First off, mods please keep this thread in the 2G section. I know it involves other cars, but I want opinions from 2G TL owners since they have the closest relation to the TL. Please and thank you.

BTW, this is a love story. If your going to be a douche and leave dumb comments, please click on the nice big BACK button on your web browser.

Every since I got this car a long time ago, I have been in love with it. I loved everything about it, and didn't want any other car. Of course I would take a better car, but for me this one was perfect. I just loved it. Never thought of selling it or trading it.

And then one of my friends got an 08 Mitsubishi Eclipse. I think I have fallen out of love with my car. I know some of you are thinking, WTF Eclipses are gay, it is a douchebag car, and only girls drive them. Well, actually my friend was indeed a girl. This thread is not intended to be a bashfest, so please restrain yourself. Back on topic, I loved everything about that damn Eclipse.

I loved the big low doors, the insanely bolstered seats, the intimate cockpit feel, the sound of the stock exhaust, the blue gauges, the low-to-the-ground feeling, the flatness when it took a curve, the curvaceous exotic body, the boom of the Rockford Fosgate stereo, heck I even loved the color.

I thought it was just new-car love, and it would pass. It did. Until about 2 months ago, I saw the most beautiful Eclipse ever. The passion has started again. I find myself wanting a smaller, sportier, two-door car. This time the lust hasn't stopped.

I completely understand that the Eclipse is built on a crossover platform (Mitsubishi Endeavor) and isn't the best in it's class. I even tried to talk myself out if saying that the Eclipse isn't a top performer in its class, so it should even be compared to my TL. But I could find any other car in its class that I liked. I just think I need a younger car. I love the sophistication of my TL, and all of its cool features. I know I would be losing features, (i.e., memory seats, tilting reverse mirrors, HIDs, and other little things like that.) refinement and probably comfort. It worried me in the beginning, but I can still get all the major options. I kind of want a manual transmission too. And the TL transmission failure still lurks in the back of my mind. I have even accepted the flaws of the Eclipse. Road noise, not as fast, not as much power, probably a little bit of reliability although the 4G Eclipse is holding together extremely well, and other things.

So, to get to the point, do you think I would regret selling my TL-S if I did to purchase an Eclipse? Or have I lost my mind and need to find a rehabilitation center ASAP?

What if the TL-S' charm never comes back? Is it time for something new then?

Thank you for reading.

 

i think it all depends on the phase you're going through. i started out with my civic and eventually went turbo. the thrill and power was all there, but i'd always wanted an 02-03 tl-s, i just LOVED the flow of the car and the fact that it had hp and tq!

anyways my point being i started with the "civic" phase and grew out of it and wanted something more "luxury" oriented.

to help you answer your question: if you feel that you want to go the eclipse route to fulfill that yearning, then do it. but i honestly feel that you will regret it and soon want all the "luxury" items again, ie.: memory seats, etc. cuz i know i love that feature! and you will definitely miss the hp and tq!

good luck on your decision!

 

is your TL stock?

 

personally i would take the tl-s but thats cause i have a tl-p which doesnt have memory seats or the tilting mirrors. tl-s more power and all and its comfortable to drive. my opinion

 

I personally like the newer gen eclipses. It's really up to you, there is no right or wrong answer in this case.

 

+1

Do some performance or aesthetic mods if you haven't yet. You'll fall in love with your all over car again.

 

Slightly personal questions - but they do matter.

How old are you?

Married?

Got kids?

Own a house?

Stable job?

Got the extra income to afford the purchase?

These answers would really influence my decision... may or may not be relevant to you but I think they are worth asking...

 

i would take a nissan GTR over the tl
or maybe try an nissan 370z or a infiniti G37

and maybe just get a second car and keep the tl as a DD


but as op mentioned, it would be hard to find a more reliable car then an acura (minus our trannies )

also about the crossover platforms, our cars are just based on the accord, which the MDX/Pilot and Odyessy are based off of also (loosely though, but still close enough for calling it the same basic chassis)

 

Not married and definitely no kids.

I wouldn't even consider an Eclipse if I couldn't afford one. I have seen some really good deals on them lately.

I found a 2008 Eclipse with the 2.4L 4-cylinder and 5-speed manual. It had the Sun and Sound Pkg, (Sunroof, 650 watt Rockford Fosgate sound system) and was as loaded as you can get a GS Eclipse. It had 8,000 miles on it and the dealer was asking $10,300. Clean title and only 1 owner. The bad: It was an ass ugly maroon/dark red color.

Last night I was just browsing and came across another. 2008 Eclipse GS 4-cylinder, 5-speed MT with Sun and Sound Pkg. It was loaded out too, and had 32,XXX miles on it. Clean title, 1 owner, and the dealer was asking $10,050. Color wasn't ideal, but it was alright. Color is called Optimist Green. Its like a gray/green thats real toned down. Sounds nasty, but looks good with the organic curves of the car.

The one I wasn't crazy about was a 2006. This one was a GT with the 3.8L 260hp V6 engine and a 5-speed Sportonic A/T. It was mid-level, no sunroof or RF sound, but still had power windows and all that business. 55,XXX miles and the dealer had it advertised for $9,100. Can't deal without a sunroof, but it was a good price, I guess.

Not considering any of those, just some examples for reference.

The only thing that makes me want to keep the TL-S is I feel like I'm downgrading and/or going backwards by getting an Eclipse.

 

BTW, my TL is pretty much stock. I added the OEM spoiler and some 3A tips... I've just held off because I don't want to drop $700 on a lip-kit then decide I want a different car.

 

You'd miss the TL..bottom line. But I do feel ya on the new car itch. I keep lookin at 3Gs everyday and if I find a nice one, I'll pull the trigger. Right now though, tuition at a 30k/year school plus all the other life-living expenses I have also keep me from getting a new car. And with a few mods in the works I have a feeling I'm gonna love my car again. I did just wash her the other day and it reminded me how nice of a car I own but man that 3G is just so appealing...

 

to OP, if you go to an 4 banger eclipse, you are going to miss the power of the V6, so i would say at least look for one of those
the 6 makes it so much EASIER to get onto the highway

 

get some coilovers and rims and you'll fall in love again, but since you can't justify getting a lip kit I think ur pretty much over ur car. Get the lightest v6 eclipse that you can

 

x2

 

i say dont get an eclipse unless its a mid 90's GSX or GST

best looking eclipses imo.

ps. i miss my car

but im buying a new car soon

 

I guess I need to stay with the trusty wife. She may not be the hottest, but she does just about everything well and is very dependable. But the mistress is sooo tempting...

Everytime I see one I just start drooling... BTW, this is Optimist Green.

http://gtcarlot.com/gallery/2999471-640.jpg

http://www.virginiausedcardealers.co...X8E009501A.jpg

 

especially with the turbo, and the GSX with AWD


and why don't you trade your car back to the same guy

 

WIN

 

yeah personally the only car i would trade my car for would be a 3g (and that's talking about realistically) but personally i wouldn't trade for the eclipse... i mean it is more of what you want but i think it would be a downgrade and i'm pretty sure u'd regret it... jus like they said, drop it or get some nice mod for it and u'll fall in love w/ it again

 

the black one

only thing is don't they have kinda weak trannies though, especially the AWD one (i know the first gen's did)

 

Ok guys, we better tone it down. I don't want this to get moved to car talk. I think I'll keep the TL a little while longer and see if the Eclipse seduction goes away again.

Thanks alot for understanding and helping!

 

Lip kit, rims, coilovers, blacked out headlights and u will fall back in love with ur TL

 

the 4 cyl eclipse is sooooo slow. its nice but not fun to drive at aLL

 

Keep the TL.

 

If you like that body type of car get a supra aka Exotic killerz you will always love that car i love mine

 

for OP, maybe get a new ZDX, i just saw one at the dealer when i was picking up a part, so they are for sale now

 

If you want a 2door and a manual, why not a 6-speed CL-S? Seems like the best of both, right?

 

the old ones can run high 12's

 

pretty sure he is talking about the new one.

,my buddy has a talon tsi with eclipse conversion. shit is nice

 

yeah the hair dryer's on the older one helps tremendously with getting some power to the wheels