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?

 

[bryanwheat]

Ported and polished cold air intake? 2.4 head? I would honestly offer 1500 at the very most. You never know what you are getting into with a project like this. Just because the engine is rebuilt doesn't mean that it was done correctly.

 

[c2ypt1c]

I dont like it either..
look for something that is unmolested.

+1
A car is like a woman...Plus, I don't know your experience with dsms but if you're a noob, it's like giving a child a loaded gun...ok I'm done with these cheesy analogies.

If you are dead set on going, bring a compression tester unless it doesn't even turn over (which it probably won't because it needs a timing belt...)

 

[DRTredHEAD]

Ported and polished cold air intake? 2.4 head? I would honestly offer 1500 at the very most. You never know what you are getting into with a project like this. Just because the engine is rebuilt doesn't mean that it was done correctly.

I'm with you on this. Really....ported and polished cold air intake that's a new one for me seriously how much can you port a piece of 16 gauge piping (if its even that thick) plus that looks like the factory 2g cast aluminum intake manifold, not a stainless steel sheet medal manifold. Sounds like some duesch got in over his head and is trying to pas off his f*** up.

 

[areck]

Well, its not my first dsm but its VERY hard to find clean shell in wisconsin. I would have to drive to texas and by the time it said and done I would spend 2 grand anyways. I actually have an Evo X currently but just has a few bolt ons nothing special. I ll try to get him down to 1500 Really just want a clean shell last one I was pointed at through the forums had ####ing bondo strut towers vented to air stock blow off no exsuast ####ing 2/10 interior the 2 comes from the new carpet the rest was complete shit rattly. then they went and sprayed the whole underbody with some black shit and called it a winterized coat....

 

[klutch-kick]

Easy show me the car fax xp

 

[DSMTyson]

Ported and polished cold air intake? 2.4 head? I would honestly offer 1500 at the very most. You never know what you are getting into with a project like this. Just because the engine is rebuilt doesn't mean that it was done correctly.

You read my freaking mind. The dude that posted that ad must be a complete moron.

Parts of the ad that sketch me out immediately:
-engine 0 miles yet (You have no idea if it was done right, Could spin every bearing upon start up)
-has a fresh 6 bolts swap (was it wired in correctly? Why did it need a 6 bolt swap in the first place?)
-arp head bolts (Hope he meant studs, if not they are probably stock head bolts)
-2.4L head (WTF)
-ported and polished cold air intake (umm yeah, ok then...)
-greddy bov over 500 on this kit |)
-If you want the car you have to bring a trailer or a dolly (Look up what happens when you put an AWD car on a car dolly)

Don't buy it.

 

[bryanwheat]

The turbine housing is for sure an ebay housing, the wastegate flapper arm is a dead give away. I would assume that the rest is ebay also.

 

[areck]

I was looking for a wastgate actuator is it there or does it even have a wastegate?!?!?!!? the exhaust looks like it just comes right off the turbo at most 2.5-3inch pipe???

 

[chevaholix]

Aslong as you have faith in youre tuning/troubleshooting skills id be the first to say go for it. obviously try to get him down a lil but hey at the least its a clean shell and the frameworks for the drivetrain. if i had the money id look it over real good get a feel for his mechanicall knowledge and pull the trigger on it, nothin like saving a talon.

 

[bryanwheat]

I was looking for a wastgate actuator is it there or does it even have a wastegate?!?!?!!? the exhaust looks like it just comes right off the turbo at most 2.5-3inch pipe???

IT does have a wastegate passage on the o2 housing. It looks to be a dump pipe. The top pipe is the wastegate, the rear one that the o2 sensor comes out of is the exhaust outlet.

 

[Tiki2777]

Dont buy it man. Wait till that right one comes around. You'll know.

 

[Idaho AWD]

My opinion is that it would take a lot of money and dedication to get that car running reliably. I personally would look for something that has tasteful modifications and *RUNS*. Why on earth would you have 3" intercooler piping on a car with that small of a turbo? I think you can buy a much better car for the money. The body and interior look really straight but the car definitely has a 2g head (not sure why you would put a 2.4L head on), I would be surprised if it actually has a 6-bolt block. If it was less expensive, around $1000, I would consider looking at it. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

[scoby41]

Clean shells are becoming harder to find everywhere. Shoot, lowball him and take the shell, build something you know is legit and will run.

 

[areck]

Clean shells are becoming harder to find everywhere. Shoot, lowball him and take the shell, build something you know is legit and will run.

That is definitely something I was considering is there any key identifiers to tell whether or not its a 6bolt block? Minus taking them apart?

 

[bryanwheat]

That is definitely something I was considering is there any key identifiers to tell whether or not its a 6bolt block? Minus taking them apart?

Use the search button at the top of the page and you will find out how to tell.

 

[92AWDHX40]

How to quickly tell a 6bolt and 7bolt engine apart

 

[shadohc]

I think if you go by what people on here are saying you are going to loose a good deal that interior looks in really good condition and if you can do the work to finish it you will have a nice car and for 2k that is a good price you will be able to get your money back in parts trust me i do this all the time if it was closer i would of bought allready

 

[92AWDHX40]

If you buy it you can evaluate it and even make money off if its not what you want down the line.

 

[dsm_94_4ever]

Eagle Talon

I haven't called the guy yet and talked to them about the car but think I might need some parts for my car I think I remember this car and im pretty sure its awd what do you guys think about it?

 

[born2tune]

Im sure you could get it for less. but there wouldn't be alot of usable parts worth swapping as its older than yours and most of it might be in worse condition, the body looks straight though.
Unless its AWD then you would have a few parts worth the money, otherwise Id consider it garbage mainly because if you use it as a parts car most of it will just rot in your backyard, if its not rotten already.

I think its an awesome base for a full race build though.

 

[dsm_94_4ever]

yea all im really looking at is the moter called the people and it is awd they said they had it stared and ran it for about an hour then it died they seem to think there is a problem with the ecu I think im going to go check it out tomarrow do a compression test if the moter is good I might just buy it for a spare and part out the rest the trans and rear end has got to be worth something not planing on paying anymore than $350-$400.

 

[MakeItHappen]

so i found this post on craigslist, it says it runs fine and has 177k miles for a 1999 eclipse, i wanted to know if it looks like something i should pick up as i am looking for an eclipse, does the front damage look like it would have affected more than just replaceing body parts or should i be calling this guy? he is asking $775

"Car is formerly from texas, no rust. Has 177 K miles, runs well, front fenders and hood kind of beat up but useable. The black lines on the hood are shadows, not really there. Factory radio with an added power amp. It has an oil leak from inside the timing cover, but definitely could be driven home."

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[bryanwheat]

Seems like a good deal and should be pretty easy to fix.

 

[MakeItHappen]

Seems like a good deal and should be pretty easy to fix.

how bad does the damage seem though? im ok with replacing both fenders and the hood and stuff if i have to but does it seem like i could mostly just put new stuff on? or will nothing line up correctly?

 

[Breezio69]

To me personally, it looks like a crooked front end... notice how the Hood is bowed up in the middle along the body line in the third picture, and the upper wheel well on the fender is creased in the same picture... id bet the front of the frame is crunched. But that's just me and what I see from a couple pictures... you'd never know till you look at it underneath and also pop the hood


If the frame is bent he probably had it totaled and bought it off the insurance company... just my thoughts