It seems like there are a lot of problems with DSMs. Is this true?

Newcomers to the DSM world, through reading the Talon Digest, may fall under the impression that DSMs are unreliable cars and are plagued with all sorts of problems.  This is not true.  DSMs do not have any more problems than the next car, and are quite reliable in many key areas.

The reasons why far more problems than 'normal' are reported are as follows:

• Generally, those breaking their cars are either A) Abusing their cars (driving hard) or B) Have modified past design parameters of the parts. Going for 200 to 400hp will tend to break things.
• Forums spanning almost 3 decades of DSM owners, which is an unusually large user base from which to compile problem reports.
• There are many automotive and DSM experts on the Digest who can detect, analyze and report problems reliably and accurately.
• Discussions about problems and their possible fixes are integral to the concept of forums, so all subscribers can benefit from experience. Not often to people sign up to tell everyone trouble free the cars are.
• Because of this, the Digest user base is unusually well informed about the nature of possible (not necessarily probable) problems with their car, and often take preventative steps to avoid known pitfalls.
• There are many types of racers who use DSMs.  Those in the fastest classes (or those attempting to get into the fastest classes) break parts as a matter of course for their chosen sport, as they often far exceed the design parameters of the OEM parts.
• Some of these cars are getting towards 20 years old, and will occasionally require replacement parts as a matter of course.
• And finally, people are far more likely to post about a problem than about a routine day going to and from work; this is simply human nature.

Many vehicles have problems which are easily more widespread and/or more severe than DSMs, but members of the public usually do not hear about them unless they are an owner of an affected vehicle.  DSM owners have the advantage of drawing from the accumulated knowledge of a large experienced group that covers all of North America, through resources like forums and this FAQ page.

Aside from some 'lemon' cars, DSMers are usually quite happy with their vehicles.  There are a few disappointed owners who have had bad luck, which is true of ANY car make.