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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  2000 Eclipse GT - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By kermit - April 3 - 10:00 am

  It is a very reliable car for me. I have had no problems with it. It gets me where I wanna go in style.

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  Overpriced but lots of Fun - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By dr_cadmium - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Over all I love this car. The original price of $25,500 is way to high for what you get. Depriciation is redicules. The Stock RSA tires squeal like crazy and are burned up after 22,000 miles. Brakes squelled from day one until I replaced them with power slots and Stillen semi-metalic brakes. Headlights burn out every few months, sun roof sticks and truck is heavy and sticks.

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  Beneathe the Silver Lining - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By NJJ - March 29 - 10:00 am

  The new eclipse is a cloud of deceit without the silver lining. Coolant system with poor circulation, and very poor quality engine components. Wait until you go through a winter with snowy, salty roads and watch your engine compartment rust out. If you make it to 36,000 miles your transmission is likely to start giving coast down clunks and clicking noises. Poor quality rims dent easily on 2002 models. Intake and exhaust systems are inefficiently designed, negatively effecting performance. Beautiful car from the exterior, after a year looks like a rusty 78 Dodge Dart. Dealerships talk their way around fixing problems and the car still sells.

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  I love my Eclipse - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By dking - March 23 - 11:33 pm

  Ive owned a 2002 Eclipse RS for nearly 9 years. For the first 8 this car was perfect. Only scheduled maintenance, not a thing went wrong. In the last 10 months things have started to go. Oil pan rot. Never heard of it and could be due to living in New England. That was expensive. Air conditioner compressor, again expensive. Front struts, VERY expensive! Slave cylinder for the clutch, low cost to repair but was a major inconvenience. Rear gate lifters went the first winter in Maine. car was 5 years old at that time. I just use a stick to hold up the gate. The car has 88,000 on it and just had its first brake job. Not bad. Its up for sale. Just bought a new Altima but will miss my Eclipse.

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  Good Car for 18000 - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By rustbucket - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This car took out my wifes new mustang gt on the highway in 3rd gear. If ur considering the mustang gt think again. After driving the mustang u will know just how good the gearing in the eclipse really is. This car is responsive on turns and doesnt slide easily. Drives well in the rain because of the front wheel drive. Not as much wheel tug as u would think on quick acceleration from stop. I would have like the mazda rx-8 but this car is the best price to car ratio and the monthly is not a mortgage payment.

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  What a fun car! - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By musclehead - March 16 - 2:00 am

  This car has served me well through several yers of outside sales work. It is fun to drive; unique and sharp to look at; easy to get in and out of; sound system is awesome; low maintenance and the quality in workmanship is good.

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  Great experience - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Mahaan - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Its been a fun car *and* reliable & economical to boot. Good-looking and practical! Have not had any repair issues even at 75K miles. It is sporty, yet can be roomy enough in a crunch. Lower the rear backrests, and theres considerable luggage space. Dont like the rear visibility esp. with the rear spoiler.

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  Love my Eclipse GT Special Edition "RV" - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Speedy Cowgirl - March 11 - 9:36 am

  After a decked out 300M "couch on wheels," I didnt think Id be happy with a small car. The Eclipse is stronger than my 300M was, and very sharp looking with the ground effects. I LIVE in my car (thus the RV part of my title). I drive 130 miles/day round trip to work. 2000-mile roundtrip road trips a couple of times/year, without disappointment; 50000 in 20 months! It has excellent handling and performance, although difficult to park. It consistently gets 28 mpg as long as I dont drive like a fool. Seat heat & "vibrating massage" from the 650w speaker are also nice on road trips. The car is built for one person, although passenger will enjoy seat heat/leg room, but no power seat.

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  Its a blast - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By BWV565 - March 9 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car in 10/2000 with ABS, leather seats, sunroof, 4-CD in- dash changer, power drivers seat, fog lights, etc. I have put on 33K miles on the car.

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  03 RS Eclipse still running fine - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mutt - March 4 - 12:46 am

  Its been a fun car with enough acceleration to drive however you want (manual transmission). With only a 4 banger, it gets almost "green car" gas mileage. A perfect blend of mpg and acceleration. When I test drove the automatic, it didnt respond how I wanted to drive. Its easy to work on, the spark plugs and oil changes are easy access. Its had 112,000 miles driven in about 5 years. No problems with regular maintrnance. Now if only my wife would learn to drive stick shift.