Well, some of you may have seen this thread, which is about me looking for a car.

Tuesday we went and looked and drove cars. I found two stealths I do definetally like.. but, I would like more input on price, mileage, auto vs manual, etc.

If I wanted an auto hardcore, I'd probably be all over the Green one.. but, is the white one, with less miles and a bigger engine worth 3100 more?

=I think I would prefer a manual. The performance difference over the two was HUGE, muchless the slight mileage, and just overall control of the car.
=I would prefer a black, gray, red, or white over anything..
=Is 118k too many miles, and is 78k worth the 3100 diffference?

We also drove an RT auto, and it didn't seem any faster/better acceleration than the base model.


On to the cars:
_____________________________

1995 Green base
-Auto
-118k miles
-Konigs rims (17"), one needs replaced or possibly just repainted
-Wouldn't start when we got there, jumped it.. then power accessories wouldnt work, same reason, battery charge.
-Sounded like it had a rubbing brake pad/rotor, and some other small things wrong with it - however, the dealer said he'd replace everything (including timing belt, battery) and make sure its running great.
-warranty was 50% parts and labor, 1m/1k.

(sorry no pics, however, it was very dirty, and they were just washing cars the day we got there. it could've been covering up the good things, or hiding bad about the exterior.)
_____________________________

1995 Pearl White flake RT (edmunds @ 7289)
5 Speed
78k miles
Decent tread on tires
Keyless entry
warranty - 20% parts and labor for 1 mo/1k miles
best cash price, 7500.





________________________________


Also, looking, I found a pair of red 5 speeds. Both are Red, and gray interior. However, they're both 180 miles away, in oppsite directions. Both are '94's, but one is listed as an RT (edmunds @ 4836), and the other as a RT Luxury (edmunds @ 5477). Both have about 108k miles, and both are listed at $6000.


A: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...dist=161#vdptop
B: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...dist=144#vdptop

I would go with the white one. It seems like its in better condition and it has less miles. Plus, you wouldnt be happy with the auto and the less power.

bigger engine?

the engines are the same size, its just one is SOHC, and the more powerfull one is DOHC

expect lots of little crap to go wrong with those cars.

>> the post was already long enough.

I am aware they are both v6 3.0L... but the RT is a DOHC with 222 hp, base is 164 hp.

What kind of stuff do you think would go wrong? Did you/friend etc have one? Details are my friend.

Orville - thats kind of what I'm thinking - if I spend the cash, why not spend more and get more?

I would not suggest eaither. My friends mom had one, and it was the biggist POS. They are not well built cars nore would I recomend it.

Not well built.. as in what? What kinds of things go wrong?

And, Im assuming you included the last two as well, meaning none of the four would be suggested by you?

I like em...

1. pick manual over auto.

Auto = Dodge >> .. crappy and will die
Manual = Mitsu >> .. peppy and will live

2. Pick the DOHC and never the SOHC. I've driven both, having said that, the SOHC was super slow and a ST Celica would give this car a run for its money. The car is super heavy and the DOHC is needed just for the 'sports car' feel.

3. Just a little FYI, just cause its a RT doesn't mean turbo.... I just hope you know that.

-Ti

oh yea... ALWAYS PICK THE MANUAL!

Don't worry, I've researched them a bit.. I even know a lot of the specs from looking at them so often..

RT only means Road/Track.. as in a higher performance car.

The RT TT is the twin turbo/awd. On the other thread I mentioned, I ruled out turbos (in case you're curious).

Turbos aren't meant to be run all the time, and they need to be maintained.. which isn't what I need or can afford.

but either way, turboinduction.. which of the three turbo RT's would you suggest - or no stealth at all?

2 of my friends have Stealth R/T TTs ones got the allwheel steer... like 97sc said... sat some cash aside to keep it running well.

What kind of problems have they had in the past?

-turboinduction+Feb 3, 2005 - 11:31 PM
I get to scoff at you again. Its the same dang car. Yes dif options, but there both not reliable. As boostedk2 says, set cash aside to keep it running. If your looking for somthing thats going to be reliable and not need tlc all the time, get a honda nissan or toyota. From all three of these modles, that i and my friends have I have not been disapointed nearly as much as what i have seen from mistu/Dodge.

-mark_426+Feb 3, 2005 - 6:59 PM

Those engine usually start to crap out around 80k. They're are also same of the hardest engines to work on and very expensive to work due to labor rates. Example, intake mani had to come off to replace the rear bank's plugs. Those cars are crap. I know a couple people with and their having lotsa problems. Also, go to ebay and look. SEVERAL have new engines and trannies at only 80k

my friend had a 1991 3000gt sl

idle control servo went band, $150+ for the part if i remember

electronic suspension crapped out

ABS light came on for no reason sometimes

if the timing belt goes, bye bye to the engine

bitch to change the plugs

lots and lots of lifter tick

misc. little crap, that costs a lot, breaks.

if you want a car that will drive every time, dont get a stealth

read this post http://www.3si.org/forum/showthread.php?t=202894 If you have any questions let me know.

or ask the experts
www.3si.org
www.stealth316.com

Don't let negative people ruin your hopes man. It's Mitsubishi, it can't be too bad. Parts for the Celica’s aren't real cheap either. It's all about what you want, lots of people like those cars. If you want one, get it. Any car will have problems, just take care of it and run good parts and you'll be fine.

-Bigmeanbulldog55+Feb 3, 2005 - 9:48 PM

clearly you dont have experience with the car

did you know that the ECU actually starts to fall apart at around 11 years old?

the capacitors start to leak, and either you have to take the ECU apart and replace them, or buy a new ecu

like i said, many things go wrong, and it isnt cheap to maintain the car, let alone fix it.

It's a 95, he's got a year to play with it, then he can sell it.

I had a 93 3000GT DOHC 5spd. I didnt have any major problems with it but i didnt have it for too long either.

Common problems are Spun rod bearings, bad ecu's, blown tranny differentials, Idle Speed controller act up, flashing dash lights, lifter tick like whoa!, brakes suck!, dash vents crack, and clutches dont last long 40-60k usually. The biggest things are that its a interference engine, tranny isnt too great, and the chance of spinning a rod bearing. All that costs too much!

-97sccelica+Feb 4, 2005 - 12:58 AM

agreed. i have/had a 93 eclipse that car is horrible... the intermitten wipers stopped working, the power antenna is stuck in the upright position, the fog light relay button broke, both A/C and heater core went bad, the transmission was rebuild last summer, and its stalling out even after that (did i mention its an AT), lots of lifter tick as mentioned

-Bigmeanbulldog55+Feb 4, 2005 - 5:48 AM
Wow...must control self....

Just cuz its mitsu, doesnt mean its good. To be truthful, mitsu arent going to rank up there with honda and yota or even nissan. Parts for the celica arent bad either. You fail to realize maintance on a 6cyl will be more expensive too. Yes any car will have problems, but I like to keep mine to a minaium.

-Digndoug+Feb 3, 2005 - 6:02 PM

Doug Doug Doug... >>

let me put it another way....

The Automatic Tranny is made by Dodge
The Manual Tranny is made by Mitsu

thus... pick the manual.

I'm well aware they are made the same and the only thing thats different is badging and minor cosmetics. And stop with your "not reliable" stuff - we all got wrenches >>


Mark, answer and which RT model I'd pick. Well definately not the ES model, way way too weak. The RT is ok, and if you're only looking for N/A fun than thats the model to pick. I liked the RT/TT. It was fun and turbo spool will spank your pants. I'd personally not recommend a Mitsu for a first car. As others have said, you're safe with a Toyo or a Honda, possibly Nissan (just check for electrical work). Also, if you are in PA, i'm sure a 240SX or MR2 will not be a good first pick. In all the brands and all the cars I've owned, the Celica is the only one that hasn't given me a single problem in the exception of tire replacement >>. But if you must get a Stealth/3000GT, I'm sure you can work anything that might go wrong. But please pick the manual or you WILL HAVE TO REBUILT.

-Ti