I dont care how fast they are or w.e. I want to know how reliable the car is, or which model to buy.. im looking for the 95-99 style, and Id be importing it from the states, since there arent alot here in canada......
Which model? which engine??? i want a 5spd
There are a few models.
Eclipse RS/GS - SLOW. They have something like 140hp, but when I test drove a GS, it just didn't have any go. Sounded great and the interior was nice. The interior was very small, but was designed nice. If it would've had more pull to it, I would've enjoyed it.
Eclipse GST - Turbo version that comes in at 210hp? I want to say its 210. Very ballsy. Usually they come equiped with alloy rims, rear high-mount spoiler, fogs, etc. VERY difficult to find in good condition (that hasn't be beat to hell either) and good luck getting insurance for it.
Eclipse GSX - All-Wheel-Drive Turbo version that is 230hp I want to say. Top of the line, very kick ass. Again, usually comes with all the fun options. Also, good luck trying to find one of these as well in good condtition (that hasn't been beat either) and again good luck with insurance. I had issues trying to find them in 5-speed too. When I was looking into buying one, I found a ton of GS/RS with the 5-speed, but barely any GST/GSX. Also, hard to find them that hasn't been modded already, lol.
They are great looking cars and if you manage to get into modding them, they do mod well. If anything, I'd recommend going for the GST/GSX if you have the money. The RS/GS still can look great, but they don't have pep to them, and the others start off turbo charged, so it makes for a better starting point anyways.
Good luck
My friend has one for sale in Peterborough, Ontario
1999 Mits Eclipse Spider
Auto
96000miles
pw windows, locks, cruise
rims
Silver with black power top
If your interested email me at diredz@hotmail.com
The car is sweet!
Why not just get an eagle talon so you don't have to go through the hassle of importing?
Wife had a 1997 Eclipse GS5 speed) and it was the biggest POS. I would go with a GSX also if you can find a decent one.
deflux wrote:Why not just get an eagle talon so you don't have to go through the hassle of importing?
x2
I think they look a little better (just a different style), but yeah, good luck finding ANY 2nd gen. eclipse that hasn't gotten the @!#$ kicked out of it, esp. a 5 speed.
I know those 4G63 motors are tough, but I don't think there is anything that can withstand a 16 year old with a jumpy left foot and a heavy right.
well I dont have a second gen, but I do have an 01 eclipse spyder gs. If u like eclipses look into those. I LOVE my eclipse to death, I bought it about 5 months ago and up to now, it has been awesome. definitely an upgrade from a jbody. IMO its much better made, much more comfortable, and it is obviously faster than my ohv lol. but of course its natural when u compare a car that cost a little over 20 grand brand new, to a car that only cost about 13. I stil have my cav, but the eclipse just feels like it gives a better driving experience.
now if ur dead set on a 2g (95-99) let me tell u right now, dont do it. I test drove one when I was shopping around for my car, and honestly, the quality of it is equal to that of our J's. (and I think we can all agree that our J's are junk, even if we do love them). not to mention all the problems that come with them.
Just by a Civic and be done with it.
If you just want reliable... which obviously you don't or you wouldn't want an Eclipse over a Talon.
Or better yet, buy something new with a warranty thats cheap, like a Hyundai or a 'balt, or a Focus.
Ya when I was shopping around for a car I test drove a 99 gst with a bov and catback it wass soooo sexy it had a lot of balls and sounded way good. I would have bought it but 160,000 miles on a boosted motor and a teenage owner chased me away.
But I would def go with the gsx!
***Looking for a BLUE 03+ STOCK cavi wing pm me if ya got one you wanna sell***
there was a GSX for sale here around maybe a month ago. Guy wanted 6gs for it. completely stock and the thing was babied, and i mean babied. i swear he washed it and waxed it atleast twice a week. I dont know if he sold it or not. It was on www.auto-locator.com for sometime.
I guess another option (if you're not worried about speed) is a Dodge Avenger.
Fastest looking slow car on the planet, had the NA 2.0L Mits engine. Things a tank when it comes to speed (slower than an eco and LD9 for sure), but looks pretty nice.
They had one that came with a 2.5 V6, but that one was slow too (slower than most J's I belive) and only came with an auto tranny.
*raises hand* Stupid newb question guys, what does the pic mean? I take it the Eclipse goes through crank's constantly?
Exodus 259 wrote:*raises hand* Stupid newb question guys, what does the pic mean? I take it the Eclipse goes through crank's constantly?
LOL
I think it's the crank slipping....I really can't remember. I know it's bad though. Somebody will post the answer shortly, I'm sure.
They're nice cars, but not worth the insurance costs.
those cars are notorious for crank walk.
my buddy had a nice 96 5sp gsx. had it fully built w/ an upgraded turbo. very nice car. sold it to some kid from around the way. stupid kid turned up the boost, and blew the motor. new motor went in the car and a month later it burnt to the ground. oh well, my friend got his money thats all that matters
I have owned a 1G and I still have a 2G (Talon in my case). No cracnk walk, so drop that crap. Any that were gonna go, likely have already. They are getting old you know.
That said, they cost a ton to maintain. Be prepared. Every single part is expensive. Wheel hubs will go, brake jobs are a bit too frequent. If you are a hard driver the factor clutch blows chunks.
The 1G did feel a bit more solid that the 2G but there is no way the build quality is as poor as a J. I have been in brand new Js that rattled and cracked. The 10 year old 2G in my laneway is still very solid.
They handle like they are on rails provided you use good tires (2 ply sidewalls will kill the handling, get 4 ply).
Can be made fast as hell, pretty quick right out of the box.
Enjoy it.
PAX
I have a 99 GS Spyder & it's the biggest POS I've ever owned. Maintenance is expensive!
DRAGFEST
92 SC300 Turbo 5spd.
99 Eclipse Spyder RS
Friend has a '97 GS 5-speed with the 2.0 NA. It was a fun car to drive (he had 17" wheels, short shifter) but nothing too impressive. My car was faster but his was just more fun (5-speed>auto). Right now it sits, dead in the water, due to the engine going out and him trying to figure out whether or not to fix or sell it. It does have 130K miles on it and he did beat on it alot so I'd say the engine wasn't the problem, it was his driving. I'm actually surprised the tranny didn't go out with him grinding into second when he'd shift from redline.
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* Student of the University of Oklahoma. Go Sooners!
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That was also a factor in me not buying on either. Every where i read said they cost a lot to maintain. Aso, since you'd be buying a used one, you don't know if its been abused, or beat to hell, etc until you are forking out serious cash when issues come up left and right.
I remember reading that the turbo they use in the GST/GSX is crappy and goes out a lot too? Any truth to that one?
As much as I love DSMs, I thank God each and every single day that I did not buy one.
Jesus Christ, thank you.
There alot to maintain because of the @!#$tards that drive them. Turbo=Stupidasses beating it till it dies. There not indestructable cars people, ive had DSMs most of my driveing life (6 yrs) and do the basic maintenence and DONT WHORE IT OUT, and ive NEVER had a DSM prob. There just all so beatin and whored out, they break down. Its not the car though, its the driver.
I bought a 97 Talon a little over a month ago for a daily driver/winter car and so far I love the crap out of it. I had to replace a lower compression arm on the front suspension because one of the balljoints had gone bad in a big way and the part was over $200 (installed it myself), so I can see where maintenance would get costly.. but other than that I can't complain about the car... yet. It has 115k miles on the 420A motor, which doesn't apear to have been regularly maintained.. but it still runs strong with new plugs, filters, etc. (runs strong for now anyway.. keeping my fingers crossed). I'm impressed with the car so far, it is a lot of fun to drive. <3 dual wishbone suspension. I really wish I had bought one years ago while they were still selling with low miles..
Edited 2 time(s). Last edited Thursday, January 11, 2007 2:30 PM
