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:

• 

  2002 Eclipse - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Bink21_2000 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I like this car. I also own a 2001 Honda Prelude and the Eclipse, while not as fast or sleek looking, is darn good. The V6 can almost keep up. The interior is nice and the body style is kind of muscly, which I like. My only complaints would be that the doors are very large and heavy and are always falling on me getting in and out. And there is absolutely no head room in the backseat. But then it is a hatchback.

• 

  It IS fun to drive - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By wlahee - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Although there are a lot of other eclipses on the road today, you can still turn heads with this car. Right out of the box it is fun to drive, but for "tuners" like myself, there are TONS of upgrade options. The only complaint I have is that some interior components are not of the highest quality, but the car makes up for it with the exterior style and fun factor when driving.

• 

  What a Car! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By carol mcmenamin - May 22 - 10:13 pm

  I am thrilled with the new design of the Eclipse. It handles so well and is fun to drive. Everyone turns and does a double take when I drive by. The interior is so different, it has motorcycle gauges. This car isnt just for teens, adults love it too. I even bought my husband one.

• 

  Good If You Dont Want Your Kid to Speed - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By jeeppsu85 - May 21 - 10:26 am

  My car is beautiful, but has no personality. I treated her like a daughter. I washed and waxed her weekly or bi-weekly and maintained her on a regular basis. There has been no problems with the leaks that are usually found with this model. My only problem is I tend to have problems accelerating on the highway and going uphills. In the winter, the trunk has the grand ability to smack ya on the head. This is a beautiful car but it has low performance. The 420A inline 4 has amazing economy, it hits about 230-310 miles per full tank depending how you drive. To accelerate fast you need to turn the air/heat off to get full power to the engine.

• 

  Love thec ar; its fun and eye looker - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Sandy - May 19 - 11:56 pm

  Car is beautiful. Went from a truck to this new look. It is fast, great to look at and fun to drive.

• 

  Eclipse Fanatic - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By geography - May 18 - 10:00 am

  I have had 5 Eclipses over 15 years and LOVE them. They look good and drive very well. I have never had 1 mechanical thing go wrong with them. Mitsubishi has finally solved the low front end problem. The 2004 front end is beautiful and does not scrap when going through low areas.

• 

  Eclipse Rocks !! ...... For the money... - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Dangull - May 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought a used 2000 Eclipse GS as a second car, mainly my wifes use. She loves it, as do I. It is not a Ferrari... but its priced like a Toyota!!! This Red GS really gets the looks. It handles very well and goes great with only the 4 cylinder. We had a 1995 and this car is even better. I would recommend an Eclipse to anyone who wants a fun car at an affordable price. Cheap insurance too.....

• 

  GREAT CAR BUT COULD BE BETTER!!! - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By texanite - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for almost 2 years now and have had no problems with it so far. Overall the car is awesome. Of course this car is like with everything, you could always make improvements.

• 

  Hard to think of getting rid of it - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By very impressed - April 25 - 6:33 pm

  We bought this car with 60 miles on it in 2004. It now has 206,000 on it. It is amazingly reliable. Especially considering how we have abused it. It has been rear-ended and ditched. The only thing we have done is replace the belt that needs replaced @ 70,000 miles, replaced a bearing in the clutch @ 140,000 miles and recently had to replace the battery for the first time. I really cant say enough about this car. The thought of getting something else that wont be as reliable is hard to take. If I werent a mother of 2 I would just get another one!!! Our Infiniti G35 sedan is another story and probably adds to my anxiety about replacing it. Keep up the good work Mits.

• 

  So much fun - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By 4gcrazy - April 21 - 8:43 pm

  Ive had this car now for 3 1/2 years, got it with 64,000 miles on the odometer. it now sits just above 102,000 miles and has never let me down. Im in the military and have moved state to state for years now. I have never had to replace a part in the engine; other than the normal stuff. recently i have begun to upgrade some parts of the engine and she still keeps on trucking taking what ever i throw at her. (dirt trail riding, a little bit of puddle crossing , and alot of track time) All in all i love this car. my first wife as I call her.