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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  not quite as good as the 1995-1999 turbo - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By GENE - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The first thing Mitsubishi needs to do is rethink the quality of materials in the interior. The leather feels cheap, i lotion it at least once a month and the passenger seat is drying and cracking already.The interior design however is a big step up from the 2nd generation. The black paint sucks! It looks like crap already, despite getting waxed once a month.The sunroof motor wont open and close the sunroof all the way sometimes. The glove box door pops open when the car is jolted.

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  2000 Eclipse GT - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Jose Rosado - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I have not had any of the problems other people seem to be having with this car. I own one of the earlier 2000 models with 205 horses instead of 200 and a different manifold and exhaust (all factory) but strangely enough the engine seems to actually have more power now than when I bought it. This car does everything very well. Handling is good (not stellar), comfort is very good for this or any other type of car as long as you only carry two people, and the engine is the smoothest V6 Ive ever driven in my life. I havent had any mechanical problems except for a power window switch that was repaired under warranty.

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  Kevins Review - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Mcstout - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Fun car to drive, but too much road noise. The number of recalls is concerning forma reliabilty standpoint.

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  Poor Black Paint and cracking dashboard - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By durbolie - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Oxidized paint and 3 cracks in the dashboard. Black eclipse with oxidized paint. been painted now a few times by the dealership ( contracted out ). Paint is not oxidized, but still looks bad. dashboard still has 3 cracks, but the dealership states the heat from the southeastern US caused it. anyone else with these problems...contact Mitsubishi and complain.

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  Bad Rear window glass! It will Blow out! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By 1 Unhappy Customer - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Buyer Beware! The back glass in my 2003 Eclipse blew out due to a defected glass. The dealer and the manufacturer both refuses to replace it. The wonderful bumper to bumper warrenty is worthless!I had three experts all declare in writing the glass was defective from the factory and yet the dealer and manufacturer refuses to help me.I WILL NOT consider another purchase from them. Also before another person doesnt make the same mistake, I hope they will do a search on "MITSUBITSHI COMPLAINTS"and save themselves a lot of grief!

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  Nice Car - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By dcedte - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I have a 2001 Eclipse GT with Sportronic (automatic) transmission. I bought the car new, and now have nearly 53,000 miles on it. The car has been completely reliable thus far. I average about 25+ MPG. Power is good and smooth. Handling is excellent, and still comfortable. The car looks great. I enjoy the "auto- stick" style transmission very much. I compared the Eclipse GT, Accord V6 Coupe, and the Celica GTS when car shopping. My second choice was the Accord, but I liked the Eclipse appearance, handling, and engine performance better. The Accord seemed to have a better quality interior.

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  Eclipse RS - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Holls - September 4 - 7:10 am

  This is the first and only car I have ever owned; weve been through a lot together. (It took a few years for me to finally stop scraping the front end, for example.) I was admittedly pretty hard on it the first year or 2, so the work done is even more remarkable considering that. Ive had to get a new fuel pump, radiator hose, timing chain, and brake pads. Its still fun to drive although the pick up has declined, and it seems like some piece of plastic falls off the interior all the time. The paint job hasnt proven hardy, either, and rain occasionally leaks through the hatch opening. Its hard for older people to sit down, but once they do its pretty comfortable.

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  almost satisfied - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By chuck - August 30 - 4:03 am

  Great car to own, well worth the investment. I have 45,000 miles on my 98 have experienced no major problems, and I dont baby my car either. I do drive it hard and fast, in excess of over 100mph at least 5 days a week,and a few miles at a time. I can honestly say it handles great at hi speeds in breaking and cornering. Ive had only minor things go out: motor in power mirror while under warrenty, and drivers side door handle break twice also while under warrenty. I like my eclipse so much I want to trade it in for the 99 GSX - all wheel drive turbo virson which I wish I could have afforded in the begining.

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  Not As Fun As It Looks - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By chacha - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Bought new from dealer. Besides all 4 tires blowing out, no major problems until now. Things in/on dash are starting to wiggle & jiggle, and a $1000.00 clutch problem has developed at 50,000 mi. Is this the beginning of the end? Fun to drive & turns heads, but has also been the target of 2 acts of vandalism and hit & runs. Awful commuting car, guzzles gas, carries high insurance, and has no resale value. Sportronic tranny is boring & annoying to use(downshifts automatically).Don’t open hatchback after rain, H2O drains directly into trunk (mold). I’m getting rid of mine before it falls to pieces. It’s not as fun as it looks.

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  my car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By chevytrk - August 10 - 2:00 am

  this little car is pretty comfortable, fast!, little rough going around curves. but better tires probley fix this. the sterio system is really good. also getting comments about the cars looks & style. i have the off white color. it still looking good. it does have a little road noise but nothing to gripe about. it even put a grand prix it its place " in the back"!