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 GS - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By SBH - May 2 - 10:00 am

  The sticker said 22/30 MPG. I get 29 around town and around 35 MPG on long trips. That combined with a 16 gallon tank makes for long legs. This car has a great ride on long trips. Very smooth. You have to gas it a little more from the stoplight when the AC is running but that is to be expected with a 2.4L. However, the power band is rather surprising in 2nd and 3rd in between 2,000 and 3,000 RPM.

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  Poor Interior Design and Materials - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By thomcat30 - May 1 - 11:10 pm

  The motor and transmission on this car have been reasonably reliable, there are problems with the motor mounts failing on this model, the car itself has never been weather tight meaning several leaks during rain storms etc. The car should get better gas mileage IE 25 to 27 mpg highway. The dash has been a flop. The plastic just crumbles into a heap of plastic. Dont waste your time on hiring Dr. Vinyl, just get a cloth cover and call it good.

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  One HOT Little Car - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By kemezei - April 25 - 2:20 pm

  I love my car! This is my second Eclipse, I traded my 03 model for the 07 and I have no regrets. I am always getting compliments on my car. If you dont want to be noticed this is not the car for you. I cant even pump gas into my car without someone coming up to talk to me about it. If you are looking for a family car this is also not the car for you. The backseat serves no purpose other than to put a purse on it when I have a passenger but then again I bought the car for me and being 18 backseats arent important to me. Foglights are also a must because it makes the car look better and not so cheap with the black plastic inserts.

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  Love My Mits - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By CHIKNBOO53 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. There have been no mechanical problems, it performs well under all circumstances. The mileage on my car are 85% hard (city driving) and it doesnt seem to mind at all (even though it do love the open road!)

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  My lil blue eclipse - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Babygirl3482 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I definately like this car but when I first got it, it had alot of problems such as my spark plugs going every week and needing to get them replaced, the battery went after 18 months along with the brakes and my two front tires. Besides that its pretty reliable, it hasnt broken down on me yet...

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  THE BEST CAR EVER! - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By john2002 - April 17 - 2:00 am

  THANK YOU ECLIPSE !!!

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  GREAT CAR!!! - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By NEO - April 17 - 2:00 am

  FUN TO DRIVE! Excellent Car!

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  NICE CAR!!! but i like the 1999 model - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Christian - April 17 - 2:00 am

  It is so fun to drive i got the GT V6 engine w/ premium package but i really dont like the exterior design.i want the previous model (1999).The interior design is PERFECT!.

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  Better Looks, Better Performance - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Mitch from DC - April 15 - 3:23 am

  My new 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS has been great. With its new interior and exterior design, it causes people to ask about it and forces many stares. Pros would have to be that at least the front of the car is comfortable, but the back could use some more space. The Rockford Fosgate stereo with the 6-CD changer is a must. Other than a big turning radius everything else has been fine.

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  My fun car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By kay juneau - April 4 - 8:26 pm

  I loved my car. IT has been excellent but one thing I dont like is the whole dash cracked on it other than that I would not give nothing for my car ever. I like my eclipse so much I kept it and bought myself another one, a 2007. I hope that I will enjoy it as much as my 2003 I still have.