The engine went out the first year I owned it. This was due to a recall which I hadn't paid attention to (and also wasn't announced by Mitsubishi Motors to the owners...). Also the engine issue was partly my fault- was racing the car often (street).
The transmission went out during the second year. This again was probably my fault (too much power shifting, clutch is not designed for much power). The clutch went out, and so did some other things, not sure what. When I got the transmission checked (and completely replaced) there were metal pieces everywhere.
My Eclipse is a very agile vehicle. Yes, it is somewhat heavy (around 3400 pounds I believe), but for the weight, it handles exceptionally well. Car reviews have said otherwise... but I am assuming these individuals did not know how to drive well.
The 3rd generation Eclipse line is not a small vehicle... hatchback, but wide wheel base, and fairly low to the ground. Nice to have a car bigger than most econo cars.
You can really push the GS, not just in acceleration (which stock is not its strong point), but handling, and included is a very smooth ride. Even in really wet road conditions I have taken some 20 mph corners at 50-60 with little slide) (kids don't try this at home).
I didn't take corners that fast with stock tires. The stock tires suck! I've currently got Pirelli P zeros, and there wonderful. Even better get some bigger wheels (18")
The car is attractive, and does seem to gather a lot of attention. Very beautiful curved lines... The 3G Eclipse design was partly modeled after a Ferrari (ya!).
Room inside is kind of cramped, but for 2 people it's more than enough. (I am 6'5"). The trunk provides lots of space for sound equipment, and other 'racing goodies'.
The 2.4 L engine has some grand power capabilities. Yes stock it is not the fastest around, but with some serious mods you can really get this car screaming. The engine is built well, built strong. I am adding a Mitsubishi 16G turbo, and with some other mods (bigger injectors, engine management tools, big intercooler), and $5,000 (doing the labor myself) later I will own an estimated 350+ hp vehicle (at the wheel hp baby!). That's enough power to keep up with todays quickest rides. This is also before using nitrous injection (another 100 hp gain).
Last thing this car is very safe! I've spoken with lots of people who have wrecked their Eclipses (totaled them...), and they walked away from the accident (one guy flipped his car over 4 times...).
Beautiful car, solid, safe, and sound. Nice ride, and it's hot!
Good review a got a Buick Skylark too and I want a spyder.
The car weighs 3859 pounds which is not that heavy.
Um 350 hp in a front wheel drive? your gonna have some major torque steer man. have fun with that.
I have a '98 mirage with a 2000 eclipse gs spyder 4G64 engine swapped and I have a the 2.4l turbo kit (16g turbo) and my car pushes about 340hp and 330ft/lb of torque at 7 psi (stock engine internals). The major problem with mine was that the turbo manifold won't fit under my hood (due to a shorter front end in the mirage) I had 2 options, Take out my radiator and buy 2 separate smaller radiators (one for each fan) and mount them where the foglights would have gone or have a machine shop make a custom manifold. I went with the machine shop and they made me a custom stainless steel manifold and a headshield (there is a small turbo lag, but that's because the turbo sits right behind the intercooler about 4 inches lower than the original turbo manifold). They also modified the tubing I got with the kit to make it to intercooler (basically just bending and cutting some tubes shorter and rerounding the edges). After that they just cut the tubing a few inches shorter so it would fit with my shorter front end to make it to my intake manifold. Do not go over 7-10 psi with stock engine and/or stock intake manifold. You should also have at least a stage 2 clutch. If you have any questions you can email me at loserspearl@yahoo.com.
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