1992 Eagle Talon? FWD, 4cyl, NON-turbo, 5 Speed, 100k miles, Reliable?

[KatDiesel]

<font color=blue>Well looking for a lil "2nd" car to drive around if my truck acts up (drive my truck everyday) and also to let my sister use from time to time (she just turned 16). Found a 1992 Eagle Talon, but I have no idea how reliable these cars are if at all? Since its FWD and non-turbo then I figure it will be ok for my lil sister to drive... ... Carfax says it checks out ok and it shows 1 or two owners, the car came from South Dakota. Haven't got to drive it yet just look at it, gonna drive it sometime this week.

Anything Talons are notorious for in regards to mechanical problems? Since my lil sister will be driving, how well they hold up in wrecks? Anyone know? Looks like I'll be paying $3000 to $3500 for this car if I get it. Only reason I ask is I usually buy "new" vehicles rather then mewss around with used ones, other then the Challenger.

Thanks in advance. <font size=-2>

[This message has been edited by KatDiesel (Eric Howard) (edited 05-06-2001). ]

 

[RichB59]

I worked with the mitsubishi products for years. Look for a toyota in the same price range. JMHO
Rich

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20yr Mopar Parts Manager,"June of 2000" 2001 quad cab,2wd,auto,Camper pkg,354 LSD rear axle,Raven Magnum 8' cap. Mag Hitech trans pan. Isspro gauges pyro,trans and boost Apillar mount. Amsoil air filter. No muff!EZ Edge!!!! N. R. A. member

 

[Randy J]

Eric,

Engine wise, I think Mitsubishi does ok, although just like Rich said, not as well known for reliability as Toyota or Honda. Just make sure it's had the timing belt replaced. If it hasn't been, the belt is on borrowed time. And the engine is an interference engine, meaning if the belt breaks, pistons and valves are going to try to occupy the same space at the same time. Crash test wise, Mitsubishi is not good at all. Check www.highwaysafety.org. I would consider something like a Mazda MX6/Ford Probe if you're looking for a smaller sporty car. Good luck.

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Randy Jones, San Antonio, TX, rdj@gvtc.com, 98 1/2 QC, 4X4, American Racing BAJA's, 285/75/16, Amsoil throughout, Superstar 3000 export radio, Firestik antenna with fender mount, Fire-ring cable, Mag-Hytec Deep transmission pan

2000 VW Jetta TDI, auto, 45 mpg average

 

[Paul Herioux]

Eric,
You didn't say which engine. If it is the 2. 0L DOHC, make sure it has a new timing belt as if it breaks above 2000rpm the motor is toast. If it is a 1. 8L SOHC (yabadabadoo motor) It will just about run forever. Having worked on these cars since they were released in 89(90MY) I can say they don't break down often. When they do break down they are hard to diagnose and expensive to fix. Be smart, buy American. A Dodge Shadow/Plymouth Sundance from this era would be my choice.
JMHO

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The smiling ex-dealer technician
89 w250, 47rh trans, cleaned up exhaust, Dynomax bullet muffer, 3" lift, unknown oversized injectors

 

[Deezul1]

its true about the belt problems, I have a very sad friend who bought one new and the belt went at about 105,000 with no damage and again at 135. 000 and took out enough of the motor that he let the shop keep it for the charges, pretty good car until that happened.

 

[WOWZY]

A guy brought one in at the shop I worked at. He was racing another Talon and the timing belt broke at 5000rpm according to him. The motor was toast as expected. It had 60k miles on it, if I remember correctly.

I don't see anything wrong with getting one as long as you replace the belt as soon as you take ownership.