What's your opinion on the Mitsubishi Eclipse?

in cars •  7 years ago  (edited)

I've recently come across a 1991 Eagle Talon (It's actually a LHD Mitsubishi Eclipse) for sale nearby, it's in average condition and it's the AWD turbocharged 2ltr model. The thing that makes it rare for me is that it's left hand drive. Since 2001 all importation of left hand drive vehicles were banned. So this makes it really rare as there are only 3 registered in the country!

I never really paid much attention to this model until I saw it recently, does anyone here have any first hand experience or know much about it? Is it a decent drive, would you recommend it, are parts interchangeable with other Mitsubishi models?

I don't want to be known as a JDM car hoarder as I still want to get myself a few other JDM models and this definitely was not on the list.

Let me know your thoughts?

Here's pictures from the advertisement. Oh and if you don't remember or didn't know it's the same car that was used in Fast and Furious 1(Well, sort of the one in the movie was a 1995, this is a 1991), remember the green one that Brian O' Conner raced against Vin Diesel in his red RX7? Yeah that one! @jasonwhite You're probably one of the few car guys I know with your head screwed on right haha, You've always given me Stirling advice.. What should I do?! @speeddemonpro I'm sure you know about these cars, what's your thoughts?

Car i selling for roughly 400 SBD!

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I've personally have not had enough experience with them to give actual solid advice, but I do remember guys in the states that have owned one say they had more problems than they can remember. It all boils down to how well the car has been kept and maintained. What would be your plans for it if you did buy it?

That's the thing, it's always an issue having to trust the owner's word during a private sale. Another issue is I'm not so comfortable buying without seeing, it's +- a 10 hour drive for me just to go and see it. I mean I did buy my MR2 sight unseen but that was actually a car that I really wanted and was prepared to fix any bullshit the owner didn't tell me about. I was quite lucky with it though, it's got it's issues but the owner was truthful about everything. I think I'm officially over it!

well, just remember, since the Eagle is a USDM car, I have the Repair manual for it if you'd need it :P

I've decided against it, if I really wanted it I would have just bought it like I did with the MR2. I hesitated and sub conscientiously that probably meant I never wanted it. Maybe if it was a 95+ Eclipse it would have been a different story.

ah okay, still maybe something to consider one day, just never get the Mitsubishi badged variant, either the Dodge, Plymouth, or Eagle version, cause AmeriJDM :P

Talking about a Mitsubishi badged variant, look what I found for sale.

https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bakkies/vredehoek/dodge-stealth-twin-turbo/1002139543900910085716709 It's +- $11k keep finding these damn LHD cars here, is it a sign?

maybe, Perhaps at least try test driving it, you'll understand the pain us americans have when we get our imports :P

It's waaaaay too far for me to go test drive it, 20 hour drive :|

wait what!? you managed to find an Eagle Talon with the 2.0L turbo and AWD over there for cheap? here stateside that's literally a $15,000+ car. go for it man, and keep the Eagle badge on it, ameriJDM

I know right? They sell for way more in the states.

Urgh, I kind of set my mind on not buying it last night but now after reading @cpufreak101 comment I'm in two minds.... I just saw one on eBay for $8000 this one is $3100 if I convert to USD.

That is a steal, but my comment that's down below says I've heard owners having more problems than good but depends on how well kept the car was and is. Just like any other car.

I'm trying to get through a heap of comments haha, almost there :D Have an upvote while you wait.

lol I know the feeling

Those first gen eclipse/talon/lasers are sweet. the gsx/awd models are suppose to be rather sturdy. I've seen them over here in the states with some pretty big turbos. A fwd base model was almost my first car as a teen. Now if I was looking for one I'd try to get the "Plymouth Laser" model, just trigger all the jdm fanboys. This on you're looking at is clean, you should get it.

I don't think we have plymouths here, we don't have many LHD cars here at all as of 2001 we weren't allowed to import any. We drive on the left hand side of the road in RHD cars. I'm really thinking about it, but usually I just impulse buy. This time I've thought long and hard, might not be in my best garage/collection interest. BUT then the rare factor gets me! Only 3 here in South Africa and I could own one!

I remember i just saw like 3 eclipses on my city and it looks pretty fast, even i saw once and while a black eclipse near of my house. Being honest they look pretty good if you invest on it. Oh, something else, Nelkel, today i will be recording my car for you to see it, hopefully you can give me an idea where to get some items for it.

I'm having mixed emotions on buying it, it's super cheap and looks pretty decent but it was never on the list of cars that I wanted. Only really just looking at it because there are only 3 in my country and that is one of them!

Hi Nelson, we have the Eclipse version over here, probably imported from the US. I have been at a track day where there was a tuned Eclipse, same year model as the one your looking at. It was a little slower than my NA GTO "tank" on the track, so not that quick. I'd find a nice FC RX7 instead if you like the wedge shape ;)

I actually do like the shape of the FC but I've never seen one for sale... Oh, I made a mistake with the price on this post it's actually 400SBD +- :) There's this RX7 for sale for around 550SBD https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bakkies/boksburg/mazda-rx7-egi-turbo/1002191986810910369330409 The only reason I was considering the Eagle Talon is because of it's rarity here in South Africa. I like to have different things :)

Oh that's an abomination, look at the engine! Horror!
No really that's pretty damn cool, I had an FB for a while and the original 12A motor isn't really up to much. That swap looks like it might be making some serious power :) At least it was a Mazda engine ;)

True, I've never seen this car on the roads before. From looking at the advert he's around 12km away from me. It's a pretty cool and cheap build but it's not really my style. There's so many FB's around here so it kind of puts me off...

FB’s are worth loads over here, you should find one in good original condition. Gonna be worth a fortune!

I would also go with the RX7 haha

LS swap it!

Turbo LS haha I know how to do it but cant afford it .

I'm pretty sure my next car is going to have an LS in it, or at least swapped.

Motor swaps are fun and LS motor are cheep and easy to find for the power they make.

Its kinda funny over here those cars were not popular or often modified with eclipse parts. At that time we did not have the eclipse I remember they were fast but my buddy that own one was always broken lol

I've never seen one before in real life and this is the first time I've seen one for sale. Apparently there's only 3 here in South Africa. That's why I was considering getting it. I'm going to sleep on it, you've knocked some sense into me with the broken comment :)

If it's jute to be driven once in awhile and it's just for the fun of ownership it would be fine.

I hardly drive any of my cars haha, maybe twice a month each for a few miles.. For instance, I drove my MR2 and GTR today for 13km each, same route etc and won't drive them again till month end or beginning of feb :)

Old school car, which every petrol head loves, car with the soul, for me more than car :D

It's pretty cool isn't it!! :)

I actually am not a fan of the 1991 Eclipse. The 1995-1997 models are some of my favorite cars ever created though.

We only have 1 1996 eclipse in the country and it's been modeled exactly like the one in fast and furious. Owner won't sell it either.

That's a damn shame. Like I think I mentioned in one of your posts a few weeks ago, they are around here but I haven't seen one in great condition in quite some time. Can't complain about the fact that it is a 22 year old car I guess...

Because the eclipse fades in comparison with the 3000GT :) Even though it makes up for a great budget tuner car.

I'm really keen on importing a GTO/3000GT at some stage.. They are relatively cheap at the auctions in Japan.. I think you are right

You should definitely go for it, since you have the funds to maintain your imported cars and take great care of 'em! :)

GTOs are a nightmare to work on! No space at all to put your hands in the engine bay.

Coming from an owner of the EU version of the 2nd gen Mitsubishi eclipse I can say you have a very good piece of DSM there... the 4G63T from the 1st gen Lancer Evo with a similar AWD...

It's all down on how it was maintained, it's not a car that needs a lot of maintenance it's fun to drive and very reliable. At least that is my impression after 5 years of owning one :)

Thanks for the input man, unfortunately I set my mind onto not buying it or any other car until I have enough cash set aside to pickup a Honda NSX :) Appreciate the info though glad you are still enjoying yours