I've been checking out some of the older posts and it seems like people are having a lot of problems with their cars (belts breaking, heads crapping out, etc). Are these cars more prone to breaking down? Just trying to find out more info buy I actually buy one. The last thing I want to do is follow around my DSM with a bucket of parts (I did that with my very first car). I dunno, from the reading I've done in the forum, it looks as if some people are just having a rough time with their DSMs... but it could just be bad luck.

What are some of the more common problems these cars experience as the miles start adding up?

Like stated before. These cars "break" so often only because the owners beat on them so often. :woowoo: Otherwise, its just a maintenence issue that the owner lacks to take care of.

If you take care of your car it will take care of you. 'Nuff said.

Like any other car....take care of it and keep the regular maintainance up-to-date and you'll be fine.

Is this a joke or something?


Like everyone said the it's just a maintance issues combined with how we beat on them.


I've spent probably more then anyone on this board when it comes to repairs. But for the most part it's because for the longest time I was out every single night racing it. As well as anytime some one challenged me while I was out cruising.

Basically I used to get off work change close and then head out till about 2 or 3am on weeknights. on the weekends it was the same thing but till 5 or 6am.


Also concider the HP out put we are getting out of these cars compared to there displacement.

I think Dave with the pick up truck said it best. (I might be off with the exact numbers but you'll get the jist of it)

if were are getting like 400whp out of our 2.0l That would be like a V8 having to be around 1100whp.


So when you compare that to what most V8's are pushing. They are no where near our power out put of our motors.


-brian

These are high maintenance vehicles. Since they are turbo-charged that doesn't help matters. I found another post and you are wanting to buy one. Go for it but be prepared to pay and pay when shit breaks. If you mod the crap out of it things have a higher rate of failure. If you mod lightly and intellegently things should be fine. Main thing with them is when shit starts showing signs of breaking or going out, fix it right away. Example: The 4G63 engine has what they call the ICS (Idle Control Sensor) on the lower portion of the throttle body. This device takes care of your idle by various inputs it recieves from the ECU. If the ICS starts going you will get what they call idle surge. The RPMs will jump from 800 to 3000 at idle on it's own. If you do not replace the ICS You may fry your ECU. I think they are like 3-500 bucks. The ICS usually runs $198 new. Basically, you are dealing with the "pay me now or pay me later" situation.

Howie

All cars break, no matter what. Get used to it!
Now, some may have more problems than other's, but if you find a decent one and not beat the hell out of it/mod it/fuck it up working on it, you will be fine.
But, since that isnt possible with a DSM, its gonna have problems...

Adam

yeah i've seen just normal stock dsm's over 200k because they were taken care of and maintanence was performed...... i've also seen a car somewhere that broke a rebuilt motor..... when it was first starting...... :bounce:

Change the timing belt at required intervals and expect to do a tranny rebuild every 75k and that's about it. They are pretty damn reliable, especially when you consider how much HP we get out of them!

I disagree, I think DSM's are a piece of shit, even well taken care of, stock, non beaten-on ones.Still my favorite cars though, I couldn't imagine not owning at least one.

On my awd it dont matter if you beat the hell out of it or drive it like a grandma, it still breaks like hells getting hotter.

Mine has ran strong.....all up until I ran it out of oil that one time.....But other than that, I love my car. They take care of you, if you take care of them. Just like everyone else noted. Just remember, if you toy around with something, always remember what you did. Cuz it could come back to haunt you, or could eventually cause a problem. So, if you really are scared of ANYTHING going wrong with a dsm, dont do a damn thing to it. Leave it stock. Just do the normal maintence things. Enes has a saying, "Everytime I race, that's $100." His may be to an extreme, hence why his tranny is getting repaired, but it's true. You run it hard, you'll eventually run it to the ground.

they break alot, modded or not, they have lots of problems. it's a hobby, or a bank breaker if you take your car to the dealer for all your troubles.

I'm about to go into the garage for the next week to replace timing belt/ect and clutch and anything else i can get to while I'm at it. Not what I wanna be doing for my week off.

The car will give to you what you give to it for the most part.

Might as well have a credit card swiper next to the ignition. Swipe you charge card each time you start it so you have a little bit of a bank roll before something happens. ;)