Well, right now I have about 5 grand to spend, once my Accord is sold (pay some bills). I am now trying to choose between a 2nd gen (95 or so is all I can afford, and I like the 2g body style) GSX/TSI, or an Integra. The teg; I can get an LS for 4,000, and eventually get a b18c5 for $3500. Or I could pick up a 95 or so GSX. I am worried about the maintenence, however I cannot afford a low mile GSX for the 5 grand I have. The thing that keeps the GSX in my eye is the fact that a1jdmengines is not too far from me, and they have the 4g63 for $1200, including turbo. I like both cars, I love my friends modded tsi. I just want to know how the DSM'ers think about routine problems. I am looking for input on which I should get. Thank you.

I know I also have the option of just boosting the LS, but I think I would just get the c5, since i can get it for $3500. but the real debate here is just which car I should go for. thanks.

P.S. I am a loyal Honda guy, but dsm power appeals to me. not too hate on honda though

 

i rather get an integ... but gsxs do not require so many modifications to break into the 12s and 13s as much as an integra.

 

lets see if you get a high milage gsx .. ur asking for trouble unless you personally know how the car was treated... those cars are notoriousely bad when not taken care of with kid gloves... you will be having to change ur belts every 60k miles or you will have to replace the engine ... its pretty unreliable unless you get lucky and someoen took really good care of it .. but they are very quick i wanted a gsx but i ended up with an LS because of reliabilty my friend has had to swap his engine on the gsx already 2 times .... hope that helps

 

Get the DSM. Trust me you won't regret it. My friends has 135k and still runs strong on 16 psi boost on stock internals, and stock turbo. He can take just about any car on the street. He runs anywhere from 13.5-14.5 1/4 mile. It is a sweet car. I drive an Integra and I'd take his car over mine any day. If you do get it though, just make sure you put in at least a 14b (stock 1G) turbo in it to run higher boost. You won't be dissapointed. Lastly, the AWD have better lauches, but due to the AWD they drag at higher speeds and don't pull as well. So maybe go for a FWD DSM if you want speed.

 

yea dsm engines seem bullet proof if handled good but remember ... unless you know it was handled good dont get it avoid it like the plague

 

If you are worried about maintenance, avoid the DSM

 

Like stated earlier, if the previous owners took good care of the car than you have nothing to worry about, well....except for that thing called CrankWalk, go to DSM.org, if you don't know what it is.

 

the teg should be the easiest to build up...From my past experience! I'm a all motor kind of guy , no turbo lag for me!!

 

DSMs are built like ****. It seems like the entire car is constructed of a cheap grade plastic. The base engines are built American. The turbo versions are built Japanese. Eagle shares the same model. I don't know anybody with an upgraded motor that hasn't had to rebuild it. It's like a sick and twisted bastard child of the Japanese marketplace. Stick with Honda.

 

Check out dsm.org or .com or something...There is a shitload of NASTY **** that happens if not treated right. Check it out

 

$5k for a 2G GSX....if you can find one for that low, It will either have problems or have a ton of miles.

Crankwalk is just about inevitable on 2G's EVENTUALLY, and if you buy one with a ton of miles as it is, youre asking for it. Never mind not having any cash left over for mods or repairs.

My suggestion? If you want a Talon/GSX, try and score a nice condition'd 90-91. Personally, unless I had a decent amount of money set aside for modifications, I might just go for the 1G DSM. You can score one in great shape for $3-$4k, and a well-modded one for $4-$6k. And they haul *** if you know what youre doing...

 

Well, I think I'm gonna go 1g DSM. I would like to get a teg, and get the b18c5, but I just don't have the cash. Plus, only spending 3-4k on a 90-94 DSM, I can concentrate on my other car, which has been neglected lately: 1970 Datsun 240Z, which will soon have an RB26DETT (300hp Skyline motor in a 2300lb car!). A 1g DSM would be a good daily driver, quick out of the box. Plus I'll be able to build my dream.

 

get a 1st gen dsm , 2nd gns are fugly , played out and slow.
1st gen with a boat load of mods. . . . 10 street driven pretty easily.

 

go to www.dsmtalk.com and learn about the problems and stuff associated with owning a dsm. then make your own decision

 

I'd go integra. You won't be as fast, however a DSM with a blown engine isnt very fast now is it?

 

DSM, i wish i had gotten one over my gsr.

 

personally I'd go integra..maybe I'm biased but your in an integra forum.. what kind of answers do you expect hehe.. my roommate in college had a DSM and it had its share of problems... I'm not sayin my honda never had problems.. but not as many as the DSM did ..our cars were about the same year/age and he did maintenance like I did.. so the only other factor was engineering, build quality, design, etc... I'm not dissing the DSM's but from what I saw based on my college roommate.. it had its share of problems ..

based on my roommmates Eclipse.... the interior rattled like a b*tch w/ the cheap plastic... the power window when all the way down would rattle inside his door... had cooling, and tranny problems...

 

that'd apply to both cars

 

i never had a prob with any of my dsm's./
i had 4 of em .
id get rid of my R for 2 of those just to not have payments. ill have a 10 sec street car and and a 8-9 sec track ***** .
they go faster for cheaper.

 

But how much will it cost to replace that motor? $1k? Anyway, its not the motor you have to worry about, its the tranny.
DSMs are cheap speed...cheap in many senses of the words, but we're not talking Mercedes here. Its just as "cheap" in terms of rattles/squeaks as anything else in its class.

 

One of my friends in college had a DSM, a 1993 Talon Tsi, to be exact. He had a very long list of engine mods, however he has, since the last time I talked to him about two months ago, gone through a total of 4 trannies and who knows how many clutches since he's had the car. DSM's are known for having a weak tranny that can't take the performance mods put on the 4G63 engine.

But, on the other hand, they are faster stock. Do you want a drag car, fast street car, or a track car? If you've got a Datsun Z car that is your baby, then why not get the Teg and have a reliable daily driver? Who knows, you might catch the "Honda bug"

 

What kind of racing, if any, do you do? Do you drag race, autocross, or both? If you just drag race, I would give the nod to the DSM. If good handling is your preference, then go with the teg. That's just my $.02. Good luck with what ever you get.

 

my friend had a 97 eclipse. it was cool cuz it attracted the ladies, but that thing was horrible on the twisites, not to mention power problems -windows, locks, lights. his dad has a 3000 gt. same problems. (they're into DSM's). personally i, like my teg better. it feels more roomier, plus i like the aftermarket side of it better. plus i have a 300 watt system in there w/o a cap(not alot, but enough) and have not had any problems. go teggy, it'll be healthier on your checkbook

 

umm NO... cheap plastic.. OK... window rattle.. it was WORSE on the eclipse.. keep in mind that this was my roommate.. when we had the same class or same time to go on campus.. one day I would drive.. the next day he would drive his car.. we carpooled and took turns driving sometimes.. so I've been in his car on MANY occasions and have had the chance to hear the window in my car and his back to back.. the window rattle was much worse on his 95 Eclipse...

in 100K+ miles I have not experienced cooling or transmission problems (other than a slight grind/sycros) not a problem that left me stranded or w/ a 2K plus repair that left the car inoperable..

so NO I don't think it applies to both cars (teg and eclipse)...

also I'd like to ad that I am not bashing all mitsubishi's this was just based on personal experience on a 1995 model year Mitsubishi.. they might have very well cleared up these problems in 1996 and beyond.. that I do not know.. all I am sharing is my experience w/ my roommates car...

 

Relax man. Neither cars are have premium interiors. One's just a lesser evil.