97 Eagle Talon ESI: Should I Buy?

[SpawnedX]

Here is what we have:

1997 Eagle Talon ESI
Red Exterior / Grey Interior
5 Speed

Car seemingly runs smooth, when it starts. Transmission seems to be holding up.

Right now the vehicle cranks sometimes and then just dies. When you get it to stay cranked it runs for a short amount of time and then dies and will not crank again until the engine cools down completely.

We are pretty confident that the problem is due to the ignition coil and fuel filter (talked to some people with similar problem). The body is in pretty decent shape and the interior is holding together other then the roof lining is a little loose.

I need a beater and where I am I don't have much to look at. They want $1,500 firm on it and it has 169K miles.

If you guys were me, would you purchase this vehicle?

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

That sounds great IF thats all thats wrong with the car. I know a few n/t guys that have alot more miles then that. And you will have a good looking beater! Go for it.

 

[DSMark]

Well if your positive its just a coil pack or fuel filter then its sounds like a decent deal. Make sure it is one of the two though because like you said you need a beater and not a headache. Run a compression test, and if you know anyone, have a mechanic take a better look at it to make sure there aren't any other visible problems, since i assume you wont be able to test drive it first. It sounds like a good deal if your buying a running car, but make sure your not spending 1500 on a non turbo shell.

 

[SpawnedX]

Well I work at AutoZone and had a couple of my co-workers look at the car (older gentleman who use to be mechanics now just holding down fort to keep them occupied) and we checked into a few things.

I convinced the lady to let me keep the car at AutoZone for the night since I am working tomorrow and I am going to throw on a coil and change the filter and see what we get. My credit is pretty shot thanks to Clout financial, but I am hoping the bank will come through on the basis of holding the title.

But, like I said, I am confident that the problem is that (and needs a different battery), and all together I will spend 100 bucks in parts, my price, to get her fully running. But your responses made me feel just a little bit more at ease.

 

[markGSX]

I say do it
I love my 2GNT talon

 

[president95]

Ya gas mileage does kick some ass. Plus you'd have another project, and who the hell doesn't need another one of those? Go for it!

 

[DSMcrazy3]

I can't believe what I am seeing. 4g63 guys actually suggesting someone buy a n/t! As stated you will have a great beater car. N/T's usually hold up great, especially when taken care of.

Not to mention new things are being discovered about the motor and it's potential every day.

 

[RWKustoms]

It's always good to have a beater when you own a 4G63, not to mention that it's an eclipse. My GS gave me good gas mileage (about 315 to a full tank) and not to mention that you only need to buy regular gas. Their pretty good motors too to beat on, I had minimal problems...shit I know I beat the shit out of mine everyday before I sold it..

 

[SpawnedX]

Well I hate banks. My small 1500 dollar loan was declined based on limited credit history, aka, I don't sink myself into debt so companies can rape me, so they don't want to get their money paid back on time.

Any suggestions on where I can get a small loan, drove the car today, runs oh so smooth and it's sharp looking.

 

[WFORACING]

Did you get the problem worked out with the car Just wondering because mine is doing the exact same thing...Thanks..Sorry to hear about the loan, there is someone out there that will give you one just keep trying............

 

[SpawnedX]

Did you get the problem worked out with the car Just wondering because mine is doing the exact same thing...Thanks..Sorry to hear about the loan, there is someone out there that will give you one just keep trying............

Yeah come to find out it is a common problem on the Talons. Basically the fuel filter was clogged so the engine was starving for fuel, as-well-as the fact that the fuel pump is off the ignition coil, and that is going, almost no fuel was getting to the engine so there was spark but nothing to ignite.

Simple fix, moderately priced.

Ignition Coil @ AutoZone 82.99 + Tax
Fuel Filter @ AutoZone 11.99 + Tax

Fixed it right up.