the curse of the eclipse?

im currently looking for an import to replace my domestic, and ive always liked the eclipses...but everyone tells me that theyre unreliable and they fall apart after 40k miles...whats up with that? is it true? maybe im in the wrong board to be asking this (i dont want a biased opinion, haha) but is there anywhere that i can show people (mainly my parents) on paper that "hey look, they really dont suck ass" thanx guys

It's hard to find proof that a car is reliable, but there are way too many 1st generation (pre-95) eclipses on the road to say that they don't last. It might not help your parents, but how many imports around the same price range can put down 210 to the wheels? That's what sold me.

well mine has been loyal
its at 104K the doors and bumpers hasn't fallen off yet
did a compression test recently too, stock engine got 175psi across all 4 cylinders.
maybe i'm just lucky :sunglasse

darm I love my car, she really makes me proud :biggrin:

mileage is 123457 on mine. I just had to see them go in order today.

But on reliability. Mine hasn't had any major problems that would call it unreliable, just things like window button sticking, leaky convertible top, things that can be fixed easily. Right now, mine is as good as new after fixing all my minors. But just as long as you don't treat your eclipse like shit, it won't turn into shit.

yea...the scary part is, i gotta find one that hasnt already been run into the ground...when i go check out this one ive been lookin at, what should i check out? its a 95 RS 5 speed...and what would be a good price for one of those? i dont want to be getting ripped off.

yea...the scary part is, i gotta find one that hasnt already been run into the ground...when i go check out this one ive been lookin at, what should i check out? its a 95 RS 5 speed...and what would be a good price for one of those? i dont want to be getting ripped off.

just don't buy on the spot.. I hope you know your stuff as far as being able to make sure it hasn't shot the shit, but if it hasn't, then check the mileage, price, and accessories and come home and check on kelly's blue book to see what you'd expect to pay for it.

just don't buy on the spot.. I hope you know your stuff as far as being able to make sure it hasn't shot the shit, but if it hasn't, then check the mileage, price, and accessories and come home and check on kelly's blue book to see what you'd expect to pay for it.

yea, i know that much...what i was gettin at was mainly anything that typically tends to go wrong with eclipses that i should specifically look for...this guy has the carfax sheet, and i just found out that he recently replaced like the radiator, the alternator, the clutch, the windshield, the computer and the battery...he said it wasnt because of a wreck, just things that needed to be fixed...now im like "ok dude...the computer just doesnt up and 'need to be fixed,' whatd you really do to it?" haha...hopefully things will work out and i wont be stuck in domestic hell for very much longer.

ECUs do fail. The caps start to leak, and now even 2gs are old enough to start seeing this. Its not common, but its not rare either. At any rate, they last a well as they should for the power we put down with these things, especially with AWDs. Lots of drivetrain stress when the wheels dont go up in smoke. ;) I have 170k miles, and its my daily driver (400 whp on pump no less) and I race it regularly. Up to 300 passes per year. Sure I've broken some parts, but its to be expected. Get most other imports to run 11s al day and it will brake a good bit more I'm sure. If you are willing to learn and do your own work, a DSM is a very rewarding project for a daily driven race car. AWD, Turbo, and cheap. If you're the type to complain about changing batterys and having to change the timing belt and bring it to the dealer for every squeak and rattle, dont bother. ;)

im def. not the type to complain, and i already do all my own work on my current car...ill just have to learn a few new things for the mitsubishi engine...now all that i have to do is convince my parents that they arent crap...which is proving impossible. :banghead:

I've got a 98 with 64000 and I drive it everywhere and everyday. I drive on the highway going at least 90 a lot. The only major problem I have had in the past year was the power steering belt needed to be replaced. I would say if you can take care of a car then get an eclipse. It will last and you can drive it all the time. If you work with your eclipse then your eclipse will work with you. I love it.

ECUs do fail. The caps start to leak, and now even 2gs are old enough to start seeing this. Its not common, but its not rare either. At any rate, they last a well as they should for the power we put down with these things, especially with AWDs. Lots of drivetrain stress when the wheels dont go up in smoke. ;) I have 170k miles, and its my daily driver (400 whp on pump no less) and I race it regularly. Up to 300 passes per year. Sure I've broken some parts, but its to be expected. Get most other imports to run 11s al day and it will brake a good bit more I'm sure. If you are willing to learn and do your own work, a DSM is a very rewarding project for a daily driven race car. AWD, Turbo, and cheap. If you're the type to complain about changing batterys and having to change the timing belt and bring it to the dealer for every squeak and rattle, dont bother. ;)


Like they say, "If your not breaking enough parts, your not makeing enough horsepower" :iceslolan i live by this motto, but i havent broken anything yet :cwm27: mine just hit 146k lol

I've got a 1990 Galant 4WD, but it has the same engine/transmission/similar drivetrain to the 1st gen non-turbo Eclipses, and I've just passed 105k miles with no problem except those ECU capacitors. It was an easy fix tho; my mate has experience of electronics, so he kindly repaired it for me [removed the old, bunrt out caps, cleaned the board/connections & refitted new caps] and the whole job cost me £10 !

I've also got a few niggles to fix around the bodywork, buut again nothing major - just want the car looking spot-on !


I know this isnt exactly the same as your car, but at least you can tell your parents that Mitsubishis generally are solid, reliable cars !


[Alternatively tell them where to go, 'cos it's your car and you want one !]

1 month after i got my talon i had to replace the trany clutch and while i was at it i replaced the ALL THE SEALS in the car put new timing belt all for around 2 grand.... sucked but its driving like it had 1 mile on it now!! :smile:

That must have been all labor. A 2600 pound clutch is 390, tbelt parts are 200-300, and mitsu gasket set is 100. 60 more with head gasket. This is why I do my own work ;)

lol ive had my car for since end of july and my parents just got a 97 gs a few weeks ago and they just changed the timeing belt in it and left mine to rot :disappoin oh well ill get it done sooner or later...

haha...ya damn right japmetal...im the one whos gonna be driving/working on it...not them. anyway, yea...2 grand to replace seals? man, i LOVE being a shade tree mechanic!

"wait...this says for professional use only"
"we arent professionals?"
"nope...<points at tree> shade tree mechanics"

That must have been all labor. A 2600 pound clutch is 390, tbelt parts are 200-300, and mitsu gasket set is 100. 60 more with head gasket. This is why I do my own work

i put trany up there too... i had to put in a brand new transmission thats what killed me. sucked