what do you guys think of this car?

boostinss · Post by **boostinss** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:36 pm

I have been looking for a "fun" car for awile now that isnt to expensive and i came across this 1997 eclipse GST w/ 97k miles for $4,000 and was wondering if this was a good deal or not. I am basically asking what your opinions are on a 1997 eclipse gst and is that high millage or not.

thanks

heres the link
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/car/548997102.html

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:38 pm

Its a DSM. DSM = problems so I hear.

boostinss · Post by **boostinss** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:40 pm

yeah i have heard that 3g eclipses have many engine problems but i wasnt sure about 2gn;s

-Devil- · Post by **-Devil-** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:43 pm

well thats not a 2gn either ...

97 is the first year for that body style IIRC ...

its like any car ... if it aint taken care of it will have problems

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:48 pm

its a second gen eclipse.

1995-1999 was the second Generation

I used to RoadRace an Eclipse back home ('96 GSX). I would NEVER own another DSM. If I didn't have a backer it would of gotten really expensive keeping that car together.

1990-94 = 1st Gen
1995-99 = 2nd gen
2000-05 = 3rd Gen
2006- now = 4th Gen

zerocoolok · Post by **zerocoolok** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:06 am

Crankwalk FTL

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:44 am

look at it this way, at least you will become an expert mechanic...or at least make one rly rich!

lolelectricbluesxt · Post by **lolelectricbluesxt** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:13 pm

I don't know about that vehicle. I had a 97 Eclipse RS with 115k miles that I sold for more then that. Something seems kind of fishy. Besides, DSM's are pretty much renowned for something always breaking.

jckevns · Post by **jckevns** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:08 pm

my buddy has a 3gn eclipse hes had several problems with the tranny not a 2gn i know but still an eclipse

60trim · Post by **60trim** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:46 pm

zerocoolok wrote:Crankwalk FTL

enough said. /thread.

-Devil- · Post by **-Devil-** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:37 pm

hmmm guess i was mixed up then .. i always thought that was the 3rd gen ... since there was two body versions before that ... one with flip up headlights ... and then one with fixed lights ... then the restyled body of that one ... then the one based on the galant (i think it was) setup .. and then the current one out now

TeckNeon · Post by **TeckNeon** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:20 pm

It's not a cheap, fun car. Everything on it is expensive and unless you can diagnose issues with DSM cars and/or have alot of DSM friends, you are in for a world of hurt. I had an Eagle Talon and it was a money pit. Not even a nice money pit either.

If you want a fun cheap car, think Miata. You can get them for ultra cheap ($2 or $3K and a basic turbo kit for just over $1K). Some used suspension bits and a good set of tires you could have a fun little ride.

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:08 pm

-Devil- wrote:hmmm guess i was mixed up then .. i always thought that was the 3rd gen ... since there was two body versions before that ... one with flip up headlights ... and then one with fixed lights ... then the restyled body of that one ... then the one based on the galant (i think it was) setup .. and then the current one out now

Model Refreshes similar to our Neons.

In the Second Generation the Bumpers changed from '96 to '97; which is very similar to the bumper changes from '02 to '03 with the Neon.

benzsxt · Post by **benzsxt** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:34 pm

I had a 400+HP! 97 Talon AWD, only way to get a DSM is AWD. Take offs are great. Get on the DSM forums used cars and parts are cheap and if your not a mechanic you will be. I spent way more time upgrading, repairing, and tuning my car than driving it. They are very sensitive to temp and humidity with more mods. Good luck, I would buy another one if I had more TIME and MONEY!!!

silverneontuner · Post by **silverneontuner** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:17 am

lots of trouble with those at my shop. weve seen like 3 where the timing belt jumped at the motor Kaboomed during boost.

zerocoolok · Post by **zerocoolok** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:27 am

The biggest problem with them are the timing belts jumping, crankwalk, and impossible to trace vacuum leaks that screw with boost or cause revving.

Edit: and if you want to make any extra power you will need to upgrade the transmission, you will tear it apart multiple times if you leave it stock....

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:08 am

1GN shortblock
2GN head
crank up the boost,and fuel...12sec street car thats 500hp capable.....

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:41 pm

so, dsm's are known for issues, but we all drive neons, we are used to all the issues with our cars

Wenuden · Post by **Wenuden** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:56 pm

I don't have issues... Knock on wood.

benzsxt · Post by **benzsxt** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:01 pm

All cars have issues, it depends on which side of the fence your on. I have been in the car business for over 10 years. I think they are all crap it just depends on how you maintain it.

slaw · Post by **slaw** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:49 am

my last car was a 1gn eclipse 1.8 NA 5speed and it was balls! i loved that car and it was way quicker than my neon is however the reason i dont have it anymore is cuz it was nothing but problems and i cracked the block

pyro · Post by **pyro** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:10 pm

My sis had one, n/a talon 5-speed. Fun, but it granaded the motor under warranty @ less than a year old(broken T/B=smashy valves), and they bought it back. She got a 1gen 240sx.

boostinss · Post by **boostinss** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:47 pm

damn, so much for any DSM...

slaw · Post by **slaw** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:51 pm

yea i loved my eclipse but im much happier that i dont have a constant headache of things breaking and not going my way now that i dont own a mitsu