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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  MANY improvements! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Michele, FL - February 23 - 6:33 am

  I have been driving Mitsubishi cars since 1994. Most of those years I have driven the Eclipse. (2004 I had the Outlander XLT, nice SUV! But I did not like how an SUV is blown around on the highway by winds). I have NEVER had an engine problem with any of my Mistsubishis, but did have problems with the quality of the bodies (only in the Eclipse) and loose handeling. This years model has MANY improvements from those in the past! It has MANY more saftey features, like WINDOW airbags, as well as front and side airbags. This years body feels much more secure on the road, it is MUCH tighter. The body is of a higher quality also. It also has much more of a "sports car" feel and look. I have to say I love the car.

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  The most fun you can have on 4 wheels! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By GTinSilver - February 16 - 10:40 am

  The Mitsubishi Eclipse GT is an awesome sports car. The insurance is affordable and the car is loaded with extra features. The styling is similar to the second generation, and in 5 years Im looking into getting the 5th generation Eclipse. I think they should call the convertible model - the Solar Eclipse, rather than the Spyder.

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  2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By jennyc - February 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive had an overall positive experience with this car. The only problem that Ive experienced is with the power moonroof.... at one point it started to shake while opening, and got progressively worse. I brought it to the dealership to repair it while under warranty, and it was fixed (a bad cable was replaced).

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  My Mitsubishi - 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Susan - January 30 - 1:00 pm

  This is my first Mitsubishi. It is a 2005 Eclipse. I feel that it handles great, especially on the corners. The ride is smooth. I find it hard to see what is around me though, whether I am trying to change lanes or back out of a parking space. I also have found the stereo system to be one of the worst I have owned in a car. For the price, a better system would have been expected.

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  Best of Three Eclipses Ive Owned - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Mitsuwomn - January 27 - 10:50 am

  Looks like a future car both interior and exterior. The V6 engine is quite powerful & the car handles great. It is much tighter than the 3g version. Its my every day driver and it makes my commute fun!

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  Ammar - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Ammar - January 19 - 3:06 am

  Nice car. Fun to drive. Very good looking and awesome stereo. Great for sports car lovers who r not willing to spend a lot.

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  dreamcar - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By dreamcar - January 18 - 8:06 pm

  I purchased my Eclipse about a year ago, right when they came out and iIjust love everything about it. I think it is one of the most stylish cars Ive ever seen. I mean its been a year since it came out and people still turn their heads to look at it.

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  Great Car - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Kia - January 12 - 2:23 am

  I have this car for a month and I have put 1,200 mills on it. I love driving this car. Its beautiful, comfortable, and fast. I very much like the new designe of the new Eclipse, it very much looks like the 350Z and the Audi TT or even the Mazda RX-8.

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  Piece of JUNK!! - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Kelly - January 6 - 7:53 pm

  Worst car I ever had. Will NEVER but Mitsubishi again. Broke down constantly!! I know two other people who got the same car around the same time as me and they had the same complaints. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE!!! Good thing it is a small car because there were numerous times I had to push it to side of the road!

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  my first car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By eclipze - January 1 - 4:50 am

  I got this car for my 16th birthday with 59,000 miles on it my mom drove it back from Pittsburgh to me about 2000 miles. Its baby blue v6 3.0 liter, has good power and I have 2 12 inch sub woofers in the trunk and even at the loudest the car doesnt rattle great car no problems at all with it.