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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  I Love This Car - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Lauren - March 16 - 9:56 am

  The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse is so much fun. When I first bought it I drove everywhere just for the sake of driving. I would find things to do just to get back into this car. It makes driving a wonderful experience that you wont want to end. Highway driving is the best, with terrific handling and controlled speed this car can do almost anything. It definitely is a winner.

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  Good Driving Car! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By JPudas71 - March 14 - 6:10 pm

  The 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a good driving car for someone like me that has a 80+ miles a day to work. It gets really good gas milage, which is good now that gas is so expensive. The looks I get are great and the car is so cute and stylish. My kids think its a race car.

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  Mitsubishi Eclipse RS 2004 - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Mick Foster - March 14 - 10:00 am

  Although for Insurance purposes this Vehicle is not rated as a sports car. You will never believe it when you drive it. The 4 cylinder 2.4 engine keeps up with the V6.. It has a true class sports car look all the way around.. A car sure to catch the eye of anyone you pass bye. The dealership experience was another story, I rate Santa Monica Mitsubishi a big zero.. However, the car more than makes up for it, in spite of themselves..

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  Unhappy consumer - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Unhappy comsumer - March 12 - 10:00 am

  Not long after I purchased the vehicle, I noticed that 5th gear, my window, my brakes, and my a/c were giving me problems. I took my car back to the dealer where they repaired fifth gear, my window, and attempted to eliminate the awful smell from the a/c. After receiving my car back, 2nd gear began to grind and I noticed my cigarette lighter was defective. So I returned the car to again have them work with the transmission, to clean the a/c, and replace the cigarette lighter. The dealer repaired the a/c, the lighter, but said they could not confirm the problem with 2nd gear. Ive now been back 2 more times and am currently seeking an attorney.

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  Best car Ive driven so far! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Rosa - March 12 - 10:00 am

  So far it drives wonderful.I never thought that I will like this car so much.I love to drive it every where.I turn heads when Im driving down the street.I love it!

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  The new Eclipse - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By pcmacbob - March 11 - 5:10 pm

  I just purcased a new Eclipse and have fell in love with it with one exception. The radio is suppose to play mp3 CDs (which it does) but after creating a few of them and inserting them into the 6 CD changer and trying to eject them all of a sudden one wont eject and know the cd unit wont even play anything. I looked in the manual to see if there is a way to manually eject the cd, but it says that you need to take it to the dealer. This might and probably will be a problem for buyers of the Rockford system. I did not see anywhere in the manual what CD manufacturer you should use for the stereo. My first tank I got 25 mpg. I have the 4 speed auto and love it also.

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  Best Car in Its Class - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mneddy - March 11 - 5:10 pm

  Love absolutely everything about the 2007 Eclipse GT. The design is the best. It is extremely fun to drive. It sticks to the road like glue. It is very good in winter driving. This car is absolutely comfortable and FUN to drive.

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  I love it, I love it, I love it. - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Trish - March 2 - 10:13 pm

  This car is just awesome. So much fun to drive. Dash lights are beautiful at night. I dont check my gas mileage cause the car is made to drive fast. I make road trips often and the car is very comfortable. Sound system is excellent. Love the rear fold down seats. Two sets of golf clubs and luggage will fit great. I had a wind deflector installed on the sunrooof and the wind noise with the roof open is gone. I have the orange one and it is such a head turner. When driving alone, I recline the rear of the passenger seat and it helps with the blind spot. This allows for a better view out of the smaller side rear window. I suggest you buy one today.

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  Love it - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By EclipseD - March 1 - 11:10 pm

  Had my Mitsubishi Eclipse GT since beginning of November and I absolutely love it. It gets a lot of stares. It has great power. I love everything about it. I cant really complain about anything. Its a definite "must drive."

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  Worst car I have ever owned!! Hate, hate, hate it!!! - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By okcowner - February 26 - 6:02 am

  Mitsubishi has lost many sales as people have seen all of the problems that I have had with my car. I have had the car for a little more than four years. The transmission went out around 90K and was very expensive to fix. The air conditioner compressor does not work. The roof leaks and my radio will not work. I had to replace the rims because they ALL cracked. The life of the tires is always short even with regular alignments and balancing. My gear shift broke and is made up of cheap plastic pieces. The dashboard is cracked and rattles when I get above 50 mph. About a year into owning the car, I discovered that when it is cold the car will not shift out of park. Total junk!!!