2006 Eclipse

[eclipseqt]

Looks.....umm different. FWD though.

http://www.mitsubishicars.com/06eclipse/

[Mr. Burns]

Not feeling it at all.

[habsfan]

nice car but theres already a thread about it in general car talk section
http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=72600

[benyl]

http://img144.exs.cx/img144/6320/eclipsedesktop018008ky.th.jpg (http://img144.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img144&image=eclipsedesktop018008ky.jpg)

http://img144.exs.cx/img144/4346/eclipsedesktop0219209vr.th.jpg (http://img144.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img144&image=eclipsedesktop0219209vr.jpg)

http://img144.exs.cx/img144/4051/eclipsedesktop0319209yn.th.jpg (http://img144.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img144&image=eclipsedesktop0319209yn.jpg)

http://img144.exs.cx/img144/3375/eclipsedesktop0419206hf.th.jpg (http://img144.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img144&image=eclipsedesktop0419206hf.jpg)

http://img144.exs.cx/img144/7195/eclipsedesktop0519205li.th.jpg (http://img144.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img144&image=eclipsedesktop0519205li.jpg)

http://img144.exs.cx/img144/9011/eclipsedesktop0919206ai.th.jpg (http://img144.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img144&image=eclipsedesktop0919206ai.jpg)

[benyl]

http://img14.exs.cx/img14/1681/resizeof06eclipsegt183rs.th.jpg (http://img14.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img14&image=resizeof06eclipsegt183rs.jpg)

http://img14.exs.cx/img14/4217/resizeof06eclipsegt121rb.th.jpg (http://img14.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img14&image=resizeof06eclipsegt121rb.jpg)

http://img14.exs.cx/img14/6667/resizeof06eclipsegt097hi.th.jpg (http://img14.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img14&image=resizeof06eclipsegt097hi.jpg)

http://img14.exs.cx/img14/5664/resizeof06eclipsegs021cl.th.jpg (http://img14.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img14&image=resizeof06eclipsegs021cl.jpg)

http://img14.exs.cx/img14/6914/resizeof06eclipsegs103gb.th.jpg (http://img14.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img14&image=resizeof06eclipsegs103gb.jpg)

http://img14.exs.cx/img14/438/resizeof06eclipsegs112nu.th.jpg (http://img14.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img14&image=resizeof06eclipsegs112nu.jpg)

http://img14.exs.cx/img14/58/resizeof06eclipsegt192zi.th.jpg (http://img14.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img14&image=resizeof06eclipsegt192zi.jpg)

[JordanLotoski]

260 hp.. 260 lbs torque, id drive it

[GT2NV]

i like it better than the previous gen

[Chinese_Legend]

i as well like it better than the previous gen...but the 95-99 are the best i think

[EnRich]

Looks like theres very little head room for a guy my height... I dunno bout the car, have to see it for real

[FroggerDude]

looks like the couger

[EnRich]

Originally posted by FroggerDude
looks like the couger


good call it really does...

[RSX.04]

I like it. Better than the previous model for sure!

[grocko]

Originally posted by FroggerDude
looks like the couger

Very true...I also see a bit of resemblance (sp?) to the Scion tC for some reason

[2.0turbo]

Why must the insist on the v6. Couldn't they offer the turbo model atleast? I can't belive they changed it in the first place and reserved the 4g63 for the evo that we may never get.

[BigMass]

with Mitsubishi on their 10 year warranty kick there is no way they will come out with another mid range turbo car and expecially AWD. Just more things to break down and cost them money on warranty repairs. V6 with FWD is easy, basic and reliable. They could care less how well it drives and that AWD Turbo 4 would be better. 95% of the buyers dont know any better anways.

[streetarab]

at least go RWD, everyone loves RWD, at least i do:poosie:

[Stratus_Power]

i smell cheap plastic interior

[Jim Jones]

Fug.

[dkny_stylez]

i dont like it, it looks like a bubble

[pinoyhero]

I think it looks great a return to the previous model. The latest IMO is nasty.

[jaysas_63]

i don't think the current model eclipses are anywhere near as bad as this one...like this just looks sooo cheap, it doesn't look like a sports car, more like a entry level coup, from kia ir sum shit

[icydude666]

scc did a tech artical on that about a year ago...it was interesting

[Sir Lancerlot]

it's ok... but I still think Mitsu had it right back in 95...

from the side it really does look like a Cougar

[zoorocz]

ya it dose look like a cougar it also reminds me of the audi tt kinda

[Jinn_SiR]

not feelin it at all...Older gens were so much nice...95 -00 I believe

[mazda_maniac]

yuck.:barf:

[crx62]

omg that car is mfing beautiful:hitit: :hitit: :hitit: :eek: :eek: :eek:


I admit it would be better as a rwd car or even better awd turbo, but just the cougar body style and paint looks great.

[heavyD]

I really like the view from the rear 3/4 of the car. The front end is okay. I think they will look better in person. Should be fairly quick with the V6 & 6-speed.

[viffer]

So who saw it at the Car show this weekend? When I first saw the pics on the net I thought it was ugly, but seeing it in person with the 18" wheels it looks amazing. My only concern is the V6 eating tons of gas.

[joseph]

I saw it :eek: . I want one:love:

[heavyD]

Originally posted by viffer
So who saw it at the Car show this weekend? When I first saw the pics on the net I thought it was ugly, but seeing it in person with the 18" wheels it looks amazing. My only concern is the V6 eating tons of gas.

It's like I said in my earlier post that it would probably look better in person. I didn't go to the show. Could you sit in it or was it just for show? Does the car look bigger or smaller in person?

[joseph]

looks about the same size in person. Couldn't sit in it though.

[abyss]

I like the 95-00 the best, but at least it doesn't look like a Pontiac anymore, that's a step in the right direction for sure.

[Orbie]

I agree with HeavyD on this one, it definitely did look better in person. But I have to say it looks pretty big in person as well (especially the rear end), definitely around the 3500 or so lbs they forecast it to be. It also looks like the same dimensions on the inside as the 2G eclipses. The driver's seat was jacked to the back and there was no room for anything but babies or sports equipment in the back seat. They did tell me it was still pre-production and one or two things might still change before they move to production in May. Just FYI, they mentioned end of July as the time it would hit the showrooms and the price range across the two trims (GS, GT) would be 23K - 38K (pretty outrageous IMO if that's what it ends up at).

[Beertender838]

ROAD and TRACK
0-60 in 5.8
And it has done the quater in 14.4 at 101mph
Even thow its about 3 to 4 thousand pounds heavier "I have even heard 5 thousand" than the current. Its a second and a half faster. And a tad over a sec faster in 0-60 time.

Thats not bad comapred to some of the new rear wheel sport coups like the 350z and it 14.1. Or the G35 coupe which does 0-60 in 5.9 and the quater at the same 14.4

You guys are off on the price too a tad. Its 22,000 to fully loaded GT around 28 to 27,000 here in the US. What is $34 - 37 CDN?? Not sure on that or how that adds up or wear its from lol?? But because of poor sales on the last model "not the company the model" they cant jack the price of the new ones in the first year intill they re gain customers for it. Should have even told you that on the car show movie at the site. Or go to club 4g eclipse they know all about it and many reps their too. Its the only car I know a lot about. Not only have I heard this in mags. Ive already talked to Reps of the company. Because im trading my Current green 03 oopps 02 GT In on one. "Only has 22,000 miles." Yea I use a van for long trips. And have sold all my junk over the last year since I first saw the concept. It less Fast and Furious and more me. At my growing age of 33. But it is said to not handle like a 350z. But ride more smooth. Plus I only corner fast if im on 2 wheels and in the dirt ;) . And it can run over bumps in the road with no rattle. Its almost like a smooth midsize they said. Some smooth class feel. With a decent 14.4 Quater speed . My type of ride. Fast and comfy, instead of fast and furious. Im only 5'7" too so size is never as prob for me. Yea its time for me to take My green one away and it's wannabe Polyurethane Body kit and neon's. And grow old a little. While still getting faster lol.
A not fully loaded GT is looking around 25,000. and at 14.4 still. And it will be easy to take some massive weight off. Also since intakes go off of % of power and a few little tid bits changed here and their. At 264hp, it wont take much to get to the big 300hp mark. Honda 4cyl kids.:cry:. Are gona hate this car. While STILL having trouble with the current GT.;)

[habsfan]

^sure if you're a straight line junkie. for the rest of the world that drives roads that arent perfectly straight, itll prolly be a nose heavy understeering nightmare.

[Beertender838]

Yea its a load. But I dont take corners like a demon. Unless on two wheels and on dirt lol.

[Orbie]

Originally posted by Beertender838

You guys are off on the price too a tad. Its 22,000 to fully loaded GT around 28 to 27,000. Because of poor sales on the last model they cant jack the price of the new ones in the first year intill they re gain customers for it.

Beertender838, I'm assuming you're on the 4GEclipse forum too? I remember the picture on your sig there too. Anyways we aren't off on the price man, Beyond is a Canadian Car enthusiast forum, most of the people here are from Canada thus we are talking CAD. In those terms a fully loaded Eclipse hard top in Canada is about ~36000 so the fully loaded GT will be around 36000 to 38000 like the Canadian Mitsu Reps have told me...unfortunately. Oh well, the reviews of it so far are good though.

[BumpinTalon]

those are really impressive acceleration times... really, really impressive

[Beertender838]

Originally posted by BumpinTalon
those are really impressive acceleration times... really, really impressive

Yea for that weight and Front wheel drive. Yea it is. And if its over say 28 grand US. Looks like I have to go 05 Mustang GT for the cash. But oh well?? Either way I will be happy I guess? So now I gues for the next month or two, I have to wounder which is its gona be??
Yea sure the Mustang is perty fast, but speed is not everything, I get enough of that in motocross. I rather have the new Eclipse GT.

[rockym20]

I think they totally screwed up the pricing on this one. For close to $40G's I would take a Mustang GT, RX-8, used WRX STi, used 911 Carrera 4 or Boxster, S2000, used NSX, used Corvette C6, etc., etc. over this car any day. They really should have been building the car to compete with RSX & Tiburon segment, which is the market the car historically competed in and did very well in the 1990's and there are few competitors remaining.

[3g4me]

I dont think tiburon is anywhere near the same category as RSX or eclipse. Tiburon is more in the same category as civic, j-body. IMO.

[BumpinTalon]

naw, the tiburon is priced to compete with the Civic and Cavaliers but styled & equipped to compete with RSXs and Eclipses. that is the segment Mitsu should have aimed at with this car. if the price really is almost $40k... ooof

[rockym20]

Originally posted by 3g4me
I dont think tiburon is anywhere near the same category as RSX or eclipse. Tiburon is more in the same category as civic, j-body. IMO.

While the RSX Type S is definitely a faster and nicer built car than the Tiburon, these 2 cars are the only 2 purpose built 2-door import sport coupes available now. The Celica is toast (& Toyota isn't bringing the Scion Tc here), and the MR2 and Prelude have been gone for years. The last generation Eclipse was over-weight, over-priced, and had middling performance at best. At 127 HP, a Civic Si-G is hardly comparable to the Tiburon (172 HP), and lacks the distinctive styling that someone would want from this type of car.

Anyways, I think Mitsubishi missed it on this one, as the more high-performance version of the car is competing against a lot of different cars with a much higher pedigree & the low performance version will probably not be competitive with the RSX and Tiburon (much less the SRT-4 or Cobalt SS Supercharged).

[Orbie]

Originally posted by rockym20
I think they totally screwed up the pricing on this one. For close to $40G's I would take a Mustang GT, RX-8, used WRX STi, used 911 Carrera 4 or Boxster, S2000, used NSX, used Corvette C6, etc., etc. over this car any day.

I said the exact same thing referring to the RX-8, Mustang GT at the Calgary Auto Show to the Mitsu Rep and he just looked at me like "who cares" and started talking to his co-worker. That left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth, but I'll still reserve my judgement until I test drive the GT. IMO the GS (162hp) just would not perform well at all when the car is 3200 + lbs, sure the engine is supposedly the Ralliart Lancer engine but not powering a boat like that. Honda Accord Coupe V6 6spd would be another buy that is almost the same in performance and much cheaper. Still one good point of the 4G Eclipse that I don't see in competitiors is that 650-watt sound system.

[heavyD]

Well I don't know where you found these cheap V6 Accords? A fully loaded V6 Accord with 17" wheels and accessories is over $40000 CDN.

You people have to remember that the GT model will probably only account for 25% of sales. Lots of women will by the base models which are much cheaper but retain some of the good looks. Look at mustangs. 60% of mustang buyers are women and most of them by the V6 model. That's really the target.

It may not be RWD but it looks to be as fast or faster than an RX8 right out of the box and the engine will last longer than 150Km's between rebuilds unlike the rotary. As nice as an RX8 is, cars like the Mazda 3 and 6 are much more important to Mazda as far as sales go.

FWD isn't as desireable for a performance car but Road & Track tested a Gallant Ralliart which is very similar to the Eclipse GT and it actually outperformed a 350Z. Performance hardcore want RWD but most car buyers in North America don't. Honda & Toyota seem to be doing better than anyone in the automobile industry and they don't have any RWD vehicles left (sans S2000 & MR2 spyder). It's all about sales boys and Mitsubishi wouldn't sell as many Eclipses if they were RWD plain and simple. The last RWD car in the segment was the Nissan 240SX and it was dropped in the late 90's due to poor sales.

BTW: Also the Eclipse is built on the Galant mid-size platform. RSX's are still civic's at their roots and Tiburons, SRT4's, even WRX's are based on economy car platforms. If you want a Mustang, 350Z, RX8 killer Mitsubishi already has a car that easily beats these cars and competes performance-wise with Corvettes & Porches at a far lower cost. This is another reason that the new Eclipse isn't AWD as they have the EVO in that segment.

[3g4me]

I wish my eclipse was rwd soo bad, or awd would be nice too.:D

[403Gemini]

i think they look pretty sharp, but knowin mitsu they'll overcharge for what it delivers (common look at last gen's eclipses! how much were those goin for and they were fairly weak?)

[3g4me]

I paid $26,000 for a 03 rs, and yes it was pretty slow. Not anymore.

[rockym20]

I don't know about you, but I look at Mitsubishi not as a premium brand, but more as a value brand like Hyundai, especially considering the financial difficulties the company has gone through and the limited number of dealers in Canada. The only reason I bought my (used) Tib was because it is nice looking, has reasonable performance, is pretty reliable, and is thousands less than a used Acura or Toyota. If it had been the same price as an Integra or Celica, I would have gotten one of those instead. I would only consider a Mitsubishi in the same context. Mitsubishi needs to show a strong value proposition - good performance vs. its competitors (not necessarily the best, but comparable) and costing thousands less.

[3g4me]

I dont think Mitsu is a "value brand" considering you pay up the ass for pretty much the name, and the fact that they have come up with the evo which is up there in the top of the list for ralley cars. The reason huydai is a "value brand" is because they give you an o.k. looking car for very little money, they have no race history and nobody into really tuning would buy one, same as KIA. Pretty much your statement states that because the business is having financial difficulties that there cars are automaticly classed as 3rd rate economy budget cars?

[rockym20]

Look, I'm not going to get into the whole immature brand bashing "my brand is better than your brand" thing. However, Consumer Reports recently completed the largest survey of car buyers ever completed. What was the car least likely to give you problems? A Hyundai Sonata (at only 2 problems for every 100 cars made). Did the Chairman of Toyota contact the Chairman of Mitsubishi to arrange plant tours and exchange technology and manufacturing techniques. No? Well he did that with Hyundai (who declined them, BTW). Who designed most of the new 4-cyclinder engines for Chrysler, Mitsubishi & Hyundai that will be coming out over the next couple years? Hyundai (although they all have their own separate manufacturing plants). I'd hardly call them a 3rd rate budget car. That said, given the money I would still buy a Lexus/Toyota, BMW, or Honda/Acura over a Hyundai anyday. And yes, based on that I would rate Mitsubishi in the same category as Hyundai. While you may feel differently, I personally don't think its bad company to be in.

If you need to justify to yourself that Mitsubishi is a top-notch company and that is why you paid what you did for your car, then that is fine. However, for me I look at it this way: why would I risk my hard-earned money with a company who might not even be around to do my warranty work in the next few years, much less continue producing parts as the car gets older? They need to give me a reason why and it that is through competitive pricing. There are just so many awesome cars (both new and slightly used) available in the $30K range, that I wouldn't even consider a Mitsubishi (or Hyundai for that matter) for that much, except possibly an Evo (but since we don't have them...).

Anyways, while the Evo brand means something to us, the reality is it means sh!t to the average buying public. They don't know about rally racing and they could care less. Mitsubishi is a brand new company to Canada and few consumers know anything about it. How do you drive business in? You start with low(er) prices to establish a critical mass in the market, and then you raise prices after you have reached a reasonable volume of business and established a loyal customer base. Until they realize this, they are going to continue to struggle.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by rockym20
Look, I'm not going to get into the whole immature brand bashing "my brand is better than your brand" thing. However, Consumer Reports recently completed the largest survey of car buyers ever completed. What was the car least likely to give you problems? A Hyundai Sonata (at only 2 problems for every 100 cars made). Did the Chairman of Toyota contact the Chairman of Mitsubishi to arrange plant tours and exchange technology and manufacturing techniques. No? Well he did that with Hyundai (who declined them, BTW). Who designed most of the new 4-cyclinder engines for Chrysler, Mitsubishi & Hyundai that will be coming out over the next couple years? Hyundai (although they all have their own separate manufacturing plants). I'd hardly call them a 3rd rate budget car. That said, given the money I would still buy a Lexus/Toyota, BMW, or Honda/Acura over a Hyundai anyday. And yes, based on that I would rate Mitsubishi in the same category as Hyundai. While you may feel differently, I personally don't think its bad company to be in.

If you need to justify to yourself that Mitsubishi is a top-notch company and that is why you paid what you did for your car, then that is fine. However, for me I look at it this way: why would I risk my hard-earned money with a company who might not even be around to do my warranty work in the next few years, much less continue producing parts as the car gets older? They need to give me a reason why and it that is through competitive pricing. There are just so many awesome cars (both new and slightly used) available in the $30K range, that I wouldn't even consider a Mitsubishi (or Hyundai for that matter) for that much, except possibly an Evo (but since we don't have them...).

Anyways, while the Evo brand means something to us, the reality is it means sh!t to the average buying public. They don't know about rally racing and they could care less. Mitsubishi is a brand new company to Canada and few consumers know anything about it. How do you drive business in? You start with low(er) prices to establish a critical mass in the market, and then you raise prices after you have reached a reasonable volume of business and established a loyal customer base. Until they realize this, they are going to continue to struggle.

Sorry dude. Hyundai is a value brand and they didn't design any engine Mitsubishi will be using. Only Chrylser & Hyundai will be manufacturing cars from the joint venture as Mitsubishi declined as they have their own direct injection engines in the works.

Also Hyundai only performed well in the initial quality surveys with Consumer reports. Their 5 year average reliability is 2nd worst to VW in the industry.

The Mitsubishi Montero is one of the longest running SUV's out there with the Cherokee long before the SUV craze of today. DSM's are still amongst one of the most popular tuner cars in North America, the 3000 GT's were excellent GT touring cars and the EVO is a world class car. Untill Hyundai manufactures something more substantial than a two door Sonata with a V6 they are a value brand.:rolleyes:

[rockym20]

I agree, Hyundai is a value brand. I was just making the point that they aren't as bad as some people like to make out.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by rockym20
I agree, Hyundai is a value brand. I was just making the point that they aren't as bad as some people like to make out.

You are right. They definately have improved their quality from worst in the 80's to being very competative with other import brands today, they just don't offer any upscale vehicles.

[tapout]

Originally posted by FroggerDude
looks like the couger yup i agree:thumbsdow

[Orbie]

Originally posted by heavyD
Well I don't know where you found these cheap V6 Accords? A fully loaded V6 Accord with 17" wheels and accessories is over $40000 CDN.

You people have to remember that the GT model will probably only account for 25% of sales. Lots of women will by the base models which are much cheaper but retain some of the good looks. Look at mustangs. 60% of mustang buyers are women and most of them by the V6 model. That's really the target.

Sure a fully loaded V6 Accord runs for $40,000, but we're not talking fully loaded models. A base V6 6spd man Accord is $34,000, the base price of the 4GEclipse (at least what the deaership reps told me) was $38,000. Which isn't hard to imagine since the current Eclipse top model MSRP's for $36,000. If you "fully loaded" the Eclipse, you bet the Accord would still come out ahead. Options are really irrelevant anyways since different people like different things, and will equip their cars as such. So from a strict MSRP standpoint the Accord is cheaper and performs just as well.

From a sales point I definately agree with you, most Accords sold are also 4-bangers as well. But I'm not one of those people, I'm one of the 25% who likes the top performance models. So IMHO I think there are better cars out there from that standpoint. Logically MMNA would not be marketing a performance model aimed at those 25% unless they believed it could be competitive in the existing market. What some of the people here are saying is that they, being part of that target audience, would choose other cars over it. I am entitled to agree with those people to a degree. Of course I reserve my opinion till after the test drive :)

[PorknBeans]

Pics

[heavyD]

Originally posted by PorknBeans
Pics

I really like the look from the rear 3/4.

[Orbie]

Here are some more pics linked over from the 4GEclipse Forum:

Some group of pictures PorknBeans got his:
http://www.club4geclipse.com/fortopic299-0.html

Pics from MOD:
http://www.club4geclipse.com/post2068.html#2068

[heavyD]

Originally posted by Orbie
Here are some more pics linked over from the 4GEclipse Forum:

Some group of pictures PorknBeans got his:
http://www.club4geclipse.com/fortopic299-0.html

Pics from MOD:
http://www.club4geclipse.com/post2068.html#2068

Looks best in black IMO.

[heavyD]

I have the new Road & Track and from their review I think the new Eclipse will be a winner. Its performance numbers were compared to the 2005 Nissan 35 Aniversary addition ($36000 US) and the $23000 US GT model was almost identical (2 tenths slower) for over $10K US less. Thay compare it also to the new Mustang GT and they say:

"The Z tops the handling department while the Mustang is quicker in a straight line; but the Eclipse offers the most refinement, along with the sexy new shape."

Unfortunately the car came with 18" Goodyear Eagle RSA all-season tires which I can tell from experience are shit and hindered some of the handling.

They absolutely love the engine and interior. This sums it up best:

"The Eclipse is for those who want the striking good looks of a sports coupe, but don't want to put up with their harsh rides and boomy interiors of, say, the EVO & 350Z. It's for someone considering an Acura RSX, but who actually wants some power. Did we mention the Eclipse's engine?"

Judging by how poorly the Nissan 350Z did in their in their long term evaluation of 50000 miles. Had to replace clutch, flywheel, & transmission at 25000 miles.:( They said the interior was junk and that the fit & finish of the car was nowhere near that of an S2000 or even an RX8. I wouldn't be surprised if the Eclipse can manage to steal some sales from the 350Z from casual buyers who don't care if the car is FWD or RWD.

It's not the perfect car but it looks like Mitsubishi has the Eclipse heading back to respectability. Hell I would even consider buying one as the more I see it the more it is starting to look like one of the best looking cars available today.

[1badPT]

The more I see it, the more I like it. I still wish they had kept the side dump exhausts, but I'm sure the aftermarket will come up with a solution for that. Also, FWD? Come on AWD or RWD would have made this a truely awesome car. Doesn't look like there is much room in the engine bay for mods :dunno:

And like everyone else mentioned, that is some pretty serious wheel gap, but a set of springs / shocks will fix that.

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by heavyD
I have the new Road & Track and from their review I think the new Eclipse will be a winner. Its performance numbers were compared to the 2005 Nissan 35 Aniversary addition ($36000 US) and the $23000 US GT model was almost identical (2 tenths slower) for over $10K US less. Thay compare it also to the new Mustang GT and they say:

"The Z tops the handling department while the Mustang is quicker in a straight line; but the Eclipse offers the most refinement, along with the sexy new shape."

Unfortunately the car came with 18" Goodyear Eagle RSA all-season tires which I can tell from experience are shit and hindered some of the handling.

They absolutely love the engine and interior. This sums it up best:

"The Eclipse is for those who want the striking good looks of a sports coupe, but don't want to put up with their harsh rides and boomy interiors of, say, the EVO & 350Z. It's for someone considering an Acura RSX, but who actually wants some power. Did we mention the Eclipse's engine?"

Judging by how poorly the Nissan 350Z did in their in their long term evaluation of 50000 miles. Had to replace clutch, flywheel, & transmission at 25000 miles.:( They said the interior was junk and that the fit & finish of the car was nowhere near that of an S2000 or even an RX8. I wouldn't be surprised if the Eclipse can manage to steal some sales from the 350Z from casual buyers who don't care if the car is FWD or RWD.

It's not the perfect car but it looks like Mitsubishi has the Eclipse heading back to respectability. Hell I would even consider buying one as the more I see it the more it is starting to look like one of the best looking cars available today.

Be that as it may, it's FWD isn't it? If it's RWD or AWD for $23K US, that's really good in price. FF with a huge V6 isn't that great in the handling department.

As for reliability, I don't expect this to top Nissan or Mustang. But the Hyundai like warranty that they offer now may make up for it.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by 1badPT
The more I see it, the more I like it. I still wish they had kept the side dump exhausts, but I'm sure the aftermarket will come up with a solution for that. Also, FWD? Come on AWD or RWD would have made this a truely awesome car. Doesn't look like there is much room in the engine bay for mods :dunno:

And like everyone else mentioned, that is some pretty serious wheel gap, but a set of springs / shocks will fix that.

Mitsubishi doesn't have a RWD platform and the Ecllipse has always been built on the FWD Galant platform & AWD would drive the cost into EVO territory. Not making excuses but it's FWD for dollars & cents reasons. Acura seems to sell alot of RSX's and they are FWD and that's all the bean counters care about unfortunately.

2G's had the same wheel gap problem but it's not that the car sits high, it's the huge wheel wells. My first mods would be springs/shocks & 18" or 19" rims with real performance rubber, then a nice catback.:D

[1badPT]

I bet the reliability it better is than Nissan - Nissan doesn't exactly make the most reliable vehicles, or at least they haven't in recent years.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by 1badPT
I bet the reliability it better is than Nissan - Nissan doesn't exactly make the most reliable vehicles, or at least they haven't in recent years.

That's why I don't get the whole Japanese reliability thing. Nissan & Mazda in particular have always been hit or miss yet people think that because they are Japanese that they are so much better than GM or Chrysler which isn't really true unless you have a Honda or Toyota.

[Xtrema]

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/mlf/06eclipse.htm

Confirm my feeling on this car.

Cliff notes:

Styling is cool
V6 too nose heavy
I4 is more nimble but it's still a pretty heavy car
RSX is a better car

[heavyD]

Originally posted by Xtrema
As for reliability, I don't expect this to top Nissan or Mustang. But the Hyundai like warranty that they offer now may make up for it.

Dude Nissan has terrible reliability and Mustang's are built very cheaply. I sat in a new GT and was very dissapointed in the inferior quality materials.

Cliff notes:
-good price
-excellent styling
-GT is much faster than RSX and even faster than RX8
-Car is heavy and FWD (bad)
-better quality than Mustang
-Way better car than RSX for the money
-lacks grip due to crappy all-season tires

BTW: Let's not get too excited until it's released.