Eagle Talon TSi AWD good first manual car?

Hey guys,
Just gettin an idea of what I want for my next car which will be a change since I drive automatic. I gets boring and I kinda wanna make my ride a little bit more involved. Is a Talon a good first manual car? Im looking to get the TSi AWD version and which year is best. I kinda want it to be a nice quick car :smile:

-Thanks

Yes it should be fine for you to learn manual with, and it will be a very fun car. :)

All my buddies say that the Talon is a LOT easier to drive than my Cavalier. In the clutchability sense, I think the Talon will be easier to drive than many other manual cars. However, a turbo AWD can be a hell of a lot of car for someone not used to it. I would go for it, just make sure you know exactly what you are getting into. Yes, they are fast and fun as hell, but they do break on occasion.

Dont sell your other car, you will need to drive it when the Talon breaks down.

First and quick should never be in the same sentence lol jk :) My first manual car was actually a '95 Eagle Talon (and so began my love for DSMs) and it was.. awkward. It was weird learning with the sudden grip and power. If you have a very good understanding with a manual transmission, I see why not. I think everyone would agree that if this is your first manual car, a 1st gen DSM would be your best bet.

All in all, it's not a bad first manual car, but I can think of a couple better.

My first manual car and is also the car I learned on was my old 89 Toyota Tercel EZ. That car was perfect for learning because it wasn't fast by any means so it couldn't really get away from me, unlike a Turbo AWD which you might have more of a difficult time with. You might want to consider a Non-turbo.

Guys, it's not like it's his first car ever, just the first manual.

Guys, it's not like it's his first car ever, just the first manual.

That's not the point. Not knowing your clutch engagement might mean a 200hp AWD launch into the car in front of you :)

asking if we think a dsm on a dsm forum is obviously going to get positive feedback...Go ask what they think of a talon on the honda civic forum haha.

they are going to say its gunna cost a lot of money to keep it going...

That's not the point. Not knowing your clutch engagement might mean a 200hp AWD launch into the car in front of you :)

Exactly what I was saying, too much power for having little to no experience.

i agree with thompson... a stock DSM Turbo is quick i agree but its not out of control fast... thats when you mod it... it should be a great first manual car..

Yeah, I agree. Turbo DSM would make a great first stick driver.

The clutch is really easy to push in and let out and has a good engagement point. Should be cake. Aaaand last time I checked 200hp stock wasn't really alot.

You will eat your clutch out.

Killer, quit tryin to scare the kiddies away with all that DSM nonsense-talk. :lol:

Aaaand last time I checked 200hp stock wasn't really alot.

Might be in traffic, but it varies for everyone, let's put it that way. For some people it comes naturally, for others it won't. When I first started out, 200hp was annoying.. cool, but annoying.

EITHER WAY, what he can handle is up to him. My vote is neither a yes or no, it'll stay at a decent first manual car and it depends on the driver. 'Nuff said.

Killa started going, but then stopped...

Buy a spare clutch and keep it handy. nOObs on the stick (haha... nevermind) always tend to burn their clutches out really quick. Just take your time please, that's all we ask.

That's not the point. Not knowing your clutch engagement might mean a 200hp AWD launch into the car in front of you :)

Well it's not like he's going to be doing 5k launches in traffic, although it'd be funny to watch, I'm sure no one is stupid enough to do it. I think the worst that'll happen to him is getting embarassed while stalling out the first couple days, after that she'll be smoooooth sailing.

I can just see him trying to launch at 5k and all he gets is whip lash when the car does the bucking bronco. GOOD LUCK

Well it's not like he's going to be doing 5k launches in traffic
Maybe Garrett just had a better time learning stick than others. Me and my buddies Mike and Tyler had some pretty hair raising accidental launches in our first times driving stick.

I would just get it homie. Just be careful, and dont drive in traffic until you are ready

On the other hand, my brother literally stalled the car 3 times learning how to drive. 3. We were on the roads and going through town in about 20 minutes of him getting in the drivers seat. It made me mad, it took me a good two hours before I could even make a half assed studdering start.

FWD eat tranny, AWD eat clutch. Last couple year I start out with automatic and a year later Im getting into turbo dsm, and before im driving a turbo, I got to know driving a manual, so I bought a 94 eclipse with a manual and practice, practice every day after work. until I never miss a gear or grind a gear, dump the clutch, because I dont want any thing happent to my up coming dsm. My suggest is buy a beatler car ( $300-$400) with a manual or let a friend teach you driving, until you feel good about it, then babe the awd dsm. But what ever it work for you, go ahead btw dont feel bad if you car die in the middle of the street, you should feel special cause you driving a manual,

One tip about going up hill ( you know when you in nuetral and when you up hill, and some one in back off you, the car will roll back, you will be nervous, every one been there and done that ) use the E-brake when you up hill and clutch in first gear, release clutch slow until you feel it catch the gear, that when the car moving forwar then release ebrake slowly.

You gotta FEEL!!! the clutch ( the girl tough me that, and I remember that forever ) :grinyes:

I learned to drive stick in this car, and I've had it for over 2 years with not tranny and/or clutch problems. 140hp is the shiznit for first time clutch work. I love the way DSMs clutch feel, in some other car I've driven the cltuch pedal has very little feel to it. But fawk its a workout driving my car in Dallas traffic.

Edit: a PERFECT way to learn to balance the clutch is to find a road thats almost never used and has a steep incline. My dad took me to one and after I could get my car to stay put just balancing the clutch, it made a world of difference. I learned it in one day, took me 2 weeks to get completely comfortable with everyday driving situations.

Maybe Garrett just had a better time learning stick than others.

Probably, being as I was driving vehicles on the farm with a clutch when I was like 12. :) But still, DSM's do have a more "feely" clutch than some other cars, if anything, it's easier to learn to drive stick in a DSM than another car.

hey ampzor, don't worry about it its a good choice. i got a 1996 eclipse with a manual trans and this is my first car. ive driven manual before on other cars but this is by far the easiest to drive.

Just get it. My eclipse spyder gs was my first manual car. It was fun to learn to drive. I did stall a couple times and felt like an idiot but you get over it quick. It's all good now. I've been driving stick 2 going on 3 years now. I had the occassional stall at a stop light cause I just wasn't paying attention after that but nothing major. Those are just like doh! moments. (don't ask it's hard to explain)

But I do find it hard switching back and forth. I bought my new Rav-4 (auto) and I drive it 99% of the time since it's winter and I have to for work purposes. So about once a month I take the spyder out now and I occasionally stall when backing up out of the driveway, till I get the feel of the car again. It happens you get use to it really quick.

I was on the fast track course. My dad brought the car home. Tried to convince me manual was a "bad" choice to him. Handed me the keys and said here. It was one of his you "should have listened" moments.. I took it out on back roads the first 2 nights for about half an hour each time. I wasn't horrible but I still hated stopping for fear of stalling. I then went and the third day I left an hour early for work (I worked about 20 mins away at that point at a best buy) and I told myself I would get there with the eclipse. So I drove it and stalled 4-5 times. The drive home was crazy easy then. I didn't do my first hill till about a week later (I was avoiding them and thats hard cause I live in a valley). The hill trick with the Ebrake works wonders till you know how the car feels pulling out. It's very handy.

You will be okay. Go for it and just love the car ^^

I was driving vehicles on the farm with a clutch when I was like 12.

Are you kidding me? Dude, that is such a coincidence, me too! I started learning at 9 on a Massey Ferguson 275 diesel, and then a big ass Russian tractor. They are fun to drive, and so damn slow, that you'd have to try reaallllyyyyy hard to get into an accident.

last time I checked 200hp stock wasn't really alot.

It is too!!!


*runs and puts "powered by Injen" stickers all over his N/A 3KGT*

i started at 12 also! in a 67' Ford Mustang... my Uncle let me drive it (him in the pasenger seat obviously) and it was snowing outside... he told me to turn the wheel, floor it, and pull my foot off the clutch... Best damn Donuts i've ever done in my life! ;) TRUE STORY!

Words of the Wise Boon *Guy i bought my DSM from*:

"Mitsubishi GOOD car, drive 5-speed , car much sexy. You like Ladys? You drive 5-speed!"

Words of the Wise Boon *Guy i bought my DSM from*:

"Mitsubishi GOOD car, drive 5-speed , car much sexy. You like Ladys? You drive 5-speed!"


hahaha dude that guy sounds fuckin hilarious

That guy sounds like killa J/p killa.

you get bore driving a manual after while. i wish i never sold my 97 rs auto, i would use that for dd, travel. but if i dont sold it , tsi will never came to my life:wink:

I disagree, I would never get bored of driving manual, especially a turbo car. Even my 47 hp Cavalier is a hoot to drive because its manual...

Well I work 6 am to 7pm, and im tired ass hell every day, some time im tire and have to shift the gear, I just wish I got a auto so I can relax a little. But that just me. But I love driving a manual on the weekent. Not after long day at work :wink:

hahaha dude that guy sounds fuckin hilarious
He WAS! i was trying to talk him down a little in price, and every time he spoke, i just couldnt keep a straight face! he was SO funny! but i got him down to where i wanted so i'm happy! lol

:1: killa, driving manual can be a pain, especially in traffic with a bad master cylinder (:banghead:) but other then that, i wouldnt trade it for an Auto ANYDAY! i love my 5-speed... helps me connect with my car... :wink:

He WAS! i was trying to talk him down a little in price, and every time he spoke, i just couldnt keep a straight face! he was SO funny! but i got him down to where i wanted so i'm happy! lol

:1: killa, driving manual can be a pain, especially in traffic with a bad master cylinder (:banghead:) but other then that, i wouldnt trade it for an Auto ANYDAY! i love my 5-speed... helps me connect with my car... :wink:

I never say I want to auto over a manual.:wink:

I kick myself for buying an Auto since I love Manuals so much.

I never say I want to auto over a manual.:wink:
i never said you did, i was saying I wouldnt trade it for an auto... even if i had to drive everywhere in traffic