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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  2003 Eclipse GTS - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Scott Miller - February 5 - 10:00 am

  It hauls ass! Very fast car for the money but i do suggest turbocharging it.

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  my 09 eclipse - 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Kate - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I love the way the car drives. Its definately a quick car.

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  Great looking car - 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By sader - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Was looking for a sporty looking (mid- life crises?) car and found it in the Mitsubishi Eclipse. Havent won the Powerball yet, so the Ferrari is still a dream. This car handles well with the rack & pinion steering and though it wont beat a vette off the line, it looks like it could.

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  Still the "Fun" Sport Coupe - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Masahiro - January 27 - 3:23 am

  Its been nearly one and a half years and 16000 miles since I purchased my Eclipse. So far, it still performs like it did when I first got it. Its running great! Im totally satisfied with my vehicle. The only improvement I made last month was getting a new set of tires. Got the Kumho ultra high performance (slightly wider than the original Goodyears). And, it certainly was worth the money - rides even better! Im hoping to get many more "fun" years with this Eclipse.

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  GT Auto - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Decseh - January 24 - 7:43 am

  Hot looking car, very fun to drive. Car is hungry to go fast all the time. The 5 speed auto with sportshift is fun to drive, if you leave it in auto mode it shifts fast to provide better speed/acceleration. Awesome sound system. Nice leather interior. Great for someone who just rides themselves or maybe one other person. For 263 hp the cars gas mileage isnt too bad. I drive mostly city and Im getting about 16-17 mpg and probably about 25 on the highway. Thats driving with a lead foot too. I dont want to get rid of this car because theres not another car on the market that compares to it. Goes great in the winter as well with the FWD system.

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  I LOVE MY GTS - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Heatwrt - January 24 - 2:00 am

  My Eclipse GTS is the best car I have ever driven. I love the smooth ride and the persice handling. Everything is made so convient the controls to the radio are on the steering wheel and it has a 6 disc in dash cd changer. The sound quality of the stereo is superb. I love the way you feel when you get in and sink into those leather bucket seats.

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  Fun sports coupe - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Red GTS - January 16 - 5:10 am

  I wanted to buy my daughter the Eclipse in 2003, but opted for a "practical" 4 door vehicle. 4 years later, I helped her trade in the other vehicle for a red 03 Eclipse GTS (with only 20,000 miles). Its a sharp looking, great performing car. Made changes to the wheels (larger) and new wider Kumho tires. I own an 06 Eclipse GT (6M) and find it to be great. Now, Im glad to see her as an owner of the Eclipse she always wanted.

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  Mitsubishi Eclipse RS Hatchback - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Billchappyri - January 16 - 12:03 am

  Car holds up great is front end crash. Does not require much maintainance, however, spark plugs are not reliable at all!

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  Awesome "whip" - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Jennifer - January 3 - 10:46 pm

  I have had my 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse for about 6 months now. I have not had any problem with it and I love it. I get lots of compliments and looks, a lot of them from the police! I have always wanted an Eclipse and I am glad that I chose this one. I agree with everyone else in that it is a "drivers" car. There is not a lot of space in the backseat. It also became a little pricey when I went to tint the windows, because there were so many "little ones." I also think that the cost of repairs seems to be a bit expensive. I had my car for 3 months and hit a deer. it took almost 2 months to fix because of the new body style, but it isnt the cars fault.

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By marina - December 31 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle ...no complaints...Pretty decent in the snow...Love it! Sorry to hear the body style is changing in 2005. Should not change a good thing!