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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  Great cars even used if you take care of it - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By overboost007 - May 6 - 3:11 am

  OK people lesson I am 6ft 8in tall, 260 lbs, I formally drove a 1999 Honda Accord EX CPE V6 with 248,000. Now I have a 2003 Mitsubishi clipse GTS 5 speed manual that had 98,000 on it when I bought it. The previous owner took great care of it. I went through it hard. I am just a DIY guy that knows car. This car was a good buy because of how it was taken care of. The dealers can clean it up but I know brakes, fuel systems, intake, transmission & engine. It is not rocket science. Research on line and make a good choice. The car runs great I will upgrade the brakes to what I like an just maintain it until I am ready to by a newer vehicle

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  Mitsubishi does it again! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By GThomas - May 5 - 2:53 am

  I own a 2nd generation Eclipse and when the 4th generation came out, I was put on the waiting list. The car is awesome, full of power and a great surround sound system to boot! The sport seats are extremely comfortable and headroom and visability are good as well. Great styling rounds out this great ride. It should do well.

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  Most fun for your money! - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By troff - May 2 - 1:26 am

  I love this car. Its not as sporty as G1/G2 Eclipses, though it traded some of its sportiness to a true everyday comfort and that was a square deal. Its still fun to drive either its mountain Colorado roads, everyday commute or 2000 miles vacation trip to Yellowstone. Ride is smooth but you have all the control through the corners you can expect from a n Eclipse. V6 gives more than enough power for civic roads, thanks Mitsubishi for standard stability control! In its price range Eclipse GT has no close competitors, youll get most for your money.

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  2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mtsgt - April 26 - 2:30 pm

  This is a great vihicle if maintenace kept up on. Ive never had any major problems with this car. Had to have the radio replace twice (could not get a display). Great to drive, reliable and good performance.

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  car - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Jennacookielover - April 24 - 2:00 am

  i love it. it has a smooth ride and it is a really comfortable car.

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  One of the best in performance - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By jrs - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Eclipse GTS for over a month and have to say I love getting in it everyday. This car is really fantastic. It is extremely agile and handles like its on rails. The power curve is amazing and its loaded with alot of low end torque. Brilliant!

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  Excellent Car to Last a Long Time - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mitsubishi eclipse - April 23 - 8:33 am

  I have had zero problems with my 01 Eclipse, with exception of parts wearing out. It handles well and has great acceleration even after 100,000 miles. I am very pleased with the car. It was great as a first car and i will definitely keep it until it dies.

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  a real head turner - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Randall - April 20 - 9:00 am

  I had an 01 Eclipse (version 3) and had no intention of getting another one. Its not that it was a bad car, but just wanted a bit more. Well... the 06 Eclipse (version 4) has that bit more! Huge power increase! Unbelievable stereo! Fantastic new design modled after the Eclipse version two. This version is slightly bigger than the past car so there is a bit more head room and leg room. Other than two recalls (for the same brake problem), I am a very happy new Eclipse driver.

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  Fun Car - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Gerardo Ceballos - April 17 - 2:06 pm

  Great car in my opinion, very fun to drive, mine is manual and the gears and the shifts are very sporty, the clutch is soft. It has a quick response when you switch to a lower gear, it has reasonably good acceleration for a 4 cylinder. I have had no trouble with the engine nor transmission. The interior is comfortable for the driver and one passenger if you are not big or tall. No room for the back seats, maybe for a child. The ride is very comfortable, the suspension is not that hard. It has good grip around corners. It is a bit noisy on the highway. In general a great car, I would buy again.

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  Zoom zoom? Please! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By tprice - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Torque. Even the Acura RSX R-type is under-torqued, but in this price range the Eclipse has THE most torque (215f-p in the GT). Now, if youre a novice, youre saying "whats the big deal about torque, what about horsepower?" Well, its the torque that peels you off the pavement, grips those nice 17 inchers in to the tarmac, and pushes you back into the seat with some Gs to make taking off from a stoplight a fun experience. And leaving the sportronic tranny in 1st for the takeoff, upshifting in the high 5000s and hearing that exhaust race up...