Question before buy a eclipse GST/GSX

Izaya · Oct 21, 2018

Hello everyone, I have a big question about this type of car

First of all, I want to buy a car per day (go to the university), I need to cross the whole city for that I need a trustworthy car for the street.

I want a eclipse GST/GSX, but my only options are car tuned with some modifications like reprogramming, big intercooler, turbo Greddy or hybrid, and thinks like that.

What recommend me?
Can it be a reliable car?

Thanks to read.

chrysler kid · Oct 22, 2018

No.

It's a 20 year old abused tuner car. It will not be reliable transportation. These cars are project cars requiring lots of dedication to maintenance

They absolutely are terrible cars to be used for transportation unless you are a dedicated mechanic with a secondary vehicle to use when the eclipse is broken

Kryndon · Oct 22, 2018

I have to disagree with Chrysler Kid, unfortunately. When I bought mine, it was missing half the parts and it needed a complete engine rebuild (head and bottom end).

HOWEVER, after doing all that, doing all the initial maintenance and fixing the major problems, the car has held up absolutely fine for the past 2 years. I drove 1800 miles in 2 days across Europe, straight after fitting a different (used) clutch. The car was just under the maximum allowed weight. On the way back, she did another 1800 miles, this time it was OVER the max weight limit, with two people, a metric shitload of stuff (I literally cleared out the whole house and packed everything in it), and it didn't break a sweat.

My point is that, as long as you go over most of the things and make sure that everything is in good working order, the car will perform like any other car.

Of course there's always the chance of a random sensor just dying because it's ~20 years old, but that applies to most other cars.

This is also why people strongly suggest that, if you want to buy your first DSM, make sure it's as STOCK or close to stock as possible. An aftermarket intake system, boost controller and maybe a few gauges are fine, but if the car has different internals (block has been touched) and electronics, you should keep it in mind.

Personally I have used mine for daily trips to my workplace (10 miles a day, which is actually BAD), I've driven it to the University and back, I've driven it across Europe twice, I have gone offroad in it, acted as a snow plough for my colleagues one time, hauled a lot of stuff in the back, camped in it. Basically everything. At it did all those perfectly.

So, to answer your question; can it be a reliable daily car? Yes, it can. ONLY IF it's confirmed to be in good working order and all the maintenance done per the manual specification.

pauleyman · Oct 22, 2018

Izaya said:
Hello everyone, I have a big question about this type of car

First of all, I want to buy a car per day (go to the university), I need to cross the whole city for that I need a trustworthy car for the street.

I want a eclipse GST/GSX, but my only options are car tuned with some modifications like reprogramming, big intercooler, turbo Greddy or hybrid, and thinks like that.

What recommend me?
Can it be a reliable car?

Thanks to read.

I will agree and disagree with chrysler kid. It's unlikely you will find a reliable daily driver however they can be plenty reliable as I have driven one daily since 1992. However the cars i bought were unmolested,meticulously maintained and any mods were proper and well thought out. Even if you find a stock one, unless you find a unicorn it will require a lot of work by a skilled mechanic. Even the unicorn will require some work as it's a minimum 19 years old plus. My last one was a 52k mile one owner and i still had to do belts. Seals. Clutch hydraulics. Brakes. Various gaskets. Fluid changes etc within a short time of ownership because everything is old. Assume nothing in a purchase. It's old until proven otherwise with receipts and an inspection.

streetraceboi · Oct 22, 2018

Agree to disagree. You CAN find a good one. Will it be easy? NO. 80% of these cars for sale are beat up or not taken care of with lack of maintenance. Do you have patience? If you do, you can search around and maybe travel to get one in good shape that has been well taken care of. They usually come for a little more dollars. BUT youre paying for a well kept car.

I just sold a 95 TSI Fwd that was a 2 owner and well kept car. Previous owner was son, handed it down by mother who bought it straight off the lot. It came into my hands with 135k miles bone stock with bent valves and was sitting for a few years in a garage. Did 100% of the maintenance to it, and put it up for sale. The thing drove and ran like a dream. It even had the new DSM smell. I ended up trading it for a 06 Civic Si Coupe to which im enjoying/regretting because its slow as balls and I don't get what the big deal is with Honduhs LOL

802gst · Oct 22, 2018

I also disagree with Chrysler kid here, if you find a 2g especially a 97 or newer gst that's on stock fuel and stock t25 they are extremely reliable cars. Will it ever be a civic no probably not but my gst has been one of my most reliable cars ive ever owned. Just look for a maintained car the same you would any car, be certain the timing belt was changed or do it right away.
If you're only options are a big hybrid turbo upgraded fmic etc etc stay away because you will hate city driving with a big turbo, think on off switch for power. Plus each modification generally means less reliability. Stock dsm that's been loved will be a great car. Best of luck

m_0ney_pit · Oct 22, 2018

Don't do it buy something newer that's not modified, you will definitly hate yourself if you buy one of these cars expecting it it to be trustworthy...would you marry a stripper that has been callin all your friends? That's basically these cars at this point they have been around a bit but they are really really fun to work on and abuse...

Dsm panda · Oct 22, 2018

Any car any brand and modle can be reliable it's just how well it was taken care of. Dont go into it expecting to take it to a shop when things break as they inevitably will, you'll never financially afford the car. Another thing is how recent was its last major service on these cars I recommend once its home to do a timing belt job regardless of what your told. That in its self is expensive and time consuming. They are not bad cars I have 3 now two early 90s both in good shape my 96 is more or less a project/daily I already have done all the breaks on it the tbelt and all the goodies that go with it. And I still have more to do before its road ready. Getting them to the state of reliable is the key but that depends what group your in group A has more time, group B has lots of money.

streetraceboi · Oct 23, 2018

Dsm panda said:
Any car any brand and modle can be reliable it's just how well it was taken care of. Dont go into it expecting to take it to a shop when things break as they inevitably will, you'll never financially afford the car. Another thing is how recent was its last major service on these cars I recommend once its home to do a timing belt job regardless of what your told. That in its self is expensive and time consuming. They are not bad cars I have 3 now two early 90s both in good shape my 96 is more or less a project/daily I already have done all the breaks on it the tbelt and all the goodies that go with it. And I still have more to do before its road ready. Getting them to the state of reliable is the key but that depends what group your in group A has more time, group B has lots of money.

If you're doing it yourself, it is NOT expensive, nor time consuming. A complete job for me takes around 2-3hrs, with replacing all seals on timing side. Timing belt and component kit can be had for around $120-175...give or take. I pay around that amount since I choose to go with the Gates kit, which is fairly affordable at around $125 shipped through @RockAuto . If you think THAT alone is time consuming and expensive...you shouldn't be in a DSM. If you buy a DSM thats been well kept up with and maintained, and you continue that...youll have a good car. The car is only as reliable as the previous owners.

Dsm panda · Oct 23, 2018

The time consuming and expensive comment is geared twords OEM as much as possible and to someone who has never done one... I own 3 dsms I have done it multiple times and I'll say the first time took the longest the jist of my comment was that unless your willing to learn and put in time to do repairs yourself they can be very expensive to own.

Izaya · Oct 24, 2018

Thanks for his comments, I have in mind all you are say about my options.

I really appreciate

Izaya · Oct 24, 2018

Kryndon said:
I have to disagree with Chrysler Kid, unfortunately. When I bought mine, it was missing half the parts and it needed a complete engine rebuild (head and bottom end).

HOWEVER, after doing all that, doing all the initial maintenance and fixing the major problems, the car has held up absolutely fine for the past 2 years. I drove 1800 miles in 2 days across Europe, straight after fitting a different (used) clutch. The car was just under the maximum allowed weight. On the way back, she did another 1800 miles, this time it was OVER the max weight limit, with two people, a metric sh**load of stuff (I literally cleared out the whole house and packed everything in it), and it didn't break a sweat.

My point is that, as long as you go over most of the things and make sure that everything is in good working order, the car will perform like any other car.

Of course there's always the chance of a random sensor just dying because it's ~20 years old, but that applies to most other cars.

This is also why people strongly suggest that, if you want to buy your first DSM, make sure it's as STOCK or close to stock as possible. An aftermarket intake system, boost controller and maybe a few gauges are fine, but if the car has different internals (block has been touched) and electronics, you should keep it in mind.

Personally I have used mine for daily trips to my workplace (10 miles a day, which is actually BAD), I've driven it to the University and back, I've driven it across Europe twice, I have gone offroad in it, acted as a snow plough for my colleagues one time, hauled a lot of stuff in the back, camped in it. Basically everything. At it did all those perfectly.

So, to answer your question; can it be a reliable daily car? Yes, it can. ONLY IF it's confirmed to be in good working order and all the maintenance done per the manual specification.

In other words you recommend only if are not modifications in the block. Even if has tuned.
Im checking an Eclipse GST, have hybrid turbo, bronze clutch, reprogramming, intercooler, large injectors, headers, etc. The problem for me is the other eclipses on sale are to 310 mileage or more. maintenance is no problem, as long as it is not delicate or something very specific, I thought about doing it.

Thanks for read

streetraceboi · Oct 24, 2018

Izaya said:
In other words you recommend only if are not modifications in the block. Even if has tuned.
Im checking an Eclipse GST, have hybrid turbo, bronze clutch, reprogramming, intercooler, large injectors, headers, etc. The problem for me is the other eclipses on sale are to 310 mileage or more. maintenance is no problem, as long as it is not delicate or something very specific, I thought about doing it.

Thanks for read

I would make sure 100% thoroughly that this car has been maintained and well kept. Id literally interrogate the owner to make sure I don't catch him making stuff up just to get the car sold. Lots of paperwork for the mods etc also if they were done at a shop. Maintenance records, if no records...pull the top timing cover and check the belt for wear. Usually an indication is the general appearance of the car/engine bay/interior. You can usually get a read on how the car was treated by the parts used, ebay vs name brand, and the amount of zipties or overly used rtv gasket LOL

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Question before buy a eclipse GST/GSX

Izaya

chrysler kid

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pauleyman

streetraceboi

802gst

m_0ney_pit

Dsm panda

streetraceboi

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Izaya

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