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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2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Chelsea - November 14 - 12:20 pmThis is my second car, and during the time after my first car and before I bought the Eclipse, I test drove an 04 Focus SVT, 03 Acura TL, 05 Scion TC, and many other countless cars. The Eclipse has got to be my favorite, by far. The downfall about MINE is its an automatic, but that may actually make it better in the end. My cup holder doesnt get in the way because of that, I havent had any problems with the interior design except the back seats, not even my shorter friends can sit back there without bumping their heads on the rear windshield. But, this doesnt bother me bc I dont sit back there, and they need their own cars anyway haha
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Amazing - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Luis - November 12 - 4:23 pmThis is what I have been waiting for. This car is so beautiful and the interior is just plain amazing with the Terra Cotta and gauges based off a motorcycle you cant beat it, especially at night.
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eclipse is # 1 - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By petey111 - November 10 - 10:00 amMitsubishi eclipse provides great performance and reliability. it gives the sleak qualitys of a great sports car
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**** Love My Car **** - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Pam - November 5 - 7:16 amI love my 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse, it dont be fooled - its a two seater! The backseat is a place to haul groceries during the day and throw your coat on Friday night! I chose this car after test driving at least 20 different models, all makes. It is a great combo of gas mileage, cost, style and stereo. Im the coolest mom at my daughters school cause my stereo out thumps anyones and my car looks good!
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Im in love! - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Laimer - November 4 - 2:00 amTrust me, this cars nice. The GT with 5 speed manual transmission rocks. You definately get the feel of a pricey sports car that doesnt break your bank account.
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Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS 3.0 4A - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By MJBurns - November 4 - 2:00 amFun to drive, handles well, great gas milage. Love the stero & 6 CD changer. Noisy car, always feels like an "air leak".
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Great gas mileage!!!! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Wilhite - November 3 - 1:16 amThis car gets great gas mileage! I get an average of 32.5 miles per gallon! My car is a V6 and it really packs a punch! Gets lots of compliments. Glad I purchased it!
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Hard to Eclipse an Eclipse - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Bradleyc - October 30 - 4:43 amThis is an all around fun GT car. No, its not a "sports car" like a Porsche, its a GT car like a Lancia or Alpha Romeo. The car has excellent pick up and good cornering. The car can be pushed much harder than most drivers realize. As such, early body roll halts at .7 Gs and then you can really feel the car dig in. The torque band is very broad, but if you push the revs a little bit (4200 RPMs) the car definitely takes off.
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The Best Coupe <$30,000 for Snowy Areas - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By imvho - October 29 - 1:53 amId love a BMW Z4, Honda S2000, or Nissan 350Z, but since I live in a snowy, hilly region (and I have to get to work no matter the weather), the Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS has been a great choice. Ive owned it for almost 5 trouble-free years now, and have loved it. It got me up a steeeeeep, winding, thickly-snowed & untreated hill last winter (passing other, struggling cars), and on nice dry days it has plenty of muscle beneath the pedal when I need it (although the torque-steer took some getting used to). This car is also perfect for short people (like me): the "butt" part allows quite a bit of vertical movement, so you can sit much higher than in other sporty cars.
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Fun - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
By Patricia Gaul - October 28 - 10:00 amI have never owned a sports car before, so it is hard to compare. I love the way it looks, though. It is not a family car so you cant criticize the small back seat. It handles very well and has lots of pick up for a 4 cyl. The gas mileage is also impressive.
