SPOT.
Photo of a Mitsubishi Eclipse

Mitsubishi Eclipse

The turbo AWD Eclipse GSX: a 10Best pick four years running.1

Researched October 29, 2026 from 34 sources

Also called

  • DSMEnthusiast shorthand for the first two generations and their Eagle Talon/Plymouth Laser siblings, from the Chrysler–Mitsubishi Diamond-Star Motors partnership.2

At a glance

Engine
1.8–2.4 L I4s; 2.0 L turbos; third-gen 3.0 L V6, fourth-gen 3.8 L V623
Layout
Front-engine, FWD; AWD limited to the first two generations3
Gearbox
5-speed manual/4-speed auto; fourth-gen GT: 6MT/5AT, auto-only from 2011212
Built at
Diamond-Star Motors/MMNA, Normal, Illinois, United States3
Units built
906,876 (1989–2011)3

The story

Created for North America's sports-coupe market, the Eclipse spanned four generations, 1990–2012. Chrysler and Mitsubishi's Diamond-Star Motors venture paired the first two with the Eagle Talon, and the first with the Plymouth Laser.3

1995: Second generation keeps turbo and AWD19951996: Spyder arrives in GS and GS-T form19962000: V6 replaces turbo and all-wheel drive20002006: Fourth generation: 263-hp GT20062007: Spyder roof stows in about 19 seconds · 5.9 seconds after 40,846 miles20072011: Final Eclipse: the only V6 2012 SE2011 Mitsubishi Cordia: 1982–1990Mitsubishi Starion: 1982–1989Mitsubishi Eclipse (first generation) (D21A/D22A/D27A): 1990–1994Mitsubishi Eclipse (third generation) (3G): 2000–20053G 1990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones2356142021
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1982–1990Mitsubishi Cordia
1982–1989Mitsubishi Starion
1990–1994Mitsubishi Eclipse (first generation) (D21A/D22A/D27A)
2000–2005Mitsubishi Eclipse (third generation) (3G)
1995Second generation keeps turbo and AWD
1996Spyder arrives in GS and GS-T form
2000V6 replaces turbo and all-wheel drive
2006Fourth generation: 263-hp GT
2007Spyder roof stows in about 19 seconds
20075.9 seconds after 40,846 miles
2011Final Eclipse: the only V6 2012 SE
  1. 1995

    Second generation keeps turbo and AWD

    US RS/GS coupes get Chrysler's 140-hp 420A; GS-T/GSX turbos offer 205–210 hp, with all-wheel drive reserved for GSX.34

  2. 1996

    Spyder arrives in GS and GS-T form

    The first convertible arrives in GS and GS-T forms: a naturally aspirated 2.4 L four or a 2.0 L turbo. Neither offers AWD.3

  3. 2000

    V6 replaces turbo and all-wheel drive

    The Galant-based third generation drops turbo power and AWD. A 3.0 L V6 arrives in the 205-hp GT, driving the front wheels.256

  4. 2006

    Fourth generation: 263-hp GT

    GS gets a 162-hp 2.4 L four; GT's 263-hp 3.8 L MIVEC V6 reaches 60 mph in 6.1 seconds with a six-speed manual.27

  5. 2007

    Spyder roof stows in about 19 seconds

    The fourth-generation Spyder's hydraulic roof opens or closes in about 19 seconds, with a powered hard tonneau hiding the folded top.28

  6. 2007

    5.9 seconds after 40,846 miles

    A 40,846-mile 2006 GT test ends at 5.9 seconds to 60 mph, with just five scheduled service visits costing $432.9

  7. 2011

    Final Eclipse: the only V6 2012 SE

    Production ends in August; the last car is a 2012 SE with a 265-hp 3.8 L V6. Its September auction raises $35,000 for the Japanese Red Cross.31011

Every generation

  • Mitsubishi Cordia
    Mitsubishi Cordia1982–1990
  • Mitsubishi Starion
    Mitsubishi Starion1982–1989
  • Mitsubishi Eclipse (first generation)
    D21A/D22A/D27A1990–1994
  • Mitsubishi Eclipse (third generation)
    3G2000–2005

Power over the years

From 92 hp to 265 hp in 19 years.

0100200300 19901995200020052010 hp 1990 · 92 hp · Base 1.8 L1990 · 135 hp · GS DOHC 2.0 L1990 · 190 hp · GS Turbo, manual1990 · 195 hp · GSX, manual1991 · 180 hp · GS Turbo/GSX, automatic1995 · 140 hp · RS/GS 420A1995 · 210 hp · GS-T/GSX 2.0 L turbo2000 · 205 hp · GT 3.0 L V62003 · 210 hp · GTS 3.0 L V6, MVIM2006 · 162 hp · GS 2.4 L MIVEC2006 · 263 hp · GT 3.8 L MIVEC2009 · 265 hp · GT 3.8 L V6 update 265 hp GT 3.8 L V6 update 92 hp Base 1.8 L
2361314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
199092Base 1.8 L
1990135GS DOHC 2.0 L
1990190GS Turbo, manual
1990195GSX, manual
1991180GS Turbo/GSX, automatic
1995140RS/GS 420A
1995210GS-T/GSX 2.0 L turbo
2000205GT 3.0 L V6
2003210GTS 3.0 L V6, MVIM
2006162GS 2.4 L MIVEC
2006263GT 3.8 L MIVEC
2009265GT 3.8 L V6 update

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Base / ES / GS (1990–1994)

    Standard

    Base / ES / GS (1990–1994)

    1990–1994

  • RS / GS (1995–1999)

    Standard

    RS / GS (1995–1999)

    1995–1999

    140 hp
  • RS / GS / GT (2000–2005)

    Standard

    RS / GS / GT (2000–2005)

    2000–2005

  • Standard

    GS / GS Sport / GT (2012)

    2012

  • Spyder

    Standard

    Spyder

  • Performance

    GS Turbo / GSX (1990–1994)

    1990–1994

  • GS-T / GSX (1995–1999)

    Performance

    GS-T / GSX (1995–1999)

    1995–1999

    210 hp
  • GTS

    Performance

    GTS

    2003–2005

    210 hp

  • Special

    10th Anniversary OZ Rally

    1999

    140 hp

  • Special

    SE

    2012

  • Concept-E

    Special

    Concept-E

    2004

    470 hp

  • Special

    Eclipse Ralliart Concept

    2005

    400 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • First generation: a low, sloping nose with an off-center hood bulge.217
  • Second generation: stubby nose, raked windshield, thick rear fenders and pointed rear quarter windows.218
  • 2006 coupe: pinched waist, bulging rear hips and an arched roof ending at a rear spoiler.7
  • 2006: blue-tinted headlamp lenses and LED taillights with shiny internal bezels.7
  • 2012: a large trapezoidal grille and central valance opening echo the Lancer Evolution.15

Year by year

  1. 1990–1991 / 1992–1994

    Early cars have pop-up headlights; the later nose exposes the lamps and adds a new air dam and rear trim.213

  2. 1995

    The second generation rounds off the body, with a stubby nose, thick rear fenders and pointed rear quarter windows.318

  3. 1997

    Bolder intake, sharper black-backed headlights and bumper-mounted reverse lamps; GS-T coupes and GSX gain a taller spoiler.3

  4. 2003

    A smoother front bumper gets a larger air inlet and recessed fog lights; new clear-lens taillights update the rear.14

  5. 2009

    Both front and rear fascias get minor styling revisions.12

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Mitsubishi Eclipse
    Eclipse
    Photo of a Eagle Talon
    Eagle Talon

    Eagle Talon

    The first two generations were also sold as the Talon; check the name badges before relying on the shared shape.319

  • Photo of a Mitsubishi Eclipse
    Eclipse
    Photo of a Plymouth Laser
    Plymouth Laser

    Plymouth Laser

    A first-generation sibling with nearly identical sheetmetal; check the badges and fascia trim.1317

Against its rivals

  • Ford Probe GT

    Eclipse vs Ford Probe GT

    Skidpad grip

    Eclipse0.8 g
    Ford Probe GT0.9 g
    19
  • Honda Prelude VTEC

    Eclipse vs Honda Prelude VTEC

    0–96.6 km/h lower is better

    Eclipse6.5 s
    Honda Prelude VTEC6.5 s
    19

Prices

Value today $1.0K–$26.0K1213

Auction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K 2010201520202025 Value today: $1,000–$26,000 2011 · $35,000 · 2012 SE, final-production coupe, Mecum2024 · $21,000 · 1990 GSX 5-speed, 44k miles, BaT2024 · $6,767 · 2007 GT 6-speed, under 50k miles, BaT2025 · $11,000 · 2008 Spyder GT, 23,200 miles, AutoHunter2025 · $3,750 · 1992 1.8-liter automatic, 38k miles, BaT2025 · $15,000 · 1996 Spyder GS-T 5-speed, 25k miles, BaT2026 · $33,500 · 1998 GSX 5-speed, 44k miles, BaT2026 · $16,150 · 1996 Spyder GS-T 5-speed, BaT2026 · $9,400 · 2003 Spyder GS 5-speed, 18k miles, BaT $35.0K Mecum, 2011
101128293031323334
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2011Auction sale$35,0002012 SE, final-production coupe, Mecum
2024Auction sale$21,0001990 GSX 5-speed, 44k miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$6,7672007 GT 6-speed, under 50k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$11,0002008 Spyder GT, 23,200 miles, AutoHunter
2025Auction sale$3,7501992 1.8-liter automatic, 38k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$15,0001996 Spyder GS-T 5-speed, 25k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$33,5001998 GSX 5-speed, 44k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$16,1501996 Spyder GS-T 5-speed, BaT
2026Auction sale$9,4002003 Spyder GS 5-speed, 18k miles, BaT
2026Value today$1,000–$26,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “A fire, then a 3.3-second class-record cut”
    • “Two Super Lap Battle titles, back to back”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 34 sources
  1. Total Eclipse of the Mitsubishi: History of the Ill-Starred Sports Coupe caranddriver.com
  2. Mitsubishi Eclipse - The Crittenden Automotive Library carsandracingstuff.com
  3. Mitsubishi Eclipse - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. 1995-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  5. 2000-05 Mitsubishi Eclipse | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  6. 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  7. 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT V-6 – Instrumented Test – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  8. 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT — Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  9. Performance caranddriver.com
  10. Mitsubishi Motors Auctioning Final Production 2012 Eclipse with Proceeds Benefitting Japan Red Cross prnewswire.com
  11. The Official Photos of the Final Mitsubishi Eclipse Are Just as Sad as the Car Itself thedrive.com
  12. 2006-12 Mitsubishi Eclipse | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  13. 1990-94 Mitsubishi Eclipse Review | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  14. 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS Program #2152 - MotorWeek motorweek.org
  15. 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Review: Expert Insights, Pricing, and Trims motortrend.com
  16. Mitsubishi Eclipse Ralliart Concept (2005) - pictures, information & specs netcarshow.com
  17. Eclipse／Plymouth Laser（1989） | Mitsubishi Car Design Trails | Mitsubishi Car Design Trails mit-cardesign-t.com
  18. Tested: 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS Gives Up the X-Factor caranddriver.com
  19. $20K Hustlers: 1994 Budget Sports Coupes Compared caranddriver.com
  20. Mitsubishi Cordia - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Mitsubishi Starion - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. This Website Lists the Real Specs and Build Sheets For The Fast and the Furious Movie Cars thedrive.com
  23. DSM Mitsubishi Eclipse Evo AWD swap motortrend.com
  24. Need for Speed™ Unbound Vol. 7.0.1 Patch Notes ea.com
  25. Mealing Racing resets GTM class record at Knox Mountain by 3.3 seconds, second overall. - AMB Aero amb-aero.com
  26. 25 YEAR CLUB: Mitsubishi Eclipse | Japanese Nostalgic Car japanesenostalgiccar.com
  27. What is 'crank walk'? | DSM FAQ dsmfaq.com
  28. 2008 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER GT available for Auction | AutoHunter.com | 70493294 autohunter.com
  29. No Reserve: 38k-Mile 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $3,750 on August 28, 2025 (Lot #207,435) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 44k-Mile 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $33,500 on July 29, 2026 (Lot #254,856) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. Single-Family-Owned 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS-T 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,000 on February 26, 2025 (Lot #181,683) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. No Reserve: 18k-Mile 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,400 on March 13, 2026 (Lot #233,271) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 44k-Mile 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $19,500 on October 25, 2024 (Lot #168,017) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe GT 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,767 on September 13, 2024 (Lot #162,636) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • carsandracingstuff.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • consumerguide.com
  • motortrend.com
  • prnewswire.com
  • thedrive.com
  • motorweek.org
  • netcarshow.com
  • mit-cardesign-t.com
  • ea.com
  • amb-aero.com
  • japanesenostalgiccar.com
  • dsmfaq.com

Photo credits

Other car files