Like any generalization that spreads across the internet, people overexaggerate the transmission problems that DSMs have. High powered awd launches tend to be rather abusive on the transmission, which is why so many of them fail. These are production cars we're talking about, Mitsu didn't necessarily design them to stand up to constant drag racing.

That said, the last time I drove a Talon TSi AWD, it kind of felt like being in a squished version of a Chrysler minivan with a turbo. :chuckles: