1991 Eagle Talon TSI 2.0
Summary:
Expensive to keep running, requires a lot of maintainance, but glorious to drive
Faults:
Replaced fuel tank and fuel lines.
Replaced fuel level transmitter.
Replaced rear brake assemblies.
Rebuilt CPU 3 times.
Replace rear wheel bearing assemblies.
Replaced radiator.
Replaced water pump.
Replaced all hoses.
Replaced electric engine fan.
Replaced head gasket due to gasket failure.
Rebuilt head with new valve, guides etc.
Plug wires.
Rebuilt transmission.
Replaced alternator twice.
Replaced all pulleys and tensioner.
Timing belt and water pump belt broke after 900 miles. Replaced belts and 2 valves due to belt breaking.
Ceiling fabric has detached from roof and was replaced.
Replaced ICS 3 times.
Replaced knock sensor.
Replaced oxygen sensor.
Replaced all power steering hoses.
Air conditioner quit.
Replaced all vacuum hoses and fittings.
Replaced throttle position sensor.
Replaced the cross bar that holds the hydraulic steering arms and lines.
Repaired the cruise control.
Much more that I cannot remember.
General Comments:
If you're under 25 and living with your parents, have lots of money, and love working on cars, this one is for you. You will have no money or time to get in trouble. This car will keep you broke and busy repairing it.
If you're retired and have money and don't know what to do with your time or money, this is the car for you. See above.
If you have a family, forget it, you need the money and the time to spend with them.
I figure the cost of operating this car in dollars per mile. Last year, including all the trailer and car rentals to get me and the car home from various aborted trips, my cost was over 3 dollars per mile. I figure that in all the time I've owned it, I've put about 3000 miles on it. It spends more time in the shop than on the road.
But when it runs, lord, when it runs, I'm 18, 6'1", 170 lbs. and damn good looking.
If you can keep it running, you will love driving this car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 20th April, 2017
25th Apr 2017, 14:13
Sounds like a Ferrari with upkeep. Glorious to drive too.
18th Sep 2022, 15:02
So which is better for reliability? Eagle Talon or Mitsubishi Eclipse? Is the Plymouth Laser also the same as those cars? My bet is on the Mitsubishi, I hear so many other bad things about the other cars.
18th Sep 2022, 16:26
The review was interesting until the second last paragraph. Then all credibility of it was lost.
18th Sep 2022, 17:32
Eagle is known for high quality. I would go with that one.
18th Sep 2022, 21:04
All three vehicles are the same mechanically and built by Mitsubishi who has always been pretty much sub-par.
25th Apr 2017, 07:12
You said it best yourself "This car will keep you broke and busy repairing it", and "if you're under 25 and living with your parents, have lots of money, and love working on cars, this one is for you". No thanks I'll pass.
The Talon is a rebranded Mitsubishi Eclipse, a notoriously unreliable car, known for bad engines, transmissions, oil leaks, sensor problems, etc. Everyone I know who has owned one had a long list of problems and regrets after purchasing one.
Even worse it's a popular car with the "boy racer" and "fast and furious" types, so good luck trying to find a used one that isn't tired, beat on, not running, list of 20 problems, etc. These cars and Eclipses in general also tend to attract the worst imaginable tacky body kits, wings, aftermarket mods. Probably one of the worst buys possible in the used market. Stay away!