GSX guys, I have a general question for you concerning buying one

[nopistons94]

Alright, so my friend had a few 1g GSXs which broke every other damn day. Now, this could have been his fault for being a dumbass, or the cars, but put all that aside.

I'm a college student, I live about 45 miles from school, and don't commute. I usually go home 1-2 times a month, and don't drive much when I'm at school.

So for my question, would a 95-99 GSX be reliable enough w/ BPU and well maintained, with proper driving (aka no launching) to take on as a daily driver? I drive far less then most people would, and I know these things are pretty good when maintained properly.

Also, whats your gas milage on the highway with a basic bolt on modding setup such as exhaust w/ a high flow cat, intake and intercooler? I also plan on running ~ stock boost with stock turbo at first.

thanks guys

[PaleDSM]

They sure can be reliable. I drove a DSM as a daily for 10 years and was never left stranded once. Buy the right one and take care of it and it will take care of you.


MPG is typically in the low 20s.

[nopistons94]

straight, sounds good. I'm starting to look now, maybe find one over the course of winter time. I'm over making my car like 900 hp, I just want something quick, AWD and decent looking. I'm too poor for evo and STi range, so thats for after college times

[97TurboDSM]

my gst yields me about 450mi to a tank of gas. at least thats what i got on my trip home from florida. i have a few mods also so i thought that was pretty decent. definitely a great car, just treat it well and it'll treat you the same

[nopistons94]

thats good enough gas milage for me, my explorer gets 13-14 on a good day so..

[Kevin]

I have had my daily driven GSX since April of '06 and it has never broken down on me. I'm not gonna say I baby it but I drive it with care. It's only got the mods you stated below with the stock turbo and it is quick and a great car to drive. I've put 10k plus on it so far and the only problem I've had is the ISC which is the most common failure on the car.

I suggest you find a virgin GSX like I did. Should be adult driven. I think I just got lucky though hahaha. If you get one it should be fine for what you stated on driving it as. Good luck finding one!

[MPowerKai]

how about that white one in the forsale section?

[PaleDSM]

Keep in mind the GSTs will get better gas milage then the GSXs. It is actually a pretty big difference. I was surprised when I sold my fwd and went awd.

[turbo4g63]

i drive my gst everyday, 40 miles round trip, plus weekend cruising around reliably. I usually avg around 28 mpg...i get 31 on long trips where i don't stop at all. i just crossed 96000 miles and its running very strong. I have a walbro 190 fuel pump, big 16g setup, evo 8 intercooler, full exhaust, act 2600 clutch and flywheel. I love the car...i had my heart set on selling, but i am seriously reconsidering holding onto the car for another year or so. i love it.

[TrboChicsRock]

I daily drive mine and it's very heavily modified with no problems. Pretty much what everyone else said, they'll be as reliable as you make them.

[nopistons94]

I have found some virgins on craigslist in the PA, DE, NY area. Seems like about 90k miles and stock, people want around 8500. I'm sure I can get someone to drop to 7k if i have the cash ready to go, especially in winter time

BTW: how many miles do these engines usually pop at, and the turbo go? Say if it is a all stock car, kept stock since new.

[Kevin]

BTW: how many miles do these engines usually pop at, and the turbo go? Say if it is a all stock car, kept stock since new.

I bought my '95 with 121k on it completely stock. Compression is 160-165 across the board. Turbo had little to know shaft play when I bought it. After modding mine and lettin' her rip the shaft play increased but not much at all. Still pulls hard.

I say as long as the car hasn't been beaten on you should be fine. Just worry about the clutch and trans jawnnnnn.

[olmytsi]

Buy from an adult/dealership, a bone stock never tampered with car, NOT on a car forum... :)

[cmr076]

all my DSMs were money pit, pieces of ****! i did get them totally untouched from adults, HOWEVER i drive like a total asshole and beat on allmy cars like its my job so i cant complain. i sold my gst with 80k for 11 like 3 years ago and i just sold my AWD with 75k for 7... the motor went like a month after selling it tho... im pretty sure the kid ran it out of oil so i dont feel too bad for him. anyways there fun cars butdefeniently ongoing projects.

[turbo4g63]

Keep in mind the GSTs will get better gas milage then the GSXs. It is actually a pretty big difference. I was surprised when I sold my fwd and went awd.

do you still have your talon? i haven't seen it since the xotic meet, like 3 years ago.

[redline]

GSX with a 16G and supporting mods will be what you are looking for. the 16G will give you the power and be reliable with supporting mods. You just have to find one that was 1-2 owner and properly maintained and documented. Don't hesitate to buy a modded one if done clean and has low miles. Make sure the timing belt was done on schedule and routine maintenance was performed.

Alot of these 4G cars get a bad rep because of people trying to boost the piss out of them without a tune or no supporting mods and low maintenance. Just find a good one and pay for it and it will take care of you.

[olmytsi]

PaleDSM sold his talon.

[jc8889]

They sure can be reliable. I drove a DSM as a daily for 10 years and was never left stranded once. Buy the right one and take care of it and it will take care of you.


MPG is typically in the low 20s.

My words exactly.

[PaleDSM]

do you still have your talon? i haven't seen it since the xotic meet, like 3 years ago.

Nope, sold it about 2 or 3 months ago.

[turbo4g63]

Nope, sold it about 2 or 3 months ago.

damn shame....didn't it run 12's??? what turbo were you running?

[enigma]

I drive 91 talon, with a motor with 160K on the clock and counting, almost every day back and forth to work, 70 miles a day.
The ONLY time that it broke down on me was when my BRAND NEW alternator from advanced autoparts broke.

[Kevin]

Most people just get the whole "DSM's break all the time" bullish from the crankwalk problem. If crankwalk didn't exhist in DSM's then that stereotype wouldn't be around.

[slow4cyl]

Keep up with maintenance, the DSM will last forever. I know a few people who keep the car basic modded without any issues or gripes and theyre eclipsing (no pun intended) the 200k mark.

I don't regret owning them one bit, and I've had quite a few. Also, your going love AWD if you live in a place with a **** load of stoplights. ;)