Should I buy it?

[Fearless Racer]

Here's the deal:

At my job there is a copper-tone colored Eclipse(2nd gen. exact year unknown)that is lowered, has a mild body kit, rims(needs to replace tire on the right back side and put the rim back on), a ricer muffler(over-sized), and maybe a few engine upgrades for $3,000. I know I should test drive it, but there's something about the price that bothers me. any advice would be helpful.

[boosting20psi]

i think you shoul at least go look at it take it for a drive find out what is worong with it. for something to be that cheap it ether has problems or it is stolen but drive it and tell us what you find out then will go from there

[mitsu_eclipse95gst]

Also find out what model it is GSX GST GS RS. How many miles does it have?

[BoostedSpyder]

3k? too good to be true? does it run? is there a rod sticking out of the oil pan? why is 1 tire bad and not the others? and that ricer muffler, is it a 3" muffler for the turbo [may not be all that ricer]? does it have a turbo? did the turbo 'fall off'? is there a little scratch in it and the owner is so sickened by it, he is getting rid of it asap? does he just have lots of $$ and doesn't give a fuck? does it look like a cop magnet? are the cops looking for it right now? was it involved in some kind of 'hit and run over some guy when i was drunk last night' episode? is it 1 run away from exploding? better yet, did you [inadvertantly, of course] nail this guy's girlfriend and he is enticing you to buy it so he can exact some kind of sic revenge by remote detonating it as you drive away? is there still blood in it from a carjacking? will Superman come to the rescue? sorry- getting carried away... just some questions that pop in my head...

on a similar note, i bought a 2000 tahoe loaded with system and all from a 'friend of a friend of a friend' for 10k because the guy needed lawyer $$ pronto [do i need to explain further?] and i have the funds to cover it. i flipped it and made a buck or 2 with no sweat off my back. perhaps this guy may be in some kind of similar 'need $$ to pay off my bookie or scumbag - er, i mean lawyer' situation.

[Import2nr99]

Quite the imagination you've got man! But I do agree. It sounds very shady. If he is serious about selling it to you, ask him if you can take it to a mechanic and have him check it out from head to toe. Sometimes you just get lucky and find one for a great price. Perhaps someone didn't like him and slashed the tire... which would suck if they didn't know you bought it and came back for more! And an upgraded exhaust doesn't instantly scream ricer... could actually be helpful Get all the details you can about it. If it seems like a sweet deal. Go for it..... Hopefully you won't fall victim to a driveby because you purchased an ex dealers car!

[BoostedSpyder]

that's what i'm talkin' about!!!

[Fearless Racer]

It's a 1997 Eclipse GS with 35k miles.

Originally Posted by BoostedSpyder

3k? too good to be true? does it run?

Yes.

Originally Posted by BoostedSpyder

is there a rod sticking out of the oil pan?

No.

Originally Posted by BoostedSpyder

why is 1 tire bad and not the others?

He claims the tread on the tire was worn out(maybe it was...Who am I to judge?). on a side note: I live about a couple of miles down the road from a place that sells tires. the very same Kumho tire and other brands as well(which means if I did get the car I could replace the tire).

Originally Posted by BoostedSpyder

and that ricer muffler, is it a 3" muffler for the turbo [may not be all that ricer]? does it have a turbo?

My mistake...The muffler is for the turbo(only reason I thought it was ricer was because most cars around here have huge mufflers for no reason ).

Originally Posted by BoostedSpyder

did the turbo 'fall off'?

Nothing fell off.

Originally Posted by BoostedSpyder

is there a little scratch in it and the owner is so sickened by it, he is getting rid of it asap?

there are little scratches, but a new color paintjob would make that go away.

Originally Posted by BoostedSpyder

does he just have lots of $$ and doesn't give a fuck?

Either that or his woman told him to sell it.

Originally Posted by BoostedSpyder

does it look like a cop magnet? are the cops looking for it right now?

No & no.

Originally Posted by BoostedSpyder

was it involved in some kind of 'hit and run over some guy when i was drunk last night' episode? is it 1 run away from exploding? better yet, did you [inadvertantly, of course] nail this guy's girlfriend and he is enticing you to buy it so he can exact some kind of sic revenge by remote detonating it as you drive away? is there still blood in it from a carjacking? will Superman come to the rescue? sorry- getting carried away... just some questions that pop in my head...

To answer the rest: no, no, no(why would I nail someone else's girl?),no, and Superman(this kid that I knew in high school: White Tiburon with a Superman vanity plate and the Vinyl on his back windshield) would think he's too cool to save people(damn spoiled kids).

I just gonna guess and say he bought another car and just wants to sell this one. I told him I'll let him know by Monday. Any other things to worry about?

[mitsu_eclipse95gst]

ok first of all its a GS they dont have turbo. (unless after market)

[Fearless Racer]

Originally Posted by mitsu_eclipse95gst

ok first of all its a GS they dont have turbo. (unless after market)

It's an aftermarket turbo.

P.S: What is the difference in the GSX and GS-T models(GSX is AWD right?)?

[97GSTspyder]

GSX = turbo w/ AWD
GST = turbo w/ FWD

[mitsu_eclipse95gst]

GET IT CHECKED OUT BY SOMEONE. He might have screwed up the motor i.e. running 2 much boost. Find out what all he did to the car. Motor work every thing. See if he has the receipts for the stuff.

[Afrokid]

lol nice post booosted spyder...really imaginative...anywayz it seems a little low for a 97 GS with only 37miles...check its VIN number [dont know how, im pretty sure there is a website] and get it checked by a mechanic.

[Import2nr99]

You can go to carfax.com and get a total history on the car. Thats a good idea. It'll let you know if he's ever been in any serious accidents. Plus ask details about his turbo setup and see if he sounds like he has a clue. He def could have messed up a lot of things if it was a gs

[BoostedSpyder]

ya, putting on an aftermarket turbo requires a mess of other things, mostly internal engine mods. like you got to strengthen everything. look at the 'how much did you pay' thread. eclipseRST dropped 4500 into modding the engine to accept the turbo [i think he might have even got a whole new block]. this guy could have done some serious damage to his internals. test drive it, and if he isn't comfy with you dropping the pedal, have him do it. you know have him show you what it's got. that will be a tremendous opprotunity for many red flags to go flying. did you say the tire is completely whacked? is it test-drivable? only 1 tire is very strange. kumho tires are pretty good quality, so to have just 1 go... weird... and generaly, you replace at least 2 [both sides] if not all 4 at the same time...

above all else, it still may be a good deal, at worst case scenario, if you have to replace an engine, you would still be well below the 10k mark, enough that it would still be worth the $$ [think of all the aftermarket parts already have been bought and throw that figure in there]

[Fearless Racer]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'll let you know by Monday whether It's worth it or not.