need help on buying a 2002 eclipse - Club3G Forum : Mitsubishi Eclipse 3G Forums

camargo2013 · 02/15/2013, 01:59 AM

hi all, i hope you all are doing ok

i need some help,

my brother is looking into buying his first car, we found a really nice 2002 eclipse RS automatic( he is getting an automatic because it is his first time driving) it looks good but on one of the pictures at the dealership's website it shows a photo of the dashboard and there is this orange light on:

can somebody tell me what it means?

is it bad?

in case its not bad, are these cars reliable? from what i have seen this car doesnt look abused and it looks entirely stock, it has 75k miles

please dont worry about insurance at all.....

thanks!

Mr6G72 · 02/15/2013, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camargo2013

hi all, i hope you all are doing ok :)

i need some help,

my brother is looking into buying his first car, we found a really nice 2002 eclipse RS automatic( he is getting an automatic because it is his first time driving) it looks good but on one of the pictures at the dealership's website it shows a photo of the dashboard and there is this orange light on:

can somebody tell me what it means?

is it bad?

in case its not bad, are these cars reliable? from what i have seen this car doesnt look abused and it looks entirely stock, it has 75k miles

please dont worry about insurance at all.....

thanks!

The orange light is the "Check engine" light! I can be many things to be exact (o2 sensor, EGR, etc)

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camargo2013 · 02/15/2013, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr6G72

The orange light is the "Check engine" light! I can be many things to be exact (o2 sensor, EGR, etc)

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oh well i'll keep on searching, how reliable are these cars as long as they are not abused? we only like the 3G eclipse BTW xDD

Mr6G72 · 02/15/2013, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camargo2013

oh well i'll keep on searching, how reliable are these cars as long as they are not abused? we only like the 3G eclipse BTW xDD

They are reliable..but you have to keep up the maintenance like every car! How much does your brother have to spend? Personal preference would be a GS or a GTS since he wants an auto! Good luck tho :yesway:

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camargo2013 · 02/15/2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr6G72

They are reliable..but you have to keep up the maintenance like every car! How much does your brother have to spend? Personal preference would be a GS or a GTS since he wants an auto! Good luck tho

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thanks!

he has $6000 to spend. you think we can find a good deal with that? or we need more?

Bulldogger · 02/15/2013, 04:57 PM

I just picked up my 05 GS with 55k miles for 8k in june from a dealer.

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Mr6G72 · 02/15/2013, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camargo2013

thanks! :D

he has $6000 to spend. you think we can find a good deal with that? or we need more?

With that money he can buy a GT or GTS CASH! But since you say you want Auto a GTS would be best

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Lanlan · 02/16/2013, 02:58 AM

I just got screwed on an 02 Eclipse GT because I didn't know what to look for, but in the past couple days I've learned more than I ever thought I'd know about cars. Take it to a mechanic before you buy it and have him (or her) check it out. Check for any leaking fluids (mine had a huge radiator crack), any misfires, you'll feel it (mine misses, HOPING it's just the plugs), make sure to see a carfax history report, ask if the timing belt has been replaced every 60k miles. I wish I knew three days ago what I know now. I'm already about $300 in parts-wise, I paid $2700 for mine.

emppy · 02/16/2013, 03:18 AM

Check engine light should have been a hint. :/

Lanlan · 02/16/2013, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emppy

Check engine light should have been a hint. :/

Mine had no light on. I was car hungry and knew nothing about cars and had $3000 to spend, I test drove the Eclipse and fell in love immediately. I'm gonna fix this this thing, replacing the radiator and thermostat Monday, new plugs, wires, gaskets, rotor, distributor valve and shit are on order right now. I will make this car awesome.

soundman98 · 02/16/2013, 10:21 AM

i think the ses light comes on whenever the motor isn't running(key turned on, but hasn't started it yet) as well, so because the pic is angled so low, it's really hard to tell if there is a issue.

if you're concerned about it, go and look at it in person..

but +1 million to getting it checked out by a private mechanic first.

camargo2013 · 02/16/2013, 08:14 PM

I cant go see that car in person since its far lol

but I found a 2003 eclipse GT automatic with 80k miles, it costs $5k cash, good deal or seems too cheap? I'm going to go see it on Tuesday. its from a dealer btw...

for what should I look for apart from leaks? what's the most common problem in these cars?? I. can't bring it to a mechanic since they charge an arm and a leg only for checking it '-'

grfft3r · 02/16/2013, 08:38 PM

3gs nowadays are only worth 3Gs. :lol:

blackspydergt · 02/17/2013, 12:46 AM

There are tons of basic things you should do, ill prob miss a lot but

1. Check the car fax. If they don't have one download the app and it will tell ypu everything. It's pretty easy and can tell you a lot.
2. See if the dealer knows the person who had it b4s age. This may seem odd. But a car that has 170k on it driven slowly and carefully by an old man, is in mug better condition tha. A 18 year old kid that floors it all the time!.
3. Before ypu even test drive it, check all the fluids. Oil should be goldish, tranny should be red ext.
4. Test drive it, listen for any kinds of odd noises and other things. Test ac and heat!! Make sure you ride through all gears and reverse. Also yoi should brake hard and make sharp turns. Make sure its smooth and no shaking.
5. When you get done driving get out and pop the hood, smell for anything that smells like burning. Check oil sgsin, see if level has changed.
6. Lay down and look underneath the front end. Is there oil everywhere? Dents big scrsyvjes or dings?
7. Also check the tires, you can always use the penny trick to check the tread, and look for dry rot and bent wheels as well
8. Stand beside the front wheel and push down on the car, start rocking the car then suddenly stop, if the cat still.moves then somethings bad, check all four wheels!

Hoped some of this helped, would do.more bout I'm bout to fall asleep lol

02/15/2013, 01:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
camargo2013 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4	need help on buying a 2002 eclipse hi all, i hope you all are doing ok i need some help, my brother is looking into buying his first car, we found a really nice 2002 eclipse RS automatic( he is getting an automatic because it is his first time driving) it looks good but on one of the pictures at the dealership's website it shows a photo of the dashboard and there is this orange light on: can somebody tell me what it means? is it bad? in case its not bad, are these cars reliable? from what i have seen this car doesnt look abused and it looks entirely stock, it has 75k miles please dont worry about insurance at all..... thanks! Last edited by camargo2013; 02/15/2013 at 02:02 AM. Reason: details

02/15/2013, 04:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bulldogger Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Griffith, IN Vehicle: 05 UV Blue GS Posts: 53	need help on buying a 2002 eclipse I just picked up my 05 GS with 55k miles for 8k in june from a dealer. Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

02/16/2013, 10:21 AM	#11 (permalink)
soundman98 ... Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern IL/IN Vehicle: '01 Spyder GT Posts: 2,439	i think the ses light comes on whenever the motor isn't running(key turned on, but hasn't started it yet) as well, so because the pic is angled so low, it's really hard to tell if there is a issue. if you're concerned about it, go and look at it in person.. but +1 million to getting it checked out by a private mechanic first. __________________ The never-ending project, my '01 Spyder GT more projects then time! when 'bright' reverse lights don't cut it exterior led upgrades--75% (led tails, turns, third brake, plate light, reverse light) interior led upgrades--10% (gauges and hvac next, dome light completed) whats next? ford raptor(for the lightbar!!)..

02/16/2013, 08:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
camargo2013 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4	I cant go see that car in person since its far lol but I found a 2003 eclipse GT automatic with 80k miles, it costs $5k cash, good deal or seems too cheap? I'm going to go see it on Tuesday. its from a dealer btw... for what should I look for apart from leaks? what's the most common problem in these cars?? I. can't bring it to a mechanic since they charge an arm and a leg only for checking it '-' Last edited by camargo2013; 02/16/2013 at 08:30 PM. Reason: fix

02/16/2013, 08:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
grfft3r Photoshopper Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Land of the Ricing Son Vehicle: 2001 Black Eclipse GT Posts: 3,016	Re: need help on buying a 2002 eclipse 3gs nowadays are only worth 3Gs. :lol:

02/16/2013, 02:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
Lanlan Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Sedalia, MO Vehicle: 2002 Eclipse GT Posts: 21	I just got screwed on an 02 Eclipse GT because I didn't know what to look for, but in the past couple days I've learned more than I ever thought I'd know about cars. Take it to a mechanic before you buy it and have him (or her) check it out. Check for any leaking fluids (mine had a huge radiator crack), any misfires, you'll feel it (mine misses, HOPING it's just the plugs), make sure to see a carfax history report, ask if the timing belt has been replaced every 60k miles. I wish I knew three days ago what I know now. I'm already about $300 in parts-wise, I paid $2700 for mine.

02/16/2013, 03:18 AM	#9 (permalink)
emppy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Asheville, NC Vehicle: 04 GS Spyder Posts: 143	Check engine light should have been a hint. :/

02/17/2013, 12:46 AM	#14 (permalink)
blackspydergt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 623	There are tons of basic things you should do, ill prob miss a lot but 1. Check the car fax. If they don't have one download the app and it will tell ypu everything. It's pretty easy and can tell you a lot. 2. See if the dealer knows the person who had it b4s age. This may seem odd. But a car that has 170k on it driven slowly and carefully by an old man, is in mug better condition tha. A 18 year old kid that floors it all the time!. 3. Before ypu even test drive it, check all the fluids. Oil should be goldish, tranny should be red ext. 4. Test drive it, listen for any kinds of odd noises and other things. Test ac and heat!! Make sure you ride through all gears and reverse. Also yoi should brake hard and make sharp turns. Make sure its smooth and no shaking. 5. When you get done driving get out and pop the hood, smell for anything that smells like burning. Check oil sgsin, see if level has changed. 6. Lay down and look underneath the front end. Is there oil everywhere? Dents big scrsyvjes or dings? 7. Also check the tires, you can always use the penny trick to check the tread, and look for dry rot and bent wheels as well 8. Stand beside the front wheel and push down on the car, start rocking the car then suddenly stop, if the cat still.moves then somethings bad, check all four wheels! Hoped some of this helped, would do.more bout I'm bout to fall asleep lol

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