Mitsubishi Eclipse Reviews

"Adding to the four-banger's fun level, the clutch engages so gracefully that you have to try pretty hard to stall the car from a standstill, or to accomplish a jerky shift. The shift lever moves crisply, which is an achievement in a front-drive car because the shift linkage goes through awkward angles."

"The dash is a cabin-spanning, single piece of pleasantly finished plastic that invites optimism about reduced buzzes, squeaks and rattles as the car puts on miles and years."

"Remarkable room between the door panel and the center stack of controls shames some full-size machines. That kind of side-to-side space is a luxury and belies the car's overall tight confines."

"Front seats are comfortable, sufficiently bolstered for mildly spirited driving and adequately cushioned for a day-long, interstate drive from California's southern-most region up through its lush Central Valley to the state capital without numbing occupants' posteriors."

"It shines in more normal everyday spirited driving, the kind you would do on the way to work, running errands and taking weekend trips on highways or winding two-lanes; track days are out."

"Several exterior details make this car stand out, such as the "chrome-under-glass" rear spoiler ... , chrome-laced clear-lens covered head- and taillamps, LED brake lights and shapely exterior door handles."

"The liftover height, while not much higher than that of the average trunk, presents a fairly thick rear bulkhead, requiring a back-straining lean to heft items up, over and into the cargo area."

"The Eclipse lacks a telescoping steering column, and the wheel lurks close to the dash and pedals. Drivers long of inseam will sit with their knees splayed, brushing the back of the wheel, knock-knocking the center console."

"The Eclipse also burns more Exxon and Arco. After 300 miles our fuel card reported 15 mpg."

"I'm no physics major, but all that weight - distributed 61 percent front/39 percent rear - along with front-wheel drive, soft springs, too much body roll and all-season tires (that start squealing in protest long before they should) do not a sports car make."

"[The back seat is] barely there. Even average-height riders will sit tall enough to bump the hatchback glass."

"If there is an area where Mitsu's designers missed the mark, it's the front end, which bears a striking likeness to a Pontiac Sunfire - not a good thing."

"Wheels are farther apart than in the '05, by more than two inches, not only presenting a more planted look, but also promising better stability when cornering."

"With 72.2 inches between the door handles, this Eclipse-it's supposed to be a sports coupe, remember-is wider than a Ford Explorer."

"[The Eclipse is] a little quicker than an Acura RSX Type-S, a lot quicker than a Hyundai Tiburon GT V-6, VW New Beetle Turbo S, and last year's Eclipse GTS. But a Mustang GT will smoke it."

"Fewer straight lines and sharp angles, more curves and better proportions combine to turn heads more with a smile than with a frown."

"Eclipse is a rare machine, as satisfying to drive as its stunning styling suggests."

"...Mired in a sand trap for several years now, Mitsubishi has chipped one into the cup."