Help Fast buying 99 Eclipse GS

I am just about ready to give the money up for this beautiful car, but have been hearing alot of bad press about the eclipse...especially on the web.

It's in excellent condition, but has high miles 112k. She was asking $6000 which is average for one in good condition but this one has an engine problem. After finding that out I got the owner to go down to $4500. She was moving out of town the very next day so was motivated seller. Beautiful interior, Good condition all over. One owner. One mechanic. The mechanic gave me the low down on a condition it has and hope one of you can either tell me it's worth it to buy or forget it.

Its got an oil leak. A $1050 oil leak. The mechanic says you can keep oil in it and it'll be no big deal. I asked how much to fix it. He says 1050. I said that's a big deal to me. That's a major repair what the hell's wrong with it? He says, it's an external leak by the head gasket. It involves the oil compressor and the timing chain will also be replaced. That's all I can remember of what he said. I asked if that will fix the problem for good, he says yes. But I know mechanics, I haven't found one I trust yet. Have any of you heard of this before?
I asked the owner just how much oil does it leak and she says it isn't noticeable. She does add oil, about 1/4 of a qt. every other month or so.

Also, what would it cost approx. to rebuild the 2litre engine if needed, just to stock specs?

well I would be careful about buying a car with a problem like that. A problem like that could mean a whole lot more once the engine is opened up. It could also mean the car is close to blowing the head gasket if it's already cracked. The car should be torn down and the problem fixed before it adds up to more and more money. If your not going to fix it yourself then it's gonna get $$ quick. I don't know a whole lot about the 420a engine other then it's shared with the neon and developed by chrysler(and that's not good), but I don't think it has a timing chain ( i might be wrong). I also don't know what an oil compressor is (oil pump?) but it sounds like the mechanic might not know the full extent of the problems with the car.

well I would be careful about buying a car with a problem like that. A problem like that could mean a whole lot more once the engine is opened up. It could also mean the car is close to blowing the head gasket if it's already cracked. The car should be torn down and the problem fixed before it adds up to more and more money. If your not going to fix it yourself then it's gonna get $$ quick. I don't know a whole lot about the 420a engine other then it's shared with the neon and developed by chrysler(and that's not good), but I don't think it has a timing chain ( i might be wrong). I also don't know what an oil compressor is (oil pump?) but it sounds like the mechanic might not know the full extent of the problems with the car.

Thanks!! What I was planning since I got a good deal was to use the money I saved to put right back into it to fix it. I'm pretty sure it's not cracked and there's no oil n water mixed. I'm willing to buy this car for $4500 and put a grand into the engine. Mostly because the mechanic is putting his neck out and it's all been documented for 3 years.

There was a recall on the NTs for leaking HGs, on the back side of the head usually. But I think it was for earlier years. Have the dealer run the VIN for the warranty srevice records, and see if it is eligible or has already been done. You may be able to get it fixed for free. ;)

wow 112k miles is reallll high for a 99... but that could play a part in why it has engine probs

There was a recall on the NTs for leaking HGs, on the back side of the head usually. But I think it was for earlier years. Have the dealer run the VIN for the warranty srevice records, and see if it is eligible or has already been done. You may be able to get it fixed for free. ;)

Thanks for that advice I really appreciate it and wouldn't have even known about it....!

There was a recall on the NTs for leaking HGs, on the back side of the head usually. But I think it was for earlier years. Have the dealer run the VIN for the warranty srevice records, and see if it is eligible or has already been done. You may be able to get it fixed for free. ;)

I agree and am usually pretty careful with buying used cars (I've purchased 34 cars in my lifetime). I haven't been burnt too bad yet...but I was trying to decide if I only pay $4500 for it then put the $1000 into it to fix that leak (not an oil/water leak, but external), the mechanic guarantees the motor could go another 100k. I'm also very leary of mechanics, but I would think it would be more to his advantage to tell me what's wrong so he can make money rather than saying it's ok with this fix (that was estimated way before the car went on sale).

So with the fix I'd be paying $5500 do you think this is or isn't an ok deal? I only plan to keep the car 2 to 3 years.

Thanks for that advice I really appreciate it and wouldn't have even known about it....!


If you buy the car, which i wouldent. you could buy a 97-99 gsx hooked up for 6k. but if you do buy the car with the leak. check around a engine rebuild costs $1600 with brand new internalls..! so whatever you do/ save 2k and get brand new internals and start from 0 miles..I hope this helps. search around more. A gsx should go for the same price hopefully with no problems and already modded to hell.

If you buy the car, which i wouldent. you could buy a 97-99 gsx hooked up for 6k. but if you do buy the car with the leak. check around a engine rebuild costs $1600 with brand new internalls..! so whatever you do/ save 2k and get brand new internals and start from 0 miles..I hope this helps. search around more. A gsx should go for the same price hopefully with no problems and already modded to hell.

Your car is absolutely beautiful!!
Thanks for that advice. I haven't put a deposit down, but I've told the seller that I am going to buy it. I guess that doesn't mean I have to. I haven't had one person tell me it's a good deal. The problem is now though that I don't have a car to buy around here (Oregon). I don't want a regular eclipse and the only GS I can find are starting at 7000 and up with no mods.

juli

Your car is absolutely beautiful!!
Thanks for that advice. I haven't put a deposit down, but I've told the seller that I am going to buy it. I guess that doesn't mean I have to. I haven't had one person tell me it's a good deal. The problem is now though that I don't have a car to buy around here (Oregon). I don't want a regular eclipse and the only GS I can find are starting at 7000 and up with no mods.

juli


hurry grab the AUTO TRADER and go Online. Check out all the mitsu's in the area. even check out the pre 97's eclipse and talons, if you want performace. but all in all check your options. dont be pressured. even call around and check for 4g63 engine rebuild preices. even if you decide to buy the gs. get her to either fix the problem then buy it, or see if shell take 1k off the 4500 so you can fix it yourself. thats my best advise. Be optimistic and hope you get what you want.

hurry grab the AUTO TRADER and go Online. Check out all the mitsu's in the area. even check out the pre 97's eclipse and talons, if you want performace. but all in all check your options. dont be pressured. even call around and check for 4g63 engine rebuild preices. even if you decide to buy the gs. get her to either fix the problem then buy it, or see if shell take 1k off the 4500 so you can fix it yourself. thats my best advise. Be optimistic and hope you get what you want.

That's how I found this one. It was $6000. Before I found out about the engine problem, I offered $5500. She isn't exactly engine-savvy and told me to call her mechanic to verify that she's taken care of it. I called the mechanic and that's how I found out about this little $1050 estimate he gave her a while ago. Apparently though, he told her she didn't need to fix this right away to just keep oil in it and it'd be fine. That's the part that makes me think it's not too bad. She's had it since new and this certified shop has been the mechanic for 3 years. She has all history and receipts for everything. I would think if he wanted to make money, he would've told her to get it fixed the minute he found the problem. So, when he told me the price and the problem, I re-offerered her $4500. The estimate was written in March 03.

That's how I found this one. It was $6000. Before I found out about the engine problem, I offered $5500. She isn't exactly engine-savvy and told me to call her mechanic to verify that she's taken care of it. I called the mechanic and that's how I found out about this little $1050 estimate he gave her a while ago. Apparently though, he told her she didn't need to fix this right away to just keep oil in it and it'd be fine. That's the part that makes me think it's not too bad. She's had it since new and this certified shop has been the mechanic for 3 years. She has all history and receipts for everything. I would think if he wanted to make money, he would've told her to get it fixed the minute he found the problem. So, when he told me the price and the problem, I re-offerered her $4500. The estimate was written in March 03.


Ok then on a final note. If you like the car and have the extra 1k to fix or $1,500-$2,000 to get the rebuild, Then it seems like the car for you.