Getting ready to possibly purchase a one owner 1998 eclipse with 136,000 miles on it. It has the 2.2 engine which i believe is a chrysler engine. I am not a big Chrysler fan but are this engines ok? It no doubt is over due for a timing belt water pump change but the current owner has never had any issues with the car. Or these 200,00 mile engines or am I nearing the end of its engine life? It is also an automatic.
i appreciate anyones input I am just not at all familar with these cars.
Thanks in advance

 

They never made a 2.2L. If it is non turbo, then it should be fairly reliable. If it's the turbo, then forget about reliability.

The only way to tell about an engines life is to do a compression test.

 

Sorry it is the non turbo 2.0 l

 

I have a 98 GSX Turbo and the odometer recently turned 350k miles. If the car you have in mind is running well, chances are it will give you good reliability, but reliability the these cars can offer is only as good as the maintenance care you give them.

Figure on a timing belt every 60k miles - expensive if you cannot change it yourself. Other than that, however, there shouldn't be too much in the way of maintenance and repairs that would be required for any type car you choose.

My car has needed new wheels a couple of times because it sits low and I cannot always spot potholes in time to avoid them, clutch master/slave cylinder replacements, a new Turbo (again, expensive because I had to pay to have it done, although the original lasted to 315k miles), new hub bearings all around.

That may sound like a lot, but, when you consider that I've driven the thing for 12 years, then it's really not that bad.

The car is still fun to drive, and I still occasionally get compliments on its appearance.

I don't know what the service expectation is for an auto-trans, but, again, if its shifting ok, then, I'd be inclined to take a chance on it.

Good luck.

Caruso

 

Thanks Caruso.One question do the turbo models have the Chrysler engine in them also? What has been the average price of getting a timing belt done with the water pump? Those are pretty impressive miles(350k) My Honda friends will scratch their heads on that one. The car has almost 140,000 miles on it now and she has not changed the timing belt since 70,000 miles so if i get it that will be the first thing i do.
Thanks for the info!!
J C JOnes

 

its about as reliable as you'd expect any 12 year old car to be. The main known problem with these engines is the headgasket