Drive Test
Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

Has it really been 15 years? That's how long ago our pals at Mitsubishi first introduced the Eclipse. Guess time flies when you're having fun.

Now Mitsu has just introduced the forth generation of these well-liked little machines, and we can tell you right now, Eclipse is cool yet another time. Granted, this latest version has a couple minor issues we'd like to see changed, but its few negatives definitely don't kill the experience.

Good, bad, and occasionally ugly, here's what we found out in a week of rigorously thrashing an Eclipse GT coupe, courtesy of Mitsubishi:

Quick take:

FEELS LIKE:
A sport compact with a scoop of supercar thrown into the batter.

WHO WILL LIKE IT?
Folks who want to drive something a bit wild, on a budget that's Toyota-Camry mild.

WHO WON'T LIKE IT?
Cranky older dudes, tweed-cap-wearing sports-car guys.

DETAILS:

DRIVETRAIN:
The GT's standard 3.8-liter V6 has a sweet-sounding rip that's a bit reminiscent of pricey exotics. And its gutsy power output is a blast, propelling Eclipse with an urgency that can be a bit startling the first few times.

No wonder why -- 263 hp at 5750 rpm, and a solid 260 lb. ft. of torque at 4500 rpm tells the whole story.

Unfortunately, the giddy fun provided by Eclipse's potent V6 is dampened that age-old devil of front-drive cars -- torque steer. Ugh! Punch the gas abruptly and most of your attention is devoted to keeping your ride from clearing sidewalks.

HANDLING:
Has about the usual amount of understeer you expect from a front-drive car, but it's not excessive. Overall there's plenty of grip and the car is quite tossable once you get a feel for it. The steering has pleasing weighting and good road feel.

Translation -- more than sufficiently capable of producing stupid grins on twisty roads.

RIDE:
Typical street-bred sporty-car stuff -- firm, but you won't need a trip to the chiropractor from driving it every day.

COCKPIT:
Lowslung sporty flavor with lots of cool details throughout. Optional two-tone leather has some definite overtones of all-out supercar mixed in -- a fine environment for carrying out those Lamborghini fantasies we all have from time to time. And that's important, because you sure won't want this car for its roominess -- six footers will find Eclipse snug in front, damn near unbearable in back.

Then again, do you really care? It's a sporty coupe not a minivan. You'll deal.

CARGO ROOM:
Does anyone buy sports coupes to haul anything more than booty? (and maybe a few friends) But, in case you're one of those rare freaks who travels in such cars, there is room for a couple overnight bags.

MONEY STUFF:
The GS version of the Eclipse starts at a reasonable $19,300, but it's saddled with the way less poten four-cylinder engine. Anyone with a pulse should shake another four-grand out of their couch for the GT version with its kickass V6.

Our test Eclipse GT also had the Premium Sport Package. The package's sunroof, heated seats, two-tone leather, and hotter Rockford Fosgate audio didn't make the car any quicker, but its 235/45VR18 tires surely helped.

Unfortunately, the Premium Sport Package goes for an unhealthy $3,270. Ouch. Think twice.

SUMMARY:
Eclipse's style and performance has plenty of bold lowdown mojo, but yet the car is still somewhat practical for day-to-day chores. What more can you ask of a sports coupe?

How about prices under $25k if you buy wisely. Not bad at all.

SPECS:

DIMENSIONS:

Overall Length
179.7 in.

Overall Width
72.2 in

Overall Height
53.5 in

Wheelbase
101.4 in.

Curb Weight
3274 lb.

DRIVETRAIN:

Eclipse GS
sohc 2.4-liter inline four
162 hp @ 6000 rpm
162 lb. ft. @ 4500 rpm

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

Eclipse GT
sohc 3.8-liter V6
263 hp @ 5750 rpm
260 lb. ft. @ 4500 rpm

6-speed manual
5-speed automatic