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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  2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS - 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By jim o - August 2 - 3:10 pm

  Okay - its only been 2 months but I also own a 2003 Maxima (Which I love) and this car rides BETTER and is more fun to drive! Not as quick but oh so close...Both cars have Goodyear Eagles. Unlike on the Maxima, they are very sticky on GTS- even in the rain. This is a tight car. It gets lots of compliments! Will post review after one year and winter in New York City. I Love this car so far. I intentionally purchased a 2005 model, the 2006 model looks too wierd for me.

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  Easy ar to own - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By AHG - July 27 - 10:00 am

  After 60K miles this car continues to be trouble free. I have replaced rotors myself at 30K and OEM tires after 58K. I have yet to take it to a dealer except for an alloy fuel cover that dealer replaced when it corroded. This car is under rated. Im 62" and I have headroom and legroom. It handles well, runs smooth and still looks new.

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  2007 Eclipse GS - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By MitsuMadness - July 25 - 12:56 pm

  This is my first Eclipse and I love it. I get so many comments from so many people and it feels good. I wish the car was lighter and had dual overhead cams instead of a single because Im 24 and I like to have a lot of power, but with modifications it could be a power house. Over all I love the car, the feel of it on the road, the inspirated racing seats, the blue gauges astound me every time. This is a very fun car to drive and fun to look at, its a real eye catcher.

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  mitsuubetcha - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Jim Jaques - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Love it from new ,want to see the next eclipse to take its place...

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  Powerful - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Very Hot Car - July 21 - 1:40 am

  The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT is at the top of its class. it is great looking inside and out and has awesome power. I would put this car up against most other cars on the road today. it is extremely quick off the line and has smooth on the highway. It handles great. Did I mention the power? This is the perfect sports car. I had a BMW 328 Coupe before this car and by far the 2006 Eclipse is better and faster. I highly recommend it.

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  Eclipse Owner - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Eclipse owner - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I have had my car for almost three years, and until now I have had no problems whatsoever. However, recently I found that there was a problem with the ignition switch that is prevalent in all Eclipses. When it goes bad, the clock, radio, and air conditioning will sometimes not work. If I had not purchased my extended warranty, it would have cost $282 to have fixed. Other than this, I have loved my car.

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  Luv My Rocket Super Fun... - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By tashaluv2 - July 8 - 12:35 pm

  We Pd 700 bucks for it 3 years ago & did minor work tires,ect basic stuff & few weeks ago the clutch went so we replaced it a bit of a job but clutch is One Piece but we did it.U find oodles of parts on Net & not expensive & just bought an 05 V6 & Id rather drive this one w over 150k miles & have 5 cars & Id rather drive my rocket and Std trans ride is Fun,Fun...

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  Dont drive to work - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By A - July 7 - 9:40 pm

  From the day I bought the car, I just liked it, not loved it. I didnt buy it for the gas mileage, so I wasnt expecting good mileage. The power was fun (manual makes it better), but I notice all the other things like the blind spot, rough ride and road noise. To top it off, when I took the car in for a shimmy while braking, I was told that it is normal for the rotors to have to be resurfaced every 10,000 miles. So have fun with the car, just dont use the brakes.

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  Zippity do dah - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Purchasinggirl - July 5 - 1:03 am

  I love this car! I have had people stop and take pictures of it with their cell phones. I am always being stopped and asked if thats the new Eclipse. The interior lights are great. The down side is that it is hard to backup because of the rear visibility. There is basically no back seat and it is difficult for tall people to fit in the front. I would have liked to have automatic door locks which is not an option. I feel safer knowing my doors have locked for me when I put the car in park. Lets not forget the stereo rocks!

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  I love this car!!! - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Jstagirl - July 2 - 2:00 am

  I have had my RS Eclipse about one and a half years and still love it. I was sold on the car from the moment i test drove it. It handles great, looks sharp and gets great mileage. My husband loves it as much as I do. We take turns driving it around town.