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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  Best car Ive owned - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By hot_karl - September 9 - 2:28 am

  After owning 3 Camaros I decided it was time to try something different so I went ahead and bought an Eclipse GT. I owned the car for 6 years and drove it hard all year round, did numerous cross country trips with it and had very few problems. It may not have been the fastest car out there but it was still very fun to drive. The handling felt great and the V6 sounded awesome when you revved it past 3000 rpm. Gas mileage hovered around 28-30 on my trips which consisted mostly of highway driving. I sold it about a year ago after I let a friend of mine drive it and he burnt up the clutch. Now Im trying to find another car that was just as great as my Eclipse was.

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  Nice to look at - 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By jrpowell01 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Just needed a car to get me to college. All I needed was a car that had a nice price target and looked nice.

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  Good hybrid of old eclipse and 3000GT - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By kiljaerdan - August 18 - 10:00 am

  This is a good strong vehicle with a low, wide sport stance. The handling is very good and nimble even above "driving" speeds. The interior is of intelligent design with only minor problems, like head room for those of us over 6 ft, which is compounded when you add the moonroof option. Economical with price and fuel, a good all around vehicle.

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  2000 GT - 146,000 miles - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Michelle - August 13 - 11:56 pm

  I bought this car in 2002 with 35,000 on it. It has been a really good car. Just breaks and tires. The fuel pump did go out in 2009 and so did a bearing for my wheel. My hatch does stick, need 2 hands to open, plus the sunroof needs a hand popping open, that was like that when I bought it. I drive on the expressway to work back and forth 60 miles a day. Not too bad in the snow for being a sports car, but looking into getting a SUV for next winter. All and all got real lucky with this car, no major problems!

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  Eclepse RS Hatchback - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Nima - August 10 - 2:36 pm

  The car drives great. Watch for bumps though. Smooth steering, but a little trouble with quick acceleration. The car looks nice though. Ive had it 2 days, Ive already had over 10 people staring and 2 people stop completely, go in reverse and check it out. Great low priced car. Easy Stereo hook up, looks great with rims.2 Thumbs Up

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  Mitsubishi need to fix this car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By gseclipse03 - August 3 - 10:53 am

  Owned the car for almost 6 yrs, this is my send eclipse had a 94, the quality in product has gone down and if it wasnt paid off I would sell it cause with 70k miles it parts are breaking that shouldnt. I wouldnt buy another Mitsubishi

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  2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By japanesewerkz - July 26 - 1:27 am

  Bought this car with 130k as a second owner. If your paint is black, it has been recalled. Luckily mine was well taken care off so I was able to use a clay bar and some ultra compund. The rims are also made by chrysler so they will rust. Other than that, this car is mechanically in great shape. It runs perfect, sounds good and just looks sexy. Mine has 152k and has just needed regualar maintainence. If you keep it up to date, then it will run. Ive seen many of these 4 cylinders hit 250k and still run great. Engine mounts and tranny are common things to replace a bit earlier than usual, other than though it runs and wont leave you with an empty pocket. Fuel econ. is decent though.

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  2002 Eclipse - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Bink21_2000 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I like this car. I also own a 2001 Honda Prelude and the Eclipse, while not as fast or sleek looking, is darn good. The V6 can almost keep up. The interior is nice and the body style is kind of muscly, which I like. My only complaints would be that the doors are very large and heavy and are always falling on me getting in and out. And there is absolutely no head room in the backseat. But then it is a hatchback.

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  Good If You Dont Want Your Kid to Speed - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By jeeppsu85 - May 21 - 10:26 am

  My car is beautiful, but has no personality. I treated her like a daughter. I washed and waxed her weekly or bi-weekly and maintained her on a regular basis. There has been no problems with the leaks that are usually found with this model. My only problem is I tend to have problems accelerating on the highway and going uphills. In the winter, the trunk has the grand ability to smack ya on the head. This is a beautiful car but it has low performance. The 420A inline 4 has amazing economy, it hits about 230-310 miles per full tank depending how you drive. To accelerate fast you need to turn the air/heat off to get full power to the engine.

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  Gets Job Done - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Ramesq - April 16 - 10:43 pm

  It was not a difficult choice, $0 down and 1.9% financing for 5 years. Decent acceleration, doesnt require premium gas, getting 26mpg combined, 39,700 with no problems whatsoever. Handles well and fairly quiet and comfortable. Shifter could be smoother and abs and side air bags not offered. Yes, there are other cars that offer more for the money (wife has Jetta with leather and abs and side airbags for same price) but in a cash crunch, Mitsu financing difficult to beat.