1G Is it possible to tell if a DSM is AWD from the outside?

[BlueSky157]

Hi, I would just like to say I'm new here before anything. I am looking at an ad for a clean, low mileage 1g talon, but it doesn't state the trim, is there some way I can tell that without having to make the drive down to where it is? attached are the pictures from the ad, in case its some fine detail I would miss when describing.

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[fwdmaster]

That’s for sure a non turbo model.Looks pretty clean even tho it’s non turbo

 

[BlueSky157]

yeah, its listed as a 1 owner barn find with extremely low mileage, and in all reality, the aspiration isnt really the thing that i am scrutinizing over, that goes to drive type. the one catch with this car is that its been sitting and the fuel pump died, but ive read on here their easy to replace

 

[pauleyman]

Hi, I would just like to say I'm new here before anything. I am looking at an ad for a clean, low mileage 1g talon, but it doesn't state the trim, is there some way I can tell that without having to make the drive down to where it is? attached are the pictures from the ad, in case its some fine detail I would miss when describing.

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As the answer is given this is for future reference. Turbo models didn't come with that front and rear fascia except for 1990 only eclipse. The fwd turbo eclipse did come with that trim on fwd however it also had the side skirts which this car does not have. All eagle talon turbo (since this is an eagle) with pop-up lights look identical externally. This example lacks the proper fascias, side skirts and those wheels are non turbo only. Its difficult to tell an awd externally. Generally I've noticed they sit just a little higher (imagination???) And the rear wheels will have a small amount of negative camber. If the pics are good you would notice awd badging also although I wouldn't trust it. I've seen one guy who wasn't smart enough to look underneath his "gsx". Stranger still he had it some months before I showed him. Trust the vin number if you're looking to purchase.

 

[dustyboner]

from the rear of the car you can look underneath and see if it has a rear diff and/or axles on the rear

 

[BlueSky157]

from the rear of the car you can look underneath and see if it has a rear diff and/or axles on the rear

Normally i would do this but it’s about 2 hours away from me, If im going to spend 4 hours of my day buying a car, I’d want it to be what I’m looking for

 

[Kryndon]

Some good pointers the fellas have given you here. Aren't you able to call or ask for a picture of the underside or at least ask them to remove the rear wheel center cap so we can see if there is a nut for the axle or none? If the seller is reluctant to provide such pictures don't even waste your time with them, my 2 cents!

 

[BlueSky157]

Some good pointers the fellas have given you here. Aren't you able to call or ask for a picture of the underside or at least ask them to remove the rear wheel center cap so we can see if there is a nut for the axle or none? If the seller is reluctant to provide such pictures don't even waste your time with them, my 2 cents!

I will do this when I get home from work

 

[pauleyman]

That car is a fwd 2 liter non turbo all day long.

The side skirts are the biggest giveaway. On a popup Headlight car if it has them it's a turbo car. You still have to look close to see if it's awd. I assume you know that all awd dsm are turbo. 92 up there is no way to tell from a distance. Just ask for the vin number or ask the seller. If you ever find one and the seller doesn't know what it is that's a true unicorn. I bought one in 2011. Seller had no idea it was rare. He knew what it was but no idea there was a following for them.

 

[BlueSky157]

I never knew that, I definitely will have to message the seller, because if your correct, then this could be a serious unicorn.

btw are fuel pumps really that easy to replace, and do the odometers have 5 or 6 digits?

 

[streetraceboi]

Good ol non-turbo. If the price is good enough, id get it and daily the crap out of it

 

[pauleyman]

I never knew that, I definitely will have to message the seller, because if your correct, then this could be a serious unicorn.

btw are fuel pumps really that easy to replace, and do the odometers have 5 or 6 digits?

this car is low mileage but a non turbo fwd a unicorn? It's a nice unrestored example it appears but certainly not rare.

 

[BlueSky157]

That’s the plan, assuming it works out

this car is low mileage but a non turbo fwd a unicorn? It's a nice unrestored example it appears but certainly not rare.

I have no idea if it’s awd or not, but from what I’ve been told it isn’t, but it’s a single owner barn find with 12k reported miles.

I have no idea if it’s awd or not, but from what I’ve been told it isn’t, but it’s a single owner barn find with 12k reported miles.

Or at least, been told on here

 

[pauleyman]

It probably is that barn find car. Be aware just because it's low mileage does not mean it does not need maintenance and likely a lot of it. That low mileage probably little has been done but age will take it's toll. If the timing belt is original (doubtful) but if it is I would be afraid to start it let alone drive it. Records will speak for this if there are any. If it's cheap it would make a good daily. The odometer is 6 digits BTW. The best things I can say about a car with that low miles is it's likely unmolested so everything is as it was from the factory. Nobody has messed it up. That's so difficult to find in any enthusiast car unless the owner is meticulous. I'm fortunate as all the cars I've had were that way because I went through most of mine quite some time ago.
I'll add this too for spotting.
There are no 1.8 popup headlight (90-91) talons. They are all 2.0. Not true for laser and eclipse. 1990 1.8 is easy to spot because the hood will lack the "power bulge". It's not even possible to put a 2.0 in a car without that hood. All 91 up got the power bulge.
If I recall there are no automatic AWD 90s in any model
There are no AWD 90 91 lasers 92 up only
Most of the non turbo eclipse I've seen in 92 up have a different side skirt than turbo. Not ALL. Turbo sideskirts are smooth where the NT is sort of flared out and will not have a door piece. This is not always true. I have seen non turbo with the side skirts and door cladding.
1992 up Turbo talon have side skirts and they go half way up the door. But so do Non turbo except the 1.8. Those have no side skirts at all. It's much harder to spot a turbo 92 up talon.

AWD you almost have to be up on the car, have a VIN, see badges you can trust or have pics under the car. I can't think of any underhood shots that would tell you. No interior clues. Only badging and the stuff I've already mentioned.

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[AWD-Tony]

That car is a fwd 2 liter non turbo all day long.

Think so too. Ain’t no way a turbo guy would throw on non turbo wheels unless it’s strictly for winter use

 

[XC92]

Your question has basically been answered but I'd also add that if it had AWD (or turbo for that matter) then it would almost certainly be mentioned in the ad, as you'd have to be certifiable to not do so since they always bring up the value, all other things being equal--or dishonest if it has either feature but they're trashed and you don't want to bring this up.

Also, photos of the underside taken from any angle would also let you know if it was AWD, as you'd see either the t-case, prop shaft or rear diff/CV axles.

Myself, I don't see the appeal of a 1G non-turbo, non-AWD automatic. At least it has the DOHC 4G63 engine (so MAYBE you could add a turbo later? AWD too hard). But we're still basically talking the skinny decaf light roast of DSMs.

 

[pauleyman]

Think so too. Ain’t no way a turbo guy would throw on non turbo wheels unless it’s strictly for winter use

More than that turbo talons (90 eclipse fwd did) never came with those fascias and all turbo talons have side skirts

 

[BlueSky157]

It’s a 1990, so it must be a fwd then, I thought the bulge was a style thing, and was this car already known about?

 

[XC92]

The bulge is to make room for the dual camshaft sprockets on the DOHC 4G63 engine, which are large and sit fairly high above the valve cover. Nothing to do with turbo or not, AWD or not, auto or manual, etc.

Others here can explain why this design was chosen for this engine as I've never seen it on other cars (which doesn't mean that other cars don't have it, but it is pretty unusual). I actually once thought it was for the turbo. It's not.

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As for how well-known it was in 1990, can't say as I bought mine in mid-1992 and only heard of it earlier that year, from a work friend who said it was his dream car (thanks Phil!). These days when people ask me what car I drive and I tell them, literally almost no one who's not a car enthusiast (which is amost always a guy in his 20's, who wasn't even born when I bought it) has heard of it. When I tell them that it's basically a Mitsubishi Eclipse, they get it.

 

[pauleyman]

It’s a 1990, so it must be a fwd then, I thought the bulge was a style thing, and was this car already known about?

Don't know how much more clearly it can be stated. That is a non turbo fwd car. I saw the car somewhere within the last few weeks. If I recall I thought it was overpriced.

 

[BlueSky157]

Don't know how much more clearly it can be stated. That is a non turbo fwd car. I saw the car somewhere within the last few weeks. If I recall I thought it was overpriced.

It is 2500$ but I still have to check the record and mileage

 

[turbo4banger4g63]

didn't all the turbo models come with a rear wiper???

 

[dwb]

didn't all the turbo models come with a rear wiper???

No, my 91 TSi AWD does not have one.

 

[XC92]

I thought they did. My '92 has one.

 

[motomattx]

I don't think my 93' Talon had a rear wiper but my 90' GSX had one.