My suggestion to you is to take a test drive in a GSX, then test drive the GS or RS.
Many people have bought a non-turbo car, thinking that, "oh, i'll just drop in a cold air intake, an exhaust, and it will be fast enough for me"... That line of thinking lasts about as long as it takes for you to take a ride in a turbo car.

One big problem that no-one has mentioned, since you are mainly concerned with the non-turbo version, is that the AWD Turbo models have a recall on the rear transfer case seal. This seal is prone to leaking, which may eventually cause catastrophic damage to the transfer case. All '95-'99 DSM's have chronic problems with their windows, this is a common problem, and one that has a relatively easy fix. On some models, the hatch rattles like there's no tomorrow.. The transmission is notoriously weak.. There are various other problems that crop up with these cars, but nothing that an average Joe with an ounce of mechanical aptitude wouldn't be able to tackle. There are a number of online resources for this car, and you would do well to research it thoroughly before you decide on your purchase. A site that has been around for a long time, and has a great knowlege-base is www.DSMTalk.com as well as www.vfaq.com You would do well to begin your search for information at dsmtalk, then look to vfaq for perhaps a better understanding of the car.

If you eventually want to make your non-turbo car a turbo, why not start off with the turbo version? It is much easier to hand-select a turbo for a car that was originally equipped with one, than it is to try and retrofit a turbo kit to a car that was designed to be N/A.

With a non-turbo car, there aren't many reliability concerns, the main problem is that once you get a chance to drive in a turbo car, you'll immediately wish you had purchased one from the beginning...

"DSM'S: Turning Ordinary People Into Mechanics Since 1989"

"DSM'S: Don't Start Modding"

-EngineBuilder

 

Yeah, my hatch in my 90 rattles around like a bitch.

 

I've owned a 91 Talon TSI and it gave me so many problems that it wasn't reliable enough to get me to school and work. So I got a 92 Eclipse GS 2.0l 4g63 non turbo (6 bolt atleast). Now I own a 97 Eclipse RS its non turbo. So far I haven't had any problems and its running like a champ. If you want non-turbo then buy a 97-99 Eclipse RS or GS, there's 95-96 but the 97-99 has a better styling appearence in my opinion. It came with the 420a engine. Plenty of people have turboed this engine and are running 12-13's. For more information check out... www.2gnt.com
The turbo DSM's are great, I miss mine but it was one less headache. In a year I swapped 3 turbo's, 2 being 14b's... one being a 16g. Dropped in another 4g63t, rebuilt the transmission, changed the axles, coolant hoses, turbo lines, blah blah blah... in just a period of a year. Everytime I fixed something another problem would come up within a week. Their going to tell you on here that you can't go fast with a 420a GS or RS which is not true... here's some video links of RS and GS 420a going fast and their turbo:
26 PSI
http://videos.streetfire.net/hottest...A3CEAEDB2A.htm
Stock Bottom End 420a turboed running 12's
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/9...0DA52FF4C7.htm
Built 420a turboed running 12's... guy is in Orlando
http://videos.streetfire.net/Player....4826&kw=4&p=12

The 420a gets ragged on a lot but its not hopeless and it shows by the videos above. Yes, you spend a lot more money turboing it then buying a 4g63t powered vehicle. Just remember less headaches though, don't see too many people complaining about their 420a turbo and breaking down all the time.

 

how many people on here have a 420t? isnt there like 2.

If you take a 15 year old factory performance car and put that many years and mileage on them, its only expected to have problems now. Hondas werent being driven like these from factory, and thats why they seem like they last forever. Put 16 years of it on them and see what you end up with. Kinda like 420a, they were being driven to drive, so less wear and tear on them and less abuse...also alot of turbo cars had been mistreated badly by their owners too. But like theyve said, if your not interested in a turbo car, dont get one. Leave it for someone else who might want them.

 

Actually more then 2 have 420a Turbo's around here. Their just not on the board and maybe on but don't post much but I know of a few. This is stupid its going to start another 420a vs 4g63t arguement. You guys need to get over this shit and if someone wants a Non Turbo let them be. You want to compare I'll do the same. This shit is like peer pressuring someone to smoke a cigarette when they don't want to. Just don't go around saying 420a's are garbage and you can't make them fast. There's video's above, there's your proof. I'm done with this thread, I stated my opinions.

 

Haha, I wasnt putting any pressure on anyone. Just stating the fact that any car thats been beat on for that long will be prone to problems, and should be expected. A car thats not and wasnt built for it will more than likely not be like that. I thought that was just common sense, not arguing.

 

420a is a waste just buy a turbo model and you wont regret it. please stop trying to convince people that 420a are more relaible and better. Your vids arent convince someone to buy a slow piece of crap.

 

There's nothing that you should be concerned with with a non-turbo 2g except for the door handles popping (as mentioned). However, whatever you do, don't purchase a JDMevo - they're always blowing a gasket!




What's funny is that Brandon didn't say sh*t about a non-turbo 2g. He never said they were slow, bad. garbage, crap, etc. He said that maybe two people in this forum own one.

 

lol

 

The first video Jay posted had me smiling the entire time. There's all this build up while the guy keeps zooming in to different components which aren't terribly impressive by themselves. Then, he takes the car on the road and pulls 1st, 2nd, and 3rd reaching a whopping 65 mph while his blow-off valve sounds like a sneezing elephant.