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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  Steel Blue Mitsu - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By hahmed87 - September 14 - 3:20 am

  I love the color that I got. The car is pretty quick for a GS. I like the style of the body, and most definitely love the interior light. I love the sub they included and plan on putting in my own.

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  good - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Jeremy Gadner - September 12 - 10:00 am

  This car has been so reliable and i get looks from people just because of the excellent design of the body style. Its a fun car and i love my eclipse.

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  Engine is a disaster, but fun to drive - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By D-Ro - September 11 - 6:20 am

  I bought this car used in 2007 with about 65k. Ive had to replace the timing belt (needs it every 75k). Had some issues with the CPU, idle control unit, and gasket seals. It is a blast to drive, and so much fun. I love the look, the sound system, everything. All 210 horse power under me is just incredible. With the manual transmission downshifting at 60 or even 70 mph is such a rush. The thing accelerates in 5th gear, what more could you ask for? I accelerate and Im at 60 before I know it! New tires December 2007 in the midst of a week long snow storm, and the improvement in the snow has been amazing. I only skid in about 2-3 inches of snow- anything else is a breeze to get through

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  Happy with my 2nd Eclipse - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By ronnys - September 1 - 10:00 am

  No problems to speak of yet with 19,000 miles on my 01

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  Sure do Like my 2000 GT Eclipse! - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By imgtgim - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Bought my 2000 GT Eclipse new in May 2000, and this is the first / only one Ive ever bought new. Still own it now in late 2010, and still love it! Ive never had any repair work, except typical maintenance to replace brakes, belts, tires, etc. Still runs great! When my wife tells me to "wind-it-up baby!" the engine purrs and the (original) muffler still has a deep-throat throttle sound. It really is nice to drive anywhere, in-town or on the road, and I really like the pseudo shift from automatic to "manual" for winter driving (i.e., when bumper-to-bumper" on snow & ice. Id think about trading-in for new but whats the point? If it aint broke, don;t fix it!

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  I LOVE this car! - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Silver3ZGEclipseGT - August 29 - 7:03 am

  Smoothest V6 Ive come across, has a great exhaust note, nice engine purr, great performance and handling, stylish and superbly designed, an all around EXCELLENT Car!

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  I love my eclipse - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By morena - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I love my mitsubishi eclipse. It is by far the best car I have ever driven. It handles great, and the best part, everywhere you go you get compliments on it! I will defintely buy another one.

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  Beautiful and Powerful choice - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By juanrs - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is one hot car. Ive always wanted an eclipse since the new style came to market in 2000 but this was my year. The 2004 was completely redesigned and it shows. The GTS has superior power and comes fully loaded.

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  Overall a good vehicle - 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By sportbiker3 - August 25 - 11:20 am

  Had the vehicle for about 3 weeks now and overall I am very happy with it. V6 engine is powerful. Exterior styling is unique and gets lots of attention, especially with the SE package. Also love the interior "ice blue" dash lights. Only have a few small complaints. The satellite radio does not display artist/song information like it does in my other vehicles!! And the little blue light that comes on when you turn the highbeams on is way too bright and is annoying to the driver... no way to dim that light with the dash controls.

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  Love at first drive! - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Amy - August 20 - 6:10 pm

  My Eclipse is absolutely the car of my dreams. I wouldnt have another car..especially for my first car. Its been a great gas saver--about 300 miles to the tank which costs 25 dollars to fill up! Ahhh, it really was love at first drive!