PROJECT car. Thats about it, don't expect too much from this. Good Luck!

 

[stracer107]

All I have to say is this: Turbo DSM shells can be found for not much more than that and in much better shape.

Yes they can. But imo they are harder to find it took me a good amount of time to find a awd. Mine has a broken t belt the guy I got it from thought he blew the engine so I pulled the cover and bought the car for 300. So yeah it can be done. Just have to in right place at right time. But the car he is asling about imo is worth the 300. I also have every part to put it together and get it runing. They are a cheap car to replace parts.on ( in stock form) but if he wants a good platform to build a car with good power yes go with a turbo modle. If you are looking for a nice dd not worried about power buy it.

 

[bryanwheat]

Yes they can. But imo they are harder to find it took me a good amount of time to find a awd. Mine has a broken t belt the guy I got it from thought he blew the engine so I pulled the cover and bought the car for 300. So yeah it can be done. Just have to in right place at right time. But the car he is asling about imo is worth the 300. I also have every part to put it together and get it runing. They are a cheap car to replace parts.on ( in stock form) but if he wants a good platform to build a car with good power yes go with a turbo modle. If you are looking for a nice dd not worried about power buy it.

You can find running 420a cars or cars that need a little work for 500-700 all day long. You will have a lot more than that in that shell getting it to running condition. There is more than just the engine that is required. I also don't advise people buying shells and trying to piece them together if they have never worked on one before. Those type of projects usually end up never running and not finished because the person building it has no idea what it needs and what it takes to get it running.

 

[MakeItHappen]

You can find running 420a cars or cars that need a little work for 500-700 all day long. You will have a lot more than that in that shell getting it to running condition. There is more than just the engine that is required. I also don't advise people buying shells and trying to piece them together if they have never worked on one before. Those type of projects usually end up never running and not finished because the person building it has no idea what it needs and what it takes to get it running.

I have worked on plenty of projects for my age including an engine swap when i was real little and putting an 04 block with 01 stuff on it for a jeep 2 years ago, around here you never see eclipse or talon go for less than $3000.
im mostly looking for a project i can do in summer when im not working that can be a dd before im a senior in highschool which im about to be a junior

 

[stracer107]

If you can find running 420a cars for 500 700 all day were. I.will nuy em and bring to nebraska and sell them for a lot more they are bringing 2500 3000 here. And he said he has helped his dad rebuild an engine and a few trans before so his dad knows how to work on cars im guessing. And if thats the case he would be fine. The major mechnis of a car are all simaler to an extent. Buy.a repair book and he could figure it out. Also yes I.agree there is alot more to do then just an engine. All matiance needs done as well and fuel tank needs drained proly half shafts breaks and rubber hoses that kind of stuff. If he can find a runnig car for 500 700 buy one of them. But whats avalible allso depends on supply and demand. I no n nebraska eclipses are not avalabe in that price range. I dont know what its like were he lives or you for that matter.

 

[bryanwheat]

If you can find running 420a cars for 500 700 all day were. I.will nuy em and bring to nebraska and sell them for a lot more they are bringing 2500 3000 here. And he said he has helped his dad rebuild an engine and a few trans before so his dad knows how to work on cars im guessing. And if thats the case he would be fine. The major mechnis of a car are all simaler to an extent. Buy.a repair book and he could figure it out. Also yes I.agree there is alot more to do then just an engine. All matiance needs done as well and fuel tank needs drained proly half shafts breaks and rubber hoses that kind of stuff. If he can find a runnig car for 500 700 buy one of them. But whats avalible allso depends on supply and demand. I no n nebraska eclipses are not avalabe in that price range. I dont know what its like were he lives or you for that matter.

Pulling an engine from a car and putting another one in is very different than piecing a car together that you have never seen together. It is whole lot different. I know plenty of people who have swapped engines in cars before that would have trouble knowing every little part needed, where they go and how to bolt it all together. I also don't mean to sound like a dick, but if you want anyone to take you seriously you should learn how to use the spell check feature.

 

[1983gsp]

Is the srt4 swap a viable option? I've never seen it done and was just wondering.

 

[boost97gst]

Is the srt4 swap a viable option? I've never seen it done and was just wondering.

Now THAT would be a sleeper. The mopar 2.4 in an eclipse? Shiiiiiit, i love those engines. Just a shame they put them in an ugly 4 door right? Chrysler should have shared that one w mitsu

 

[ghostd'GST4life]

one guy was swapping the srt-4 engine into a non turbo eclipse on here. he had to fab up everything custom, however I dont know if he ever got the project finished or not :-/

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

what about for a 16 year old kid who wants to work on a vehicle in his driveway,
i have swapped an engine in an 01 jeep wrangler before but jeeps are easy

That is the perfect car for that, IF you have another car for a DD so you can take your time working on this one. I started with a N/T and learned a TON of stuff about working on cars and engines and DSM's while I owned it. For $300, thats a pretty good project car. Just keep in a N/T and learn from it. When you're ready and have it all fixed up, sell it and get a boosted DSM.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

i wouldn't... looks like it would be more of a headache then its worth.

I agree.. from the looks of it your going to have to put buku bucks into it just to get the damn thing running again. Missing panels, carpeting, who knows what else. If your considering it, go check it out in person, see what it needs and weigh if its worth it.

 

[ed1380]

My first car was a 98 rs with a spun bearing. Me and dad rebuilt the engine. Tthis was in 2007 and I paid $1100 for it before repairs. I say go for it.

 

[95talongirl]

It'd be worth it, as long as most of the car is there. It does seem to be missing quite a bit from the photos. Then again, it probably isn't too hard to source the missing pieces. These cars are getting harder to find, (at least up here...) I haven't seen a decent priced shell (n/a or turbo) in a long time. If I had the time, I'd pick it up to make it into a gas-saving daily driver. That little 2.0L 420A engine can get some awesome mileage!

 

[eclipse420ags]

Theres a gst roller in classifieds for 650. Just sayin I love my 420a tho.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Drove this 99 GSX Friday. It's a clean looking car, nothing odd to speak of, rather than the center diff being welded. It pulls extra strong, super fun.
99 eclipse gsx
Any observations? I'm fairly new to DSM's. Thanks.

 

[MHuddy1213]

IMO thats an awsome car good find but talk him down some and if you get it please get rid of that shift knob

 

[danielbo91]

He said 600hp but has apexi safc and dsmlink how that works weird, I would ask him for all the receipts.
I'm doing a fully restore on my gsx fully build motor, trans,restore the seats new paint job everything, so maybe the price.hes asking sounds fair, because if I ever sell my gsx I'm planning selling it for 10k or trade it for an evo VIII,IX

 

[kbiker76]

Where do you see that it uses safc? I saw apexi turbo timer not a safc though. Looks like a solid car if you could talk him down a bit Id probably go for it if I had the money!

 

[danielbo91]

Iguess I read it too fast since I was eating at ihop never mind with the apexi safc, its a apexi tur o timer them.