Mitsubishi Eclipse 1997 Leak from Head Gasket?

molefighter · 13-04-08

I want to buy ($3,500) this used Eclipse off someone I know, but he's not my best friend or anything, we never chilled, only talked, I use to work with him and I work with his brother now, and I feel like I can trust him. Anyways it has 140K miles, auto, and is stock. Its got to be Base or RS I doubt that its a GS but could be. And it sure isn't a GST/X Turbo. I noticed that the head gasket was sealed with glue from autozone. He said he replaced the head gasket than glued it. I want to know if thats a big problem for me? Should i buy it? Will it cause problems now/later? How much will it cost to fix it? whats the best way to save money? Tell me EVERYTHING that I should no about it. Advice, do this, do that, watch out for this, tell me EVERYTHING!1 more thing: When i drove it i heard some noise thats hard to descibe, he said it was from the intake and that its normal. It sounded like it came from the back but i guess it was from the front. Any thoughts? Thanks A lot!

hemicuda_573 · 14-04-08

DON'T BUY IT. It's not worth the 3500 anyway and based on what you said, you need a motor in it. The motor in the base model is basically a Neon motor. They are garbage. I like the eclipse but it isn't worth 3500. Offer him 1500 and then put a motor in it. (or be prepared to put a motor in it, which will still cost you $3000) Some cars and engines are reparable. This motor ISN'T one of them.He may have fixed the head gasket but it won't last. That is pretty much a throw away motor and/or car.There are a ton of other cars you can find for 3500 that are better.

Eddie7764 · 14-04-08

He priced the car way too high for the milage it has and the trouble he has and has had. The Neon motor is pretty notorious for this kind of problems. I should know 'coz I just had mine fixed. It cost me about $1,200 for parts and labor. My mechanic replaced the timing belt and the rest of the belts with the repairs. Now the other undescribed sound in question, it's really hard to tell when we're not hearing it or at least described how it sounds.Bottomline, I would skip it. If he drops the price to $1,500, then I would probably consider it.