people always complain about their dsm's breaking

i guess if you dont have the money to get parts to fix it that could hurt you

but if you have the money to get parts when they break, do it, and take it as a learning experience, when something breaks, its not the end of the world you just fix it, or replace it, and walk away knowing that much more

dsm's are like 12 year old turbo cars, ur takin a gamble any time you buy a 12 year old turbo car, sometimes you get a gem, but you cant buy one thinkin its gunna be as good as the day it was made

 

What is this opinion based on.Are you comparing a brand new EVO with a much older DSM that is no longer brand new. Lets wait and see how they compare when the EVO is several years old and been beat on for ahwile.I think DSM`s are great cars. I love mine and it has never let me down or stranded and i have had it for alot longer than 6 months. Not to mention its a 90.

 

I agree with tom...

 

well the head is off an evo III, who cares. the turbo is a big 16g and he is able to run that much boost because he has an HKS piggy back computer. As far as the tranny goes, im gonna drive it around fwd for a while until i can get an AWD tranny. Not much money yet so ill wait. As far as everything else goes, everything works in/on the car and its been runnin fine except a few minor things for the times hes had it.

 

if you really want to be safe for now i suggest lowering the boost and driving it really easy untill you get some money to get that tranny fixed. if youve heard it once im sure youve heard it a million times. the earlier you fix the problem tthe less time, money, and pain it will cause you. the car obviously has some type of boost controller on it so if you really feel the need you can always just bump it back up to 23 or whatever yuo want to run.

and as for the wrx and evo comment. those cars cost about 35 g's. there is a big difference in paying 3-4 grand cash and having 400 dollar payments for the next 10 years. a car with no miles is obviously more reliable than a car with 100,000 qnd is 10 years old. but wheres the fun in that anyways. my dsm's turned me into a part time mechanic and i am thankful for it. it has saved me time and money. my .02

 

If I had the money to fix it whenever it broke I would laugh off even a blown motor. I enjoy working on it, I enjoy learning stuff about my car, researching stuff, the whole process (well, except when I'm under the car and things are going majorly wrong, then I enjoy it a bit less). Unfortunately I fall into the category of "broke-ass college student". It took me 2 months of saving at my extremely-low-hour part time job to afford an act2600, a datalogger, and new plug wires. Basic maintenance/diagnostic/replacing a fried clutch, 2 months. So if you're broke like me, don't get one.

Also, I agree with the daily driver statement. I was stupid to buy this car as a daily driver. Right now I'm thinking of getting a used Ninja 250 motorcycle to commute locally, bikes are so simple, there's no rats nest of leaky vacuum hoses, air leaks like the one that's makin my car run horribly right now, small parts that break that require you to drop the transmission or rip out half the stuff in the engine bay. On the downside you are very likely to be killed by an old woman who can't see over the dash of her buick.

 

Vaccum leaks?Damn vaccum hose is like .50 cents at discount get that shit fixed.If u know a little about cars when u get a dsm u shouldnt worry about things breakin.Cars arent going fast till your breaking stuff.

 

The reasons DSMs break is the reason's all modified cars break down... the more power pushed past the manufacture designs, makes certain things give out. DSMs limit goes a little higher on stock stuff more then certain other cars, based on the Evolution in Japan, whos motor design is the same... thus the whole 16G, 550 injectors, 3in exhaust, fuel pump route is ideal. Anything past that... its past the manufacture's design.

The other reason these cars break is cause everyone thinks.... hey... its a quick turbo car, and my Honda isnt turbo. hmm. cool! Lets buy a blow off valve for it!!! Dumbasses! lets try and do some routine maintence like plugs, wires, all fluids changed, inspect belts... replace some seals that leak... etc. Make it the best stock car you can before adding your 16G and injectors, and SAFC... etc. People dont make the car run well in a stock form before putting all this other shit on it. Also people who just have no respect for a car... they just beat the shit outta it racing from traffic light to traffic light, I don't care what kinda car ya got but it will break from that kinda abuse.

There is the DSM's bad name... from people who dont listen.

DSMs can be quirky, but can also be the best most reliable fast car youve ever had. Keep yer car up and it will keep you going.

Im done venting...

BitbyStreetRacin - If your not afraid to get dirty, learn something. read up on the car some and do some maintence. If you dont want to attempt the timing belt, water pump, clutch... there are people in the area that do work on DSMs. Jerry (Lancerman) will and so will I. we've been doing these cars for quite a while and we know whats going on. If your serious about trying to go fast and want a nice street car. go for it. Tranny seals are easy. Tcase seals are also easy, so is replacing the Yolk on the driveshaft which sounds like is your leak. If your gonna get a DSM do it right, dont half ass things like you can on a Honda and get away with it.