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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2007 GS Automatic, sun and sound package - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By justinr321 - December 14 - 6:36 pmBought the car back in November. Traded in a 07 Mustang for it and Im glad I did. The car is pretty peppy for an inline 4 and gets great gas mileage (I usually averaged about 30 mpg). It has a cool design and interesting interior. Its also pretty comfortable as well. I did, however, wreck mine about 3 weeks ago and totaled it. It held up very well but the airbags didnt deploy, strangely enough. Overall, I liked the car and would recommend it for someone who is looking for an affordable, sporty car that gets good gas mileage.
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Eclipse Baby - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Frogboy - December 13 - 10:00 amThis is one of the greatest cars I have ever had,and still will be forever. I cant wait until 2006 model comes out. I will buy it for sure.
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Won Me Over - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Rick3 - December 10 - 2:00 amI really did like the Eclipse because of the lack of power compared to others in its class. The new GTS changed my perception. The extra 10 horses makes all the difference in the world. The car is fun to drive and the leather interior is much improved over other models. Its very quick off the line and has solid handeling.
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Such a fun car! - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Va Beach - November 24 - 10:00 amI love my doodle-mobile! Its cute, fun, reliable and an overall pleasure to drive. Its a perfect single persons car. And, the hatch provides ample space for luggage or just about anything you need to haul. My next car will be an upgrade to the GTS . . Mitsubishi did it right with this cutie!
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All Around Awesome - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By melissadew - November 24 - 10:00 amThis car is an all around winner. Not a single problem since I have had it, not one complaint.
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MY ECLIPSE GTS - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By DAVEBROOKE - November 24 - 10:00 amI RECENTLY PURCHASED A 03 GTS 5 SPEED AND I LOVE THIS VEHICLE! I WAS DRIVING AN SUV AT THE TIME AND WAS LOOKING FOR SOMTETHING MORE FUN TO DRIVE. ID OWNED SPORTS CARS IN THE PAST AND MISSED THAT FUN FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THEM. AFTER MUCH CONSIDERATION IN THAT MARKET, I DETERMINED THIS WAS THE CAR FOR ME! THE RIDE,PERFORMANCE,SHIFTING,AND HANDLING ARE SUPERIOR!
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Sweet Ride! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By eclipse6racer - November 19 - 2:56 amFirst off, the obvious about this car...it looks sweet, it handles great, its fast ,and has a cool interior design especially with the glowing blue leds. What this car is not is a four seater, nor a three seater as the back has absolutely no room. Im 62" and most of my friends are tall as well. But hey, why buy a sports car if you have a family? Go get yourself a minivan in that case! Anyways, its a very sweet ride and it is fast. I love it,and if you love the sound of a race car, and I dont mean just change the damn muffler, throw a magnaflow exhaust on minus the resonator and second cat and it sounds better than any of those Fast and Furious rides from the movie yummy!
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Greatest car ever - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By AcidRain310 - November 18 - 10:00 amI have to say that this is the greatest car ever. I am in love with it
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Interior is Shoddy. - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By PvtPart - November 12 - 2:00 amCar performs great. However, weve had a lot of problems with the interior. Cigarette plugs pulling out, seatback adjusters giving out, window motors falling apart, ect. Many times we had the car back for warranty work. Not happy at all with it.
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BEST COUPE IN ITS CLASS - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By JTX - November 12 - 2:00 amHot car. I test drove many others and settled on the Eclipse GTS for the shear power and handling. This is the best coupe in America right now!!
