DSMDUDE Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Hi to all you guys and gals out there.. I am new to Conquest/Starions, but I have wanted one for a long time. I am in the US Air Force stationed at Dyess AFB, Texas. I just got orders to go to Spangdahlem AB, Germany, in November. I want to take a car with me, but I am not sure what I should take. I have the opportunity to take either an 87 Conquest or a 93 Talon TSi FWD. German inspection standards are pretty strict, even for American military. So, I guess my question to you all is, which one should I get to take with me? I've had 4 DSMs before, but never a StarQuest...I attached links to the descriptions of the cars below...How reliable are StarQuests? That's the only thing that worries me about the DSM, they aren't always that reliable....Any help or advice would be much GREATLY appreciated... -Patrick http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/car/609078138.html the DSM http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/572809640.html the Conquest P.S. I know you all are prolly going to be pretty biased, but if nothing else, is this a good deal for this Conquest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenquest Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 (edited) Hi to all you guys and gals out there.. I am new to Conquest/Starions, but I have wanted one for a long time. I am in the US Air Force stationed at Dyess AFB, Texas. I just got orders to go to Spangdahlem AB, Germany, in November. I want to take a car with me, but I am not sure what I should take. I have the opportunity to take either an 87 Conquest or a 93 Talon TSi FWD. German inspection standards are pretty strict, even for American military. So, I guess my question to you all is, which one should I get to take with me? I've had 4 DSMs before, but never a StarQuest...I attached links to the descriptions of the cars below...How reliable are StarQuests? That's the only thing that worries me about the DSM, they aren't always that reliable....Any help or advice would be much GREATLY appreciated... -Patrick http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/car/609078138.html the DSM http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/572809640.html the Conquest P.S. I know you all are prolly going to be pretty biased, but if nothing else, is this a good deal for this Conquest? Starquest CAN be reliable but you're going to need to put some work into it. Bottom line is it's an awesome car but very high maintenance, so if you're not in a situation where you can be working on it frequently I wouldn't get involved in it especially if money is an issue at all, I would chose something more practical. Aside from that I'd never take a DSM (though I love the motors) over a Starquest. That's my 2 cents. Edited March 19, 2008 by Kenquest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSMDUDE Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 (edited) Kenquest, when you say theu are high maintenance, what typically goes wrong on them? The Conquest I'm looking at has had most of the sensors, the trans, the engine, and front suspensions stuff replaced...I'm am no stranger to working on cars, I've worked on plenty of them, and am a jet engine mechanic for the AF... Edited March 19, 2008 by DSMDUDE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caliber308 Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 (edited) Hi to all you guys and gals out there.. I am new to Conquest/Starions, but I have wanted one for a long time. I am in the US Air Force stationed at Dyess AFB, Texas. I just got orders to go to Spangdahlem AB, Germany, in November. I want to take a car with me, but I am not sure what I should take. I have the opportunity to take either an 87 Conquest or a 93 Talon TSi FWD. German inspection standards are pretty strict, even for American military. So, I guess my question to you all is, which one should I get to take with me? I've had 4 DSMs before, but never a StarQuest...I attached links to the descriptions of the cars below...How reliable are StarQuests? That's the only thing that worries me about the DSM, they aren't always that reliable....Any help or advice would be much GREATLY appreciated... -Patrick http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/car/609078138.html the DSM http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/572809640.html the Conquest P.S. I know you all are prolly going to be pretty biased, but if nothing else, is this a good deal for this Conquest? If you do the work on the car yourself, and you have the knowledge, its easy. Although, parts are hard to come by for the Conquest. The Talon would be the obvious choice. (And ive owned the same Starion for 18 years)LOL. Are you saying it has to do with emmissions, or something else. CALIBER 308 Edited March 19, 2008 by Caliber308 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSMDUDE Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 CALIBER308, The inspections are strict in that they check everything; suspensions travel, braking capability, overall function of the car, tie rods, ball joints, tires ( for the correct season/tread), everything..I love the look of the Starquests, but if it is not the best thing to take with me then I guess I can wait...I just figured that with everything being new on it it would be the better choice, but that is why I am aasking all of you experts...Here are some pics of the engine bay for the Conquest.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenquest Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Kenquest, when you say theu are high maintenance, what typically goes wrong on them? The Conquest I'm looking at has had most of the sensors, the trans, the engine, and front suspensions stuff replaced...I'm am no stranger to working on cars, I've worked on plenty of them, and am a jet engine mechanic for the AF... The cars are old and weathered, for example mine ran awesome but eventually I had wiring issues that I still need to figure out. Bushings eventually need replaced, everything is pretty sound as far as the car goes. The engine you common have injector issues, jet valve heads often get hair line cracks, blown head gaskets as far as motors go. It's luck of the draw... my car made it to 200k before the head gasket went out. The very first problem I had was the stock cat on the down pipe clogged up. It's just a lot of little things like that you need to be prepared to take on. I can't speak for that particular car, I have not had any experience with a JIS motor or anything yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSMDUDE Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Thanks guys...anyone else have any input? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caliber308 Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 (edited) CALIBER308, The inspections are strict in that they check everything; suspensions travel, braking capability, overall function of the car, tie rods, ball joints, tires ( for the correct season/tread), everything..I love the look of the Starquests, but if it is not the best thing to take with me then I guess I can wait...I just figured that with everything being new on it it would be the better choice, but that is why I am aasking all of you experts...Here are some pics of the engine bay for the Conquest.. Most suspension parts are still available. Another piece of advice, if you go with the Conquest get the Factory Service Manual. It has troubleshooting and pictures of all the major componets. P.S. www.starquestgarage.com has the FSM and parts catalog. Good Luck, CALIBER 308 Edited March 19, 2008 by Caliber308 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slydogg Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 wait until you get to germany and buy a vehicle, you will be shocked at some of the deals you can make, not everyone coming home wants to ship there car home. the last thing you want to do is break down on the autobahn. enjoy your stay, i love germany. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenquest Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 I'm surprised you're not getting more feedback on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Just buy a nice BMW or Mercedes while your there and bring it back here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfried Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 i say that you buy a Starion over in Germany and bring it back here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDX87Starion Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 With little time to sort out issues I would be real hesitate to get that conquest. Seems like the car has had some work done to it, and doesn't seem like its in "daily driver" condition yet. There are probably other issues. Why does he want to put in a 89 tranny if the current one is good, and why wasn't that done when the engine was out? "the lower front suspension its almost done" "I have two used axles in really good condition (back)" Sounds like you will be taking over a project that may or may not have been done correctly. They are great cars to tinker with, but are you gonna want to spend all your free time learning and working on it overseas? I would wait till you get back. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoFastBeater Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Just buy a nice BMW or Mercedes while your there and bring it back here. If they dollar was up on the euro then that would be a wise choice. Right now you're gonna pay a whole lot of greenbacks for one while you're there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSMDUDE Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Yeah, buying a car while I'm there is about uot of the question,the exchange rate is way to way too out of wack. So right now the concencus is not to get the Starion, and that the Talon would be the better choice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlattopMike Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 We love our cars but we are also realistic about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jisleyjr Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Bring the Starion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenquest Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 If they dollar was up on the euro then that would be a wise choice. Right now you're gonna pay a whole lot of greenbacks for one while you're there. Excellent point... i didn't think of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSMDUDE Posted March 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Wow, I must say that I am amazed that the general concencus is to get the Talon...I really would have though the Starion would have gotten most of the votes.DSMs aren't knowon for reliability, but that is mostly due to the owner modding the car and not keeping up with basic maintenance.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenquest Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Wow, I must say that I am amazed that the general concencus is to get the Talon...I really would have though the Starion would have gotten most of the votes.DSMs aren't knowon for reliability, but that is mostly due to the owner modding the car and not keeping up with basic maintenance.... It's not that it's less reliable. They're just OLD. It's a project car. Once fully restored, sure it's going to be more reliable, but I don't really think anyone said get the Talon, what they're saying is don't buy a Starion if you're looking for reliability. It's kind of like if this was a Mopar forum no one is going to tell you to go buy a GTX for a daily driver or a Cuda. These cars are our hobbies, and few use them for their transportation, but they are putting money into them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSMDUDE Posted March 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Well put Kenquest...LOL, I have been trying to decide which car to get for the last 2 weeks and have still come no closer to an answer. I really like the Starion, I have always wanted one. The nice thing about Europe is that if you don't have a car it is still really easy to get around...ALOT of people over there don't even have a car...Downtime is not too big of a deal, as I will always be able to get a ride from someone on the base....Decisions decisions...I just have to figure it out by this weekend, that's when the option to buy the Talon goes away... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelby Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 car for car the Conquest is more reliable then most DSM's the real diff is has the preventiave maintiance been done and kept up on the conquest,, i'd deff use what ever car i decide'd on as a daily befor leaveing to be able to spot any problems,, theres no way to tell what will go wrong with any car at any age ,but for ease of repair the quest wins hands down a little TLC goes further then lots of money when it comes to keeping a car driveable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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