Faults:

The previous owner of my car must have beat the heck out of it, because within a couple of weeks, the engine made a quiet clicking sound that got louder as time went on. The body shop found out is was a spun bearing, and supposedly repaired it. However, the same day I got the car back from repairs (on the drive home in fact) the sound came back with an even greater ferocity.

We decided to just replace the whole engine. The shop found a good 1999 420a engine for $1200, and installed it. The new engine runs great, and with slightly higher compression ratios, performs a bit better.

General Comments:

The car is a definite head-turner (an incredible ego booster), the 1997-1999 body styles are some of the best looking cars I know, even if the performance doesn't quite match up. Off the line, you really have to give it some revs to get a good launch (but the tires will spin), and isn't terribly fast, at least when you are alongside other cars. When you are driving alone, the car seems pretty fast and will impress any passengers. With an upgraded air filter or intake, the engine makes a great sound at higher RPMs.

As far as the handling goes, while the turning radius is terrible, at speed, it will out handle just about any car on the road. The amazing grip has saved my life at least once.

Faults:

Where do I start?

-Horrible ignition problems (Ignition Coil was shot)

-Water/condensation in left headlight (factory problem on ALL eclipses 97-99)

-Alternator problems

-Accessory belts going out way too early/all the time, and SQUEAK when they want to, even after replaced

-Engine burns oil EVEN at low mileage (soon as I bought it 42,000), I have to add a quart once a month

-Car is SUPER SLOW. 2.0 liter engine with automatic transmission is god awful slow

-Motor Mounts are gone, jumps when it shifts

-Problems with sensors going out (speed sensor)

-Problems with tail light wiring, gets loose and blinker goes fast/tailight goes out (seen problem in MANY Eclipses on the road)

-splashgaurd (section behind bumper/in front of tire) unclipped and got shredded by tire, common among eclipses

-trunk/hatch noise is loud, especially when over bumps.

General Comments:

Good points:

-styling of car never fails to turn heads even for a 99

-4 wheel disk brakes work awesome

-A/C has never gave me problems

-leather seats have withstood test of time

-never heated up on me... yet (thank god)

Non-turbo automatic models are all show no go

Faults:

--Convertible top motors burned out twice, top bars bent, now lower top manually

--Automatic transmission needed rebuild at 80M miles

--Internal engine failure at 60M miles (Tensioner broke,)

--Numerous trim pieces have broken off in normal use

--exterior door handle came off in my hands

--Seats worn and starting to tear

--Crappy gas mileage, barely 20 mpg

--140 HP engine is underpowered, especially for a sporting vehicle.

--Extremely low front fascia constantly catching on parking lot dividers and tearing.

--Minor top leaks, major water dumps on you when you open a door in the rain.

--Poor visibility of curbs from driving position

--Rear visibility with top up almost nil (caused me to back into another car)

--Rear stereo speakers vibrate excessively

--Assorted electrical glitches.

General Comments:

I bought this car because I previously had a 90 Eagle Talon and loved it. Figured this was on the same platform from the same plant so it would be as good. And it was... NOT. Poorly built, unreliable. Nice styling, but that's the best I can say for it.

Not surprised this company is going downhill fast even as all the other Japanese makers are doing great. Will never buy another Mitsubishi again!