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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  2001 GS Eclipse-not a car of quality - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By dorothea71 - November 9 - 2:00 am

  This is a sporty looking car and that is all that is sporty about it. I find it to drive more like an underpowered sedan. If you are used to a quality car you will be very disappointed with ths car. I drove an Acura Integra before and I miss the quality and supurb handling. I am disappointed with the interior quality and things like the doors never shutting quite right (the dealership just cant seem to fix them) and many other little annoying things. Beware also if you buy these cars new they come with 20,000 mile tires, so you will be spending the money to replace them shortly. The car is hot looking, but overall I am very dissatisfied.

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  Great car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By HJH ROCKS SO HARD - November 4 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car you can ever drive. It reall atracts the ladies.

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  I Love my Eclipse - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Marilyn Jacob - October 31 - 2:40 pm

  Im a mature woman and love this car but young at heart! It handles very well in all weather conditions, I was mostly impressed as to how it plowed right through the snow and did so well on icy roads. My previous car was heavier but didnt handle well with icy conditions as it seemed to hydroplane, but not my eclipse. I got used to driving with the mirrors more and had no problems seeing other vehicles. Have no fear if youre considering purchasing an Eclipse.

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  all I can asked - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By sakaw - October 30 - 10:00 am

  just good..I love my car so much..already do some mod to her and more will come

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  good car - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By indiana sucks - October 30 - 10:00 am

  retail value sucks, great car

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  2001 5-spd GT....gotta love it!!! - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Pamela63 - October 30 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Eclipse for just over two years now and wouldnt trade it for anything. It is sporty , dependable AND fun. No problems whatsoever with this car. Test drove about every other sportscar in its comparable price range before deciding on the Eclipse. Nothing else came close. Smooth handling/ride, no shimmy, no shakes.

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  Bad Paint Job - 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Chinpaint - October 25 - 5:16 pm

  Overall the car is a good car. It looks good and handles good. I have had no problems with either the engine or drive train. My three negatives, one because of space available between the seat, roof and steering wheel it can be a little difficult for driver to enter. Second engineering design has turn signal blocked by steering wheel.(move light or change steering wheel design). Last this summer two bad paint spots appeared. One between sun roof and back window, the second between trunk and rear window.

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  Fun to Drive - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By royce - October 20 - 12:03 am

  I have thoroghly enjoyed this car my only problems have been the SRS system in the passenger seat. The car safety features are the most appealing. I was driving home from Cleveland when an ice/snow mix started falling. A vehicle spun out in front of me and I applied the brakes. That along with the traction control prevented a major accident.

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  A fun car with minor problems - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By MitsuBenji913 - October 10 - 2:33 am

  I havent had my 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT very long, but I already love it. The car itself looks great, Ive had random people on the street comment on it and often see people watching my car drive away. The inside looks good too, with the leather and design, but the controls could look a little better. Appearance isnt everything but they know that. This car had a lot of power and is a lot of fun to drive. Most other cars are left in the dust, although this does hurt the fuel economy a bit. Its painfully apparent that Mitsubishi does make these cars cheaply, though. The previous owner had to replace the clutch and Ive read about major problems this car has. I still recommend it.

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  Fun, But Needs A Little More - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Cat - September 27 - 6:40 pm

  I love my girl, but she just doesnt have as much "Giddy-Up And GO" (until about 45 mph)as I would prefer. I read some other reviews that said the rear spoiler and small back window make it impossible to back up. WRONG! The window is HUGE, and Ive never had a problem backing out in almost 2 years. She HUGS curves, and its easy to make the tires squeal if you pull the wheel a little to one way (XD), even in the automatic. Sportronic is a MUST! SO FUN! Gas mileage is decent. The car just like great stock, and really shines with a few simple tweaks (darker tinting makes a bigger difference than you think!!!)