Complete Newbie, looking at '97 GS-R

keat320

New Member
Hello!
As you could see from my profile, I'm 16 and new here. So far I've been driving a '96 Altima, but that car won't be available to me after next week. So, I'm looking at a 3rd gen Integra GS-R, and I need all the help I can get! My father is really good with cars, but you guys seem to be especially knowledgeable and helpful with info concerning Integras, so I thought I'd register and ask for your thoughts.
I'm currently looking at a black 1997 GS-R that is for sale just a few miles down the road. I found the ad online and have talked with the owner over the phone, but I won't get a chance to see the car until tomorrow afternoon. Here are the specs as he put them:

Mileage: 115,500
Body Style: Hatchback
Exterior Color: Black
Interior Color: Black
Engine: 4 Cylinders
Transmission: Manual
Drivetrain: 2WD
Doors: 2

Features: A/C: Front, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Steering, Remote Keyless Entry, Bucket Seats, Airbag: Driver, Airbag: Passenger, Alarm, Anti-Lock Brakes, CD Changer, Premium Sound, Power Windows, Rear Window Defroster, Rear Window Wiper, Alloy Wheels, Sunroof/Moonroof
Selling Points: Second Owner.
Condition: Needs muffler.

Here are the pictures:
pic1
pic 2
pic 3

I plan on grabbing the VIN and checking out a carfax, and checking it out using Ominous G2's VIN decoding guide.

Now, he said he bought it from a dealer off a lease with 4500 miles, and that it had the front bumper repainted, and that that paint is now peeling. He said that its been in no other major accidents. From reading some posts here, I plan on checking out:
-water in trunk
-radiator and cam seal oil leaks
-when was the timing belt replaced?
-good axles; no clicking or grease inside rims
-green coolant
-records for brake, tire, clutch service
-other body/paint work, body rust
-clean oil and engine compartment

He also said that the lights on the stereo are messed up, and that there is a vibration in the muffler (he doesn't know if the entire exhaust system or just the muffler needs replacement), but it passed inspection and is stickered as good till 07.

He's asking $5,500, but if I need to replace the muffler and stereo, I think I should ask for $5000.

Wow, now that was long. Anyways, I'm just looking for as many opinions and as much help as I can get concerning other specifics to ask about or check out, etc.

Thanks a ton for your help!
 
Last edited:

TegSox

Super Duper Moderator
I bet the vibration in the muffler is the infamous GSR exhaust rattle. It is an extremely common problem with 94-01 GSR's, but nothing to worry about, just annoying to listen to and kinda embarresing, hehe.

Sounds like a good ride, black on black is a popular combo. Does it have leather seats or cloth? That was the only available option on the GSR's, they come fully loaded.

Cam seal leak isn't a huge issue if it is in fact leaking, it is a common problem but shouldn't be a big worry.
 

cabezzzdb8

BBS wanted
Welcome my friend, wow very impressed with your first post, youre 16 and not writing like like youre retarded, again props for the post,

Well as for the car sound and look's real good, doent look like it hasnt been modded so that's a BIG plus, the black on black combo is hard to find so consider yourself lucky, the miles are pretty good for the year of the car, as for the muffler probably the exhaust is corroded (common thing) so dont worry too much, if it has the stock radio just trow it away is garbage and get an aftermarket one,

The price on the car is real good, myself ill pay the 5,500 because is a good price, really cant beat it, but if you can knock 500$ off more power to you, second when you go test drive it ask him about the timing belt, and how long its been replaced, should have been replaced about at 95,000 miles at the latest, go tru the gears making sure they all go in without grinding, other thatn that make sure the title is clear and carfax it, no suprises

Well more people will post here and help you out, Welcome to CI :D

P.S SAY NO TO BODYKITS :p
 

B18TEG

BLACK DA
welcome to ci cabdezza pretty much nailed it and with ominous' thread you should be good. the price is pretty good if you can knock down 500 or more go for it, a little less money paid isnt going to hurt you
 


g2teg

save a whore..buy a porno
welcome to the club and congrats on the find, its a very clean gsr not modded and it sounds like it has been babied its whole life just like my g2 was....
 

keat320

New Member
Well I went and took a good look at it today and drove around a bit. Looks good. I got the VIN and bought a carfax, came up clean. Only accidents where small collisions, one resulting in a new front bumper and another in a new driver's side door. It also has an aftermarket alarm/remote entry system installed. Everything checked out ok, here are the concerns:

-He says he did get the timing belt replaced, but its almost at 120k miles so I'd probably have to do it soon, too.
-The exhaust rattle is rather annoying; does the problem likely stem just from the muffler or the entire exhaust system?
-The front brakes pulse (require rotor replacement)
-the paint is decent w/ some chips and scratches (should this be expected?)
-the alloy wheels have some rust as do the brake calipers
-the front right wheel well plastic is not in exactly right along the outside edge
-It will need new tires (BTW- any recommendations for good all-year tires? I read that pirellis are real good; and I need good winter performance (live in massachusetts))

Now, just because of money issues, I'm not likely to do many performance mods on the car other than some simple bolt ons and suspension upgrades, so I don't think that a big exhaust would do me much good. I've read some good things about the Greddy SP2, would that be appropriate?

Also, the interior is in absolutely flawless condition minus the stereo deck and the shift boot (it has slid down on the shifter). Its much better than all the other mid-to-late 90's sedans I've been checking out: great upholstery, dash, etc.

The guy knows enough about the car to hold a conversation, but he isn't really a gearhead, which I think might be a good thing because instead of doing any work himself, he got everything done by a dealer or a mechanic and he has a lot of the records.

That's all I can remember right now, thanks a lot for your help you guys, you're really making a big difference here.
 

SlammedCivic

New Member
I'm going to try and answer all of your questions...As far as the timing belt is concerned just ask him for receipts, and make sure they replaced the water pump as well. You won't be due up for another timing belt package for a good 50-60k. Paint on 94-97 tegs doesn't have the best reputation. It is going to be VERY hard to find that year DC with original and minty paint. I'm sure the brakes do have a little rust on them, that should clear up as you drive it haha. The inner wheel well on mine is all eaten up, and it doesn't bother me at all. Just depends on how much it annoys you I guess. Just make sure it doesn't burn any oil or leak any coolant and you should be off to a good start. :thumbs up
 


ltrain

New Member
your off to a good start and headed in the right direction sounds like a good car to me id go for it, as far as the exhaust if u dont want your car to sound like a shit can id go with a apexi world sport i had it on my 95 gsr and it kicked ass basically almost stock quiet with performance and it looked nice also, it dont look like an aggressive tin can and there fairly cheep, sp2 is another good choice, and yea i agree with the other guy... good mature first post for a 16yo unlike the other douchbags wanting to start a street racing team lololol damn i still cant get over that
 

TegSox

Super Duper Moderator
Did he have the T belt changed at 60K? If yes, then you definitley want to get it changed on schedule.

The typical exhaust rattle the Integra is cursed with doesn't come from the muffler, it's from the cat area. It's just a weld or 2 that breaks, and things end up rattling against each other. It's been hypothesized around Integra boards that it's because of the 8,000 rpm redline of the GSR, Honda didn't plan appropriatley in their exhaust design/tolerances for engine vibration and torque from the engine on the exhaust sytem for the extra revs. But like I said, it's nothing dangerous or something that affects performance, just annoying to listen to. God only knows why it was never a recall item, it's such a common problem.

My wheel well liners didn't exactly line up on my car either, it happens on cars in general really. I cured it by adding my own screw to hold it where it's suppose to be, the stock plastic pops don't hold up over time I guess, as far as holding it perfectly in place.

I'd get some Pirelli P-Zero Nero M&S's as all season tires. They were my first choice when I needed tires last year, but they were out of stock, so I went with BF Goodrich g-Force Sport's. Never have and never will drive them in snow, but they are awesome on dry and wet pavement, nice and quiet too.
 

keat320

New Member
First of all, thanks to all of you for your replies.

I'm not sure at what point he had the timing belt replaced; I only looked at the car for about 45 minutes and didn't have a chance to really sift through all of his records, but I'll find out.

My next concern is the exhaust system. Like I stated, I'm not looking to do huge performance upgrades, but I definitely would replace the exhaust. After reading some reviews, the Apexi World Sport looks to be pretty good, but I have a few ?'s. Is it different than the WS2? Which should I get? And also, I read on here earlier that having to large piping can actually hurt performance if you dont have many engine upgrades... so is the 2.5" piping (I think) on the WS/WS2 too large for my (stock to bolt/on) purposes?

Concerning the tires, I think I'm probably going to go with sporty winter tires that will fit on the alloy wheels that the car is equipped with. Good grip in pretty heavy snow is important for me, and as a broke teenager, I'm not really going to be pushing the car to the tires' limits during the summer, either. Also I don't want to have to spend a lot on new wheels.

Finally, here are my thoughts about his asking price. The blue-book private-party value for this GSR in "excellent condition" is $5400. So, it seems to me, he is asking for $100 more than the excellent condition price, when the car is around $1400 away from being in excellent condition (roughly $200 for stereo, $300 to replace rotors, $400 for new tires, and $500 for new exhaust; isn’t that about right?). I'm thinking that, probably after getting a mechanic to really check out the car, i'll offer him $4000 as a starting point and we'll see where it goes from there.
 

cabezzzdb8

BBS wanted
Both the exhausts you mentioned are great and very much alike, their piping diameter is not 2 1/2 inch but 2/14 which is perfectly fine for only bolt ons, you wont lose power and they sound awesome and make the rear look sexy, just get a K/N drop in filter for some discrete Hp,

As for the tires, the stock ones size are probably 195 55 15, but I recomend 205 50 15 theyre a little wider and the sidewall ia a little lower making the rim stand out a little better and giving the car a fuller look, and some GSR blades wouldnt hurt either, theyre not expensive around 350 with tires locally

About the price you seem to be in top of your game, just talk to him and hell probably work with ya
 

TegSox

Super Duper Moderator
I don't know the differences between the WS and the WS2. I use to have the WS and I loved it, nice and quiet at idle/low rpm's, only gets loud when you get on the gas, which is when you want it loud anyway, right? lol
The WS's are 2.36 inch piping, as are 90% of aftermarket exhausts for Integra's. It's the perfect size you want if you'll only be doing bolt-on's (I/H/C/E). WS's are so quiet because they have a chambered muffler design, which keeps the noise down but also stunts high rpm exhaust flow, which in turn stunts peak HP, but only by a couple HP's, which is worth it for most people who want a quiet exhaust.
 

keat320

New Member
Ok, so it sounds like the WS2 is a good choice.

About the tires, I've been looking at these , they're 205/50HR15. My only question is, will they fit on the stock wheels, because I think these tires go with 15x6.5" rims. Also, about the GSR blades, I haven't found them in any online parts stores, so would I need to buy them private-party? Are they 15x6.5?

Finally, it's coming up on 120k miles, so I called around and the local acura dealers are all asking about $1300 for the 120k service, a new timing belt, and a new water pump. I think I'd probably be better off having them do just the 120k miles service ($460) and getting a local mechanic to do the TB&WP, but I haven't gotten a quote from one yet. Thanks.
 

Melt

the lone outdoorsman
where do you live ..... if youre in nor cal i can have my boy call his boy ... this guy did my friends tbelt, pump, and clutch for like $400 labor. The parts dont cost that much my friend bought em all of ebay.
 

cabezzzdb8

BBS wanted
keat320 said:
Ok, so it sounds like the WS2 is a good choice.

About the tires, I've been looking at these , they're 205/50HR15. My only question is, will they fit on the stock wheels, because I think these tires go with 15x6.5" rims. Also, about the GSR blades, I haven't found them in any online parts stores, so would I need to buy them private-party? Are they 15x6.5?

Finally, it's coming up on 120k miles, so I called around and the local acura dealers are all asking about $1300 for the 120k service, a new timing belt, and a new water pump. I think I'd probably be better off having them do just the 120k miles service ($460) and getting a local mechanic to do the TB&WP, but I haven't gotten a quote from one yet. Thanks.
Yes that tire size will fint the stock rims just fine
 
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