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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  Get Some New Colors - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By drholland77 - March 19 - 10:33 am

  This is the second car of this style Ive had. The first was an Eagle Talon. It is fun to drive. I love the feel, its like scooting along on the highway. Its gas mileage is great if you dont drive like a high school kid. The looks cant be beaten for the price.

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  Great car, but some annoyance - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Erik Harris - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I love my GTS, but it suffers from build-quality issues. The window seals dont seal (wet windows after rain, sometimes moldy smell), there are unfixable rattles, the mirror motors are weak, and the sunroof has minor issues (sticks, control housing comes loose periodically). Reliability hasnt been an isuse at all, it drives very smoothly, and is very fun to drive. My only complaint about the ride is that the turn radius is horrendus; worse than the minivan I owned previously! Im focusing on the negative, though. I love my car, and for the price, theres nothing Id rather own. Its fun, comfortable, and is one of the best-looking cars under $30K on the road.

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  I love it - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By HaRlEy - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I have wanted one for like 2 years and I finally went out and got one and I LOVE IT

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  Garbage - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Ghostman - March 2 - 3:16 pm

  Got this car for my girl from the El Cajon dealership, first mistake. Paid too much for it and the people at dealership are chumps and dont know anything. ECM died a few months after we bought it thankfully it was under warranty. Dashboard WILL eventually crack due to cheap thin plastic, paint is fading fast(car is 2001!)bottom weather strip came off back window, shocks dont work well for the glass hatch. Other then that it looks alright and drives smooth and quick. For a car with under 60k and the price we paid there should be way less problems.

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  Sporty performance, really fun to drive - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By dfk - February 28 - 10:00 am

  For the money, the Mitsubishi Eclipse GT is it. The style, the washboard ribbed doors make the Eclipse a stand out attraction. Moreover, the throaty engine and and the feel of the acceleration make this car a pleasure to drive. Driving this car down to the Maryland shore and riding the Coastal Highway with the moonroof open, was the turning point that proved to me that this car was indeed, a sporty touring machine.

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  Affordable Fun - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mrdurbin - February 28 - 10:00 am

  i wanted a fun car and the Eclipse is it. I opted for the GTS because of the ABS and 10 extra HP. The Eclipse is one of the easiest cars to tune next to a Honda Civic but you get around 40 to 60 more Hp from the Eclipse compared to the honda for just a bit more money. I have a AEM cold air intake and a Magnaflow exhaust, Upgraded wire kit and wire ground kit. That is all you need to do to these cars to make them scream. for about 600.00 in after market mods i gained a conservative 20 - 25% HP easily. i also upgraded my tires and rims and went with 19X8 ASA 5 spoke rims and Yokahama Parada Spec 2 tires.

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  A very fine car! - 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Silvergirly - February 26 - 2:30 am

  I needed a vehicle that I could rely on and saves me gas. I fell in love with the Eclipse! Lets just say this car drives real smooth. For a 4 cylinder, it has a lot of get-up and go! I got the SE edition that includes the sunroof and the awesome Rock Ford Fosgate sound system (includes a subwoofer in the trunk). It also has the nifty front and rear spoilers that makes the appearance very sharp. So far I can tell a big improvement between this car and my truck I owned. I am very glad to have purchased this vehicle. :)

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  Stay Away - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By MinderaserNO - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I have had my 03 GTS Eclipse for a about a year and a half. It has been in the shop 4 times... once they had my car for over 2 WEEKS! Everything that could go wrong with this car - has. Stay away.

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  Awesome Ride - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Brian - February 20 - 3:46 am

  The 2007 Eclipse is an awesome ride. It has the styling of a small speedster, the beauty of a classic sports hatchback, and the get up and goes of a roadster. The 6-cyl. 24 valve, 263 HP engine, provide plenty of power to rock the road. Do not hesitate to take it for long drives. The car hugs the road with my all season Toyo Proxes FZ-4. Its ride is very comfortable

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  fun, but lots of trouble - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Anth1031 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Its been a very expensive car to have, even if i do like it. Its broken down on me from atleast 4 major mechanical problems, from a new engine to a new transmission, 2 clutches, altenator broke down the next morning when i took it off the lot. It was a new car with only 26 miles on it too. Only the engine and altenator were covered with the warranty, everything else was out of pocket, even car rentals which lasted up to 1 month. My out of pocket cost would be about 6,500. I wouldnt recommend any mitsubishi, service from all areas was equally as bad. The minute you pay them, they forget who you are and ignore any of your other concerns.