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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  Going strong - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By shep - January 21 - 2:03 pm

  I bought this in 2003 with 28k miles. Always get regular service done on this car and I now have 104k miles on it. The car has held up well and it still looks great compared to others on the road. I plan to keep it going as long as I can unless something major turns up. Its been reliable and is still fun to drive.

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  Great car - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By christopher - January 10 - 1:13 am

  Great car. Bought this car new, had it about 7 1/2 years; car has never had any major repairs, just regular maint. I have never even had a tune up and it has over 150,000 miles. Gets average 25 miles to a gallon; on highway only about 27. Its been a great car.

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  People stop me everywhere about my car! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By SherriRhiannon - January 9 - 9:26 am

  I get stopped by strangers everywhere so they can tell me how much they like my car! It looks like and sports car and drives like one! The new body style is gorgeous and original. The interior is made for the driver, not the passengers, no room for a backseat passenger.

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  Happy With the Car. - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By BartD - December 6 - 5:23 am

  I have had the car for almost 2 years. I have had no mechanical problems with it and still has the same power as when I got it from the dealer. The only problem was my driver seat motor broke, and squeaky brakes. But all were replaced under warranty. Im happy with the car, but I am getting tired of squeezing passengers in. The road/wind noise is also starting to get to me. When you first purchase the car your notice the wheel gap is huge. While on the mitsu posters/commercials there is none. Lower the car to make it look better. I have gotten nothing but compliments for this car. It is great,strong engine, quality seats, and fun to drive but it is not very economical

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  Big Engine, Sloppy Car - 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By fiveskin - December 1 - 4:36 pm

  This was engineered as more of a pretty car than a useful one. It weighs too much for a sport coupe(>3500 lb), the turning circle is ridiculously wide (40 ft) and thats pretty much SUV territory. It also has numerous blind spots such as wide pillars and tiny side windows. The side mirrors are also too small. You will definitely have problems parking this car in a tight space. There is a noticeable under steer. The interior also suffers from cheap looking materials even with the leather option. The plastics are all over the place such as the door handle and middle dash, it almost feels like youre sitting in a toy-car. The rear seat is expectedly only useful for storage. It needs a new design.

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  Fun to Drive - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By royce - October 20 - 12:03 am

  I have thoroghly enjoyed this car my only problems have been the SRS system in the passenger seat. The car safety features are the most appealing. I was driving home from Cleveland when an ice/snow mix started falling. A vehicle spun out in front of me and I applied the brakes. That along with the traction control prevented a major accident.

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  A fun car with minor problems - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By MitsuBenji913 - October 10 - 2:33 am

  I havent had my 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT very long, but I already love it. The car itself looks great, Ive had random people on the street comment on it and often see people watching my car drive away. The inside looks good too, with the leather and design, but the controls could look a little better. Appearance isnt everything but they know that. This car had a lot of power and is a lot of fun to drive. Most other cars are left in the dust, although this does hurt the fuel economy a bit. Its painfully apparent that Mitsubishi does make these cars cheaply, though. The previous owner had to replace the clutch and Ive read about major problems this car has. I still recommend it.

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  great starter - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By crow - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I also own a 2002 acura RSX, as well as my eclipse. I loved the car at first but it needs alot of improvments, compaired to the RSx it has no tork, and alot less comfort. To my surprise I loved the factory radio-sounds great. Has alot of extra room that could have been avoided-after driving the RSX and then geating into my eclipse it is a real ruff ride.

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  Looks arent everything - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Ryalage - August 23 - 10:00 am

  For looks, I love this car. Its one of those cars that I have to turn around a look at whenever I walk away from it. The interior isnt perfect, but close. It falls short with the steering wheel placement. The gauges are covered by the top of the wheel when the tilt is set for best comfort. And this car is a blast to drive. Theres just enough power, but the handling could be better. Then the problems start. The clutch rattles, the sunroof jitters when opening, the rotors warp VERY easily, the interior (dash, consoles) shakes and Ive had the bearings replaced. These are all common problems with the 3rd generation Eclipse.

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  Beautiful Car - 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By ilikemoney3 - August 20 - 12:35 pm

  This car is pretty nice to have it is fun to drive but not the best unfortunately. I wanna start with the pros of this car. Looks are sharp! I mean my kalapana black eclipse turns heads all the time and gets me solid compliments. Its a nice little 4 banger perfect for me and my chick. Installed HID 8000k lights, LED interior and License plate LED, modded exhaust, and Cold Air Intake.