Opinions on 98 GS-T

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Apr 20, 2010 | 10:13 AM
  #1  
i've been looking for another toy to mess with and have always like these cars.

its a 98 with 130k on the body and 40k on the motor.
he's askin $4500.

he's also runnin 13lbs of boost

any reliability issues on these cars.. common failures?

any help is appreciated.. thanks..



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Apr 20, 2010 | 10:33 AM
  #2  
I always thought those looked good; still do. That one needs to loose the wing (I know it's stock), the blackout, and the wheels (again, I know they're stock). It could stand to be raised up a little, too.
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Apr 20, 2010 | 10:37 AM
  #3  
%100agree with the wheels.. but the GS-T's factory exterior is the only reason i like them.. wing would have to stay.

the GS models make me


also the car is on coilovers.. so raising it wouldnt be an issue
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Apr 20, 2010 | 10:49 AM
  #4  
dont they have issues with crank walk?
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Apr 20, 2010 | 10:50 AM
  #5  
I'd be weary of a car without its original engine, but that's just me. The owner might have all paperwork and the like, but I would never buy a car without its original engine.
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Apr 20, 2010 | 10:58 AM
  #6  
Quote: I'd be weary of a car without its original engine, but that's just me. The owner might have all paperwork and the like, but I would never buy a car without its original engine.
see what you mean.. this wont be a daily driver either.
but i always look into reciepts and who did the work on this type of thing.

sometimes engines need replacing though, cant discriminate against all cars with new hearts pumping through them, hell my prelude will need a new one soon.

phee, care to elaborate?
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Apr 20, 2010 | 11:08 AM
  #7  
Quote:
phee, care to elaborate?
I'll take that one.

http://www.magnusmotorsports.com/tech/crankwalk.htm

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/w...crankshaft.htm
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Apr 20, 2010 | 11:10 AM
  #8  
http://www.car-forums.com/s15/t4460.html

some early 98's have it. my buddy has a talon and its awd. i would opt for that. he just got a 5 speed dropped in and a light tune and he put down more power than me in my 2g tl. its hella fun to ride in the thing and it pushes u into the seat.

good luck. i love that body style and i think they look good when well taken care of. just make sure all the body panels are even and the gaps are close. these cars have an issue with the body panels being poorly aligned and making everything look cheap. especially around the headlights.

as for the engine being swapped in, it may be because he had crank walk and opted for the 6 bolt.

this car is basically an evo in a tux
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Apr 20, 2010 | 11:11 AM
  #9  
I used to literally dream about this car when it first came out. If it's a toy, then why not?
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Apr 20, 2010 | 11:14 AM
  #10  
my buddy has a Talon TSI and it was a nightmare. Well his turbo went and then they found out his motor was shit too. So he got a full rebuild and what not. Now he doesn't drive it that much because he's scared that something else might go on it and he wouldn't be able to afford to fix it.
I don't know much about them but even he says they are not reliable at all.
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Apr 20, 2010 | 11:28 AM
  #11  
seller sent a few more pics.
ps. i hate the blacked out tailights... they would be back to red immediately if i ever bought this thing...

im asking him about the crank thing now phee, thanks for the heads up.






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Apr 20, 2010 | 12:04 PM
  #12  
I loved this generation Eclipse when it came out (I had a 96 Avenger at the time which is basically just a stretched Eclipse) and the Turbo is definitely the one to get. Still, $4500 is a little steep for a toy IMO....
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Apr 20, 2010 | 12:28 PM
  #13  
cant see pics but my buddy has had his car in the shop A LOT

new turbo
2 new trannys (autotragic)
diff
transfer case
crankwalk
and he couldnt pass emissions at all
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Apr 20, 2010 | 12:44 PM
  #14  
Quote: cant see pics but my buddy has had his car in the shop A LOT

new turbo
2 new trannys (autotragic)
diff
transfer case
crankwalk
and he couldnt pass emissions at all
thats a nightmare

upsides to this car are the fresh motor and 5spd tranny.. so no worries on the failing automatic... now the crankwalk im reading up on and not finding many ways to slow/prevent it..

and on the price.. i'll pay 3500 cash and if he wont take it im passing.. i could spend it on the lude...

thanks for the advice.. i've just always wanted one of these so bad
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Apr 20, 2010 | 03:25 PM
  #15  
My brother had a 1996 GS-T and it was not a good car. The small block blew around 101k, it had rod knock, the turbo was leaking oil, the idle control was bad. He took it in for service probably once a week and they could never fix it.
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Apr 20, 2010 | 03:33 PM
  #16  
edit: i meant the SHORT block blew around 101k.
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Apr 20, 2010 | 03:42 PM
  #17  
DSM's are fun to tinker with (I had one when I was younger.) Don't mistake these cars for typical Japanese beaters though...they require a decent amount of attention to maintain, but a nicely done one always gets props from car guys.
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