98 eclipse GS non turbo- fun to drive?

[heff]

Hey guys I know this is a question that is in some form been asked a million times, but I have to decide within the next 48 hours whether or not to purchase a 1998 eclipse GS 5-speed. What I want to know is is this a car that I can buy and have fun driving? specifically powerwise, I know the HP and 0-60 times(which sound terrible), and I know it's not as good as the GST or GSX, but for a reliable daily driver, that can be modded is this a good car? I am buying it as a sports car not an economy car and do plan on buying the usual performance bolt ons, so bottom line is this car at all fun to drive, or is it like driving a ford escort? I don't plan on street racing, but I do sometimes drive aggressively. Plus I don't want to be embarrassed every time I take someone for a ride . Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.
thanks,
Rob

 

[ivanr4g63]

But you already own a 95 with the same engine... dont you...?

Anyway, I like them alot, they run great for a non-turbo, they get good power out of bolt-ons (not as much as turboed ones, obviuos) but they are fun to drive, confortable, reliable enough and with good looks, just take a peek at the gallery there are many many nice ones, with some nice work, and without and still nice, for a daily driver it should be great.
.02 cents

But I better let the real 98 2g's owners speak...

 

[Dark_Racer]

I own a 96, and they are hella fun to drive. So many mods are available for these cars. And with only a lil body work done you'll get all the ladies looken your way! sure they may be 12-16yrz old but hey!! Doesn't cost much to give our cars a nice interior design with any color of paint you want. This is just me talkin, but i wouldn't give my car up for nothing. The body style is one of a kind. A great car to cruise in... HP wise you may want to sink a few houndred into, exhaust CAI, header and if u want more power go from there. Anywayz, great car, u won't be disapointed.

 

[big green]

I love my 2g n/t. It's a fun car to drive and it looks damn nice
As far as mods go intake+exhaust+75 shot. It's easy and you will have a nasty little car with a GS sticker

 

[bclipse96]

I drive a 96 eclipse non turbo as well and i love it. And as far as them being slow they arent as quick as the turbos but they will beat most civics and accords any day. And if you have a 5 speed it makes them even more fun to drive. Plus as said before the aftermarket is huge and you can always save up and turbo later. And dont listen to all of the people that tell you to buy a turbo istead of turboing a non turbo because what you spend in turboing your car you make up for in insurance savings.
brad

 

[Defiant]

Hoping not to make the obfuscating error that I did when this was asked last week, I'll just say the NTs are very good little sports coupes. I shall avoid the fatal error of trying to compare them to another terrific little car, as it apparently causes endless panic in the weak-of-wit.

ANY car can be driven too fast. You just may not be quickest to the first corner. And if you thought a DSM was a viable dragster, just read what dozens of other users here have spent to prove they aren't.

o, shit, there I go again....

 

[97eclipseRS]

i have a 97 rs. i got it almost a year ago and i love it. this has always been one of my dream cars so naturally i think its a great car. just cuz its nt and doesnt have incredibly impressive numbers stock doesnt mean anything. there are so many things you can do to make this car faster. you can put some nitrous in it or for power all the time you can go with a turbo kit like i plan on doing within the year. and what other car can you buy for under 6 grand that looks as nut busting stock as an eclipse? nothin that i can think of. this car is fun as hell to drive and handles great. you can beat any civic out there for the most part unless its an si or has some power mods done to it. i say go for it and buy the gs. you cant go wrong

 

[Eclipse96Ryder]

yo, 2gnt's are sick. They are bad ass looking cars and with the time and money you can put some power down in these cars. I love my 96, theres so many options and its also been one of my dream cars.

 

[AI_Eclipse]

I love my 98 RS! Dont get me wrong I wish i had a GSX but NTs ar great. Regardless of what others may say the NTs are pretty quick, with out a turbo kit.

 

[xXeclipstasyXx]

hell yes, this is by far the best car that i have owned to date.... the way that they ride, the way that the interior feels, gives it the 'sporty' feel. plus as much as the NT doesnt crank out as much HP as a turbo charged model, you still have a 2.0L DOHC engine which will put it out plenty. i dont think i would be happier with any other car.

 

[97eclipseRS]

only car that could make me happier than me eclipse is an EVO 8

 

[Sp0oLiN_Oz_DsM]

Why dont u just test drive it ?

 

[97eclipseRS]

i want to but i gotta wait at least a year till i get one so i dont wanna test drive it too soon before i get one. the anticipation of gettin one after that would kill me

 

[97eclipseRS]

or was that question directed to the starter of the thread? if so, my bad.

 

[eclipse13]

i love my N/T. You will always wish you had a GSX and you will be hated on and bitched at for getting a N/T. but i handle the trash talk and i love the N/T.

i say go for it

 

[nine9rs]

ive been driving my car for about a year and i still love driving it to this day. sure its no a gsx, but i dont have to pay an arm and a leg on insurance. it will surely beat, or keep up with most 4-bangers (N/T) so have fun with it!

 

[dawhitewizard]

i just bought a 98 gs spyder it's a manual trans and it's a blast to drive. and ive read it's possible to add a turbo.

 

[heff]

Well I test drove the car today and I am now the proud new owner of a 1998 eclipse GS 5-speed. Thanks for the advice everyone, you'll probably hear from me again once the modifying starts.
thanks,
Rob

 

[Defiant]

Good grab. Be easy with it until you learn its quirks, give yourself at least a month before "trying stuff like on TV".

 

[guedo512]

Originally posted by AI_Eclipse
Dont get me wrong I wish i had a GSX but NTs ar great. Regardless of what others may say the NTs are pretty quick, with out a turbo kit.

right on. words right out of my mouth.

 

[TBSpyder]

If your definition of fun doesn't include "going fast" then yeah, they're "fun".

 

[eclipse13]

Originally posted by Defiant
Good grab. Be easy with it until you learn its quirks, give yourself at least a month before "trying stuff like on TV".

definently learn the quirks, mine has plenty. But once you find them it is all good from there.

 

[heff]

Exactly what do you guys mean by quirks? Anything specific?

 

[Initial DSM]

As soon as you start adding on the usuall bolt ons, you will be welcomed with the consant ever present "CEL" or 'check engine light'. This i sone of the symbols of a dsm tuner. Just give in and welcome it with open arms cause i dont think it ever goes away.

When its time to do the timing belt / water pump, you might also want to replace the weak stock head gasket if you can , with a mls gasket.

otherwise the cars pretty reliable (before you start modding it)

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by heff
Exactly what do you guys mean by quirks? Anything specific?

All I've run across in my 2G so far -keeping in mind it's AWD, so not much may translate- is that it holds _much_ more securely through corners than my 94 does, but going through transitions you can feel it get sloppy.
Your FWD will have that basic difference, but give yourself some miles to get used to what it's doing, and above all REMEMBER that it will change when it gets wet- don't get all used to it in the dry, only to toss the tail off in the first rainstorm you go playing Jackie Stewart in.