420A What to look for when buying a 2gNT?

[adamf220]

I was looking at a 1996 eclipse to buy and i was wondering if its a good deal and what the problems with thease cars are. It has 100,000 miles on it tein coil overs, air intake, full exhaust, new rims and tires, and a new clutch and he wants $6400. I want to buy it but my dad doesnt think its a good car becuase he wants it to last me. But i was planing on rebuilding the engine and puting a stage 2 turbo on it and he thinks that it will just be a burnden. The engine rebuild and turbo wont be a problem becuase my dad knows how to do all that stuff and i have been working on snowmobiles and dirt bikes my whole life. So what do you guys think? any advice would be great.

 

[ImJustaGirl]

I think its too much for a 96 non turbo. The most I would give him is 4500. I paid a couple grand more for my biult gsx with a 20g and all the suporting mods.

 

[chicagoavenger]

Wayyyyy to much you could get a turbo model for that much money. You won't be happy with the neon motor. If you insist on the 420a try asog.net and 2gnt.com for helpfull tips and tricks

 

[plaiboiprophet]

That is WAY too much for a non turbo, i picked up my 95 RS for 800 with spun rod bearings. My friend picked up his 95 GS with rims, altezzas, racing seats, intake, exhaust, carbon head lights, for 1500 running good!

 

[spooln1]

i got my 96 gst 5speed with 94,000 for 4900. n/t the most i would give is 3000

 

[GSTdude06]

2years ago my mom got hardcore ripped 8000$ for a 85,000 miles RS 1999....I just bought my 97 GST for $6000 122,000 miles on it compeltly stock with all service records kept up to date. You would be getting ripped like my mom did, get a GST or GSX

 

[92talon720]

I agree way to much for a n/t. Also these cars are notorious for their bad head gaskets... My first dsm was a 95 Esi, i paid 4 grand for it and that seems liek alot now. You can deff get a nice turbo model for that much.

 

[mr2turbo]

I paid 4200 for my 96 rs two years ago and it had 104k it now has 142k and the only major problem was the clutch going out at 138k other then that no major problems hust routine stuff

 

[-TunedDSM-]

Yeah way too much money! I just got my 95 GSX bone stock w/85k on it for 6 grand including title/taxes. Just be patient and find something worth the money. If you know about fixing engines and have your dad there to help then find a turbo model that needs work and fix it up

 

[mitsuclipsegsx]

Deff way too much, i bought my 95 rs for 1700 ran perfect had 125k

 

[hardtrailz]

I tried to search but did not find what I was wanting, so if this needs moved or removed...please let me know.

I am looking to buy a 97 Eclipse RS 5 speed for cheap. It has 138,000 on it and the body is in excellent shape other than needing washed and scrubbed from sitting under trees since last fall.

Story: Bro-in-law has had it since 2000 and drove it daily til last fall when he bought a new BMW. It has sat since. I am 100 miles away, but havee previously been around the car and even though he is not a car guy, he is detail oriented and gave me all issues minor or major.

Known Issues:
Battery terminals- He says new ones are needed.
Battery/Alternator- He said it wasn't staying charged, but it was sitting and battery may just be old
Door Locks- DR door replaced but not installed correctly and fall into the door??
Window Crank- Needs installed
Radio- None, was stolen a few times were he used to work.
Oil Leak- Apparently not horrible and has been that way for awhile


Price is $500.

My thoughts are the battery/terminal/alternator is simple and start by fixing cheapest part first until it works, but am I missing something inherent in these cars?

Door lock and window crank should be simple fixes.

Radio- Anything I need to make sure is not broken in the dash? I dont mind rewiring whole thing if needed.

Oil Leak- The scary part. What do I look for/check/test or need to know on these cars? I am thinking it could be a head gasket issue with the research I have done. Is this a tough fix. I am a decent driveway mechanic and have done clutch and tranny and axle swaps, but no real motor work. Is this doable myself or is it a pro job on these motors?

I am looking for the real advice on this. I have a couple jacked up trucks and want a car to play with and drive to work. Not usually a car guy, but this deal kinda fell to me and seems decent, plus I always kinda liked the Eclipses I had drove in the past.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. The good thing is that even though the car is 100 miles away, I can likely get it this weekend and return it next if serious issue is found.

 

[phunny]

My first question would be when was the timing belt/water pump done and what parts were used. The other things sound small and for $500 I don't think you could go wrong.

 

[NeMiZiS]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-miscellaneous/200797-dsm-buyers-guide-what-look-when-buying-dsm.html

 

[Silver99OZ]

The oil leak is most likely coming from either the back of the valve cover, the oil pressure sending unit, or the head gasket.

 

[hardtrailz]

My first question would be when was the timing belt/water pump done and what parts were used. The other things sound small and for $500 I don't think you could go wrong.

Wil definitely try to ascertain this info. If not done, is it terribly difficult to do?

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-miscellaneous/200797-dsm-buyers-guide-what-look-when-buying-dsm.html

Read it, but didn't address my specific questions.

The oil leak is most likely coming from either the back of the valve cover, the oil pressure sending unit, or the head gasket.

Being what it is, an older basic car, can the car be safely driven for awhile, until maybe winter, and then be repaired or is one leak worse than another and requires immediate fixing?

Thanks for the responses.