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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  Sweet Car - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By The Jaje - September 6 - 2:13 am

  After reading the Edmunds review on this car, I had to see for myself, so i went to the dealership (after playing phone tag with the salesman) and they had two on the lot... an Orange and a Silver. Well, thats that, I drove out of the dealership an hour later in a brand new Orange Eclipse on May 28th. It has been a dream come true. Its incredibly fast, but the ride is so comfortable that you hardly notice any roughness in the road. A real step up from my last car (95 Lumina). I think I am in love with it, its just a very well built car which is incredbly fun to drive. Go out and test one for yourslef, you will feel like i did.

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  Impressive, but not a fan at 1st - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Fraws - August 28 - 10:30 am

  I never cared for this body style at 1st, but since I had credit problems in the past I wasnt able to get into a newer Eclipse. I have owned this car since Feb 29th 2008 and let it be known that this car is pretty sweet. The drive is nice, power for a 4 cylinder is tight. Its no 6, but gas prices these days makes this a more a advantage. I love to mod cars and the aftermarket has plenty to go with this car. Eat your heart out boy and girls this car is for REAL.

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  Great car - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By tracker j - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Very fast and responsive and grips the road phenomenally. Because of AWD, it turns like on a rail. Excellent in snow too. I compared to a WRX with great expectations, but this car has indistinguishable performance, plus leather, s/r and good looks. Almost no repairs in 5 plus years--the best of any car Ive owned, which includes some great Euro sports sedans.

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  Great Car! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Ryan - August 25 - 9:10 am

  This is a great car for the money. I have had it for about a year with no problems. It gets awesome gas mileage and has awesome looks. All of my friends are jealous..

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  about eclipse quality - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Elvir - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I love this car its sports car but "COPS" dosn`t stop me anymore because most of this type of vihicle drive female and they dont stop them

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  My Eclipse - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By massivetidalwave - August 14 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love my car! Its cute, comfortable and reliable. Theres nothing I dont love about it!

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  Eclipse review - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Inkburrower - August 7 - 4:30 am

  Nice car

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  The Eclipse is Back and Better than Ever - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Gustavo - August 2 - 10:50 pm

  I bought a new 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT in May of 2005. I have enjoyed it and continue to enjoy it. The outside physical appearance is aggressive and mean. The interior is sporty and sophisticated at the same time. People stare at it while driving down the road. If you like what it looks like on the pictures on this web site then imagine what it will look like once it is fixed up. I have already tinted the windows and added 20" rims. I plan on adding a body kit once they become available to make it look even better. I recommend it to anyone in the market for a new car.

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  Good style and reliable - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By J - July 27 - 8:53 pm

  Have had the car for going on 7 yrs and still love it. No real issues with the car (only the timing belts which were expensive). Brakes lasted 60K, still original clutch, leather still looks great (garage kept). Still performs great. I have been very happy with this car. I have read some of the other reviews and have had none of the issues mentioned in the negative reviews. Only criticisms I can agree with is the small turn radius (though not as big deal as some make it) and the hatch channels water into the edges of the trunk space when it is raining (only if you open the hatch all the way though). I have had every Eclipse except the newest body style and have been the happiest with this one.

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  Holds up to standards... - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By dsciandra - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I drove a Mitz 3000GT and wanted a comparable new car when I was ready to buy. This car was not a step down, it is smooth, quick, stylish, comfortable. I recommend the leather package with sun + sound, it makes it stand out when outside the car. Also, when AC is on, you feel a noticable decrease in acceleration, I suggest a performance air filter to give you a 10% boost in HP. Love my car, waiting to buy the new 2006 when it comes out!