Hello everyone...im new to the stealth world

[JoeStealth]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to the Stealth world. I think this would be a great place to network so I joined.

I am still looking to purchase my 1st stealth. Luckily a good family friend is selling his. He is the original owner of a 1991 dodge stealth twin turbo awd model.

The vehicle is in a bit rough condition. Everything is original on the vehicle (paint, interior, stereo). The vehicle has a boost controller and after market blow off valve. The vehicle has 210 000kms on the body and roughly 110 000kms on the motor (mitsubishi jdm motor).

I think I am getting it for a good price. The price is $4000 as-is.

The bad: cd player doesnt work, a/c doesnt work, doesnt switch from sport to active mode (i think thats what its called), power door locks dont work, abs light is on and doesnt work.

That being said, I need a GOOD mechanic as I am willing to get the car up and working in pristine condition. Mechanically (as far as i know) the vehicle is sound. I would also like to paint the vehicle and get the weather stripping replaced.

After all that being said, do you think the price is fair? (considering whats wrong with the vehicle and mileage).

Secondly, any recommendations as to good stealth/3000GT specialists in the Toronto area?

Thanks so much for reading.

[TT Eric]

Hi and welcome aboard!

Eric

[My_Name_is_Rob]

hello, and welcome.
from my experience that doesnt sound like a bad price, if the engine and drivetrain are decent like you say. Could it be the locks have a burnt out fuse? also the ABS might just be a sensor. I know my ABS light has been on for a couple years now, and ive replaced all the breaks so i know its not them. its still very drivable though. =)

[JoeStealth]

Originally Posted by My_Name_is_Rob

hello, and welcome.
from my experience that doesnt sound like a bad price, if the engine and drivetrain are decent like you say. Could it be the locks have a burnt out fuse? also the ABS might just be a sensor. I know my ABS light has been on for a couple years now, and ive replaced all the breaks so i know its not them. its still very drivable though. =)

I am not sure. The abs doesnt work (I was told) and the light does come on. Is the air conditioning not going a big deal? I noticed that there was something like black film on the windshield from the vents on the defrost. Know what that might mean?

Thanks for the reply

[one day...]

welcome!!

it sound like a fair price to me too.

but even if you know the previous owner, I would recommended you to make it inspect first. It'S impossible, just from description, and with "what I was told" to tell you what is exactly the problem.... it can be electrical, can be the switch, a fuse, a sensor, mechanical.......

make sure engine and trany is good (and close to rust free). For the rest... it's not that bad.. in last issue, you can live without A/C and power door lock (if you think it's too expensive to repair)

check for leak too. from where, and how bad..


sport/active thing.... were you talking about suspension or exhaust?

for the ABS... I would be curious to know how many people on the board repair the ABS sensor.... except removing the fuse lol!!!

what do you want to do with the car?
-repair it and sell it at profit? $$$
-stock daily drive car (and get some girls)
-bring it mint condition, like new.
-make a monster out of it, to mod it like crazy?

[JoeStealth]

Originally Posted by one day...

welcome!!

it sound like a fair price to me too.

but even if you know the previous owner, I would recommended you to make it inspect first. It'S impossible, just from description, and with "what I was told" to tell you what is exactly the problem.... it can be electrical, can be the switch, a fuse, a sensor, mechanical.......

make sure engine and trany is good (and close to rust free). For the rest... it's not that bad.. in last issue, you can live without A/C and power door lock (if you think it's too expensive to repair)

check for leak too. from where, and how bad..


sport/active thing.... were you talking about suspension or exhaust?

for the ABS... I would be curious to know how many people on the board repair the ABS sensor.... except removing the fuse lol!!!

what do you want to do with the car?
-repair it and sell it at profit? $$$
-stock daily drive car (and get some girls)
-bring it mint condition, like new.
-make a monster out of it, to mod it like crazy?

Thanks for the response...I want it to be a very good condition daily driver. I do NOT want to mod it. The sport/active thing was in regards to the suspension and exhaust.

The car was owned by a family friend that I have known virtually the whole time they have had the vehicle. I will definitely get an inspection also just to be safe.

Thanks a lot for your help. It is appreciated.

[Whoadi]

I have to side on the negative, if a car has that much wrong with it to me its says its owner was hard on the car and did not preform routine maitenance. On its own not a huge deal but just think I own a stealth since new, don't i baby it? If I treat it like a red headed step child, the first flaws you see are THE EASIEST TOO SEE. REMEMBER A PIC SPEAKS 1000 WORDS, I BE VERY PARTICULAR,ETESTS, COMPRESSION TEST,TRANNY CHECK.

JUST MY 2 CENTS
GOODLUK!

[JoeStealth]

Originally Posted by Whoadi

I have to side on the negative, if a car has that much wrong with it to me its says its owner was hard on the car and did not preform routine maitenance. On its own not a huge deal but just think I own a stealth since new, don't i baby it? If I treat it like a red headed step child, the first flaws you see are THE EASIEST TOO SEE. REMEMBER A PIC SPEAKS 1000 WORDS, I BE VERY PARTICULAR,ETESTS, COMPRESSION TEST,TRANNY CHECK.

JUST MY 2 CENTS
GOODLUK!

I know the vehicle and owner personally...I have seen the car in person many times...the owners actually live just 2 min away from me. However, I do understand your point and it is valid. They admittedly do not want to maintain the vehicle any longer, therefore such problems exist. That being said, MAJOR issues at least in their opinion have always been taken care of.

[2501]

For the price its a pretty good deal. Just as other members mentioned have the engine and tranny checked out before you buy.

Originally Posted by one day...

for the ABS... I would be curious to know how many people on the board repair the ABS sensor.... except removing the fuse lol!!!

Haha, I'm guilty of not having operational ABS. But considering its not the best to begin with I'm not too worried about it.

[DAGE]

if you don't care about ABS take the light out of the dash, also for a car that has 210 000km's on the body 4000$ isn't that bad of a deal, sure it's going to have some wear and tear but take it out for a spin and see if it misses or if the tranny grinds

when I test drove my car back in 03 or 04 it grinded and it still grinds, also the rear IC pipe wasn't even connected to the turbo, so it wasn't boosting properly, look over the car but keep this in mind you're not going to get a prestine car for 4000$ and I'm sure you know that, good luck with your buy and get some pics for us

Kyle

[O_ROD]

Might want to find out if the 60K service has been completed. If not, add that to the cost of purchase as it will have to be done ASAP.

Don't be afraid when the cars gimmicky electronics start to fail, it's not necessarily from abuse but rather age.

Chances are the active exhaust valve is frozen in the muffler. A little PB blaster and some muscle and you'll have it back working again.

As for the suspension, well, I just replaced mine with much better Bilstein struts and Tein springs, then pulled the ECS system out. The system does work great though, you might have anything from a defective ECS ECU or a leaky strut.

A/C leaks can be challenging to find. If it's important to you this can cost anywhere from 400-1500 to repair.

My point is that if your looking for a pristine Stealth, it may be better to save your money and look for one. Jumping into a project like this cn easily add up fast, and just from your list, you could easily be well over 8000 when all is said and done.

[95teetee]

Run while you still can, don't look back.


kidding, kidding.

Welcome, JoeStealth- as long as you get a good one you'll be incredibly happy

[JoeStealth]

thanks 4 the response guys...i appreciate the warm welcome and support.

I've driven the car several times...there is still a lot of power and shifts great.

I am willing to spend more for a 'better' condition stealth. However, there just aren't many around. Furthermore, I don't trust most people selling a used vehicle. As mentioned, I know this vehicle my whole life and the owner.

That being said, I am very open into seeing others in the GTA area. Price isn't the issue. I am about value.

[LondonStealth]

Welcome to the forum!

I think the most important thing you need to keep in mind when buying a 3S is that nothing is cheap!! And I mean nothing! haha, that being said, I have had my stealth TT for almost 6 years and have enjoyed every minute!

As for the ECS, if both "tour" and "sport" lights are flashing, it is probably just the cables to the struts (probably the front ones). Anything else is more than likely the ECS ECU

The active exhaust is a waste of space and time.... just take it out and put in an aftermarket exhaust, it will sound and work better!

You will find with car that is 19 years old that you will come across alot of nagging electrical issues, especially with these cars since they are loaded with electronics!

Anyway, $4000 doesn't seem too bad. I've noticed the price of these vehicles have dropped considerably over the last couple of years so you may want to do some shopping! Good Luck!