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 my eclipse. - 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By dteezy - January 25 - 8:09 pmI am a young male who is freshly 21, and was in the market for a coupe to replace my troublesome 2002 Nissan Altima. Ive always wanted an eclipse. So I found a 2011 Eclipse GS Sport on autotrader, and to my surprise, it was fully loaded (leather, heated seats, backup camera, bluetooth, sirius satellite, aux, 6 disc, moonroof, xenon headlights, fog lights, etc) WITH ONLYYYY 30,000 Miles!!! It was sooo affordable, & Im so happy I got this. I am 5"10, and I pretty much have to search for a comfortable position, but when I do, it is well worth it. The 4 cylinder is really fast or for performance at all, hence 4 cylinders. but the ride is smooth, quiet, controlled, and feels glued to the road.
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Going strong - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By shep - January 21 - 2:03 pmI bought this in 2003 with 28k miles. Always get regular service done on this car and I now have 104k miles on it. The car has held up well and it still looks great compared to others on the road. I plan to keep it going as long as I can unless something major turns up. Its been reliable and is still fun to drive.
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2000 Eclipse, High Quality and Fun to Drive! - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Me Me - January 20 - 10:26 pmI have driven this Eclipse for six years and have never had any major problems. I love it! It is so fun to drive! The SportTronic is great, since there is no clutch to deal with! The Infinity sound system is the BEST! It has such high quality sound! This is a great sports car. I highly recommend it!
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Sweet car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By mark1225 - January 17 - 10:00 amThis is a nice car, like the interior and the 210 horses, be careful though, it creeps up in speed without you knowing
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I Love My Eclipse - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By tomickey - January 13 - 8:10 pmI had my 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS for about three months now and I love it! Every time I look at it I just have to smile. The drive is tight and it just cruises down the road. I couldnt ask for a better ride. I wasnt looking to buy a car right now, but when I saw the 06 Eclipse I just had to get it. Everyone one in my family wants to try and steal it. People stop me all the time to say "Nice Car!" people call it my Porshe but cheaper. The interior is nice and who cares about the back seat its just me and my car. The radio system is nice even for the basic model. The visability is fine, that is something I expected in a sports car I had a hard time finding my car in a 5-speed and blue.
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Eclipse - gone bad - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By tech2k - January 11 - 2:00 amWith only 78000 miles and great care this car just cost me $2000 for head gasket and valve repair. The shop stated that the design was flawed and a known issue with Mitsubishi.
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Great car - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By christopher - January 10 - 1:13 amGreat car. Bought this car new, had it about 7 1/2 years; car has never had any major repairs, just regular maint. I have never even had a tune up and it has over 150,000 miles. Gets average 25 miles to a gallon; on highway only about 27. Its been a great car.
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People stop me everywhere about my car! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By SherriRhiannon - January 9 - 9:26 amI get stopped by strangers everywhere so they can tell me how much they like my car! It looks like and sports car and drives like one! The new body style is gorgeous and original. The interior is made for the driver, not the passengers, no room for a backseat passenger.
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Hot Car! - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Debbi - January 5 - 3:00 amOverall the car is gorgeous and reliable. Its heavy and built solid like a tank, which makes me feel safe. The sound system is FANTASTIC! Its fun to drive and I always get lots of looks when Im out and about in it. Luckily, Im short so the car offers me lots of room. I hauled a 32 inch 100 lb tv in the trunk 220 miles to my brothers and had room left over for my luggage and dvd player. Its all in how you pack your cargo.
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I miss this car - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By master_pate - December 29 - 7:09 amLast year I had to sell my GT to make room for a family SUV, it was a very sad day. I owned the Eclipse for 6 years and never had a mechanical issue. It was fast, good looking and reliable... the perfect non-family vehicle.
