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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  bad ass - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By turbogs - October 25 - 2:00 am

  this is my second one the first one i had was a 95 and i think there great cars the only problem is not enough of power but thats what the turbo kits are for

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  slow, heavy, cheap interior materials, gas guzzler - 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Sean - October 18 - 5:05 am

  do NOT buy this car unless you are a short female. the seats hurt you spinal cord, neck and hips like a mother-fkr! I regret purchasing this car. The looks are great dont get me wrong but the power is horrid with the 4cyl. Everything in the car is ghetto-cheap plastic. What was Mitsubishi thinking???????? My spinal cord hurts now as I type this in my home. The car has destroyed my body. Ive seen chiropractors, acupuncturist galore... I have owned the car 5 years and planning on buying an SUV just so my body can heal! Im really heartbroken w/Mitsubishi. The End. Ps. If you do buy one make sure its 6cyl and please be short or your body WILL suffer!

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  Turrrrrbo - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By soundbarrier - October 8 - 10:00 am

  great little car, other than planned maint. I have had no problems with this car.

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  RS Review - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By maverick74 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  After owning the 00 eclipse RS for 3.5 years, overall i can say that the eclipse is decent car, its beautiful,reliability has been good, but performance and handling are little better than my 87 escort. Acceleration is decent but the car is too heavy. The front brakes have been a constant problem since i have owned the car.(brake vibration coming from front) Steering is slow and body roll is pronounced...not too much fun on curvy roads. Lots of road noise at highway speeds. The vehicle comes stripped bare in the RS trim so if you can afford it, go for the GS or GT. While i have fixed mine up, its better to get all the accessories from the beginning.

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  My Titanium Dream! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By missa122584 - September 24 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my car on April 30th 2003. I had many problems with the dealership in finalizing the purchase but when I finally got my car it was suddenly all worth it! I have had no problems with it so far (knock on wood). Everyone I know absolutly adores it! The only complaint I have got is from my basketball playing friends, "there is not enough head & leg room in the backseat"!

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  Awesome Car - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Travis - September 24 - 6:53 am

  Ive had this car for 2.5 years now, and its still a blast. I definitely recommend it to others if they are looking for an affordable sports car.

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  Excellent Car - 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Rob - September 14 - 8:40 pm

  I used to have a 98 Eclipse GS, lasted 11 years so I decided to trade it in for a 08. I have never been happier with my car, its stylish enough for me and affordable, gets good gas mileage in my opinion, and is a smooth ride and yes Ill admit Ive had it at its max 155 on a interstate, it rides very smooth even at that speed. If only it didnt have so much weight in it. 3550 lbs is a lot for a sports car and makes cornering devastating on your tires unless you take them extremely slow. Corning can use some work but even my last Eclipse turned like a Semi-truck so Im used to it. All in all, I love my car and it attracts attention.

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  About as good as it gets - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By EclipseGT01022 - September 5 - 10:16 am

  For performance, comfort and style, there is nothing that compares to the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT in its class. The two other cars that were considered (Acura RSX Type S, Ford Mustang V6), they were either slower or simply offed much less for what their asking price was. For $23,000 (base 6 speed Eclipse GT), you get WELL above average acceleration, gobs of low and mid-range torque, and super fuel economy (85% highway / 15% city nets my Eclipse @ 30MPG!, consistantly). Handling is very secure. The interior is simplistic, yet different with lots of character. Best of all, the quality is excellent inside. Long distance driving is second nature with its Recardo-style bucket seats. Buy it!

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  Explore other options - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Jeremy - August 20 - 2:26 pm

  I bought this car new and recently my car was tied up at a dealership for 4.5 mo. for an input shaft bearing that failed, ruining my input shaft seal, clutch and burned my flywheel. NONE WAS COVERED UNDER THE 10yr/100,000mile powertrain warranty you are supposed to get with the vehicle! The interior is easily marked, scratched. Cheap materials on panels and dash. Gauges are accurate, suspension is ok, Ive driven better, and worse for stock. Wheel well gap looks a little funny unless you lower the car or larger rims. I would advise looking at other options or be aware of possible bills with this car. hope this helps.

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  Pure Passion - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By TB Hart - August 20 - 5:53 am

  The exterior style of this vehicle is a stopper, inch for inch, its sleek and impressive lines has on more than I care to count explicit compliments from ladies and strangers on the street. The performance of this machine is so fantastic. When one needs power, there is more than one could hope for in a smaller vehicle. I have an automatic and can burn rubber when I punch it at 25 miles per hour. One minor downside is its blind spot, but the mirrors are well designed to compensate. When one sits in this car and turns on the dynamic sound system, one feels as if one is truly "one" with the vehicle. I love driving on winding, country roads..this baby hugs the pavement.