I hear all bad things about 2nd Gen Eclipse's, and considering I'm a college student without a ton of cash to worry about buying new trannies and engines every 2 months I'm scared to get one. I'm not really worried about pushing the car to it's limits or street racing like an idiot, I just want something fast and good-looking.

I guess my really question is how bad is it, are the horror stories really true, and how broke will I really be trying to take care of this thing?

O I'm looking at two GSTs with around 50k miles on em and GS with 60k on it, all 1996 or 1997.

 

The horror stories are severely overrated. However, that being said, they can become a reality if you don't do your proper maintenance (these cars can be money pits). The car may also give you problems if the prevous owner abused the car.

Honestly, if you are in college, are worried about having a reliable car, and don't have a lot of cash, you may want to look elsewhere. You need to figure out your finances and determine whether you can really afford one or not. I haven't even brought up the gas price topic. Turbo models require premium, of course, which now costs an arm and a leg.

Do some research on the internet for our cars. Alot of information out there. vfaq.com is a good start.

In your situation though (unless you find a good source of income), I'd get a different car. Preferrably something that gets good mileage and solid reliability. Put your "need for speed" on hold for a little while. Get your college degree, then get a good paying career. You can then afford a much nicer car than the vast majority of people here own.

 

I just noticed you own an "MX6". Just stick with that car for now, unless the cars on its way out the door or something.

 

the transmission and engine are just like every other car. They will last for a long time if properly taken care of and not beaten on daily. Its the little things that break. 2g's are also known to crankwalk, but not as many of most ppl think. If u want to know about that, go do a search somewhere.

If your not going for speed, get a fwd, or maybe even an N/T. Id stay away from awd because of the extra wear and tear, but it doesnt sound like u need it anyways.

 

my motor blew recently on my 95 eclipse...136,000 miles..from a broken oil pump belt...so it wasnt that it couldnt handle the power...and no the motor wont blow every two months..the clutch is just lke any other, and other than fixing some oil leaks and the clutch when i first got it, it ran perfect, just some normal things that would happen on any other car happened. ubt when something big does go wrong, then it could be alot of money, unless your a diy'er which you are in college so i doubt you are.....dsm'ers are kinda knkown for do it yourselfer's so it would be alot easier if you could work on the car yourself. im replacing the motor in mine myself...and saving about 800 dollars

 

I'd say if you'll be responsible and take good care of the car go for the GST you'd enjoy it, if not go with the GS or keep your MX-6 either would prove to be more "reliable" than the GST.

 

Yeah I would keep the MX but the tranny is destroyed and I'm looking to upgrade. Thanks for the ideas guys, I really am pretty new to knowing exactly what I'm getting myself into, (as if you couldn't tell right?) so I guess I'll go weigh the pros and cons and see whats the best vehicle to start my first real project with. Thanks again, and be prepared for alot more questions in the future out of me lol.

 

Since your in college, I would say to go ahead a get a GS. You'll get the looks of a 2g, but you will have less problems with the engine and your insurance will be cheaper.

 

if you get a GS you may not put a body kit on it and make it anotehr stereotype.





actually, in concept.... that makes my car a sleeper

 

I'd buy a 99 Integra or something similar. Those cars are just plain solid and reliable, and drive well. I typed out a long paragraph backing up my reccommendation but realized that it will just start arguments and deleted it. That is my advice, take it or leave it. Pick up a 1g when you get out of school and have money to burn.