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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  Still love it! - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Temple - November 9 - 5:06 am

  After two years of ownership, I still look at my 2000 Eclipse the same way I did when I got it. "Buyers Remorse" has yet to set in. Although its considered a bit older design now, it still looks pretty on the road and can proudly be displayed right up front in any parking lot. With proper care and maintenance Ive had no problems. She rides smoothly on the highway and has the power when I need it. North American car makers shouldve taken note...the Eclipse is a sweet looking car thats fun to drive at a very reasonalble price. This is a winning combination. Given the choice over again I would have NO hesitation on purchasing the same vehicle.

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  Girly Looking Car that Kicks Butt - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By carlos vega - November 6 - 9:16 pm

  The 2006 Eclipse GT is a great car. It is a lot of fun and girls love it.

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  I have loved this car (mostly) - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By jetchik - November 6 - 5:16 am

  Bought this car brand new almost 10 years ago! Mileage is 94,498. Its been good to me even though I have not always been so good to it. Have had no mechanical issues,except leak and battery. Performed all scheduled mx over the years. Had an oil pan leak last year--changed the gasket and good-to-go now. Have driven it USA cross country numerous times, and all over Europe as well. I have lived in many climates, cold, wet, hot, dry. 3500ft and it has been awesome in all. Heat and A/C work like champs! A/C cools immediately in 115+ temps! It has even been in storage for 1 yr while in Korea and sat outside for my numerous 4-6 month desert deployments. Hence the low miles/many long trips.

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  2006 Eclipse GS Review - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By rasonjason92 - November 6 - 12:20 am

  The design and overall performance of this car are outstanding. However the craftsmanship is a little lacking. With in two weeks of my purchase the passenger side door started to rust, and now the dashpad has started to bubble a little. But overall I am happy with my purchase.

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  Could be better, but okay for now! - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By identity01 - October 26 - 10:00 am

  Hello everyone! Hope all is well, my name is Patrick, a college student at the Arts Instutite of Boston. I bought my Mitsubishi GTS this past May. Over all I think its okay. It does need some things....

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  Car Sucks - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Joebert - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This is the absolute worst car I have ever driven. The transmission will not shift into 1st gear driving over 5 MPH and sometimes not into 2nd gear if over 15 MPH. The dealer said that this is normal for Mitsubishi and that "They do not have the smoothest shifting transmissions out there." Why is it that for the first 6-8 weeks of owning this car did it drive fine? Nobody wants to address this question. I have had it in there a total of 4 times for this issue and the first time they replaced the synchronizers (maybe) and now they tell me, "We replaced them to make the customer happy. I will NEVER buy another car from that dealership.

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  nice - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By superduckyaya - October 17 - 10:00 am

  nice car, fun to drive

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  Love the looks, but some design flaws - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By andymick32 - October 14 - 4:01 pm

  Bought this car with 60k miles and put 30k miles on the car in 2.5 years before selling. All in all, the car was pretty darn reliable. I didnt have any mechanical issues besides the sun roof which is a known problem. Went to get the car inspected this summer and was told the bottom of the car was rusting out. The mechanic showed me the apple sized hole right underneath the drivers side floorboard and another spot below the gas tank and the fuel filler neck and the trunk lid! The car has some major issues here as certain areas are prone to collect water. Make sure you check these areas before you buy!

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  Almost perfect, but I still love it. - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Starla - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I have been able to pull 30mpg+ from it on a couple of trips (I have just over 12k miles on it now), my mileage falls to the mid 20s during my daily commute though. The only problems I have had are the transmission not going into reverse fully occasionally (I have to double clutch it), and some bizarre shaking when it is cool/damp and I am driving it in 1st gear in the morning. Also one time it wouldnt go into gear at a stoplight and then smelled like burning metal and the dealership said it was normal and that something just got ground down and kind of blew me off and said they didnt find anything with that or the shaking that was wrong.

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  Cheap thrills - 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By willy d - October 4 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a good looking sport coupe. Looked at them all but for the price and fuel ecom. this was the best for the the price--no question. Have had many from Corvettes to Cobalt SSs but for a 12 month car I think this was a good choice with front wheel drive. Just remember its more show than go, but it does handle real well.