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 Looking Car - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By ckdtodd - March 4 - 10:00 am

  This car is one of the sharpest looking cars on the road. It handles well and has good acceleration with the 4-cyl and 5-speed. Mine has 25,000 miles on it and I have had no problems. However, the paint on the front of the car is terrible. I have so many chips to the point it needs a new paint job after only 1.5 years!! The interior is of low quality grade materials.(seat fabric, and dash board) Overall, I would go to the Acura RSX for the money. I just may!!

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  Fun in the Sun! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mike4usc99 - February 26 - 7:20 pm

  This car gets as many looks as a Ferrari. Ive had nothing but great things to say about my 2006 automatic Eclipse GS. I purchased the Sun & Sound Package (sunroof and powered subwoofer) which makes all the difference if youre a music fan! Many people have complained about the blind spots when changing lanes, but you pretty much get used to it after a while. The back seats are really for small children, adults will be very cramped. The back seats fold down which allows for a great deal of trunk space for those who need it! The interior is great and the blue lights on the dash are something else. I drive pretty conservatively and usually get around 23 MPG. I love the car!

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  5 Stars for the Eclipse GT - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Princessadri - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I love this car cause not only does it look good it rides good! All my friends are jeolous. It really beats my Grand Prix GT... I love the body style and the two toned leather. You sure do get some head turning on the road. Last but not least i also love the Euro lights in the back!That was a nice touch to the 2003!

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  Eclipse GT - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Tim Allen - February 20 - 4:10 am

  The torque steer is pretty severe and the handling is a bit soft. The engine and transmission are exceptional.

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  Likes & Dislikes Eclipse 08 2.4 auto - 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mamiya - February 16 - 12:36 am

  500 miles so far, like looks, handling, fosgate sound, tires, int looks, DISLIKE noisy engine and interior like theres no sound dampening, maybe thats why they offer the 650 watt stereo! Hate the fact that if you get a flat you cant use flatfix, it will screw up the tire sensors!, and the key thing with the electronic code, its like they want you to call for help!

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  The best car ever made! - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Me - February 14 - 3:53 pm

  I have had several cars in my days American and imports. And by far this is my favorite. Im a Tech for VW so i know my cars very well. you cant beat an All Wheel Drive turbo car with a manual trans. its so much fun, its so reliable and its one of the nicest looking cars ever made. from the mean look of the front end to the wing (spoiler) in the back. its so easy to squeeze out 350 hp or even more out of this car and cheap too. All in all i think this car is by far one of the best still out there 2008.

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  Love love love this car - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Swaygirl27 - January 31 - 7:10 pm

  Buy this car, you will not be disappointed! I owned mine for 5 years and sadly I was in an accident last night and it is totaled. I am so upset - I absolutely love this car. The turning radius is incredible, its so fun to drive, the sound system is great, the seats are comfy, the exterior is sleek, I could go on forever. Most importantly though - Ive had absolutely NO major problems with this car ever in 5 years. The radiator cracked about a year ago but I patched it and it was fine. It had 133,000 miles on it and still ran like a newbie. In my accident - the airbags deployed and saved my face. The damage is impressive - I expected so much worse. This car is built GREAT. RIP my dear.

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  My Eclipse & I - 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Lidija - January 28 - 5:40 am

  Ive always been a Mitsubishi fan and I really wish they still made the 3000GT- that was one hell of a car. Ive had my Eclipse for less than six months and for a sports car, it survived the winter with no problems. Mitsubishi offers one of the best warranties around, so when youre a broke college student like me, whats not to like about that? :)

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  Mitsubish Eclipse - 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Janice Kahn - January 23 - 7:26 pm

  This car was listed as an automatic but its a stick shift. It made a horrible noise when I was driving it and the salesman said theyd have the shop look at it. Although listed with blue tooth, there is no blue tooth. Although listed with a sun roof, there was no sun roof. The stick shifts numbers were all rubbed off. The salesman suggested I write them back on. The car looked well enough cosmetically. Just minor dings and scratches. It was just ok, nothing special. The price was listed at one price and I was going to buy it buy they added on over $2000. for I dont remember what. Bringing the price well over the original price. When I told them that the price was listed much lower they gave me excuses but refused to lower it so I passed on it. As I told them, it was a stick shift, when I wanted automatic, there was no blue tooth, so Id have to change out the radio. And the car was nothing special to purchase it at the price they wanted. So I passed.

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  My Car - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By tawny - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Handles well, nice interior and looks sharp.