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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  2001 Eclipse GT - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mariom - February 24 - 10:00 am

  The Eclipse GT is a solid "fun-ride". It looks great inside and out. The fuel economy is good. I have had no problems with mine except the drivers window sticking a little in cold weather.

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  Nice Car - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Good/Car - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Im 16 and this is my first car. I like it a lot and it definently is easy to pick up girls riding around in this thing. I would recomend it to anyone.

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  Great Car - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Erika - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I have had my car for three years and I still love it. I really enjoy driving it. I feel very safe in this car, unlike a few other cars that I test drove. I have had no maitenance work done on it, just the regular oil changes and tire rotations, and it is still performing great.

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  Extremely Fun Car! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Jonathan - January 31 - 10:30 am

  The 06 Eclipse is one of the best cars around. I was about to buy a Scion tC but this car caught my eye before I almost got that. Im so happy I got this! Its the best when your driving home with the windows down and everyone stares cause most people havent seen it on the road! Ive only seen two on the road since I got it, and Ive had it for a couple months now.

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  Not so good - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By KellyDee - January 17 - 2:23 am

  Not the best car ever. I only get about 23 mpg doing regular driving of city and highway combined. Stock 10 point rims were bent and found out everyone was having problems with these rims, causing accidents. I replaced them immediately. Paint is peeling from a cheap clear coat. Second gear doesnt always catch. A lot of people have these problems, not just me. Trunk pulls broke. The only good thing is its fun to drive, and looks good. Handles turns pretty well. And does not suck up much oil at all.

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  new 3G eclipse GTS - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Joe Rocker - January 14 - 2:00 am

  This car has speed and style at the same time, it has better overall acceleration thand its class average. It has a new variable induction air intake managment system which is really cool, its fast and can beat the groups quarter mile timings, has a relatively soft suspension. It is really fun to drive nice torque rev in engine, but with a low pulse. But I have to appreciate that its fast and has good acceleration.

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  sweet car!! - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By GSXpower - January 6 - 10:00 am

  bought it with 15K, now have 40k, no problems (with regular maintenance). turbo needs to be taken care of, but nothing major. ride is choppy: you feel every bump. ride is also noisy, but not really noticeable. radio is directly in front of shifter: cant use it while in first gear

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  Buy One!!!! - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Frank - December 27 - 7:10 am

  This is an amazing car!!!! The ride is excellent especially for a sports car, and the interior is amazing. Love the blue gauges. I have the 4cyl. and there is tons of power!!! Great bang for the buck!!!

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  We Love It But There Are Problems - 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By argentum - December 22 - 12:20 pm

  This car reminds me in some ways of the pony cars of yesteryear. Its heavy, wide and long and low to the ground. But of course its way better. The 6 cyl is more responsive than most of the old 8s. The car handles far more sweetly and the inside is quiet. Even though the ride is tight, its not too hard. And all around mpg is always over 20. There are problems though. During fairly hard cornering on right turns there is a noise from the left side that sounds like a blown cv joint. Slowing down at highway speeds produces some serious vibration especially in the steering wheel.Interior fit and finish is awful.

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  The 2006 Eclipse RULES - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mplschemo - December 11 - 3:36 pm

  I recently bought a 2006 Eclipse and man does it rock! It definitely turns heads. The torque that it puts out is insane for a car that size and can easily beat most stock cars on the market today. Driving at night is awesome. The interior glows a dark blue and everything is easy to read. The only downside to the car is the gas. I drive this car so hard and fast that I get about 15 miles per gallon in the city. Sure, you can get the 18 mpg if you drive nicely but why would you buy this car if you were going to? All around this is an excellent car and I will be driving it for many years!