Going to look at a 98 GS-T tomorrow Options

[kapoosh]

The g/f is planning on buying a 98 GST with just under 80K miles on it tomorrow. It's a bone stock 5 speed spyder. From the pictures i looked at it looks flawless inside and out.

When test driving what all should i look out for?? I've searched on dsmtalk.com about symptoms of crank walk and all that good stuff. Personally i think she should buy something else (more reliable), but has her heart set on this one.

And what dsm websites are the best so i can do some more research??

[JBone]

Before I stumbled upon the accumulated knowledge this site has I checked out MachV.com

They had a history of DSMs and so I checked out every link they had.

[black92_tsi_awd]

Ask if the timing belt was replaced. If it has 80k on the original, it's time for a replacment.

[natedogg]

dsmtalk.com and dsmtuners.com have loads of dsm info as well. If the clutch doesn't disengage all the way when making sharp turns stay away from it because the crank is definitely walking.

[Zmann42087]

DSM Used Car Buyer's Guide

^^^ Thats the most comprehensive guide I know of.. there is some good stuff in there.

[kapoosh]

Didn't end up buying for several reasons. All i can say is definately stay away from Naperville Imports. (full story to come later)

[SCCA Stang]

naperville imports? you were like 5 miles from my house...

[kapoosh]

Ya, naperville imports. If i knew you were so close we could have gotten together!


After talking atleast 10-15 times on the phone with an employee of naperville imports (Tony), i decided that it seemed like a great deal. He told me that it was in perfect condition inside/out. He also stated that it had been well maintained and he had the reciepts.

So friday morning i call him around 10 to let him know i'm leaving and will be there in 2.5 hours.

Fast-forward 1hr 45min. (i have a heavy foot) I get there early and realize it's not much of a dealership but looks ok. I don't see the car so i drive around back and it's there. It looks really clean. Minor dings and scratches (expected on a 10 year old car).

Tony comes out and i introduce myself, he's pretty much shocked that i'm there so early and says he's not quite ready yet. And i tell him to take his time i'll just look over the car. But we can't drive it yet because the battery's completely dead. The owner leaves to buy a new battery (all the time telling us how lucky we are that were getting a new battery). Tony jump starts the eclipse and tells us to drive it but don't stall it because it won't start again.

I tell him i would rather wait for the new battery as it's a new car to us and there's a good chance we might stall it. He convinces my g/f to go anyway (we only made it up the street) She stalls it, and of the car's completely dead. So we walk back to the dealer and wait for the new battery. 45 minutes later the new battery arrives and is installed and off we go.

It makes a funny noise right after cranking. He says it's the belts, so we go for a drive. Drives ok seems when you turn the wheel you have to actually turn it back straight it won't naturally come back at ALL. Stop in a parking lot put the roof down, put it back up. She likes it so we drive back to make a deal. I call around to some friends and ask about the noises and steering.

I notice now that a metal rod is coming out the side of the roof too. That was my last draw and i politely say i don't want to go any farther until it's inspected my a mechanic. (i said the mitsu dealership)

Steve (the owner) says no the dealer is full of crooks and they'll find 7K worth of stuff wrong with any car. So i say we'll take it to a private mechanic. (I don't know any locally, but i act like i do). And he basically flips out. Says the car is perfect and will prove it. He takes my g/f around the block in it, apparently the whole time telling her i'm a prick and i'm ruining a great deal for her.

So that was that. While there gone tony tells me i'm being unreasonable and import cars steering wheels are all like that. I tell him thats fine, but i drive a mitsu and it's not like that. I just want to get it checked out. He flips and tells me he's a big shot, has a viper, $70K bmw ect ect....and they all do it. And how he's a big body builder in michigan before he moved here and that i really need to let her make her own decisions. "or else...."


My g/f comes back with steve, she's upset and says if your going to talk about him like that were just going to leave. So we do, walk out of the showroom. I shut the door hard (i'll admit it). Tony comes charging out as i open my car door gets in my face and is like "you want to slam the door again and see what happens". I respond with some not so great choice words and drive off.

Steve (the owner) calls and apologizes 4 minutes later. I told him to F off.


the end




Cliff notes

- car not as described
-refuse to let me take it to dealer or mechanic
-get very upset when i refuse to buy it without taking it to the dealer
-owner tells my g/f that i'm a prick and a whole lot of other stuff and that i'm ruining a GREAT deal.
-my g/f finally agrees we should leave
-i slam the door
-Tony charges me and threatens to beat my ass
-owner calls and apologizes


I almost went back but my g/f was honestly scared to death of the place by the time we left.

[Zmann42087]

damn.. what a story...

[Kazz5]

Wow.

Just wow.

Sorry you had to put up with such fraud and abuse.

[kapoosh]

oh well, ended up back in chicago yesterday and she bought a 99 eclipse GS "10th anniversery" from a private party. That drives a 100X better and the fact that it's non turbo probably makes it a 100x more reliable.