I'm planning on buying a 2G Eclipse\Talon within a year or by summer of 2003.

What I want to know is the advantages\disadvantages of all the specific years if possible, but a great help would be any insight into the 2G's in general from owners or past owners or anyone with experience.

And yes, I'm aware of the crankwalk possibility!

So basically if you have anything to say on any 2g eclipse\talon, I'd like to hear it.. I want to plan ahead and whatnot. Also anything to specifically watch out for with the 2G's when checking one out to buy.. shoot.

BTW I know there was a discussion on here before when someone asked which year 2G was the best.. I believe the consensus was 97 was pretty much the favourite? Correct me if I'm wrong.. shiet sorry for the long post. TIA for all input.

oh come on.. nobody??

i really need to do long-term planning...

I know the 1G's have stronger rods than the 2G's.
2G's have higher compression (8.5 vs 7.8 I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong).
I personally like the look of the 2G's better. Especially the 97+ ones.

Alrighty here we go
Early 95 - Lots of EPROM ECUs, vented rear brakes, diagnostic plug makes setting timing a snap if you have a 1G CAS
Late 95 - No vented rears anymore
96 - No more EPROM ECUs
97-98 - Styling changes, CAS was relocated to the passenger side of the head making a 1G CAS swap easier. More ECU changes make the computer even more anal about timing advance (who thought that was possible?)
The EPROM is a big deal if you get serious about mods, especially with some of the companies developing the 2G ECU, most of the software for that will be released soon. If you don't have EPROM you need to find a 95 ECU to swap in. If you have a 97 car that's a big pain.

Blake, thanks for that summary. Much appreciated.

So basically we're talking identical criteria with Eclipse + Talon? Or Eagle alone? I'm actually bent on getting an Eclipse as per a Talon for my 2G so that'd be helpful to know..

Mike, yeah I really like the 97+ styling as well.

So basically the best year is really a 95 as far as mods and all of that?

Approx. how much is it to swap in an EPROM ECU if I were to get a 97?

And I'm going to be swapping in a 1G engine into my 2G when I get it anyway. I really just love the looks of the 2G and I've been in a few and they're beautiful things.

Let me see if I get this straight...u plan to buy a 2G by 2003 (that's in 2 yrs) and want to put in a 1G engine in it?

One thing that I miss on 2Gs is the popup headlights...I think those things are soooo cool, too bad they went out of fashion in late 80s-early 90s
In brief 96 or 97 is your best choice. You may want to consider getting an Eclipse but it will be more expensive than a equivalent Talon

haha, Victor, I shouldn't have said that-- let me retract my statement about the 1G engine in it. I have lots of different paths to take with the engine work. I didn't mean putting a 1G engine in it like yanking the one outta my 91 right now and tossing it in there.. I'm talking more like Sean's green 95 FWD from Magnus. Basically I'm going to abolish any fears of crankwalk from my mind when I get my 2G

And yeah, I'm thinking 96 or 97 too. I'll probably go with a 97.

Victor, you're also on point about the price diff between Eclipse\Talon. But the look of the Eclipse (though similar) is just that much more appealing to me. I dunno, it's one of those stupid things I can't get over, hehe. Who knows I might get a talon..

A 95 will be your best bet if you decide to get any ECU mods done. A 95 ECU in a 97 will require some rewiring, putting a 95 in a 96 won't. If you're considering a 1G in a 2G Magnus swap then you'll want the EPROM since a company is developing a mod for the ECU that will eliminate the random misfire check engine light you'll get from the 1G cam angle sensor.
Eclipses are the same as Talons mechanically.