Are 1995–1999 (2G) Mitsubishi Eclipse Reliable? Options

[ilmatic]

my buddy is trying to get one for his first car and im not in any way a car expert

[Supersprynt]

They aren't known for it, no.

[Remy]

My buddy owned a 99 spyder went through 3 motors and 2 trannys in a year and his was n/a I hear their good track cars (GS-T,GSX) but don't use them as a DD.

[Keiri]

My best friend's husband has a '99 GSX and has been pouring money, sweat, and blood into it since he bought it...they have two other vehicles that they DD if that tells you anything.

They're great project cars but if you don't maintain them well or start modding them be prepared to be stranded a lot.

This post has been edited by Keiri: Jul 10, 2010 - 9:50 PM

[Johnnyny]

My buddy owned a 99 spyder went through 3 motors and 2 trannys in a year and his was n/a I hear their good track cars (GS-T,GSX) but don't use them as a DD.

crank walk

[ilmatic]

what is a good reliable alternative?

[cheela]

how about the 94-99 Celicas?

[Bitter]

they're as reliable as the person who owns them makes them. I've seen 2G's with well over 100k miles that drove fine, I've seen people run them into the ground in under 60k miles.

[ilmatic]

he doesnt want a 6g celica because i have one, he wants something a bit exclusive

[Nartanian]

Depends on what 2G it is. If it has basic bolt -on and maintenance hasn't been neglected they can be very reliable powerful cars that will out-run most cars on the streets. I'd tell your buddy to look into an Integra GSR though.

This post has been edited by Nartanian: Jul 11, 2010 - 12:12 AM

[richee3]

He wants something "exclusive..." so he's looking into an Eclipse?!?! That's hardly exclusive by any means. They are known for burning oil, regardless of how well you maintain them. However, my sister has a '99 Mitsubishi Galant, and she maintains it about like any girl does. 10,000 mile oil changes, chronically flat tires, the works. 218,000 miles and that car is miraculously still running strong. So I can't say that all Mitsubishis are bad cars. But the Eclipse isn't their greatest creation.

I x2 the Integra GSR. Except he has to get a type R front end because Teg's are hideous in my opinion.

[95CelicaST]

99-01 impreza 2.5rs

Or a late 90's impreza outback. Throw some pencil beams on the front and a set of mudflaps. Rally machine.

[JuMPiiN]

Noo, one of my really good friends has a 95 GS and he's had 2 engines, 3 transmissions, and doesn't nothing but leak oil. It's terrible. He doesn't even drive it anymore he drives a civic now just bc his eclipse is so terrible.

[Nartanian]

99-01 impreza 2.5rs

Or a late 90's impreza outback. Throw some pencil beams on the front and a set of mudflaps. Rally machine.

The 2.5rs are pretty expensive (4-6k generally) and slow as crap. For that kinda money I'd look into a S13 or something.

This post has been edited by Nartanian: Jul 11, 2010 - 4:45 PM

[Remy]

he doesnt want a 6g celica because i have one, he wants something a bit exclusive

Whats his budget ?? What are his plans ?? Will it be daily driven ?? Coupe or sedan ?? That info would help him pinpoint it.

[ilmatic]

Uh he can spend up to around 7g's, leaning towards a coupe but is fine with a sedan.
he just wants to beat my buddy who has a 99 civic with a few mods... lol what cant beat a civic

[JuMPiiN]

Dude a S13 or S14 for 7Gs with a SR20 swap. That engine stock can beat a civic depending on what bolt Oma the civic had.

[ilmatic]

He won't get a S13 because one of our buddies has it already

[Remy]

I would say a S14 I was gonna trade mines for one but the guy drove an auto so I was like no thanks lol.


^^ Thats a silvia though depending on where you live not available everywhere still its an s14.

Or an SC300/400




^^ Those are exclusive cars both RWD too.

[Nartanian]

Well if he's got that much to play with why would he blow it on a 2.5rs? He should see if he can pick up a 2dr Golf 1.8t and do a few mods to that. It won't be the fastest thing but it should be able to walk a NA civic.

[JuMPiiN]

I don't think you can get a Silvia for 7K unless it's beat up really bad. You could prob get a nice SC300, S13 or S14, maybe a nice old school GTI, theres alot of cars he could get for 7K that are nice and quick. If your anywhere close to Houston or Dallas you can get a sick Integra GSR or maybe even a TypeR if your lucky for around 5-8K.

[richee3]

lol what cant beat a civic

A Toyota Celica ST.

[Keiri]

lol what cant beat a civic

A Toyota Celica ST.

Zing!

[Bitter]

If you're buying a car over a decade old with unknown history, don't expect reliability.

[SwissFerdi]

he just wants to beat my buddy who has a 99 civic with a few mods... lol what cant beat a civic

Then your buddy sounds like an idiot. By all means, tell him to get that 'Clipse.

[95CelicaST]

99-01 impreza 2.5rs

Or a late 90's impreza outback. Throw some pencil beams on the front and a set of mudflaps. Rally machine.

The 2.5rs are pretty expensive (4-6k generally) and slow as crap. For that kinda money I'd look into a S13 or something.

You're an idiot. Have you ever had a 2.5rs? Ever driven one? Know anything about them other than a quick google search on power numbers? Know anything about the aftermarket for them? How about the demographic that owns them?

They are pretty quick - awd, lightweight, good body design - "exclusive". and if you want to bump the power you buy a wrx clip for 2k and drop it in. The interior is plug and play with a wrx or sti. They have an incredible sound, they're reliable.

The op never said he was looking for high hp super street racer, nor did he say he wanted a junky fanboy nissan.

If your friend wants something quick that no one will have I suggest a 5sp 97-99 subaru legacy 2.5gt. Same thing as the 2.5rs, but with leather and other luxuries.

[Nartanian]

Seems like the only way you can address me is by calling me an idiot huh? Very mature buddy. My friend has 99 2.5rs model that came with the 2.5L sohc. I guess if you consider that "quick" then so be it. The only way he he was able to make any power out of it (On top of the $5000 he already he spent buying the car with) was to do a jdm ej20 swap. Even had he got a wrx clip for $2000 I'm sure he'd need to replace water pump, t-belt, and so on to be sure it's "reliable". And all that adds up in price. I never said they are not potent cars or pieces of trash. I never said they had a horrendous body style or were pigs. All I'm saying is for that amount of money, I think there are better choices out there. Notice it's just MY opinion. So before you go around calling people idiots next time, try taking your brain out your pocket and put it in your head so you can think a bit.

This post has been edited by Nartanian: Jul 12, 2010 - 12:06 PM

[95CelicaST]

So instead of catering to what he was asking you suggest a s13 - the most common car for tuners.

The sohc motor isn't what makes it quick - awd does that.

And yes, you should spend 180 on a new water pump, timing belt, accessory belts, etc. on the ej20. Those things are common sense with any motor.

And there is always better ways to spend money than on cars. Car a or car b. In the end it is up to the buyer, who says he wants anything exclusive.

And next time you should state that your comments are of opinion instead of calling the car slow as crap. Pretty sure the rs will destroy his friend's civic.


Also the suggestion of a sc300 or sc400 is a good one. Even in automatic they are fast and very smooth. The sc400 is the faster of the two.

[Nartanian]

So instead of catering to what he was asking you suggest a s13 - the most common car for tuners.

-If he's looking at a 2G eclipse, I don't see any reason why he would over look the s13. Both cars are very common from an import enthusiast stand point. But as stated, his friend already has one.

The sohc motor isn't what makes it quick - awd does that.

-Awd does not make your car quicker. It's actually does the opposite. There is more added rotational parts that add weight. Also, with AWD cars, you loose a higher amount of power at the wheels due to the drivetrain. Spinning 2 wheels is more efficient than spinning 4 wheels power wise. The only way it would be quicker is from dig. But then you risk damaging if not destroying the tranny, t-case, clutch and/or axles from launching. Reliable? I think not.

And yes, you should spend 180 on a new water pump, timing belt, accessory belts, etc. on the ej20. Those things are common sense with any motor.

-Again, added cost.

And there is always better ways to spend money than on cars. Car a or car b. In the end it is up to the buyer, who says he wants anything exclusive.

-Very much agreed

And next time you should state that your comments are of opinion instead of calling the car slow as crap. Pretty sure the rs will destroy his friend's civic.

-It should be obvious that that comment was MY opinion and not a fact. Just like how it's YOUR opinion that you think they are quick. "Quick" is a relative word.

Also the suggestion of a sc300 or sc400 is a good one. Even in automatic they are fast and very smooth. The sc400 is the faster of the two.


-No comment

This post has been edited by Nartanian: Jul 12, 2010 - 1:17 PM

[ilmatic]

to those who call him an idiot, he is haha.
he thought suburus were bad, but i cant really say much cause im still an idiot about cars and im just slowly learning more and more...
and he is currently looking at sc300's, and any other suggestions would be helpful

[JuMPiiN]

If he has a little more he could prob find a good Supra on Autotrader or maybe if your lucky locally. You can sometimes find a really nice non beat up N/A Supra 93+ for around 8-12K. I've seen really nice ones for around 8K. Just throwing that out there as a option.

[Random_Stranger]

My buddy owned a 99 spyder went through 3 motors and 2 trannys in a year and his was n/a I hear their good track cars (GS-T,GSX) but don't use them as a DD.

LOL I love that! But yes, I agree, not a DD car.

[richee3]

If he has a little more he could prob find a good Supra on Autotrader or maybe if your lucky locally. You can sometimes find a really nice non beat up N/A Supra 93+ for around 8-12K. I've seen really nice ones for around 8K. Just throwing that out there as a option.

x2, but they're never local, unfortunately. Speaking of Supras, he could get a mkII or mkIII Supra. Both are good cars. Exclusive, quick, ride like they're on rails. And they look great in my opinion. Maybe not everyone else's favorite car, but I like them.

[JuMPiiN]

MKIII's are really nice. One of my favorite cars. I guess I'm just a diehard Toyota person. I love MR2s, Celicas, Supras even Prius ! Lmfao

[97celiman]

04-06 Sentra SE-R Spec V.

02-03 are ok as long as they got some headers.

Just want to loctite the butterfly valves on any year.

175hp/180torque at the crank...factory hellical lsd. chirping the tires all the way till fourth. responds to bolt ons. Fun car. Motor Mount Inserts get the power down. for 7k he can find one considerably under 100k.

4 door. Since it is a sentra insurance is cheap as hell. But the 2.5 liters pack quite a lot of punch.

[creis]

99-01 impreza 2.5rs

Or a late 90's impreza outback. Throw some pencil beams on the front and a set of mudflaps. Rally machine.

The 2.5rs are pretty expensive (4-6k generally) and slow as crap. For that kinda money I'd look into a S13 or something.

I have a 01 2.5 rs stock (2dr coupe,) its a quick little car (slow as crap? you have never been in one), handling is great (better then my wrx.) I have put almost 60k on mine in the 4 years I've had it, no issues, regular maintanace only. I would highly recommend, well worth the bucks if you can find one! 4-6 k is not much at all for a reliable car. Not to mention they are amazing in snow.

as for the eclipse, a friend of mine has a mid 90's talon (same thing) fun car, sick car when fixed up but his motor went few months after he got it. There nice but a lot of work to keep it that way.

I would not consider an eclipse for a 1st car, a first car is suppose to be a beater and no thrills cheapo that can take some curbage and bumpage.

This post has been edited by creis: Jul 15, 2010 - 2:19 PM

[Nartanian]

[JuMPiiN]

He could prob get a SRT4. I have a friend here selling his it has well over 400hp. Just a few bolt ons. And some upgraded things it's a beast in my opinion.

[Liquid_Smoke]

99-01 impreza 2.5rs

Or a late 90's impreza outback. Throw some pencil beams on the front and a set of mudflaps. Rally machine.

The 2.5rs are pretty expensive (4-6k generally) and slow as crap. For that kinda money I'd look into a S13 or something.

You're an idiot. Have you ever had a 2.5rs? Ever driven one? Know anything about them other than a quick google search on power numbers? Know anything about the aftermarket for them? How about the demographic that owns them?

They are pretty quick - awd, lightweight, good body design - "exclusive". and if you want to bump the power you buy a wrx clip for 2k and drop it in. The interior is plug and play with a wrx or sti. They have an incredible sound, they're reliable.

The op never said he was looking for high hp super street racer, nor did he say he wanted a junky fanboy nissan.

If your friend wants something quick that no one will have I suggest a 5sp 97-99 subaru legacy 2.5gt. Same thing as the 2.5rs, but with leather and other luxuries.

dude
i drive my room mates 2.5 to work and back almost every day
it has more horses and a bigger engine then my gt celi but with the drive train loss
it is almost exactly the same in terms off acceleration and top speed
in first and second gear i can tear up the streets but after that its a slug
and callin a person an idiot just makes u look bad

[SleekCelica]

Manny's gonna kick all of your a****s! Calling people idiots and such.

[richee3]

Example #1.

Example #2.

Example #3.

Example #4.

Example #5.

Example #6.

Example #7.

Example #8.

Example #9.

The most important thing to notice in each of those cars is the mileage. None are low mileage, but each is a good car under $7,000. And I didn't even include any Honda products. Now, granted, each one of those cars is an example only. Just to show what a quick search can yield. Just to show that there are cars with a certain degree of exclusivity under $7,000 that will still allow some fun. None are particularly close to you, but I'm just saying that good cars can be found, and they don't have to be an Eclipse. For cheap, reliable fun, your friend simply can't beat a Honda. A Civic Si or Integra Type R would be a better choice for him than most of the cars I just listed.

[JuMPiiN]

That Porche, MR2, and the Supra are so sickk... Get one of those.

[sincerelyseb]

MR2's look amazing