Faults:

Clutch throw out bearing started to rattle at 34000 miles. It was taken to dealer where they said it was not a problem. Popping in right front started occuring at about 36000, just after warranty expired. It was taken to dealer where they said they fixed it. Popping still existed so it was taken back, they then said they didn't know what was causing it. Took car to another Mitsu dealer, they said popping was a bad strut and my clutch was bad. Also my sunroof had began to get stuck and not close all the way. I took it in for that and they said they fixed it. All they did was put grease on it, that didn't work, so now I just don't use the sunroof. With 78000 miles on it I finally had to replace the clutch, it was slipping badly. Car drives fine, but it it still hard to get into gear especially when cold. Also my dash board has two cracks in it, I guess from the heat and sun. But should the dashboard on a car that's only 4 years old crack, I think not! Other the numerous rattles, the car drives fine.

General Comments:

2000 Eclipse has a lot of problems Mitsubishi should be ashamed of and address. I had a 98 Eclipse and never had a single problem.

Faults:

Starting up in cold weather, it sometimes takes 1-2 tries to catch.

It DEVOURS gasoline. If you like quick acceleration, you'd better get used to visiting the pump at least once a week. The Eclipse GS-T should only get premium unleaded gasoline, and to fill up a tank at Mobil, Shell, or Amoco (BP), it costs around $27.00. Multiply this by four, and suddenly your monthly gas cost becomes too meaty to chew.

The back legroom isn't very spacious, so don't think about taking more than one passenger unless the other one or two are very small, pushovers, or both.

The sides are prone to dings and little dents, so if you shop often, be prepared to park in the back (empty) area of the parking lot. Even light impact by other car doors causes a ding. It's verrrrry sensitive. To help with this, I recommend getting a car alarm so you don't have to pick up the tab at the body shop all the time; I've had a good experience with Avital so far, but be prepared to double-check if you have the keys because it locks the car automatically 30 seconds after the last door is closed, so forgetting your keys in the car could mean a lot more trouble than you can deal with.

Get a new blow-off valve. This car's construction is relatively flawless, but some fool decided to put in a crappy blow-off valve as stock.

General Comments:

The ride is amazing. The minute I turned on this car in the dealership, I felt comfortable in it, especially with the leather interior and sunroof options.

It drives very smoothly, and the turbo kicks in at 4mph. If you've driven a car that was around 140-170 HP, a GS-T at 210 HP is something like a jet, except without turbulence.

The sound system is pretty good for stock. I'd recommend changing the speakers and getting an amplifier and sub-woofers if you're really into loud music with good bass output, though.

The exterior turns heads. The styling is just beautiful, and the high profile spoiler on the GS-T and GSX models is really there to tease other coupe owners; the turbo Eclipse doesn't boast speed! Take it from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and you'll leave Grand Ams, Maximas, Civics, and just about any other sporty coupe of comparable price in the dust. (Of course, you'd have to modify your turbo Eclipse to even compete with a Mustang because although the horsepower is close, the 'Stang puts out way too much torque for a stock GS-T to compete with.)

The car handles great! You can take a turn at 25 mph without breaking a sweat, but I recommend getting a good set of tires. Braking with FWD turbo is a bit unsteady unless you get Pirellis or Toyos, in my opinion. You just need tires with really good grip. Also, in wet weather, the tires will "spin out" when coming from a stop unless you accelerate very slowly or have really good tires.

The interior looks awesome with bucket seats in front and back; however, if the front seats are pushed back to accommodate a 5'7" driver, only kids or very short, thin people can fit in the back.

There is a lot of trunk space! At first glance, you wouldn't suspect it, but it really is roomy.

Finally, this car really brings attention (good and bad). Anyone who hears the sound of the turbo as you accelerate or catches a glimpse of that curvaceous exterior has to acknowledge the turbo Eclipse as a serious sports coupe. However, when you are first at a stop light, there are many drivers who will try to "drag" against you, pass you, or just drive faster than you. I guess this is just the negative attention an awesome car brings; people automatically try to take down your confidence, but that's kind of hard to accomplish when you're driving an Eclipse GS-T!!!