Sell Celi GT for Eclipse GS-T??

[Sausage25ca]

Here's the deal. I live in Canada and own a Celica GT. Some guy who lives here calls himself "The Mitsu Man"and has imported 5 Eclipse's from the states. They are all 5 speeds and either GS-X's or GS-T's. They are all about mid 90's cars....these cars were not sold in Canada back then so they are very rare here.

I did not call him yet but went to see the cars last night as he is keeping them on an empty lot. There was a couple there who did call him and they said he was asking $12,000 each for them (Canadian funds) which is about $9,000 US. I suspect I could get a better deal than that for them as they have been sitting there at least three weeks and he has not sold one yet.

I am seriously considering selling the GT for which I would get about $18,000 for it. So I would pocket some money and get a better performing car with 210 hp stock and easily modifiable. From what I've read GS-T is on par with a Celica GTS. Also, these cars are rare here and would be sure to be a head turner more so than the Celica.

My only concerns are as to how he got these cars in the first place. I believe they are from Texas as one car still has Texas plates. I remember reading something on here once about a flood in Texas several years ago that left thousands of cars written off for insurance purposes. I will call this guy tonight to see exactly what the deal is. I would of course do a car fax if I decide to go for this to get the car's history. I don't see how this guy can make any money on this deal unless he got a really good deal on buying these cars...which raises the question as to how he got these cars in the first place.

I'll get more details tonight as to year, mileage, etc for each car.

[Mike00]

Go see if you can test drive it first. Any idea how many miles are on it? And is he asking the same price for the GS-X ? If so try getting that instead for the AWD.

[Jas]

yeah u need to get a more complete history of the car. Test driving it will help alot too. If things don't work out you could always go for the XS Turbo.

[Smaay]

XS is for the GT-S only right now..however, anytime you can upgrade to a GSX id say go for it

[Jandree22]

If everything checks out, as far as the initial cost is concerned, you'd be getting a deal. Most GSX/GSTs in the states are $11,000+US. Be advised, however, that they're def not nearly as care-free as a Toyota is. They're generally not as reliable and have particular problems with their timing belts. Definately take that into consideration before purchase. (I'm not saying they're as unreliable as a domestic, just not AS reliable as a Toyota/Honda)

This whole deal, however, sounds a bit shady. Make sure you do extensive research and take a comprehensive(not around the block) test drive before purchase. Good luck!

[AkUmA]

its pretty easy to make a gst or gsx very quick, you just have to keep up on the little things. first thing to check is make sure the crank isnt walking, and the car should last you a while. what ever you decide good luck.

[EuGeNiLe GTS]

there is nothing wrong getting a GS-T.. the only major difference from the GSX is that it's not AWD.. yea the GS-T is on par with a Celica GTS.. stock vs stock.. but put a few mods on both cars.. then you'll really see the GS-T shine.. if you can get a turbo DSM.. whether it be a GS-T or a GSX.. u should jump on the oppurtunity.

[FriedRice]

carfax? for VIN reports.

if people havent said anything about it yet.

i've heard of stolen cars end up in mexico... but not canada... so i think it *should* be okay.

[Sausage25ca]

Wait, I thought all GS-X and GS-T had the Mitsu 2.0 that was turboe'd while the lower versions had a Chrysler motor. My understanding was that GS-X and GS-T both put out 210 hp with the turbo... I did not realize there were non turboe'd versions. I'll have to do more research - I have already discovered the crankwalk problems that many have had.

I called the guy last night but he wasn't in, so I'll hopefully get to talk to him today.

[fubarlphie]

CARFAX FOR SURE!!! If they were indeed written off for insurance purposes, carfax will tell you. However, if they were flooded and not written off carfax can't help.

[Sausage25ca]

Hmmm, well believe it or not I dropped in to write down the details of the cars tonight and who should happen to be there but the "Mitsu Man" (self proclaimed) himself. He was driving a mid 80's Reliant, I kid you not. Someone else was dropping by that night and he was waiting for this person so I had a chance to talk to him. Apparantely he is starting a used car lot with someone else on that property and he is a broker of cars from the States and will be bringing several more in later.

The two cars I was interested in are:
98 Grey GS-X, 5 spd, full load, 65,000 miles, asking 25,000 CDN
96 Red GS-T, 5 spd, 110,000 miles asking 12,500 CDN

The grey one is a pretty sweet looking car actually and is stock except for a BOV, I started both up and the GS-X sounded pretty strong. I didn't test drive them b/c he was waiting for the other people to show up who eventually did. Anyways, the grey one's check engine light was on but I didn't say anything to him about that. Perhaps it goes off when you put it in first, I don't know. Looking at the engine bay it had what appeared to be scuff/paint marks in four places...it didn't seem to be normal, something just seemed off about the engine bay. He said the grey one consistently ran 14.2 - 14.6 in the quarter mile in a recent Import Fest here in town with which he had "one of his guys" attend.

They are all CA or Texas cars and he said the VIN's should come back clean but if there was a problem he "wouldn't know anything about that". He was the stereotypical used car salesman. I would consider buying the red one for a lowball amount, say 8,000 CDN if he can't sell these in the next two months and putting some nice rims on it and selling the Celica. Performance wise it would be a step up from my GT as it is turbo'd with 210 hp stock.

[Sausage25ca]

I just went on Edmunds.com and did a real world value thingy for the car. Dealer would pay $3,054 US for the car with that many miles. The guy admitted he purchased the vehicles from auction so likely paid around that price. Seems awfully low.

http://www.edmunds.com/used/1996/mitsubishi/eclipse/12469/options.html?tmvaction=vdpresult&tid=edmunds.u.options.utmv.vdpoption.1.Mitsubishi*

[EuGeNiLe GTS]

a 96 gs-t with that many miles.. yea im sure he could get it for 3k.. most people would be charging 5k under kbb.com private party price.. u really have to make sure watever car ur getting to make sure its in good condition.. and i would check out that CEL.. check signs for cwalk.. and if u can.. get a friend who knows a lot about cars.. preferebly DSMs to go check em out with you..

good luck..

[mickey513]

www.carfax.com

Doesn't give you the "COMPLETE" history but still worth checking out if you suspect something.

[ghostface]

just remember any car that comes stock with a turbo from the factory can make BIG power on a low budget..i say go for it...
the main difference between the 2 cars is the awd and the front drive...performance wise these cars are pretty good..the diference is that the gs-t has alot of top end becasue it is just front drive....let drive train drag ...the gsx is great for drag racint becasue of the awd but if you are looking for drag racing go with gsx..if you are lookin for highway racing get the gs-t..it pulls very hard with minor mods onthe top end..

lata

good luck
also 9k american dollars is a very good deal for any 5 spd gs-t or gsx eclipse