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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  Keep Looking - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Vasser - October 19 - 10:43 am

  Initially, this car was kind of fun. Bought it in the summer, opened the sunroof, and off I went. Now, it is just annoying. Not much pick up from this V6. Clumsy handling. The craftsmanship on my particular car has been poor. Lots of rattles, little plasticky pieces breaking, and many general annoyances. I should have done my homework before buying. I hope you do.

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  Why is it falling apart ? - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By GTRick - September 20 - 2:00 am

  My car was one of the first to be produced and I think they were still working out the bugs. Fit & finish is slightly below average. Generally the car was holding its own (just a transmission issue early on).Since the car reached 30,000 mi. & just after the 36 mo. warranty was up, its been really crumbling.Battery has been replaced, front struts are noisy, brakes are vibrating, hatch wont stay open anymore, alignment is off, rough shifting transmission, moonroof gremlins,paint oxidation,millions of rattles, whats next ?

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  Fun while it lasted, sort of - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By dudeitstopher - September 14 - 10:14 am

  All sorts of electrical issues, coil packs blown, ECM, replaced water pump + timing belt + tensioner + radiator + thermostat to have a persistent overheating issue. The car itself was reliable for periods of time but when it would break, it was always expensive. Found a very low-price garage and had all of the work done there, reputable mechanic in my community but the car kept breaking down. Im going to part ways with it since the computer died and continues to blow fuses causing the car to stall and lose power WHILE driving. Very dangerous. Clean record on the car, unfortunately whoever owned it before me abused the car. Ill miss her, kind of.

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  Underrated Car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By kobo1d - August 16 - 8:26 pm

  Ive had my Eclipse GTS Automatic for a little over 4 years and it has been a very nice car. Bought used, still under factory bumper-to-bumper warranty, Ive driven it hard (currently at 67000 miles) and have had very little issues with it. The only problems with the car have been some electrical issues: The factory 6-CD player completely stopped working, refusing to play and making a horrible crunching sound constantly. Mitsubishi wanted $450 to fix it, so I just replaced it with an aftermarket setup. The switch for the passenger side window only rolls the window up, not down, so the passenger has to roll down their own window. Sunroof switch is touchy. And yes, the plastic scratches easy.

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  I will not buy another Mitsubishi - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By deb - July 14 - 8:13 am

  The 2007 eclipse has 2 problems: some of the models sunroofs do not open all the way (mine does not) and my air conditioner has not worked properly and the dealership does not resolve my issue, only makes excuses. I will not buy another Mitsubishi; their engineers do a poor job in my opinion and that of the service rep I spoke with. BEWARE!

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  Not quite sure yet - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By wpederson - July 6 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my 2003 Eclipse GT, it definitely is fun to drive and ZOOM ZOOM (wait, this isnt a Mazda) ANYWAY, it has been a fun car so far, nothing to complain about as of yet... EXCEPT, what car does not come with ABS these days? SHEESH! My last 4 cars have had ABS standard, and I assumed this one did too, but when I got it home from the dealership I noticed NO ABS!

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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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  Eclipse GT 5 sp mt - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By rx8rotary04 - December 24 - 11:45 pm

  this was my first 5 sp mt car. it was a blast to drive for a first semi sports car. the handling was fantastic as well as the power (for what it is). a buddy of mine has the same car with not many major issues but i on the other hand got the lemon of all eclipses. bad belt bad motor mount bad tranny mount bad ebrake cable and many other things. before i sold it something would clunk and make the whole car feel as if it was about to fall into pieces but no one could figure out what it was so i had to sell the car and take a huge loss.

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  3rd gen not the way to go - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By strong bad - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Grant it I think this car, looks beautiful, but being the last "sports" coupe mitsubishi made they really should have put a little more effort into it. The quality of materials that have been used are very dissapointing, the glove box that doesnt properly latch, 6 spoke GT rims bending, and 5 spd transmission problems. These items were the most of my troubles some others being acceptable; rear spoiler blocking to much rear view, cup holder not allowing to shift, hatch to heavy for release to function properly.

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  Hot car, bad mechanics - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By flowerstar333 - September 20 - 8:57 am

  This is my first car. I bought it at 79k miles used. 6 thousand miles later, weve put $6000 from the day I got it. Dealer sold it with the wrong transmission in it. That was 4000. Something with the steering wasnt right and a few other things that costed 1000. For a few months it was ok. During the summer when I turned it on, it just died after a few seconds. That hasnt happened since. I noticed a creaking sound to the right. It had a worn upper engine mount and transmission mount and a oil gasket leak which all costed 1200 to fix. I wouldnt suggest this for a first especially if you only have a min wage job! Its so much fun to drive but is that really worth all my money?