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 eclipse - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Paul Smith - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Overall a nice car but it could be more reliable, I already had a few problems with mine. Ex. Something was wrong with the steering and I have to get that fixed.

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  Very Tight Ride - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Happy Consumer - July 16 - 10:00 am

  This is our 2nd Mitsubishi, first was a Diamanta. Got a GT with manual tran (a must to experience the full power of the V-6) and the premium pkg. Love the sport leather seats and dashboard design. Must accept that this is a 2 person car only; back seat is way to small for anyone not in a carseat. Mitsubishi must do something about there lifters; they go bad after 70k (right after you pwr tran runs out) and your tight ride start smoking. You can count on this ask any long term owner of a Mitsubishi. Very Very Very fun to drive!

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  Fun to drive - 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Susan - July 11 - 12:23 pm

  This is the 2nd eclipse that I have owned. I love this car. I have had many sporty cars but this car is the most fun to drive. I love the way it handles corners. My only criticism is that I wish they could make the front end a little bit sportier. I love the front of the Mazda RX-8. I wish this front had more style like that but overall, a hot car that drives great. Its amazing in the snow. People are always shocked to hear this but its the truth. If you want a fun, reliable car, I highly recommend the Eclipse.

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  My dream car!! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By tif - July 8 - 1:16 am

  I absolutly love my new 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse. It is a very fun car to drive. My teenage years I drempt about driving on a back road going with the wind in my Eclipse and now it has come true! I absolutly love Mitsubushi and I would recomend it to anyone who wants a sporty yet confortable car It was the best investment Ive made so far in my life and im only 21. I thank Mitsubishi for making my dream come true by making such wonderful cars. Thank you, A very happy owner.

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  GTS - only the best - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By no0dle - July 4 - 2:00 am

  if your thinking about buyin an eclipse, a newer one, go with the gts model. for the extra thousand or two its worth the sleek proformance and style. I do a bit of street racing and it destroys all the measly civics out there. espically at higher speeds, its hard for a civic to keep up with this 145 mph 210hp honda smashin machine! great buy

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  2003 Eclipse GTS with Automatic Trans - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Jason2 - June 4 - 10:00 am

  oh yes! It is what i want. I uesd to have Honda Prelude. but it is better than Prelude. and goes very well.

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  Beautiful, affordable, good not great - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By JB - May 13 - 9:30 am

  The negatives on this vehicle are interior space. Hardly any back seat. Not good for extremely tall people. I am 64" and fit very snugly. Worst is severe blind spots. Very low to the ground. Handles very well. Average fuel economy for 4 cyl. Decent acceleration/power. Always been reliable. Speaker in trunk eliminates some storage space.

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  great car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By briandog - May 12 - 10:00 am

  fun, fast, owns up on the celica and prelude. Audio system ROCKS, specially with 2 12"s thumpin the low pass in the trunk. Beautiful car too, chick magnet.

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  Wow, its so much FUN - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Goran - May 8 - 1:10 pm

  Ive been driving my 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS for two weeks now and wow, what can I say...I love it. Everybody loves it. Heads turn wherever I go. It has excellent looks, power, and I love the stereo (I got the upgraded 650W). Its a joyride. I do recommend getting a small mirror to extend your view. It does have a few blind spots...but sho cares. ENJOY!

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  Fun, Fun, Fun - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By CFV - May 6 - 10:00 am

  This car is pure fun!!!