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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  Dont hesitate on this one.... - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By NoMore Fords - June 16 - 10:00 am

  I traded my POS 01 Mustang GT in for this car after Ford refused to fix my transmission with 6800 mi. This car is great. Refined, elegant, and sporty. The GTSs variable induction V6 is strong and with the tranny in sport mode the acceleration is felt. The car feels slow sometimes because the engine is so smooth and quiet but then you realize you are doing 85 or 90mph. Noticed some vibration at the steering wheel when at speed, some torque steer, a rattle on the passenger side and the passenger seat shakes some. I will have the dealership look into these. Other than that great car.

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  2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Chris - June 10 - 6:16 pm

  This vehicle gets everyones attention. Im stopped all the time and even asked if they can photograph my Eclipse because its so sporty and appealing.

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  Mini-Ferrari - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By tachyon1701 - May 29 - 10:00 am

  Lets be honest here, this car is definately a looker. Its especially popular with the ladies for some reason, which i dont mind at all =). Its visual presence is 2nd to none in a $10,000US range. Althought mine is only a I4, i gotta tell you, it is a BIG 4 cylinder engine. 2.4 liters with a 100m stroke pushes out quite a bit of torque, although HP/L ratio leaves something to be desired. Speaking of gas, it can go more than 700KM on a 62Litre tank. Not too bad for such a big 4 cyl! RSXs and Celica GTs do a little better but thats on a 2.0 and 1.8 WITH variable valve timing!

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  The best car I have ever owned. - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Chuck B. - May 21 - 6:10 pm

  This is my 4th eclipse, Mitsubishi knows what they are doing. They make the vast improvements with the vehicle years. This model pretty much takes the best of every body style and puts it into a powerful, reliable, well controlled, tank. This car is for the price the best buy for the buck.

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  OK Overall - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Bit - May 19 - 11:03 pm

  When I first drove my 2000 Eclipse GT off the lot I loved it. I loved the power of the torque pushing me back in the seat and the looks of the car. I even like the sound of the exaust note. A couple of years later, I still drive it and like the power. The engine is as reliable as when I drove it off the lot. The rest of the car has had minor wear and tear issues. But, the car has been the best new car I have owned. I have not had major issues. I like the storage space in the back which shrinks away with the newer models. I can fit my whole mountain bike in the back without disassembling it and just go. I do think the car could be lighter and be tighter on cornering.

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  maybe mine is a lemon? - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By torielynn - May 5 - 7:18 am

  I have had this eclipse for a year now and not a month goes by with out me having to fix something. This is my second Eclipse I had a 99 RS model before this and i loved it! it was my first car and it lasted for 210,000 miles. However this Eclipse is terrible in comparison. it sounds like a diesel truck and no one can tell me why, my seat belts stopped working, i had to replace my o2 and knock sensor, water pump, thermostat twice, it vibrates like crazy and it just hit 100,000 miles. when i got my old eclipse it alredy had 111,000 on it and i never had these problems. if you want an eclipse go with an older model because the 03 sucks.

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  An underestimated beauty - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By gt_turbo - April 24 - 6:16 am

  I bought this car when I graduated high school, and have loved every minute of it! The aggressive stance and throaty exhaust note were two of the first things that attracted me to it. That, and all the looks I got from people when I would pull up to a store. Now while I have added to it (custom cold air intake, short throw shift kit, lowering kit, custom cat- back exhaust, and after market wheels and tires) the car has needed little work to make it a blast to drive.

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  awsome car - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By matmilo - April 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is sweet, I love it. It rides nice and has lots of power.

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  I like it - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By caral - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I use my vehicle to haul all sorts of equipment as well as landscape materials. It has a lot of room with the fold down read seats. I only wish the back of seats and floor area in the back were carpet rather than the felt-like material. Very hard to clean. Been very reliable, with no problems whatsoever.

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  Poor thing... - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By jenni63 - March 23 - 3:11 am

  Ive had my 01 Eclipse since I was 16, about 6 years now. I must say, I do love my car and have done my best to take care of it, but it loves the shop too much. Every year I have to replace the battery, and everytime its gone out getting it to the shop is a piece of work. Supposedly the computer has to be reset otherwise it completely shuts off while driving. Weve replaced the battery cables, etc. but it still eats through the battery. Fortunately (from an optimistic view), when something breaks, other things (unrelated) break as well so its killing two birds with one stone, but its a hassle. Everyone Ive known who had this car has already had to trade it in from far too many issues.