I had a 2000 fed spec eclipse GT 5 speed(with out the Cali extra cat. converters in the exhaust) . I will have to say stock for stock, the eclipse FWD and everything would rape the 98 SE......sorry. I Just bought a 95 S14 and I love it working on getting the SR20DET engine in as we speak but straight line the eclipse would win. The Fed spec 2000 at least, I had it dyno'ed at 185 (a friend with a 2001 cali spec 5 speed eclipse only put down like 165 whp) to the wheels with a CAI that's it for engine mods (spring and shocks). Sorry to be the bearer of bad news......like some one said before it is a fairly heavy car. As for styling I liked the 2000 -2002 sytles (before they changed the front end and put those ricey "euro light" tails on them <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sneaky.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='
issed:'> .
Tell your friend to learn how to drive.