Alright I am going to totally show off how much of a newb I am to all of this with this post but that's okay because I don't claim not to be.

I am trying to figure out what kind of car to get to turn into a project car. I have decided that I want a Mitsu Eclipse but I don't know what year or model. I really like the body design of the 97 but I want one that I do a lot of upgrades to the engine and I don't know which would be the best for this.

I was a deasel mechanic for 7 years and I know my way around cars pretty well (although I freely admit that I am far from and expert when it comes to foriegn cars) so a little hard work doesn't scare me, but I don't want one that I have to be an expert in foriegn motors to do work on. I guess this might be asking for the impossible but I figure it's worth a shot.

I am looking to buy an older model because I would prefer to put more money into upgrading it than the actual purchase so I'm looking for something kinda cheap to start with...something around $2000 or under initial purchase price. Upgrade wise I don't mind them being a little more pricey but I don't want a car that the cheapest upgrade is going to drain my bank account either.

I would really like your imput on what you feel is the best "project car" for someone who wants go not just show. Thanks in advance for your advice



Bill

 

Well if you wanna build a fast car i say deffo AWD. Now with this you have 2 choices. An AWD 2ng generation eclipse GSX (the 97 you are taking about) they run usually 8k+ with 100k on the clock normally. Or you can get an eagle talon thats basically the same car. Your other choice is the 1st generation eclipse 1990-1995. They are ugly as hell but they are good strong cars. You can get them for like 2k or sometimes 1k if they need a little work.

 

Thanks for the advise, I'll check it out and see what's available in those models in my area. Still open to input by others also. Thanks again.

 

1g's went to 94 and they are not UGLY!!!!

 

after reading sebbas post i "autotradered" the 97s and i actually turned up several gs-t's with 80k or 90k miles for under 10g....

if i were you man i would go with putting a lil more for the car cuz the only thing your gonna find for around 2g is gonna be something that will need ALOT of matinence...not to mention i doubt you would want to turbo a GS as well as i doubt you would want an RS at all for a project car

anywho...good luck with it

 

I agree...1g's aren't ugly, I rather like them

 

i love them!!

 

ok ok ok maybe that was harsh.

Course you will find GSTs for under 10k LOL. You wont have to do loads of maintinence thats crap. You just need to find one that hasnt been abused and you will be just fine.