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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  Never Never Buy Again - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By zhibing li - March 16 - 12:10 am

  Owned this vehicle less than 4 months, and had to spend $800 to repair the condenser. Dealership and manufacturer claimed it is not under warranty as the damanage might be caused by road hazard. Heard someone that had 400 miles had the same bad luck as I did. Just to remind buyers to be wary of this potential problem with the Eclipse as the condenser is poorly protected.

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  Awesome Car - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Happy Consumer - March 14 - 10:00 am

  We have had this car almost 2 years now with no problems. Bought it brand new late 2001. All we’ve had to do is change the oil and put gas in it. Just hit 20,000 mi. This is a very good-looking reliable car. You should get a ‘manual’ GT with the Premium package. The leather adds a hint of sophistication to the interior and the V6/manual transmission gives you more than enough power to play. Highly recommended.

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  Shes got it where it counts. - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By stonecutter2 - March 1 - 8:13 am

  I owned a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS Automatic 4 cylinder for almost 10 years, bought new in Nov. 2001. This car was fun to drive, had great gas mileage, and really was pretty reliable. I will certainly miss my 02 Eclipse, but it was time for something more family friendly. First, the negatives, to get them out of the way (no issues for the first 5 years of ownership - all of this occurred after 5 years): The sunroof was jittery when opening, had to be assisted in popping up, the hatch wouldnt stay up by itself in cold weather, the dashboard cracked on its own, center speaker blew/dry rotted at 7 years, O2 sensor needed replacing and so did the A/C compressor condensor.

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  Eclipse Machoman - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Alex - February 25 - 11:23 am

  I am sales representative for computer products in Puerto Rico and my GT 2006 has 98000 miles without any problems.

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  Very nice design and very low quality. - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By deadeclipse.com - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new and since the day one it had major clutch - transmission related issues. Brakes went out 2 times, gearbox rebuilt and still shifts very hard. Dealer service never finds any problems. $2K in rust repair after being less than 2 years old and the list goes on.... www.deadeclipse.com pretty much sums it up. It is true shame, because this car could be so much fun and I do like the design of it a lot.

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  Good combination of sport and luxury - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Obi-Wan - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Looked at the Acura RSX, Toyota Celica, and Hyundai Tibutron. The Tiburon was quite a value, but build quality was noticebly cheaper, and resale poor. Celica and RSX were nice, but somewhat plain, and the RSX had to be revved between 7-8K rpm to get the last 40 hp out of the 200 hp engine. Eclipse is longer and heavier, but much more comfortable for front seat passengers, especially on longer drives. 210 HP is readily available at all speeds, and 5 spd manual is sporty enough for mountain roads. So its not "fast and furious" but it is sport luxury without having to rev like a formula 1 racer.

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  My Eye Catcher - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By dee - February 15 - 5:33 am

  The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse is awesome! I get plenty of people asking if they can look inside. I even got a couple of thumbs up on the interstate while taking a weekend trip.

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  I am still driving it and it has 36,868 - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Eclipse driver - February 1 - 10:36 pm

  My car has never given me one bit of trouble. I loved it from the first time I saw it. It is red. I am the only owner and bought it new from the showroom. The only problem I have had was the check engine light that has come on twice since I have had it. It is on now so I hope this is not the beginning of problems. I did find out that if you do not screw the gas cap until it clicks at least 4 times that the check engine light could come on. I think the gas cap is a little loose now, which may be the problem. Had it checked today and said the engine was fine so dont know why the light wont go off. I will investigate but it still drives as good as ever. I just love my car... everything!

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  Still lovin it - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Bobbi - January 26 - 9:33 pm

  I have a 95 BMW 325is and I think this car is more fun to drive. Its comfortable, sporty. I drive like a bat outta hell (75-80 mph, highway) and I still get 25 mpg. Love the body style too! I would highly recommend it.

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  Fun Car - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Michael Farmer - January 13 - 10:00 am

  This is not a Famliy car or a first time car for teens. Its quick and fast and for most People that drive to and from work its just fun. A great car for two that likes to take long drives on the week ends.