Overview & Reviews

Chrysler's Eagle brand was nothing if not eclectic. Comprised of several badge-engineered cars with French, Japanese or American origins, Eagle aimed at would-be import buyers through various market segments. The brand as a whole never caught on, but of the five automobiles to wear its badge, the Eagle Talon developed the most enthusiastic following.

There was good reason to get enthused. The Eagle Talon was always a rather striking sports coupe. In its top-level trim, it came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. This potent combination made the Talon one of the quickest sports coupes of the 1990s. Versatility -- a benefit of the car's hatchback body style -- and value were also big draws.

Of course, this description also fits the Mitsubishi Eclipse, the car that gave the Eagle Talon its heart and soul. These two cars, as well as the short-lived Plymouth Laser, were a result of the Diamond Star Motors (or DSM) joint venture between Chrysler and Mitsubishi. Eagle was able to specify the Talon's look via some differences in the body, such as different wheels and spoilers, a black-colored roof, and in the later years, some flamboyant displays of flash. But in terms of mechanicals, the Talon (and Laser) shared all its sibling's traits.

Not all of those traits were favorable. Despite all the speed and technology, not everyone took joy in piloting the Eagle Talon. It was no model of handling refinement, and perhaps most importantly, lower-level Talons weren't much faster or exciting to drive than a common economy car.

The Talon's fate was sealed after the DSM partnership fizzled in the early 1990s. Mitsubishi continued to build the Eclipse into the new millennium, but Eagle didn't follow. The Talon has thus gone down in history as a relative of only the first two generations of Eclipse. As a choice for a used sport coupe, both generations of the turbo AWD cars offer plenty of bang for the enthusiast buck as well as considerable performance potential for the hot-rodding crowd. But if you find these or the lower-level Eagle Talons not to your liking, well-regarded competitors like the Acura Integra or Honda Prelude should be considered.

Most Recent Eagle Talon

The second-generation Eagle Talon was sold from 1995-'98. Its base-level powertrain consisted of a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 140 horsepower. Power was sent to the front wheels through either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. In contrast to the previous generation's base setups, this powertrain was borrowed from the then-new Dodge Neon.

The Talon's step-up powertrain was still a turbocharged 2.0-liter Mitsubishi four-cylinder, though it now came with a quicker-acting Garrett turbocharger and kicked up 210 horses (205 with the automatic). It came with its own five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic, and with or without all-wheel drive (AWD). All Talons enjoyed a meaningful upgrade in suspension hardware, with more sophisticated double wishbones replacing the former front struts in front and a multilink suspension now on the rear of all models. A richer interior with dual front airbags and a bigger cargo hold were further advances.

The Talon debuted with trim lines of ESi, TSi and TSi AWD. The ESi was the slow-mo version and came only with a basic radio, cloth-and-vinyl seats, tilt steering column, and rear wiper and spoiler. The turbocharged TSi added a sport suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, power mirrors, rear defroster, cloth seats, leather steering wheel, a cargo net and an upgraded stereo with cassette. The TSi AWD had that equipment plus power windows and locks, cruise control and slightly wider tires (on manual models). As for options, the lesser trims could be had with the TSi AWD's convenience features, and leather upholstery and a power driver seat were optional on all TSi models. The TSi AWD could also be equipped with a limited-slip rear differential. Options on all Talons included air-conditioning, a sunroof and antilock brakes.

This generation of the Eagle Talon underwent most of its changes in 1997. That year an even more stripped-down base Talon debuted without the ESi's spoiler, radio, digital clock or intermittent wipers. Non-turbo models lost their rear wiper and rear disc brakes, while the TSi AWD upgraded to 17-inch wheels. Styling on all Talons grew even more outlandish, notable for the supersized Eagle badge in front and a new airplane-like wing out back. Depowered airbags marked a final change in 1998, when the Talon exited the scene and took the Eagle brand with it.

For the performance enthusiast, the base and ESi-grade Talons should be quickly forgotten. Their engine was rough, noisy and capable only of economy-car acceleration, and the accompanying manual transmission was a chore to shift. Their glazed-donut-like tires (sized P195/70R14) contributed little to handling acuity and were helped in no part by the Talon's hefty weight. Steering was quick, at least, and the new independent suspension provided reasonable comfort and composure, but overall, consider this an Eagle with its wings clipped.

Honestly, the Talon is all about the turbos. Its 210 hp put it at the front of the sport-compact pack, and its 214 pound-feet of torque could give a shove in the back that no Honda or Acura engine could offer. Moreover, the Talon's all-wheel drive was truly one-of-a-kind, letting it dig hard into dry corners and hold its line on wet ones. Downsides included a slight vagueness to the steering and shifter and excessive body roll, which, some argued, made it less fun than the Prelude or Integra.

Finding a turbocharged Eagle Talon of this generation that's clean and in good running condition might be a challenge. Even the newest model is at least 10 years old and many previous owners have no doubt been keen on modifying their cars for enhanced performance. Base models, despite their lack of desirability, will likely have led an easier life and could still hold sway for someone just wanting a sporty-looking sport hatchback.

Past Eagle Talon models

The first-generation Talon was sold from 1990-'94. In contrast to the second-generation Talon, the early model was pitched as the classy member in the Eclipse-Talon-Laser family, as it came only with the two most potent engines: a 2.0-liter twin-cam four-cylinder with 135 hp, and a turbo version of the same with 195 (190 with front-wheel-drive, 180 with an automatic transmission).

Again, a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic were the transmission choices, with all-wheel drive optional on the turbo model. The rear suspension on front-drive Talons was a decidedly primitive torsion beam, but unlike its successor, most models had generous 16-inch wheels and all had four-wheel disc brakes.

The Eagle Talon originally came in base, TSi and TSi AWD trims. Base Talons had power steering, a rear spoiler and defroster, power mirrors, a tilt steering wheel and a six-speaker stereo. The TSi added the turbo engine, foglights, a leather steering wheel and shift knob, and a multi-adjustable driver seat. The TSi AWD added alloy wheels (except in 1990), a superior multilink rear suspension (sport-tuned all around) and limited-slip center and rear differentials. Available to all were air-conditioning, power windows and locks, cruise control, uplevel stereos with graphic equalizers, rear wiper, alloy wheels and a pop-up sunroof. Leather seats were optional on turbos.

Antilock brakes became available across the line in 1991, the year when turbo models became available with the automatic transmission. All Talons sported more modern styling for 1992 via exposed headlights that replaced the previous pop-up units, and new taillights and wheels. This generation's last change came for 1993, when a new DL model was added to the bottom with manual steering (power optional), 14-inch wheels and a 92-hp, 1.8-liter engine.

With each of the Talon DL's horses carrying 30 pounds on their backs, expect no more than Geo-grade acceleration in this sad mockery of a sport coupe. Midgrade Talons were markedly livelier and hit 60 mph in the mid 8-second range, quite respectable for the era. Quick steering response and aggressive tires made handling nimble, though there was coarse engine and road noise to go with it.

Again, the only truly special Talon was the turbocharged one, as it simply blew away import competitors upon its release. Car magazines at the time tested the AWD car doing zero to 60 mph in the mid 6-second range. But given their age, first-generation Eagle Talons, especially ones in good condition, are a rare sight on the road today.

User Reviews:

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  My low-flying Talon - 1990 Eagle Talon
  By Jensen - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this 1990 Eagle talon almost 2 years ago and have the time of my life driving it. The brakes in it arent that great so that is really the only problem with it. Otherwise, when it comes to speed and super-quick acceleration, the Eagle Talon does it. I have only lost one "race" on the hiway to any other car and that was an Acura Integra, otherwise, I am used to passing people with ease. The turbo is like magic. The interior is nicely built for the driver and the passenger but the two back seats are painfully small and can not comfortable seat four, but it can be done.

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  Its just my kind of car. - 1995 Eagle Talon
  By Lee Waldenmyer - August 15 - 2:00 am

  My Talon is the first of my "newer" vehicles, and I love to drive it. I havent had any problems with my car although Im starting to hear rattling, and for some reason my brakes sometimes squeek, but other than that the car is in great condition. All I have to do is give it a tune and an oil change and its good to go.

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  mchammonds talon - 1991 Eagle Talon
  By mchammond2 - August 15 - 2:00 am

  My experience so far with my 1991 Talon has been okay. Except recently it has had a slight hesitation in the morning when taking off and shifting into different gears. Also the check engine light has came on and the car starts to shake and shutter then it tries to stall. I took it to a mechanic to have it computer anylized only to find out that the 1991 Eagle Talon doesnt have a memory in its computer, therefore I paid $50 for them to tell me that they couldnt get the code to the computer and the only way they could is if the check engine light stayed on. They told me that most likely its one of the many sensors in the car.

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  Takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking - 1992 Eagle Talon
  By GotMach - July 26 - 2:00 am

  I have a non-turbo one and havent had a problem yet since the 25,000 miles I put on it. I beat on it hard and have only had to do the normal stuff to the car oil changes, brakes, tires. Other than that it runs great and gets great gas mileage. Im at 84,000 miles and still going. Good dependable work car.

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  Gotten my $ worth - 1990 Eagle Talon
  By Buehlz - July 10 - 2:00 am

  This is the second 1990 Eagle Talon TSI AWD that I have owned. There is nothing that I can put this car down for it was ahead of its time when it was built in 1990. Just wish Eagle would have built on there strengths rather than to come up with what they have now a days

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  eagle talon - 1995 Eagle Talon
  By mrsjetgirl - July 5 - 2:00 am

  had a few weird problems at the beginning (2 cracked radiators), but all were covered by warranty. Very few problems, AWD is fantastic for bad weather and great in the snow. Loose side mouldings had to be reattached a few times, but overall a great car. Great handling and lots of power

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  power - 1992 Eagle Talon
  By jays92talon - June 11 - 2:00 am

  i have had my talon since january of this year. its a great car however it burns a lot of oil after sitting at a red light for a while. I get decent gas mileage bu the car could use a few extra horsepower and ft/lbs torque. Also the hard shifting into second and sometimes third gets rather annoying. but on the other side the car is quick and fun to drive.

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  When to say when - 1991 Eagle Talon
  By grimme - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car brand new and hoped to get 200K out of it if I took good care of it. The first 120K went well with little problems. Timing belt change and tune up. The next 60K was not so good. 2 cluches, 1 tranny rebuild, 3 alternators, a broken timing belt which means a top engine rebuild, and lots of oil leaks both engine and tranny. The paint also faded really bad on the hood and roof.

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  1990 Eagle Talon AWD - 1990 Eagle Talon
  By chwerks - March 27 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle required a new transaxle at about 120,000 miles. My tendancy is to blame the fact that I autocrossed it with the SCCA the first couple years I owned it. I replaced it with a used unit with 80,000 miles on it, and I have driven it an additional 60,000 miles with no further trouble. It does use a qt. of oil between changes at 3,000, but still runs strong and gets good mileage.

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  4 Year 92 Talon owner - 1992 Eagle Talon
  By Kevins92Talon - March 1 - 3:52 pm

  If you want a Talon buy the one with the 16V engine or Turbo 16V.One thing I find inaccurate about Edmunds TMV on this car that it does not distingush the std. Chrysler made 1.8L engine and the Mitsubiti made 2.0L 16V engine in its calculations for the TMV.Eagle Talons are almost an exact replica of the Mitsubiti Eclipse. Over all I recommend this car to anyone looking to buy a fun sports car that is economical,dependable and affordable.