2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 3.0L V6 from North America

Summary:

Fun sports car

Faults:

Struts, timing gear, crank gear, crank sensor, alternator, shocks, and headlight condensation.

General Comments:

This car is a lot of fun. My miles are pretty low, and the maintenance hasn't been too bad yet. The interior is really nice, and I really like the short shift option.

The engine is really responsive; I was losing a bit over time, but I found out my timing was off. Now that it's fixed, it's better than ever.

No dealerships, but I knew that when I bought the car.

Headlights are terrible; might convert to a HID lighting system.

This car would be crazy fast with a turbo.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th November, 2010

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse 3.0 V6 from North America

Summary:

Sexy is always expensive and high maintenance

Faults:

Purchased for less than half the going value of the car at the time, so I knew it would need work. Over the next 18 months we put over $12,000 into the car. It needed everything replaced except the engine, which to this day is running incredibly strong.

Transmission failed, brakes and rotors needed replacing, tires and wheels needed replacing, stereo system replaced, electrical wiring harness and wiring all replaced, alternator replaced, battery and battery cables replaced, etc.

Right after rolling 200k miles (I put 60,000 miles a year on a car, so in all fairness I'm not easy on them) it started having major electrical issues. I gave up and parked the car. I told my daughter when I had the electrical problems fixed she could have the car.

Then my daughter called and said she lost the key. I called Mitsubishi and asked if they could make another key from the VIN. No. Have to bring the car in, the computer has to be hooked up to their computer. Asked if I can just bring in the computer. No. The entire car has to be there. Now I have to have the car towed an hour and a half to the nearest dealership because there are very few Mits dealerships left out there anymore.

The key is $65. It has to be programmed - $90. So I've got to spend over $150 for a freaking key for the thing! In the meantime I find out the alternator needs to be replaced so it'll be towed back home too. A 3 hour round trip tow, plus the time to wait for the key to be done. That's going to be a nice tow bill for someone.

General Comments:

This car is gorgeous! Super sexy lines, perfect silver color with dark tinted windows. Sun roof and amazing leather interior that looks like it just rolled off a show room floor. Very comfy, even at nearly 200 miles a day. SO much fun to drive!!! Pick up to get on the interstate is no problem here at all.

But the lack of dealerships, the high prices for repair work and the whole BS with the key makes it ridiculously expensive to keep.

That said, it's still in my garage and I have no intention of getting rid of it. I've definitely fallen in love with this car, despite being raped by it for the last 3 years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th December, 2009

2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 3.0 6 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Very high maintenance for the price range

Faults:

Steering has squeaked since I bought it. Well since I took delivery.

The brakes lock up and let out a horrible grinding sound in the snow.

The throttle response is no more. Basically when I step on the gas the engine revs way up then drops way down when I actually get power to the wheels. And no I don't still have my foot on the clutch. My daddy taught me to drive stick when I was 12 and I been driving stick ever since.

One bad rim. Although all manufacturer's seem to use hot butter in their alloy's to soften the rims.

Struts are done.

02 sensor dies as if it were designed to.

Turn signals came unplugged. (not necessarily a design flaw. Just a testament to the idiocy of the (non Mitsubishi) dealerships mechanic.

Center speaker blew. (really my own fault.)

General Comments:

When I test drove this car it was mad fun to drive. When I took delivery of this car there were many, many problems that had suddenly developed. I took it back to the dealer several times and realized the mechanic scarcely knew how to drive a car let alone fix one. My regular mechanic however was unable to fix the squeek or the brake problem.

Granted the car is old and maybe I'm used to the reliability of a Toyota as this is the first non-Toyota I've owned, but it's developed some problems that just make it kind of frightening to drive at times.

Mitsubishi might make some nice cars but I honestly wouldn't buy another one. Maybe lease, so after a couple years I'm done with it, and it's always under warranty, but I won't own another.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th April, 2008