Hey guys,
I have a 2000 Eclipse and I'm just about sick and tired of it, its been good to me but I'm moving on within the next month...I love the Z but before I take the big step, I'm wondering if any Z owners on here used to have an Eclipse...What are your impressions, was it worth every penny? How would you rate ride, power, interior, things of that sort...Thanks for the help...Then again I might be the only dumba*s that had an Eclipse..lol

 

Just because you own an Eclipse doesn't make you a dumb@ss, owning an Eclipse that isn't a mid-90s GSX makes you a dumb@ss.

 

haha i had an eagle talon 97 WHICH IS AN ECLIPLSE basiclly.

the only thing i realy miss now that i have the z is the traction i had with AWD

otherwise the power and interior are no comparision.

ride rise its bumpier with the z

PRICE WISE your making a 10,000 jump

and also the z doesent have the cool wing i had on my talon

plus my ex girlfriend said my car looked like the BATMOBILE.

 

Agreed...

 

The one thing I miss from my 1G Talon is the bang for buck with performance mods. You will not be getting a 100hp increase with $1500 investment with the Z.

That said, the cars are hard to compare. I do miss the AWD in the winter but there are a half dozen things on the Z that bring a grin to my face that the Talon did not.

Elmer.

 

I have Both. I have a 1997 Eclipse gst red, and I just bought a track model Z. as far as the power my eclipse is much faster. no doubt, but I get more compliment on the Z . I like them both, but I don't like the 3rd gen eclipse, sorry. Looks like a grand am.

 

i have a 2nd gen. talon awd. it's a toss up if you ask me what i would rather drive. i spent over ten grand total in my talon. i'll be lucky if i get ten grand back IF i ever were to sell it.

back to your question, my friend has an 01 eclipse convert. i don't think its a performance car.he's got simple mods,( intake, exhaust, plugs, coilovers,....)
my (girl) friend has a gt auto and i think the performance of the stock car is average, nothing special.

 

Brother...you are in luck. I had a 2000 Eclipse GT (6M) which put out 205 ponies. Most peeps don't realize the first year 3G Eclipses had the extra 5HP, not that that matters. Anyway...to answer your question...there is no comparison. The build quality in the Z is superior and the performance in 10x better. It is a huge jump and well worth every penny. My Eclipse was good for me at the time I bought it. It was quick and fun, but not serious. The Z is quick, fun, serious and kicks some a$$. My only complaints are my feathering issue and a crappy stock (BOSE) sound system. I like my stereo in my Eclipse. I just added Basstube thing and it rocked. Hope this helps!

 

Lasacalla- Thats the exact same year and Model I have and I appreciate your thoughts and input...Thats exactly how I feel in this car, it was fun, sporty, and quick enough for me at the time of purchase...But 4 years later I need MORE not just in speed but in every aspect...And the eclipse never felt serious, I want the respect from elders...

Can I ask you what you think of the Ride quality of the Z in comparison to your Eclipse??? Thanks

 

Last year I traded my '01 Eclipse GT 5spd for my '03 Track. It was a good car, it just wasn't a sports car. I added Eibach springs, performance shocks, and a rear strut bar to Eclipse. It still wasn't a sports car. The steering reminded me of driving a truck with no feel whatsoever, and I hated fighting the torque steer during hard acceleration. The power was sufficient, but not even close to the rush of the extra 82~87HP in the Z (for essentially the same curb weight).

If I had to use one word to describe how the Z makes me feel, it would be CONFIDENT. I was always afraid to push the Eclipse through corners, for fear of it getting squirly. The Z simply devours corners, and if you are about to do something stupid, it gives you fair warning. The hardest thing for me to get used to was driving a RWD car with power. The Z can be a pussycat, but it will get sideways without too much coaxing.

IMO, the Eclipse had 3 things over the Z: price, interior space, and it would go in the snow. But once again, it wasn't a sports car.

According to every magazine review ever published about the Z, I bought the harshest riding version. Before I changed the suspension on the Eclipse, the ride was much softer, but it also had much more body roll. After the suspension change, I would say that it rode rougher than my Track Z.

 

PrimalTone- Thanks, I too have the suspension setup on my Eclipse..Difference is I used Intrax springs..Original ride was nice but now its so damn rough, my lower back is practically gone and I'm 21..lol I was curious to see what people thought of the Track Z ride compared to a lowered Eclipse...So if I read your response right the Z should feel smoother and more comfortable...Thanks

 

I had a 98 GS-T. Very fun cars. But not built very well. I bought it new in 97, and by 2000 it was already falling apart.

 

i had a 98 gst also but it never had a problem...nada one...put 25k on it before i sold it. that car felt faster than my z even though it wasn't...gotta love turbos

and the stock stereo system it came with....DAMN.... makes my z's bose sound like a pep boys special.

torque steer was a bit of a problem though lol....GSX OWNS GST.

 

i had a 97 eclipse. it was my first car, so i still miss it occasionally.... but then i take a ride in the z and i forget all about it.

 

I had an 01 Eclipse GS that got stolen and then bought an 01 GT. I loved that car and never had a problem but traded it on the Z and had mucho problems with it.

 

I had two Eclipse's ---one a 1995 silver gsx AWD w/ sweet *** Pioneer sound system, and a 1996 GST covertible-red w/ an Alpine NAV/ DVD video sound system! I miss both. I traded for an S2000 and wish I had waited to get either an S2000 or now a Z. Now I am driving a QX4 and I am stuck for another 3 years---This won't happen again!!!!!!

 

IMO, the ride on the Eclipse is softer than the Z, but you can't take corners in the Eclipse like you can the Z. We are comparing apples to oranges here. One is a sports coupe, the other is a sports car.

 

I have a 98' Eclipse and I am looking into getting a Pikes Peak Z. When I bought my car I thought it was fine because I didn't want the car for speed. Just wanted it for show but now that I have gotten older I want the extra speed that goes along with the style. Counting down the days until I can actually get one.

 

I am selling my 97 eclipse spyder GS-T with some mods to get a Z. I love my eclipse and it has to be the best bang for the buck. But, I am ready for a more grown up persons car. I know that sounds ironic since it seems like most Z owners are under 25 from what IK have read on this board. Boy, I wish I could afford a 30k car when I was 25. I'm 29 now. When the turbo kicks in, it does feel quicker, but the Z is much smoother and more powerful overall. Also, it does out handle my eclipse even with my upgraded suspension. Plus, the eclipse seems to rattle quite a bit. Ever since I test drove the Z, I can't stop thinking about gettng one. Man, I can't wait till my car is sold any day now.

 

sorry about the hijack,my daughter needs HELP!!!She has a 97 rs eclipse thats backfiring and breaking up on excelleration.Had a tune up wires plugs,tried a new coil pac; guy had the car a week brought it back numerous times, no fix.Guessing the injectors may be fouled I told her to use some cleaner the next few fillups,no help.Took the car to Mitubisi they put it on the analyzer and said she needs a tune up!What do you guys think ,thanks