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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  Love this car! - 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Delissa - December 27 - 7:56 pm

  Two weeks ago we traded our 2006 Eclipse GT in on a 2009 Eclipse GT. I really like the looks of the dual exhaust. Our old Eclipse had the automatic transmission and this time we opted for the 6-speed standard. It seems to have so much more power than the automatic. I dont know if they have made the back window larger, but it seems easier to see behind you when backing. I feel sure we will enjoy the sun-roof when the weather is nicer and the Rockford-Fosgate stereo absolutely rocks! I love this car and think Im hooked on Eclipses forever!

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  Sweet - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By dave4408 - December 26 - 8:03 am

  This car is very fun to drive. The sportronic transmission resembles a ratchet shifter for an early model hot rod or muscle car in efficiency and the low-end stereo is quite sufficient for for most people. I only wish there was performance enhancers to make it that much faster.

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  Two Issues - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By TJ & Faye - December 15 - 12:53 pm

  I have only two issues with this vehicle. The first is the lack of a locking fuel door. The second is the passenger leg room is totally limited. Otherwise, we LOVE this car. Its fast, looks great and sounds great. A lady followed us home the first day we got the car to inquire what it was and about the color. We got the sunset pearl.

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  2003 Eclipse - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Sandy Smith - December 10 - 4:36 am

  I love driving the car around the coastline and up the mountains. Its a fun car for California. Sporty with excellent pick-up when passing.

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  The greatest thing since Snickers! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Darkillusionz19 - December 9 - 10:00 am

  In my personal opinion this vehicle is very SWEET! it handles like a dream, it has enormous power for a 6-cylander, the body style looks aggressive enough to scare down a stock car. The interior is one of a kind with its technical style. As far as mileage per gallon its great for a 6. Overall this car is extraordinary!

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  Fun to Drive! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By sara_huntley - November 29 - 9:50 pm

  I bought my Eclipse from a private seller in Aug 2012 with 119, 990 miles on it which turned to 120,000 on the way home. The guy didnt tell me all of the problems that came with it but that was expected. The car was over 100k and obviously needed some repairs due to its age. They were all minor fixes that were neglected. Throughout the couple months of fixing these things the car ran very well. I have never been stuck on the side of the road! I love that it came with the power shift for accelerating even with a 4-cyl. With regular maintenance this car can go for 200k+ miles!

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  Fun but costly - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By CoupeDriver - November 29 - 8:20 pm

  I just sold my Mitsubishi Eclipse after owning it for 2.5 years. The repair costs for this car in the 2.5 years I owned it were equal to 90% of the purchase price of the car. I loved the car but just couldnt afford to keep paying for everything it needed done to it. At least it never stranded me. I miss my car; it was so much fun to drive.

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  Awesome! - 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Jessica - November 27 - 11:03 am

  My experience is great. This is my first car and its a 97. I love it , the way it drives ad accelerates and stuff like that. Its awsome, I wouldnt change it for anything esle.

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  Sporty, Nice, Roomy, Sexy, Car - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Ryan - November 25 - 1:20 am

  This car is great! One thing to note is the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. In Denver Colorado with a stock car I can pull a 6.3 0-60 and a 14.99 1/4 at 96.8 MPH at the track. I raced an Audi A-6 2.7 V6 Twin-Turbo with an automatic transmission. The Eclipse is faster off the line and will hold the A6 through the quarter, assuming you dont burn out too much. I also raced an 04 mustang GT with exhaust. We were neck and neck, I could not tell who was ahead. I love this car, I use it for work, It is an eye catcher. Everybody always complements me, and to be honest it rides nicely. Its a tad heavy up front but handles quite well. I recommend jumping up to 18" rims with wider tires.

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  New Eclipse Owner - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Ryan - November 20 - 12:10 pm

  L\I looked at the competitors, but when all was said and done, the styling, features and just the sheer driving experience in the 6-speed manual GT won me over. The RX-8s reliablity (or lack of) in winter and constant addition of a quart of oil every 1,500 miles in the rotarty engine was a turn off. The fact the Z didnt have a back seat to tote toys back and forth and the styling wasnt as aggressive as the Eclipse was a deciding factor. Plus teh Z was too cookie cutter in looks. Just for the heck of it, looked at the Scion tC, but its nothing more then a Toyota Corolla, although great price, really a sub-compact. The Eclipses stying and features made me a first time Mitsu buyer, and one for life.