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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  My Eleventh Mitsubishi Eclipse - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Chanel - November 3 - 11:06 am

  Of all the previous Eclipses I have owned, my 99 Spyder GST was always my favorite, until now. The 06 Eclipse GT drives like a dream. I have it in Liquid Silver (I should have bought black). I am thinking about having it painted Northstar White (the color of my 99 Spyder). I have received more compliments with this car than any other. My vehicle has dealer dark tint, and Mitsubishi sport pinstriping included. So Hot! The iPod in the glove box is HOT! This car has style, is sleek, and five of my friends purchased one within a week of me purchasing mine. This is my second 2006 Eclipse and I love them. BUY ONE!

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  00 GT - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By McClipse - October 30 - 2:00 am

  great looking fun car!!!!

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  A Wow Car - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Flatlandersteve - October 24 - 7:26 am

  The 2007 Eclipse is a dream car. It has the styling of a small speedster, the beauty of a classic sports hatchback, and the get up and go of a roadster. The 6-cyl. 14 valve, 260 HP engine, provide plenty of power to rock the road. Do not hestitate to take it for long drives. The car hugs the road. Its ride is very comfortable and there is plenty of room for luggage, the dog, the cooler and the golf clubs. Whether you go with the hard top with the sunroof, or the convertible Spyder, you cannot make a bad choice here. I was set on a two seat roadster so I drove the Solstice, the Sky, the RX-8, and the G6. The Eclipse won the day. There is no need to spend your life savings, you can have it all with the Eclipse.

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  eclipse 2003 - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By sharp - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I used to own a Z28 camero. I thought there would never be another car that i could fall in love with again, but i was wrong. I bought the 2003 eclipse 2 weeks ago and love everything about it. The interior is a great--midnight shade. i love how the blue fades with the black. just wanted everybody to know how wonerful the car is!!!!

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  Love, love love the color !!! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Sanatweety - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I have just gotten my car so I dont know how great it really is yet, but its a very pretty car & fast didnt know how fast until I took it out of the show room. Vey roomy for the driver & passager but the back seats are very small & no leg room, but I still love the car.

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  Need Performance Boost - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By bizhorse - October 6 - 10:00 am

  It is not a bad deal for a $20,000 car, yet I have always struggled with the poor performance. Like another review from a magazine:"It looks a lot sportier than it drives". Everything else is not bad except for the noise. It gets really loud on the highway, I could barely hear my radio.

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  Love this car - 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Laurie - October 6 - 4:43 am

  I love the way this car handles. The four cylinder engine performs great and gets good fuel economy. The handling, performance, look and feel of the car give the impression of riding in a high end sports car without the high end price tag.

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  2006 Eclipse 6 SPD - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Ken - October 5 - 12:00 am

  I put 135,000 miles on a 1996 Eclipse GST-5 spd. I have waited for years for a satisfactory replacement in terms of performance, looks and being fun to drive. The 2006 Eclipse GT fits! It has so much torque at the low end! I love upshifting at 2,000 RPM, just to feel the incredible torque! VITEC kicks in at about 4,000 RPM. I hit 4,000 RPM so seldom Im always stunned at the extra power. The owners manual states max MPH per gear as 55 (2nd), 80 (3rd), 108 (4th). This is ~6,000 RPM. These are reasonable speeds as HP peaks at 5750 and engine is red lined at 6500. At any speed between 15-100, the drive train is happy in any of 3 gears! Pay very close attention when down shifting though as its easy to get cross the gate and get 3rd instead of 5th, or 2nd instead of 4th.

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  Good looks can be deceiving - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Lukeser - September 29 - 10:00 am

  The third generation Eclipse is one of the sharpest looking vehicles on the road. Mitsu engineers did a fine job with its lines. They also made a lot of people happy by putting a V6 engine in the top model. This is one of the most affordable sports cars (bang for your buck) on the market.

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  Good car, but not a sports car... - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By monepit2003 - September 17 - 8:13 pm

  I bought the car new in May 02 and had to replace the factory clutch in Sept of 02. The car now has 53k on it and I have only had to replace the front breaks. No problems since then w/ anything mechanical. But, for essentially a two-seat sports car it could be faster. The seats should also be more supportive and less cushiony. The suspension is noticable soft/bouncy and feels more like youre in a sedan than a sleek hatchback. It also turns like a Mac truck (40+ ft turning radius!) overstear also becomes a problem w/ more spirited driving. Consider the Acura RSX as well if you are considering a Mitsu.