Ok, well I might be going to look for a new car in the next week, and there are a couple of AWD DSM's for sale locally. One is a 91 with a new head, cams, timing belt, and clutch kit, for 3000, and the other is just listed as a 5 speed 92 for 2950. What i want to know is, what should i look out for when looking at these cars? And what should the compression be on the cylinders?

Thanks

 

compression should be in the 135-150 range if not a little higher.. 135 is cause to start worrying..... 90-91 = 6 bolt late 92+ 7bolt... always ask about how it was taken care of and how it was driven... i found my car with a shitty paintjob on it for 300 nothing motor or tranny wise wrong

 

I wouldn't buy it if the main driver was his/her son/daughter.

 

check the turbo for shaft play, oil leaks around the head or anywhere for that matter, smoke at start up, grinding noises from the driveline or thumps, black oil or really burnt smell under oil cap. Thats some stuff id look for.

 

http://store.yahoo.com/machv/tip6buyingdsm.html

 

..........

 

Ok, final question. Ive heard about the fabled DSM reliability. Would it be feasible to get a AWD 1g (100k + miles) and it not break down on me 10 out of 12 months?

 

Probally not, but it really depends on how it was taken care of. Also check to make sure it idles around 750. DSMs tend to have idel surge espically 1gs and its a PITA to fix.

 

Agreed. It depends on regular oil changes, replacements, and such. I wouldn't be concerned so much with the engine, as those 91 and 92 engines are a bit better than the later ones. I would check out the transmission through and through. I'd grab the stock 5spd for 2950, gl man.

 

there is nothing wrong with "dsm reliability". if you do it right you're fine, assuming the car is not a complete pile of shit. power breaks shit, if you want to go fast you'll have to deal with it.