2G Are these car supposed to be this hard to drive?

[JKhaphora]

Ok so I just got a 1999 eclipse gst, and it's unexpectedly hard to drive. I already don't have much experience driving manual (drove my buddies 3g eclipse twice) but damn. The clutch is very particular, and the gas peddle is very hard to press. Which my dad says isnt normal, but my friend with the 3g says it is. Is there something I can do to it or should I just learn to drive it as is. Also some of the things I've been told to do to fix it are mess with the pedals, replace the clutch, and rebuild the throttle body and I have no clue if any of these are right or good ideas.

 

[jdxnc]

I've always found them very easy and simple to drive, unless a previous owner didn't know what they were doing or used all the wrong parts.

 

[JKhaphora]

That's probably what happened do you know of any solutions off the top of your head?

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I wonder if the clutch has been upgraded, stiffer pressure plate or lightened flywheel.

 

[JKhaphora]

Probably it's slightly modified but I don't have a list. I'll have to go in and find everything

 

[CKOPOCT]

"gas pedal hard to press" - unless the car surges or engine runs away, my first thing to check would be the throttle cable/gas pedal assy. The gas pedal should depress easily with your hand and return just as easily. As to the clutch, as has been said the wrong parts, too stiff of a pressure plate, etc. can cause all kinds of different feels. If the parts are correct, adjusted properly, and are clean and working properly, the car operates smoothly. If it feels like something is wrong, then it probably is and I'd have it checked.

 

[chrysler kid]

the throttle cables can dry out on some of these cars. my 99gst was very easy to drive but my 96 has a really stiff throttle cable that takes alot of oomph to push down

you can use silicon spray on the throttle cable where it goes from the pedal to inside the engine bay, and lubricate inside the cruise control cable box. usually spray the lubricant while you push and release the cable to lubricate the opening the cable is drawn through.

on my 96 with the stiff cable it usually goes away after regular driving, but gets worse if the car sits for a few weeks. either that or I just get use to it

but yes I know exactly what you are talking about.

 

[JKhaphora]

Thank you that's exactly like the issue I was having ill try that out and let yall know how it goes

 

[chrysler kid]

Thank you that's exactly like the issue I was having ill try that out and let yall know how it goes

no problem. the clutch pedals all seem to have a different feel on these cars, my 96 is pretty stiff compared to most normal import cars. I would say the clutch pedal stiffness is similar to my 6 speed camaro. its stiff and has a small engagement point, but It usually feels normal after you get use to it.

the gas pedal is annoying when you switch between cars, but I seem to get use to it after a day of regular driving. I get use to them but the initial switch from driving my manual honda to driving my manual eclipse is pretty drastic when it comes to feel of the pedal operation

so yes its normal, but back in 1995-1999 these cars were just as fast as a mustang gt or camaro, so if you consider that leap it makes sense why the pedal feel is so drastic compared to other manual import cars (because these cars have a heavier clutch I guess)