1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2.0 turbo

Summary:

I love this performance monster!

Faults:

Clutch was very sensitive. Had the clutch fork replaced, now I have no problems.

Ball joints were bad.

Water pump blew at 150000 miles.

Automatic antenna comes up when it feels like it.

Premium sound speakers are blown.

Tie rods were bad.

Aluminum rims bend easily.

Motor revves non-stop at times.

Burns oil every 2000 miles or so. Smoke comes from the muffler when the car is stopped for a minute or two.

Interior is starting to fall apart.

Fog light button does not work.

General Comments:

This car was owned by various people. All the problems I am having come from wear and tear and being handled badly by the previous owners.

It is fast! I love the feeling of being sucked into the seat as I push the gas pedal, that's why I bought it.

It sounds great and handles well when it is not revving.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th November, 2001

23rd May 2004, 00:04

When the engine is revving up and down like that and seems to idle pretty high when you first start it, it is due to the Idle Air Intake Screw. There is a hole here where the screw should be and probably just slid out. If you start the car and plug this with your finger it will idle high and rev up a lot. If you take the screw completely out, the car will idle really low, but have a cool vaccuum sound when you let off of the gas when driving. This screw is located on the throttle body (the area left of where it says "ECI MULTI") and to fix it, go to the dealer and ask for one of these Idle Air Intake Screws. It is a dealer item only. Screw it in all the way until "snug", and then back off like a half a turn or so.

1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS Turbo 2.0 L

Summary:

Not a reliable car

Faults:

Automatic transmission: doesn't want to shift into 4th gear.

Oil pressure light: Comes on and off frequently, even though my oil level is perfect.

Timing belt skipped at 95000 miles. All valves are bent and I spent >USD1200 to fix everything. I even have to machine the piston because I get no compression after the timing belt jumped.

It's also burning oil. I need to add 1 quart for every 2000 miles.

I'm not the only one that has these problems. This is not a bad apple from a barrel. My friend has the same model and has even more problems than mine. His turbo died at 80000 miles.

General Comments:

I seriously advise you to buy this car only after you've checked it properly for any mechanical problems. It's very expensive to fix and usually, this car needs a lot of care. If possible, don't buy it at all unless you know how to fix your own car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th October, 2001

30th Mar 2003, 18:07

There was a recall on the 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse All Wheel Drive automatic trans axle. The gears may lock up at any time. This has been a constant problem with my Mitsubishi. I have had it diagnosed many times and the automotive specialists say that I need a new transmission. The car will be running fine and then shift suddenly to first gear with a great "jerk". No one has been able to fix the problem and a new transmission is over $1,000.00.

1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 1.8 L

Summary:

Very dependable sporty car

Faults:

Dash started to crack.

Rear calipers had to be replaced.

It burned up some oil.

General Comments:

This car did not have a large motor but could go since it is small and light.

Never did I have a problem with the motor really, unlike my 91 Ford Probe that really did burn oil and had a bad transmission.

It was basically a two seater, seats were limiting in the rear, but I didn't buy it to sit in the back.

Very dependable even at this mileage.

Has good 6 speaker audio system.

Cheap insurance also.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th September, 2001

26th Oct 2002, 23:52

I have a 1990 1.8 Liter GS Eclipse, my friends say I have a strange love for the car. The total cost over everything I have invested into the car is $16,000. I know this is very high, but I had fallen in love with the vehicle since I had first seen it. It was a faded beaten maroon color and had a roof rack on it and some light rust (NH resident). But I see potential in many cars, and I bought the car with 184,000 miles on it for $1,800 in April 2000. Now in October 2002 I still love the car more than ever. Since I have bought the vehicle, I have installed performance intake system, plug wires, plugs, rotors, pads, springs, coil-overs, exhaust, strut bars, sway bars, and plenty of audio with a 1,200 watt stereo on a set of 12 inch JL Audios. The exterior has gotten a set of 17 inch Konig Verdicts, Falken Racing Tires 205, JSP Terminator 2 rear wing (top removed), euro-light open headlight conversion, with blue euro-light bulbs. Recently the engine has been rebuilt (to get rid of the hated oil burning) and bored 60-over, and reassembled with red powder coated valve cover intake manifold, oil pan, and black powder coated block.