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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Beautiful Car - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By LoCo68 - January 30 - 5:16 pmCouldnt wait for this to come out and I bought one of the first 2006 models on the market in June of 05. Owned an Eagle Talon in 92. Decided on the 4cyl due to the gas mileage. The car takes curves nicely and there is no lack of power. Wish I had upgraded to the 6c and the better sound system.
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Dude, I hit a deer. - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Alyssa M - January 28 - 11:00 amThis car is amazing. I owned a Cadillac before, and thought I would be disappointed, but its a lot of fun and drives great. I have been rearended by a heavy duty truck, and hit a deer at 50 mph - not a single scratch on the car. Its very reliable and takes a lot of abuse. Its the best car I have ever owned. I would highly suggest it to anyone. Its definitely a headturner, and unique, which were big pluses for me.
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Trash the Aston Martin, James Bond! - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By The Fox - January 26 - 8:43 pmI bought this car to replace an aging, 10 year old Ford Probe. My Mitsubishi Eclipse GT has turned out to be a true drivers car and equal to the Ford / Mazda. Ive had it for 5+ years and am still learning more about how to unlock the secrets of handling and all out performance.There are fewer places now where you can open her up but, when I do, it performs like a true GT car. Im 58 and started out driving MGs, this car is vastly superior to what those oxcarts could ever have been had they evolved to the present and embodies what a true GT car should be. Im still enjoying it, in fact I just bought new mags for it. James Bond wasted her Majestys money on the Aston, he should have gone with the Eclipse.
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LOVE MY ECLIPSE, 2ND ONE I OWNED - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By GABBY - January 25 - 2:00 amI LOVE TO DRIVE IT. THE ONLY CAR I HAVE OWNED & STILL LOVE IT. THIS IS MY 2ND ONE. WOULD RECOMMAND IT TO ANYONE. IT A PEPPY 4 CYCLE WITH VERY GOOD MPG
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Nice car - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Ambular0832 - January 21 - 10:00 amI have had this vehicle for about 2 years. I have had great experiences with it. It has not broken down, or anything broke on the car, which is different from my neon that I had before.
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Longterm lease - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By MarkAM - January 7 - 2:00 amI have had this vehicle for almost the full 5yrs and the only regret I have is that I didnt buy it outright. The car has performed flawlessly---even with 3 recalls for minor preventive fixes. (I never had problems) The cars balance handles well in snow (Midwest blizzard recently) and traction on wet roads I would rate as good.
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Great Car - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Bob MacMillan - December 27 - 5:43 pmI wanted a front wheel drive car -- I live in New England and this is my only car. Had a Saab which I enjoyed but this car is much much tighter and more fun to drive. Excellent power, engine sounds terrific, I feel like if I need to "go" into traffic, I can GO! After I read the review in early July in USA Today I was sold.
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Fun little car - 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Chriss - December 20 - 1:55 amActually my daughter purchased this car back in November, and I love it. The 4 cylinder motor isnt the fastest car on the road but it is really fun to drive. The sound system rocks and the heated seats are nice to have this winter. With a 10 inch bass cannon behind the back seat, the neighbors here us when we come and go. Lots of nice features with this car. Cannot comment on long term dependability since our 2012 has only 35,000 miles, but we love it so far.
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2006 Eclipse GT - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By APB - December 9 - 5:50 pmThis is my third Eclipse GT. The additional horsepower and torque are a welcome addition. The change to a sensor instead of manual throttle linkage spoils the drivers input on the manual transmission version. When the variable timing will kick in, becomes a guessing game and can have some unpredictable results. The lower first gear combined with 50-60 extra pounds of torque makes for a quick start, but during rush hour traffic, this is more of a hazard. Add bigger brakes for the extra weight. All of the new features related to computerization and sensors are probably better suited to the automatic transmission. They interfere with those of us that actually want to drive the car.
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Great Car - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Krondor - December 7 - 10:00 amThis is an awsome car. There is very little more you could want, except maybe the AWD and Turbo offered in years past.
