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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  2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Karen OSullivan - May 21 - 10:40 am

  This car is AWESOME! Its great looking, handles great, has good safety features, has good fuel economy, has an incredible sound system, has great acceleration (surprising for a 4 cylinder!), nicely lighted guages, and is really really fun to drive! It is definitely a great car for the money. GO FOR IT!

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  Zippy Car!! - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Synthplaya - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Wow, what a great car. . Ive always wanted an Eclipse, so I went ahead and bought a 98 GS. Its a 5 speed,and I am having ALOT of fun. Sometimes I wish it had a little more power (140 hp isnt TOO bad)..However, this is one of the easier and popular import cars to modify/upgrade. Ive seen some pretty wicked 95-99 eclipses with body kits and turbos..all aftermarket stuff. My only gripes are the few minor repairs ive had to have done to it. The Check Engine light was on due to some wires gone bad, and a little corrosion. Overall, Im pretty happy about my purchase, and i look forward to having this car for years to come!

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  2003 Eclipse GS coupe - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By superstar - May 7 - 10:00 am

  Just got an Eclipse GS coupe yesterday. So far it is a good car. Its cute, and fun to drive but also practical. Mitsubishis "Zero zero zero" finance program is great.

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  2006 Eclipse GT - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By usmcweathr - May 6 - 4:00 pm

  Have only had for 2 weeks and have only put 445 miles on it but so far I love it. I like the red/blue dash lights. The drivers seat is very comfortable although I have not taken it on any long trips yet. Gas mileage could be better but if I was really concerned about it I would not of got it. Forget about putting anyone in the back seat. Where I have the drivers seat there is about 2 inches left. Its very fun to drive and is fast. The car really takes off in 2nd and 3rd at 4,000 rpms. I got the Rockford/fosgate system and it sounds great. Overall this is a great car so far and I would recommend it to anyone looking at them.

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  Owesome interior - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Osman Aviles - May 4 - 10:00 am

  2 and 1/2 years ago I was amazed with the looks of the car outside but it was even better when I saw the interior of the car, it is and unusual dash it is not square looking it was a little round it felt like a spaceship, the only concern about it is after a while you feel that the car has lost its power and you have to constantly do tune ups, specially alignments.

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  Love to drive! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By melissa - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE my 03 GS, its everything I wanted in a car...fun to drive, cute, sporty, reliable, zippy, economical. Wish I had a longer commute to work. Does 55+ MPH "like buttah!"

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  Poorly built - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Mikeman1 - April 25 - 2:00 am

  My Eclipse is fun to drive, and a pretty good performer, but the build quality is extremely low. I noticed a ticking sound in the engine only after 8,000 miles. When I pressed the clutch in, the ticking goes away. The dealer said this is normal wearing of the clutch! Spoke to Mitshubishi directly, and they agreed. The clutch is obviously bad. Theyre just waiting for the warranty to expire (10,000 miles) before telling me I need to pay for a new clutch. Trying to get rid of this car ASPA. Creeking, squeeking, etc. Poor build quality. I was warned not to buy a Mitshubishi. Wish I took the advice.

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  I love my car - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By NeverSummer420 - April 16 - 6:46 am

  My car has really been good to me. It only has 60,000 on it but it still drives like she was brand new. Granted you always have to do preventive maintenance to keep em running well, but it is very reliable and a very sexy car.

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  2004 Eclipse - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Cody - April 2 - 6:13 pm

  Went to test drive the car and immediately feel in love with it. We wanted to see how the handling was, and found going 65 around a 40 mph curve is a breeze. It pulled right into the curve, and didnt make me adjust at all. All in all, wow!

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  We Love our Eclipse! - 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Lindiglo - March 30 - 7:43 am

  We have only had our Eclipse since Feb 2005....so far we love it! We are in our 40s and this car has a way of making you feel 20 years younger. With the sunroof open, and the whole day ahead of us.......we are young again. Our Eclipse is Pearl White, and we put a black bra on the front, I truely think its the sharpest looking car in our city.