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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  pretty awesome! - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By jay215 - August 14 - 8:20 pm

  good and its really a Reliability car!

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  Over 115,00 and still running - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Toledored - July 29 - 7:36 am

  I was third owner and bought with 68,000miles. It is 4 years later and over 115,000 miles and running great! Very impressed with its high performance and handling. Still zippy and fun to drive; handles very well in snow, as long as its not too deep as the car sets low. Have had issues with aluminum rims and having to replace tires that wont seal the rims. Added a remote start so car heats quickly in cold. Had to replace shocks initially, but no problem in 4 years.

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  2001 eclipse - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Paul Smith - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Overall a nice car but it could be more reliable, I already had a few problems with mine. Ex. Something was wrong with the steering and I have to get that fixed.

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  Very Tight Ride - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Happy Consumer - July 16 - 10:00 am

  This is our 2nd Mitsubishi, first was a Diamanta. Got a GT with manual tran (a must to experience the full power of the V-6) and the premium pkg. Love the sport leather seats and dashboard design. Must accept that this is a 2 person car only; back seat is way to small for anyone not in a carseat. Mitsubishi must do something about there lifters; they go bad after 70k (right after you pwr tran runs out) and your tight ride start smoking. You can count on this ask any long term owner of a Mitsubishi. Very Very Very fun to drive!

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  Beautiful, affordable, good not great - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By JB - May 13 - 9:30 am

  The negatives on this vehicle are interior space. Hardly any back seat. Not good for extremely tall people. I am 64" and fit very snugly. Worst is severe blind spots. Very low to the ground. Handles very well. Average fuel economy for 4 cyl. Decent acceleration/power. Always been reliable. Speaker in trunk eliminates some storage space.

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  Great cars even used if you take care of it - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By overboost007 - May 6 - 3:11 am

  OK people lesson I am 6ft 8in tall, 260 lbs, I formally drove a 1999 Honda Accord EX CPE V6 with 248,000. Now I have a 2003 Mitsubishi clipse GTS 5 speed manual that had 98,000 on it when I bought it. The previous owner took great care of it. I went through it hard. I am just a DIY guy that knows car. This car was a good buy because of how it was taken care of. The dealers can clean it up but I know brakes, fuel systems, intake, transmission & engine. It is not rocket science. Research on line and make a good choice. The car runs great I will upgrade the brakes to what I like an just maintain it until I am ready to by a newer vehicle

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  Fun Car - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Gerardo Ceballos - April 17 - 2:06 pm

  Great car in my opinion, very fun to drive, mine is manual and the gears and the shifts are very sporty, the clutch is soft. It has a quick response when you switch to a lower gear, it has reasonably good acceleration for a 4 cylinder. I have had no trouble with the engine nor transmission. The interior is comfortable for the driver and one passenger if you are not big or tall. No room for the back seats, maybe for a child. The ride is very comfortable, the suspension is not that hard. It has good grip around corners. It is a bit noisy on the highway. In general a great car, I would buy again.

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  Good car for the money. - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Zhenia - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought mine in June of 2000. Since then I put 65,000 miles on it. Overall, I am happy with it. The price for it was just under $18K. The 0-60 time is rather slow, about 8.6 secs. I would have liked it to be faster. The back seats are cramped. However, the front seats are rather comfortable and arch my back very well. I like the stereo system. Its loud and pretty clear for my ears. I like the looks of an Eclipse. In my opinion Celicas are plain ugly so I went with Eclipse. So far I havent had any major problems or repairs other than your usual change oil, brakes, tires routine.

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  Fun, affordable, and good looking - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By bradk - April 1 - 11:00 am

  I bought my Eclipse (2001 Black GT) about a year and a half ago. I try to keep it out of the sun, however the roof is still beginning to fade and crack a little bit. Great fun to drive, could use a little more power but that would sacrifice the decent MPG. Easy to drive. Rear spoiler in the way occasionally, but not too bad. Corner support beam could be a little smaller for better visibility, Great look, great sound. Performance alright for the price range, I would call it a very sporty car, not a sports car. Never had any major mechanical issues, it used idle a little quick but just a minor adjustment. My trunk lid (part separating trunk from cabin) broke, no big deal. Not a bad buy.

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  Eclipse 07 GS - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Rob - March 31 - 12:33 am

  Purchased as a first car for my daughter but Im driving it more than she. Every time I drive it Im more impressed. Today I drove a combination of interstate and U.S. Rt 1 from Richmond, VA to D.C. in heavy downpours and lots of standing water with my wife and daughter onboard and felt in control at all times. Always looking for an excuse to drive. Peppy, sporty ride and handling, great braking, tight steering, just overall fun to drive. Lots of compliments on styling with the sunset color. Weird because I was looking for BMWs when my daughter talked me into driving it. The price was $500 more than Kelley Blue Book TRADE IN with the balance of a 6 year, 60,000 mile warranty.