Hey guys,
Looking thru the FS section i found a few TSI AWD (95-97) for sale. Since i'm new here, i was wondering besides getting them compression and crankwalk tested what other areas should i be paying attention too.

Also unlike most of you here, i am not too mechanically inclinded to fix or service this car and was wondering if someone could recommend a couple of shops in the GTAA where i could have it services, performance tuned and repaired.

Also what should i be expecting to pay for 95-97 with roughly (150-200k) on the very least a stock car? Also is it worth it getting into a tuned car rather than stock?

Any comments are welcome, feel free to pm if you know someone selling something good.

Here's a recent one on the same topic...
http://www.ca.dsm.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=007964

A "tuned" car is a paradox.
It was tuned - so it was probably run hard.
Was it tuned well so it could be run hard safely? Or, will you end up paying for the extra parts by repairing someone's mistakes?
It really could go either way.

As with buying an "untuned" car...
If they didn't upgrade it, did they even maintain it?

Thanks RS. Interesting Read. I will take caution of those areas.

So my list of checks include.

1) Crankwalk Compression Testing
2) Rust on Strut Towers
3) Struts & Ball Joints
4) Rad & Heather if the car was idle/stored
5) Depends on how/where it was stored, Check the underbody for rust.
6) Fluids Levels


Anyone with good experience owning these cars

DSMs really aren't any different than any other car in that if they are maintained and cared for properly, your problems (if any) should be minimal.

I have had my 97 Tsi for 6.5 years, and haven't had any major issues with it, aside from the usual wear items.
Of course, I maintain the hell out my vehicles and replace everything if it even hints that it might be an issue. The old adage: "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure" works well with me.

My car was totally stock when I got it, with 72K on the odo; a lease return. The car had to have been maintained reasonably well in order to avoid penalties when the lease was up.

With these cars getting older, you really need to have someone go over them (again, like any car) to make sure everything is functioning properly.
Personally, I would avoind buying any "tuned" car unless you could be convinced that it was all done properly, and no corners were cut in its modification.
It might be harder to find these days, but I would strongly suggest finding one that is completely stock and that is in proper running order.
Spend any spare cash you may have in "restoring" less than perfect mechanical components to like new condition so that you have working baseline to start with.

DSM's aren't magical, there's nothing that makes them any more or less reliable than another car.
Even a "bulletproof" Honda will leave you stranded at the side of a road in a blizzard if you don't keep up the regular maintenance.

Thanks Dan, Always nice to hear from some positive experiences. I dont cheap out on cars when it comes to repairs I get them done right and professionally. I sold my 01' VR6 Jetta because I got sick off the FWD.
With some remaining cash I thought I'd pick up a decent ride under 6500$

Do NOT goto any shops on wolfdale and burnhamthorpe. Or even central parkway and wolfdale.

IF you need to bring it to a shop. I'd go getting quotes from Speedy Midus etc.

N

Just bought one of these cars (97 Talon AWD Turbo) had car checked out at Pro Tech Auto , Whitby. The mechanic (Mike I think his name is), knows all about the "crankwalk" (thrust bearing) issue. Checked out that & compression & general test drive of the car. Cost around $50. Not bad in my book & at least some peace of mind before getting a vehicle of this caliber!
Paid around 8k for it, car is totally stock has 160k on it a bit high price but never winter driven & drives like it's on train tracks! No rust & sweet as a nut in the engine dept (so far).
ATB Steve W