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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  more than i expected - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By deepnite - December 8 - 10:00 am

  i bought this car used with the premium package..its got everything in it..i was surprised at how much punch the motor had though ive gotten used to it and wish for more..i love this car and its the only one that get the use of the garage

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  Style and quality - the Eclipse - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Bob - December 7 - 10:40 am

  The Eclipse is the most beautiful car on the road bar none, at any price. It is a sculpted work of art that drives. I love it. It has more of a head-jerk factor than cars costing $100,000 more. I am disappointed in the gas mileage it is giving me - I am getting around 16 - 17 in the city, tis is for a 4-cyl. stick without running the a/c and not getting on it. The results on the highway arnt much better - maybe 24. It is geared pretty low. But I cant not love it, even with the terrible gas mileage. It is too nice.

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  Great Car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By STOPP@EARTHLINK.NET - November 16 - 6:46 am

  The Eclipse is a very fun car to drive and doesnt cost you an arm and leg to drive it. Its sporty , has good lines and is a car quick on response, a comfortable car that really makes driving exciting.

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  Great Car - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Keldot - November 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this car for four years now and absolutely love it. It is a heavy car which is great in winter driving conditions as well.

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  Love it - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By KennyB - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Had no problems yet. My friend has a 97 spyder and loves it too. We are street racers and these are great cars to soop up. They turn lots of heads and even if you dont race...It is a great car.

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  after 120,000 miles...... - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By parrot - November 10 - 10:46 am

  Other than wear and tear (brakes x1 each and new clutch at 100k), this car has been great! It is prettier than the one that replaced it; bought it new (gs was a little too much for me new) and have done NOTHING but Mobil 1 and drive it like mad! Still quick and fun, and I still smile when I look at it. Lots of wear and tear (door handle broke, cardboard thingy in trunk worn) because I have hauled everything from firewood to bookshelves to 2 mountain bikes in it. Its gone all over, Austin to Santa Fe, Big Bend, New Orleans. They need to work a little bit on locking trunk release, lift over hatch very high. But overall, a very great car, comparable to my Acuras. I am hard on cars; its held up

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  Fun Car - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Andi82 - November 2 - 7:13 am

  I love to drive my car but it is having an issue and the dealer does not know whats wrong because there are not codes. The good thing is that my warranty is not up till 12/09. Its not a fast car but its a blast to drive it corners great and has tones of low end power.

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  Poor Mans Porche 911 turbo! - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Shapingo Yama - November 1 - 10:00 am

  When I bought this car it only had 18000 miles. Yes you read that right eighteen thousand. Glanzmann Subaru got the car from a company in PA that used it as a company car. The car is in excellent condition. Almost new! (The previous owner was a smoker, so that bothers me) no offense smokers. This car has everything, AWD, Turbo, Looks, 17inch rims, good for factory system, power everything. Though Im not a sunroof fan. This car brings negative attention from the wanna bes though. Great car over all.

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  2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By diana - October 30 - 1:56 pm

  I bought this car for my daughter, and it is the best car. It is a real beauty we are very happy to have this 2006. We are getting lots of compliments on it. We traded in a 2003 spyder it was great too.

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  Amazing Car That Has So Much To Offer! - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Chuck - October 24 - 1:16 am

  Ive owned this car for over two years now and its given me nothing but fun, reliable, stylish transportation! I get around 25 mpg and the car has given me zero reliability problems. It receives many compliments and the driving experience is so sweet, that when you arrive to your destination you hate to park the car! Its just that fun to drive!