Reliable enough? 2g 420a automatic.

[One Equals Two]

Sorry, when I search, I just get "automatic to manual" swaps, etc.

LONG STORY SHORT: Is a 2g, 420a, automatic Eclipse RS or GS fairly reliable?

I am looking for a good daily driver for my soon to be wife. I have a GS-T which I finally am able to drive (4 months in the shop), but know that it's really not a reliable car. Not to mention it has 300 hp, and my fiance has never driven before. I am looking for something much more tame for her to drive, like an RS or something.

So, I am looking at 420a automatics, RS, GS, ESi, etc. I had a 420a manual for a short time, and that car was super reliable compared to the GS-T, but I have no idea about the automatics. I honestly think it'd be a cool little car to roll around in, and I've had good luck with my 420a ESi. I'm just wondering if they are decent cars if maintained properly. Also, I'd like to use this car too when my GS-T has issues, (like it developed today).

And if not, or if there are better out there, what else should I get? I hate Honda's, and don't want something boring like a Toyota. I don't care if it has small issues that I can fix, but I don't want a car like my GS-T where it suddenly decides to not run in the middle of the freeway.

 

[kneipperk]

yeah i had a auto 97 eclipse n/t. everybody else thought it was a nice clean car, unless you are into dsm then you would never know that it was the cheap model . but i ran it for about 4 or 5 years, leakin everywhere i went haha until the head gasket went, but before that the rear main started to leak, fixed that and every other seal started to leak as well. went thru batteries about every 2 months. other than the leaks and stuff i dont think it ever left me stranded but from personal experience and preference i would NEVER buy another cheap model car, if they make a better model i would get it. have had 3 awd turbos that needed a little more work and stuff but made me 10x as happy as the auto n/t. i hear that other people have problems with them leaking as well, cheap chrysler motor..... overall i would give the auto 420a a big giant

 

[One Equals Two]

I hear though that the Chrysler motors had gasket fixes that really made them solid DDs. I think the metal head gaskets introduced on the Neon made the engine nearly indestructable, but then again that was on a Neon 420a, different story somewhat. I guess you answered my question. I just wanted to make sure that it would run, and run when I needed it to.

I guess what I was afraid of was auto tranny issues. Like I said I had a 420a Talon, and yeah it leaked, but it would always start for me.

 

[nuclearr]

let me tell you a little secret even Chrysler technicians think that Chrysler auto transmissions are junk. Yes its semi reliable. Engine will run forever it taken care of. The trans is a different story. If you want reliability get a 420a manual.

 

[One Equals Two]

Dang, I knew Chrylser transmissions were junk, but I didn't know if the 420a used a Chrysler automatic. I knew they used the Chrysler 5 spd though. Well, enough said, no go for 2g auto. I don't know what to get though, that's the thing now.

 

[Doubleot]

Dude, Mine was an auto. It was fairly reliable but my tranny started leaking and having issues.

 

[shredwin]

let me tell you a little secret even Chrysler technicians think that Chrysler auto transmissions are junk. Yes its semi reliable. Engine will run forever it taken care of. The trans is a different story. If you want reliability get a 420a manual.

I have also heard from local junkyards that the 420a chrysler auto trannys were junk. I personally think the manual one is too since mine blew up just cruising on 5th gear, and 3 people around here had 5speed chrysler trannys in their 2G's and the same thing happened to them. I think its a ring in the spyder gears that wears out and thats what cause the 5 speed manual to blow up

 

[fst_4g63]

let me tell you a little secret even Chrysler technicians think that Chrysler auto transmissions are junk. Yes its semi reliable. Engine will run forever it taken care of. The trans is a different story. If you want reliability get a 420a manual.

This guy is correct, being a mechanic for a while i have seen my fair share of chrysler aod's take a dump..

 

[One Equals Two]

This guy is correct, being a mechanic for a while i have seen my fair share of chrysler aod's take a dump..

I've had an auto Lebaron and a Sebring, both junk. The only that was cool, was that the Lebaron was turbo.

I'll shop for another automatic then. What do you guys think? Toyota Celica? Nissan 240? I just want something not too ###.

 

[fst_4g63]

A 240 automatic is great the tranny is strong, The motor runs forever as long as its a dohc. I would personally suggest it over a celica or other car like that,especially for the price.

Darren

 

[One Equals Two]

Hey, what about the GS Spyder Automatic? Is that also a Chrylser tranny? I found a GS Spyder for $700 that needs headlights and a convertible top. I know it uses the 4G64, but it that a Mitsubishi Transmission it's mated to?

A 240 automatic is great the tranny is strong, The motor runs forever as long as its a dohc.

Lol, I thought you said a "420 automatic". I just drove an automatic 240 and I hated it. I don't know what it was, but I just could bring myself to buying it, and it was only $400. I think I'll head over and look for a Toyota now.