Overview & Reviews

For nearly 20 years, the Mitsubishi Eclipse has been one of America's more popular sport coupes. Reasons for its success include sleek styling, powerful engines, a decent amount of comfort and affordability. As these traits also describe traditional domestic rear-drive sport coupes, the Mitsubishi Eclipse has been called the Japanese version of a pony car. And like those seeming influences, the Eclipse is known more for its straight-line performance than outright cornering prowess. The Eclipse has also always been designed solely for the U.S. market and is a rarity in other parts of the world.

The original Eclipse was the result of a joint venture started in the mid-'80s between Mitsubishi and Chrysler, known as Diamond Star Motors (DSM). For model-year 1990, at a plant in central Illinois, the Diamond Star triplets bowed -- similar versions of the same Mitsubishi-engineered car, including the Eclipse, the Eagle Talon and the Plymouth Laser. With the subsequent demise of the Eagle and Plymouth brands, only the Eclipse remains in production.

In total, there have been four generations of the Eclipse. Measured in terms of all-around performance and design, the latest one is certainly no slouch. But an earlier Eclipse, assuming it has been cared for properly, would make an affordable and enjoyable purchase for the budding sport coupe enthusiast.

Current Mitsubishi Eclipse
Mitsubishi's sport coupe is offered in base GS, GS Sport, the sporty-looking SE and more athletic GT trim levels. All are front-wheel drive and share their basic platform with the Galant sedan. The base level Mitsubishi Eclipse GS is reasonably well-equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning and full power features along with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine good for 162 horsepower. The GS Sport uses the same drivetrain, but adds many of the GT's styling elements and extra features like heated leather front seats and a power driver seat. The SE essentially gets some special wheels and styling elements. In addition to its burly 265-hp, 3.8-liter V6, the GT has a sport-tuned suspension and larger brakes. Stability control is standard across the entire line.

The GS comes with a five-speed manual, while a four-speed automatic transmission with a sequential-shift Sportronic mode is available as an option. The GS Sport has the automatic as standard. The GT is only available with a five-speed Sportronic automatic.

In reviews, the Mitsubishi Eclipse earned favorable commentary for its powerful V6 engine, comfortable front seating and stylish interior. Noted downsides include a hefty curb weight that dulls handling, sluggish acceleration on four-cylinder models, subpar V6 fuel economy, a large turning radius and mediocre interior construction.

Used Mitsubishi Eclipse Models
The latest generation of the Mitsubishi Eclipse debuted for the 2006 model year. There were initially four trim levels: GS, SE, SE-V6 and GT. Not much changed until 2009, when the SE trims were dropped, stability control was added for the GT (and later became standard for all Eclipses for 2010), and the car received a mild face-lift that included a more aggressive, Lancer Evo-like front fascia. The SE returned for 2012.

A six-speed manual was standard on the GT until 2011, but otherwise, powertrains are the same as the current Eclipse line. The GS Sport arrived for 2010 and for '11, 18-inch alloy wheels became standard for the base GS, the GS Sport received heated leather front seats and a power driver seat. That year saw blacked-out roofs on all Eclipses.

Many consumers shopping for a used Mitsubishi Eclipse will likely encounter the previous, third-generation model, which was sold from 2000-'05. It has a hatchback body style, front-wheel drive and four-cylinder or V6 power. It's smaller and less refined than the generation that succeeded it. The RS and GS trims of this generation were powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder good for 154 hp. The GT had a smooth-revving 205-hp 3.0-liter V6. All could be had with either a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic.

Although this Eclipse was fairly popular with consumers, it attracted little critical acclaim. In Edmunds.com tests, editors noted that the Eclipse was not as sporting as previous versions and had a low-quality interior. Nor did the car change much during its run, though in 2003 Mitsubishi added a GTS trim that had a slightly more powerful V6 (210 hp) and more standard equipment.

When new, the first- and second-generation Eclipses were considered some of the best affordable sport coupes available. The original debuted in 1990. This Eclipse was also a hatchback, and these early models can be identified by their pop-up headlights. There were four different trim levels, each offering its own mix of powertrains. The top-of-the line model was the desirable Eclipse GSX, which boasted a 195-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. In 1992, minor updates were made, including the addition of fixed headlights.

Compared to the foreshortened, almost stubby first Mitsubishi Eclipse, the second generation (1995-'99) seemed long, sleek and gorgeous. It was a bit bigger than the earlier car but in many ways very similar mechanically. As before, normally aspirated or turbocharged engines were offered, and AWD was available on turbocharged models. The first- and second-generation turbocharged engines were already quite powerful in factory trim, but extensive aftermarket support enabled tuners to boost power output considerably.

With any of these early models, poor resale values translate into very attractive purchase prices. But reliability has never been a strong point for the Eclipse, and finding a well-maintained one (especially a turbocharged model) that hasn't been modified and/or abused is imperative for the smart shopper.

User Reviews:

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  eclipse gt - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By alex195 - June 2 - 2:16 am

  Ive had my eclipse for 3 months now and its been a bast to drive! Bought it used with 130 000km on it. Painted the front center black, fake diffuser black to make it look real, and the roof too, and put ralliart badges on. Had no problems with the engine, however... the cheap sh*t door handles did break and even the new ones make that bending plastic quealing noise, the cheap plastic key also broke, and so did the cheap plastic a/c control. But thats why it costs so little, you do get a great 3.8L v6 that could use a little more power if your used to driving high hp vehicles, but if your not its more then enough. It always pulls in any gear with no hesitation but road noise is horrendous!!

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  Not a good car at all - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By appared1992 - May 3 - 1:23 pm

  I have had this car for over a year and I have experienced problem after problem with it. 1. The shocks went out. 2. The transmission went out. 3. The car wouldnt shift correctly. 4. The air conditioner went out. 5. The "Service Engine" light is constantly on. 6. The rim to the wheel cracked. 7. The headlights barely light up anything, even in the darkest part of the night. 8. It always leaks when it rains. I have spent over $12,000 fixing this car, and Im about to spend another $1,000 to fix the air conditioner. I only recommend this car for people who like to spend money on their cars.

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  POOREST PERFORMANCE - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By ChristianGT - April 14 - 10:00 am

  The eclipses had a sharp exterior and interior design but the performance is not too good for me. Its a V6 engine 200hp but not really kicksin on the road. When i first drive the eclipse it gives me a little impressive but when i test drive the other sport coupes ive saw some more power to kicksin than my eclipse But its ok i still love this car of course!!!=)

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  Good Car Overall but had minor issues - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By luke12321 - April 3 - 1:01 am

  I bought this car in 2006, it had around 45k on it. I drove the car for about 100k miles when I owned it. First, the car says to run premium only but I never did. I ran regular in it the entire time and it never gave me any issues. Issues with car: Replaced 02 sensor, transmission was making a clicking noise, but never gave me any issues. Sunroof gave me trouble with jumping, jerking, really rough to open. I just stopped using it soon after buying it. Back hatch would not stay up when opened. Dash is cheap, it was cracked when I bought it. Wasnt starting well, I didnt want to deal with any longer so I sold it. Glad I owned it, good car and low maintenance.

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  My First Eclipse - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By HE - February 26 - 10:00 am

  I have been happy with this car.

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  Fun factor < Maintenance headache - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By TheMongoose - February 5 - 2:26 am

  Great handling car. gets 23-26 city and 35 hwy mpg with the 4 cyl. decent acceleration for getting on the highway. The motor needed a new head gasket and milling at 81k miles. Too early in my opinion.

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  Beautiful Car - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By LoCo68 - January 30 - 5:16 pm

  Couldnt wait for this to come out and I bought one of the first 2006 models on the market in June of 05. Owned an Eagle Talon in 92. Decided on the 4cyl due to the gas mileage. The car takes curves nicely and there is no lack of power. Wish I had upgraded to the 6c and the better sound system.

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  Trash the Aston Martin, James Bond! - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By The Fox - January 26 - 8:43 pm

  I bought this car to replace an aging, 10 year old Ford Probe. My Mitsubishi Eclipse GT has turned out to be a true drivers car and equal to the Ford / Mazda. Ive had it for 5+ years and am still learning more about how to unlock the secrets of handling and all out performance.There are fewer places now where you can open her up but, when I do, it performs like a true GT car. Im 58 and started out driving MGs, this car is vastly superior to what those oxcarts could ever have been had they evolved to the present and embodies what a true GT car should be. Im still enjoying it, in fact I just bought new mags for it. James Bond wasted her Majestys money on the Aston, he should have gone with the Eclipse.

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  Longterm lease - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By MarkAM - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had this vehicle for almost the full 5yrs and the only regret I have is that I didnt buy it outright. The car has performed flawlessly---even with 3 recalls for minor preventive fixes. (I never had problems) The cars balance handles well in snow (Midwest blizzard recently) and traction on wet roads I would rate as good.

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  Fun little car - 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Chriss - December 20 - 1:55 am

  Actually my daughter purchased this car back in November, and I love it. The 4 cylinder motor isnt the fastest car on the road but it is really fun to drive. The sound system rocks and the heated seats are nice to have this winter. With a 10 inch bass cannon behind the back seat, the neighbors here us when we come and go. Lots of nice features with this car. Cannot comment on long term dependability since our 2012 has only 35,000 miles, but we love it so far.