I just wanted some opinions and advice for handling and speed for the two vehicles. What would be a better vehicle overall, thanks

 

The Talon Tsi. I had one. Loved it/hated it.

Stock for stock (both being manuals and in good condidtion). The 300ZX N/A is faster. I ran mid-low 15s in my Tsi depending on how the car "felt" that day. Run consistant low 15s in my 300ZX. On that note I raced a 98 eclipse GS-T and beat it by a car length. Handling wise 300zx well out-performs it. It feels much smoother through tights corners. My talon had pretty horrible understeer.

Daily driven I would go with the 300zx also, as my and many other dsms tend to have many little problems. Although the Talon can be easily driven year-round especially if you get the awd, I had fwd and was never scared to scamper in the snow. As my Z being my only car I can say having to drive in the snow is frightening.

Better overall vehicle= 300ZX. For reliability, quickness, and dry handling.

On the other hand the Talon Tsi responds VERY well to mods. You can easily be in the 13's with a couple hundred $$$. There are even several "free" mods that help alot. The N/A Z responds very poorly to mods and will never see 13's without N2O. Parts for the Talon are very cheap, easy to find, and easy to work with. On my talon I could easily do most work, on my Z the same jobs are 10x's harder.

If you want a reliable, quick, daily driver. Get the Z.

If you want a mod-machine for speed get the Talon. It is a terrible headache sometimes but I loved that car.

 

Well i plan on putting in about 5 grand into the car that i get between performance mods and looks. How much power can you gain with the tsi and what "free" mods might you be talking about? Have many of the dsm drivers had problems with the turbo on the car? I am wanting something running quick et's at least low 14's but i am not wanting it to be continually needing money put into it just to keep it running. Thanks a lot for your reply

 

The three free mods on the talon (1st gen not sure about second; btw- general opinion is the 1st gen motor is stronger) One - rmove the airbox. It already has a cone filter but it is surronded by an airbox with about a 4" removing the airbox frees up 10hp. Also right behind the airfilter in the intake tubing they placed an intake silencer. Which just restricts airflow. Remove it for slight gains. Also, there is a mod you can do on the wastegate by removing this small plastic piece which will give you 3+ psi on your boost or buy a granger valve to do similar things but that wouldn't be free. WIth those mods you will easily be in the mid-14s. You could take your 5g, have the engine rebuilt, do the above adjustments, get an intake, exhuast 16g turbo, and you will be in the 13s with money to spare.

I didn't have a problem with my turbo until I hit 130k miles then it was starting to go. Unfortunetly the car was destroyed shortly after (i was going to upgrade the turbo).

 

Get a 300ZX TT and just be done with it all !

Rusty Datsun x 3

 

Also, whenever people mention 2nd generation DSM's, i am always sure to warn them of crankwalk on the 4g63 motor. If you dont know, this is a problem where the crankshaft will tend to seperate, or "Walk away" from where its supposed to be. this usually happens on Manual transmission DSMs, or even more so, happens when the car is modded. For some reason, it wasnt so apparent anymore, but now, runs rampant. Back home on the Eclipse message boards, a dude knows 11 people in his area (including himself) that have crankwalk. There is no immediate problems with it, but over time, everthing destructs.

Not to discourage you from doing so..most people i see that have crankwalk are the peeps who were boostin 15 PSI's or so on stock turbo's, and who were drivin em HARD. It all goes back to the whole "take care of your car, and it will take care of you". My brother is selling his Eclipse RS for a GS-T, and im in the process of finding a n/a 300zx...he swears that he'll "stomp all over me" if his GS-T were to line up against a 300z, if i have one by then. I beg to differ..like dude above said stock GS-T times arent THAT impressive..maybe mid to low 15's. BUT, because its a turbo, and you ca do amazing things to turbo's to increase hp, it has a bigger potential. nothing a small shot of N20 on a stage 3 n/a Z couldnt handle though ; )

Carry on..