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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  Nice mid-life chrisis car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By vmnlogan - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, gets you noticed. I drove it in a few places where there wasnt a Mitsubishi dealership and everyone thought it was a Ferrari (think late episodes of Miami Vice). Nice low ride, excellent placement of the controls (especially on-column stereo control); using the cup holders gets in the way of shifting, second holder requires between-seat storage to be open. Spoiler can make it difficult to see behind you. Lots of fun to drive, though youll feel every bump.

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  Best car ever (under 30k) - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Subotai - February 14 - 3:40 pm

  I love my car like no other. It is fast, comfortable, fast, looks awesome and is really fast. I love this car and always will.

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  Sexy and Fun car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By WIZ - February 4 - 10:00 am

  This car is great. I had an older Eclipse and I thought maybe it was time for a change. I test drove the RSX Type S, the Celica GTS and the Mazada 6. But I didnt like either of them. So I test drove a GTS Eclipse and I fell in love with it. Its very nice outside and inside. The black leather in the car gives a sexy look.Bottom line go test drive the car and youll like it.

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  Too awesome... - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mustangof08 - January 31 - 6:39 am

  I got my license a few months ago, was looking on a used car dealership website, and found a silver Eclipse. So I told my dad about it, and got out of school one day to find it sitting where I usually park my moms car at school. Big surprise. Ive been driving it for only about 2 1/2 months now, but every second has been amazing. My friends tell me how good it looks, and how good it sounds for a 4-cyl. I love it, and you know its gotta be a reliable car when a 16 year old drives it. Teenagers drive like were blind, but this car never lets me down. Definitely recommend. 9/10

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  200,000 miles - here I come - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By NowAPorscheDrivertoo - January 27 - 9:13 am

  Picked up my Solano Red GT in 2000 and I went thru 2 faulty side air bag changes in the very first month. I almost felt that I landed a lemon but was convinced other wise by Mitsu techs. Well, I will celebrate 8yrs of owning this marvelous car (my first ever new sports car) this 7th of June. Design - The exterior SST styling in this 3G GT - in my opinion - beats any G of the Eclipse.Performance - V6 with 205 hp - enough to pass quickly and stretch the odo (once in a while) Fuel economy - 26-27 avg on regular gas. Driving a 2000 Boxster S for the last 2 yrs, but the Mitsu is my daily road warrior with 157,000 mi and going...

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  Love at first sight! - 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Rob - January 24 - 7:06 pm

  This car is awesome. The price was great! Especially for a car of this year and miles it came with. Before deciding to go for the Eclipse I looked at the Mustang and the Honda Accord Coupe but both these car lose in looks and Warranty. Im thankful I bought this car even though its the GS model it comes with many standard features. It drives like a dream very fast and peppy for a 4cyl engine. Miles per gallon are okay considering the weight of this vehicle and the safety features. Great car for the money!

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  Awesome car! - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By liz85 - January 9 - 2:21 am

  This is my second car after my 02 chevy malibu. Wow! I love it! I average about 27 mpg. I recently took a 3,000 mile trip and this car was awesome! It handles corners amazingly, however, its not as comfortable as a sedan on long trips (I was expecting it) but it wasnt too terrible. Backseat is very small. The eclipse is a two seater car with backseats. I was hesitant to get the automatic, but the sportstronic transmission is actually a lot of fun. I cant say enough good things about this car and its certainly a head turner! I always get people trying to race me. The 4 cyl. certainly has more than enough power to get you off the starting line. I love it!

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  Great Car! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Michael H. - January 4 - 11:10 pm

  I had a 2003 Eclipse GT, loved it and hand no problems up even when I traded it at 96,000 miles. Just got a new 2006 Eclipse GT with the premium package and I love it! The stereo rocks, and everyone drools over it. My girl friend has a 350Z and even she is jealous. The premium package is a must! It is worth the extra money. This is my everyday driver and it is great for commuting and long trips.

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  Great Snow Car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Michigan - January 3 - 5:26 pm

  I bought this car brand new and the performance in the snow has been amazing! The performance on dry land has been great too! I traveled during a blizzard and passed a lot of 4x4s in the median because their high center-of gravity made their big fat tires useless. Another experience was on black ice and out of eight of us, I was the only one that didnt rollover when the nightmare was over. This is a PERFECT CAR! The leather interior has held up perfectly! I truly cannot think of anything to complain about.

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  This Car Rocks! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By bsant54 - January 3 - 2:00 am

  Amazing acceleration, very comfortable (Im 6 ft tall), excellent combination of ride and handling and you get a lot of looks on the road - superb value for the money.