Hello all, I'm new to the boards and have a few questions.
I'm only 16 and have 4 more months until I can get my liscense. I'd really like to get a g2 Eclipse for my first car. I'd prefer a GSX or GS-T. I dont have the most money in the world and see the GSX's and GS-T's run more than RS's and GS's. I was wondering how much slower are the RS's and GS's than the GS-T and GSX.
I'm also in question about the manual transmission compared to the automatic transmission. I see people saying, ew thats an auto, I don't want that. Is there a big difference besides a manual is more fun to drive?
Please reply with as much info as you can and your thoughts on a g2 Eclipse for a first car.

 

what's up... now as far as 2g eclipses go, there's going to be a few things to look for... now... gs-t's and x's are above and beyond RS and GS in every aspect... the motor in the turbo models are 4g63's, it's basically the same motor as the evo3's... the RS and GS use an american made engine(though all 2g's were manufactered in the us as well) which is the same motor used in the pre srt-4 dodge neons... blah... now manual as opposed to auto, yes ofcourse for the driving experience, but also for the fact that autos will automatically shift, even if the powerband still has some left in it, manual u can shift whenever you want and have better acceleration response... if you're really thinking about an eclipse, get an X... I had a GST(search me up on dsmtuners.com under GreenDragon_Gst) and loved every minute of it, but the evo is where my heart is now ... you want to look for late model 2g's aswell, as they have a lower rate of crankwalk... you don't want high mileage, and trust me, you get what you pay for, so don't look for the lowest priced eclipse... there's tons of support for the eclipse, so aftermarket products are right there for the picking... I do mean this in the nicest way possible man, before you jump into a 2g, be prepared for maintainence, don't just drive it hard all the time and not expect something to break (the torque can rip apart your tranny)... it's not a honda

 

Your 16? Buy a slow car. Learn to drive. Then buy a fast car. You dont have to have a fast car when your young, you have your entire life to do that. Buy something dirt cheap, or better yet, enroll in a racing school.

 

What about the option of finding a nicely priced GS and then buying a turbo, would that work?

 

Yeah, but it would be FWD and suck ***. Buy something dirt cheap, like an old Toyota pick up. When it breaks down, youll learn to fix it. Upgrade in a few years...

 

you could go that route, but there's gonna be a few problems with that. first, the engine wasn't desined for turbo(no cylinder oil squirters) so it's not gonna last too long, happens all the time with the honda boys... second, there's only going to be so much power you can get out of that engine, from what I've seen and heard gs's and rs's are happy to even break the 220hp range, which an evo can do with a g in bolt-ons... which brings me to the last part, it's gonna be freakin' expensive to do it, not necessarily to just have it done, but done right... nah ya'll, don't shun him for his age... we all gotta learn somehow... just be safe dood

 

Buy a 1g. Cheaper (initial cost-wise and insurance-wise), and the NTs have a non-turbo 4G63, which has more potential than the Neon engine in the 2g NTs. In fact, you can probably find a 1g GST or GSX for cheaper than a 2g RS (base model). The only thing is it doesn't look like the 2g, so if that's why you like it, then you might get disappointed. Not to mention they're older and usually higher-mileage cars.

 

1 G Eclipses are really good cars but the ones you can find now usually have way too many miles on them for someone who doesn't have a lot of engine rebuilding experience to deal with. Because of this reason, I would suggest going with a 2G Eclipse. I have a 97 GST (modified) as well as an EVO (stock for now). I can say this, my Eclipse has been a really good car. The only thing that bugs me about my Eclipse is that it's front wheel drive. Of course you can get around the front wheel drive thing if you find a GSX. A modded GSX can definitely be as fast as a stock EVO (in straight line speed). The two engines are basically the same except that the EVO engine has hollow cams. The major powertrain difference is the turbo. The EVO has a larger stock turbo but many shops (Buschur, Mach V, Extreme Motorsports) sell large turbos for the 2g Eclipse. If you want a fast daily driver, I would suggest buying a GSX with low miles-mod it with a turbo back 3 inch exhaust, intake, 16 G turbo, nice front mount intercooler, upgraded in tank fuel pump (a must with these mods), boost controller, and appropriate gauges (boost and lean/rich gauge). With these mods (this is basically what I have on my GST), you will have one fun as hell car to drive and you should be able to give stock EVOs a good run. Anything larger than a 16G might be too "laggy" for street driving. If you have the cash flow, I'd also get an aftermarket clutch and a short shifter kit. Check out those shops I mentioned above-Their websites are pretty informative.

 

You can always get a Honda. They're pretty good to learn off. Simple platform and tons of aftermarket support.

 

I agree.

I'm 17, with a brand new Lancer, but hell. Insurance is better on the Lancer than it will ever be on the Eclipse.

If you are a rich **** get a car that's fast and if you crash it you won't cry.

I'd personally go for the lower end of things because of age more than anything.

 

I see that a lot of people are telling you not to buy the Eclipse-I say if you can afford it (2G Eclipses are affordable, it is not like used Eclipses are costing an arm and a leg), buy the car you want when you're sixteen. That is one of the best times to have a cool car. Highschool years are supposed to be some of the best of your life so don't short change yourself. It's not the car that is going to cause you to crash, it is lack of good judgement. Get the car, fix it up and enjoy yourself. Just be careful and don't get too crazy.

 

You dont need a quick car to have a fun time in High School.

 

NO REALLY?? All this time I thought that having a quick car was the only way to make your highschool days fun. Come on, of course having a quick car is not going to completely determine whether or not one is going to have fun in highschool but it can help. I'm simply telling this kid to buy the car he wants, if he can afford it. What is wrong with that? A used 2g Eclipse is not an unreasonable first car for a highschool kid.

 

He'd kill himself with a GSX or GSt, thats whats wrong with that.

 

Well I went to a DSM meet yesterday(Saturday), and now dont dislike 1g's. I'm considering them, but only going for a gst or gsx.