Buying a 97 Eclipse GST Saturday

[Crimson]

Well I originally wanted a 2000+ Celica then realized I would much rather have a GST as I started looking further into cars. I finally found the one I want, it is a black 97 with 95k miles for 7,000$. Apparently the guy got it after watching fast and the furious then decided he rather have a truck a few months later So I benefeit from the deal and get the car. Im still petrified of Crank Walk but I test drove it and it sounded clean aside from a squeeling in the hood when we first started it. My friend told me its probably the belts need to be tightened. Im extremely excited that im finally getting rid of my horrible jeep and getting this beautiful car, I have no doubts in my mind, just a few questions...

I post regularly on a celica forum and although everyone was nice when I said im getting a GST, they told me that if both were bare stock, a Celica GTS could beat a GST pretty easily. I wanted to ask you guys because the entire board seemed to think so and the eclipse is like 200 pounds heavier and has 30 more HP and a shitload more torque...so im just wondering about this.

Also the question always asked...what to do to it first? It already has a greddy blow off valve and I guess ill leave that since greddy is apparently a great brand. It has exhaust but I think its just a muffer tip so probably 3" piping will be a first. APEX cold air intake probably next then maybe go for body kit or something after that...Any opinions?

I got pics of the car if anyone wants to see it.

[JoeWagon]

First off, I drove a 2k3 GT-S and they have no torque at low rpm's at all.. it was dissapointing. I couldn't even get the tires to spin and it felt like there was traction control set high or something weird with it, but apparently that's how they are.

There are too many posts about 'first mods' for me to want to recommend anything, they all go intake exhaust bov upper ic etc.. whatever, well i'd recommend performance over a bodykit, you can do a lot with the same money a kit will cost. plus 97-99 turbos are sexy already. good luck

[Crimson]

Im just wondering because they were talking about something called Lift where when it hits 3rd gear it takes off?

[JoeWagon]

Might have been VVT-i ( i think thats what toyota has) that at a certain rpm, like vtec, keeps the valves open longer. I'm pretty sure it does it in all gears though, so it could be something else you're talking about, although i've never heard of it.

EDIT>> [ I'm almost positive this is what you heard-- at 6k rpm the vvt-i engages and i think lifts the valves higher in order to keep them open longer. (done by use of a cam change-over mechanism). so, similar to vtec, the renowned valve timing system in our favorite Hondas ]

[duckydsp]

A gst would eat a celica gts for breakfast. They are weak cars and eclipses can toast it. Those people said that only because they are biased or because one uneducated person said celica's are quicker so everyone else joined in. Good luck with the gst.
Peace

[Crimson]

lmao, alright im reassured hehe, but of course i had no doubt what so ever in my mind so its all good. *wipes away sweat*

[JoeWagon]

So, in a stock race, a GST would 'toast' a GT-S even though they both run stock about the same 1/4 mile times, and have about the same P/W ratio? explain that please

[kjewer1]

Who cares about stock to stock... None of us will ever leave our cars stock for long. Put 1500 bucks into each car and see which one gives you the most for that money

[EclipseRST]

i'll put my money on the GST

[Crimson]

My mom is hesitant about me getting this car because it has 95k miles and wants us to get it checked by a mechanic first.

[kjewer1]

Tell your mom that mechnics dont know shit about turbo DSMs Not to mention they will find 20 things wrong with it, thats how they get paid... So be sure its someone you can trust.

[intelligence27]

i just got a gst and bro let me tell yeah i been killing ricers left and right. its pathetic and i havent had one car yet that needed me to push my car and my car is bone stock. i ran integs civic celicas the works on your ricers that pull up thinking they can drive. the car is fast! trust me on that. the only other car i would rather have would be a gsx but oh well couldnt afford insurance but the gst is a fast ride not to menting a great looking chick magenet.

[kjewer1]

I didnt see any insurance difference between GST and GSX. Its the turbo that kills insurance, and they both have it.

[intelligence27]

OH i was always told the the AWD on the gsx affected the insurance tremendously. is this true or not? thus one of the reasons i got the gs-t. that and i couldnt find a gsx. but oh well im happy with my ricer killer. but awd more on insurance or not?

[EclipseRST]

my insurance company states that the GSX AWD is less than GST cause it is safer and you have more control!