Thinking of buying an Eclipse or Talon Options

[LT1Z28]

I'm selling my SC2 because I need a car w/some pep as a daily driver. It's driving me insane.

Among the cars I'm considering are the 95-99 Eclipse GST & GSX & also 95+ Talon TSI.

Anything in particular, besides the normal things to check when buying a used car, that I should check out when looking at these cars?

Are there any specific problems with these cars?
How reliable are they?
Anyone have 1/4 mile times on stock a GST, GSX & TSI? Manual & Auto tranny times, please.

I've heard many bad things about the manual trannies in the Talons. I assume the same tranny is in the Eclipse, correct?

Are there any differences, besides body style & the name, between the GSX & the Talon TSI??

I'm not going to be modding it a whole lot anytime soon. I want to try to not mod it at all, but I doubt I will be able t control myself.

I don't know much about these cars so any input is appreciated.

[AWD DSM 1]

As many on here might agree, I'd steer clear of the 95+ DSM's unless you like doing motor swaps. The motor in those cars suffer from a condition know as crankwalk, where the thrust bearing wears prematurely, causing engine failure.

In general, check maintainance records. Make sure that the timing belt has been changed at proper intervals (60k max) otherwise the belt is prone to break and destroy valves. These cars can require a fair amount of maintainance. With proper maintainance, they can be some of the most fun, reliable cars. Most run 14.9-15.1's in stock trim.

(shameless advertising)

Personally, I'd come take a look at one of the three 1g's I have for sale. I've got a 90 Laser Turbo FWD, a 90 Talon Tsi AWD, and a 93 GST that will all hopefully be for sale by the end of the year. The Laser is ready for a test drive anytime. There are also some others on this board that have a few cars for sale, I'm sure they'll chime in soon.

I take it from your logon that you have a Z-28??

[LT1Z28]

As many on here might agree, I'd steer clear of the 95+ DSM's unless you like doing motor swaps. The motor in those cars suffer from a condition know as crankwalk, where the thrust bearing wears prematurely, causing engine failure.

In general, check maintainance records. Make sure that the timing belt has been changed at proper intervals (60k max) otherwise the belt is prone to break and destroy valves. These cars can require a fair amount of maintainance. With proper maintainance, they can be some of the most fun, reliable cars. Most run 14.9-15.1's in stock trim.

(shameless advertising)

Personally, I'd come take a look at one of the three 1g's I have for sale. I've got a 90 Laser Turbo FWD, a 90 Talon Tsi AWD, and a 93 GST that will all hopefully be for sale by the end of the year. The Laser is ready for a test drive anytime. There are also some others on this board that have a few cars for sale, I'm sure they'll chime in soon.

I take it from your logon that you have a Z-28??

I'm leaning towards the 97+ Eclipses right now. I just don't like the look of the 1g cars.

Yes, I have a Z28. a 95 Z28 to be exact


--------
Tom
95 Z28
98 SC2 FOR SALE!

[AWD DSM 1]

97+ are defiately the best looking DSM's ever made IMO. You might try the DSMTrader.com, and see if you can find a car with a 6-bolt swap. It would have the earlier, stronger motor in it, but the look of the 2g, with all the work done already.

Rob

[KOU In3]

Am I right in guessing that this is for your daily driver and your Z28 is the fair weather modded car? Not to sound like a broken record but you'd be better off with a 1G. If I had some $$$ to drop in a project car and looks were a factor, I'd pick up a 2G with a blown engine and drop a 6bolt (1G) motor in it. You'd probably same money still and would have the best of both worlds.

As good as the 2G looks, if you plan on buying one, at least start budgeting for the 6bolt swap. You'll probably end up needing it at some point and then it won't come as a surprise. Especially once you get bitten by the mod bug.

I think the important question though is: What is your budget for the car and what are your long-term goals for it?

[Larz]

You had an SC2? I feel your pain. That car drove me nutz.

[LT1Z28]

You had an SC2? I feel your pain. That car drove me nutz.

Still have it & been driving it for the past few months. I'm trying to sell it.

[LT1Z28]

Am I right in guessing that this is for your daily driver and your Z28 is the fair weather modded car? Not to sound like a broken record but you'd be better off with a 1G. If I had some $$$ to drop in a project car and looks were a factor, I'd pick up a 2G with a blown engine and drop a 6bolt (1G) motor in it. You'd probably same money still and would have the best of both worlds.

As good as the 2G looks, if you plan on buying one, at least start budgeting for the 6bolt swap. You'll probably end up needing it at some point and then it won't come as a surprise. Especially once you get bitten by the mod bug.

I think the important question though is: What is your budget for the car and what are your long-term goals for it?

Yes, the Z28 is the modded weekend car.
I don't like the looks of the 1g cars. I prefer the 2Gs.

I don't have any money to drop into another project car. I can't even afford to do what I want to the Z. There is no $ to budget for any swap.

I'm looking to buy a 2g car for under $15k
Long term would be either sell it in a couple years or so or mod the hell out of it. That would not happen anytime soon, though. Right now, I just want a reliable daily driver w/some pep.

[90GSX]

To defend the 2G a bit, not every one will crankwalk on you, some will drive forever without ever having it happen, some on the other hand wont. Its a chance you take when you by any used car, that something major will happen to it. If you buy one for just a couple years, it may run fine for you and never give you any problem, but if you plan on eventually modding it, then a 6 bolt swap will be a good start for it. some of the 97+ cars may still have a factory warrenty on it left for powertrain. If you really want a 2G, and can afford one, then go for it and take a chance. You could buy a 1G automatic and a week later the tranny goes out on you, or even a 5 speed, the syncros could go out too. So no matter what you buy, there is always the chance something could go wrong with it.