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:
Showing 31 through 40 of 775.00-
katrinas kar - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By hooleybags - August 18 - 10:00 amthe style is unmatched,fun to drive,great stereo,unbelievable sunroof,drove to new orleans in it and it was the most comfortable car i have ever had......great for traveling
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Underrated Car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By kobo1d - August 16 - 8:26 pmIve had my Eclipse GTS Automatic for a little over 4 years and it has been a very nice car. Bought used, still under factory bumper-to-bumper warranty, Ive driven it hard (currently at 67000 miles) and have had very little issues with it. The only problems with the car have been some electrical issues: The factory 6-CD player completely stopped working, refusing to play and making a horrible crunching sound constantly. Mitsubishi wanted $450 to fix it, so I just replaced it with an aftermarket setup. The switch for the passenger side window only rolls the window up, not down, so the passenger has to roll down their own window. Sunroof switch is touchy. And yes, the plastic scratches easy.
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2000 GT - 146,000 miles - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Michelle - August 13 - 11:56 pmI bought this car in 2002 with 35,000 on it. It has been a really good car. Just breaks and tires. The fuel pump did go out in 2009 and so did a bearing for my wheel. My hatch does stick, need 2 hands to open, plus the sunroof needs a hand popping open, that was like that when I bought it. I drive on the expressway to work back and forth 60 miles a day. Not too bad in the snow for being a sports car, but looking into getting a SUV for next winter. All and all got real lucky with this car, no major problems!
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Fun Sports Coupe - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Masahiro - August 13 - 4:26 pmIve been following the Eclipse since 8/05, and finally purchased the 06 Eclipse GT (6-seepd man.) in June after reading several reviews and a few car magazine articles. I test drove the Audi TT Coupe in 5/06, and was impressed. Then, I drove the Eclipse the following week. Again, I was impressed! If money wasnt an issue, Id buy the Audi TT. Not because of any quality issues, but because it came in AWD. For the price, however, the Eclipse was a much better buy. Its also a sharper looking coupe than the TT - it really gets noticed! In our household, we have an 00 Nissan Maxima SE and an 03 Nissan Sentra SE- R Spec-V (6-speed.man.) But, they are not even close to my new Eclipse in performance!
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Awesome and fun ride!!!!! - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Anna - August 11 - 6:23 amThis is a wonderful car. I have the GT model and it is wonderful in the snow with the ABS, Front wheel drive and traction control. It is so much fun to drive, especially when teenagers are trying to race you from a complete stop. I have not had one thing go wrong with the car.
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Eclepse RS Hatchback - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Nima - August 10 - 2:36 pmThe car drives great. Watch for bumps though. Smooth steering, but a little trouble with quick acceleration. The car looks nice though. Ive had it 2 days, Ive already had over 10 people staring and 2 people stop completely, go in reverse and check it out. Great low priced car. Easy Stereo hook up, looks great with rims.2 Thumbs Up
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Enjoy Driving - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Jeff S. Ross - August 8 - 2:00 amThe acceleration will give you a rush. The sportronic 4 speed automatic with automatic overdrive is super, plenty of get up and go and when used as a manual, it is even more fun. Front seating is comfortable and roomy. Styling is super, this car will turn heads.
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Sweet Ride - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Zabian - August 6 - 8:46 amI have only had the vehicle for a week, but I LOVE IT. I owned a 2000 GT and the new style and engine is by far a vast improvement.
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Mitsubishi need to fix this car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By gseclipse03 - August 3 - 10:53 amOwned the car for almost 6 yrs, this is my send eclipse had a 94, the quality in product has gone down and if it wasnt paid off I would sell it cause with 70k miles it parts are breaking that shouldnt. I wouldnt buy another Mitsubishi
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HOT - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Louis - August 1 - 9:03 amThis car is so hot! It has lots of power and the car looks HOT!! Plenty of room, love the sound system. 6 air bags + ABS.
