1993 Eagle Talon TSi from North America - Comments

First off I did no modifications on this car. And there were none when I purchased the car.

The car was lowered (about 2") and made it handle even better. However I would not advise lowering this particular vehicle. It was not slammed, I could have the front bumper over a common parking curb stop, but you had to be REALLY careful driving into parking areas and speed bumps. The exhaust scrapes on everything. Lowering also make the rear wheels camber, wearing out your rubber quicker. Don't bother, the car handles good enough stock.

The idle was surging between 900 rpm and 1500 rpm (only when engine was warm). This is a common problem with this vehicle. Very annoying. I just lived with it.

The timing belt needs to be changed at ridiculously short intervals (big bucks to do). I bought mine when it was just changed. If you don't change it your engine is toast. Most vehicles will not self destruct when their timing belts go, you just have to replace the belt and off you go (ie. Honda Civic). A good piece of mind.

The gas mileage was equivalent to a six cylinder vehicle. OK, but not great (21 mpg city). NOTE: You must put premium gas in this car, and with todays high gas prices, well, you do the math.

I had to replace the clutch (expensive compared to other vehicles), master and slave cylinders. It was the punk that owned the car before me. I never launched my car or abused it.

I had a five speed transmission. First to second gear was rough and grindy. Yet another common problem with this vehicle. Go to www.dsm.org to find out more about these cars. It is a very well put together web site and really helpful.

There were some oil leaks on the car (oil pump gasket and cam shaft seals). But it did not burn oil.

The power sun roof leaked and would not open all the way.

The power mirrors died.

The alternator and battery packed in.

All 4 CV boots on the front axles tore due to age.

The key-less entry power locks would occasionally malfunction.

The power locks would freeze in cold or frosty conditions. This made getting into your car even more enjoyable first thing in the morning on a cold winter day.

Frost on the inside of the glass?

The transfer case clunked sometimes when reversing (yes the seal was replaced by the recall).

The air-conditioning worked, but made the car work really hard and idle even worse.

The car hated the cold weather.

The car's interior was great for me, but not good for tall or larger people.

This car is everything you could possibly ask for in a performance car, all for a low initial buying price. Since this car was all wheel drive it handled like it was on rails. And was a pleasure to drive in the rain and snow.

The turbo was strong, but has noticeable turbo lag. Turbo kicked in at around 3500rpm (and only then).

The bottom line is that everytime I saved up money in the bank it went to my car. I just loved the car too much, it was way too much fun to drive. But enough was enough and I got rid of it, with no regrets what so ever.

Unless you are mechanically versed in these vehicles and have the time to search out the parts and repair these cars (because they need it) or you are rich (or have rich parents), do not buy this car.

Maybe the front wheel drive talons are good I don't know. But a co-worker of mine owns a 1996 AWD TSI and when I asked him if he had any troubles with the car, the expression on his face said it all. Oh yes, he had a whole lot of problems too. I guess they are good cars when new. But good luck finding a well kept second hand 5 speed.

FYI: The idle surging is do to a sticky pindle in the idle speed controller, just rearward and below the throttle body intake. Replace the idle speed controller, and problems solved. Semi cheap part too. <$200 with labor.

I too own one of these cars, and much of what you say is true. But the car wan't all working when you got it, so obvisouly the previous owner wan't exactly a genius) and not so great at maintaining it).

When something breaks, you are supposed to fix it, not leave it the way it is and complain.

Fog on the inside of the windows; that's any older car.

CV boots tear; totally normal. Problem is nobody fixed them.

Yes if you let your car fall apart; it will!

And yes these cars are money pits :)

Just bought one 1993 AWD. Luv it.

I'm glad to read that you like the car you JUST bought. And in a few months, your mechanic will love YOU even more.

Hey first of all, you bought a sports car. It has a turbo charged engine... you're not going to get the best gas mileage or most reliability, and you should research a car before you buy it, you should change the timing belt every 60000 miles on the Talon; it says it in the owner's manual.

The review was written when gas prices were starting to go through the roof. Just wanted to warn everyone.

I think you shot yourself in the foot on the "Don't buy a sports car if you want reliability." Talons aren't reliable, period.

Timing belt comment. No... really? Again, warning the readers. The very purpose of this site.

Easy for you to say "Should have done your research." and look like a hero.

And most off all, I didn't just let the car fall apart, and ignore the problems. Read the general comments... read the WHOLE review before commenting.

I have a 1993 TSI AWD. It has 92,000 miles. Does the 1/4 mile @ 11.38 sec @ 126 mph and gets is like the Ferrari in Farris Bueller's day off; it gets wiped down with a dipper.

I have worked on the car since 1995 when it was a friend's car, and now I have had it for five years with no problems.

These cars are what you make them... or you have a lemon that will steal your $$$$. If you have a 7 bolt? Get a Eagle industries crank with ACL bearings or you will have a big issue with torsional twist and crank walk. If you are going to run ARP main studs, then you need to get some stud dawls, because there will be 23 1/2 thousands lateral play, because ARP studs have no shoulder and your thrust bearing will say good by. If you have the 6 bolt, then good for you. The problem with the timing belt is you need to understand how to correctly install it.

MPG can be fixed with a proper tune; I get about 375 miles per tank!! Go to Buschurracing.com and buy the book on making you DSM go fast. Jarred or Nick and possible Dave will be happy to help you with your V8 killer.

I love my 1993 Eagle Talon ES; only 150k miles and I've only had to do regular maintenance on it for the last 16 years.

However, this last June, it started to have startup problems. Unfortunately, they have been intermittent, and every time I take it to a mechanic, the car will start without a problem.

In fact, the car wouldn't start for the last 2 days, and my mechanic made a "house call" this morning and the car started.

Since the car is 16, the 2 different mechanics I've worked with haven't seen this issue on a Talon.

At this point, they can't determine if it's electrical or mechanical. Evidently, the ECU memory is cleared when the car shuts down, so there isn't any diagnostic info saved.

I'd appreciate any feedback or resources to look into; sensor info, etc.

(and no, I won't junk it. The car runs wonderfully WHEN it can start).

Thanks,

MB.