Picture Gallery: 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT-P | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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The biggest difference between the standard Eclipse and the GT-P model is the engine. The standard Eclipse comes with a 2.4L inline four-cylinder engine producing a reasonable 162hp, while the GT-P comes with a tire-squealing V6 engine: a 3.8L, 263hp power-plant that can rip the steering wheel straight out of your hands.
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The only available option on the GT-P is a 5-speed automatic transmission, but why anyone would want that I do not know, as a 6-speed manual box is provided as standard equipment– a perfect mate to this powerhouse of an engine.
Nearly everything has been super-sized in the GT-P: 18-inch wheels instead of 17s; 650 watts of Rockford Fosgate stereo power with nine speakers, including a rather hefty 10-inch subwoofer mounted in the trunk; traction control is included to attempt to tame the beast and a front strut tower bar.
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Other standard features include: air conditioning, ABS braking, cruise control, remote keyless entry, power windows and mirrors, power sliding and tilting moonroof and automatic climate control.
If this weekend’s weather is any indication, this week should be a great one and a nice entrance into spring while I wait for the roads to be cleaned and snow to melt so I can get my own sports car out.
2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT-P
MSRP as tested (including destination): $35,793
For more information on Mitsubishi and the Eclipse visit Mitsubishi Canada
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It is not so much the hard plastics that surround you, but the dark black plastics with very little embellishment. The dash is a soft-touch material, which is nice, but I would rather have a soft touch elbow pad. My elbow is more important to me than the dash, which I hope to never hit.
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I also find the driver’s seat positioning a little difficult to get used to. The steering wheel does not telescope and the seating position is low making it very difficult to see the front of the vehicle. The side mounted mirrors are also in a rather odd location a little too close to the driver, making them difficult to use with a quick glance.
Raise the seating and only very short drivers are able to pilot the Eclipse. Head room really is at a premium in this car. Head room is tight in the rear as well: four adults can travel short distances in the Eclipse but as my rear passengers pointed out, hitting a bump could lead to head trauma.
So the Eclipse is what it is: a two-door, sporty coupe designed with exterior beauty as its first priority. Visibility is poor, comfort is mediocre and interior style takes a back seat as well — good thing it is fast!
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The Eclipse feels more like a good grand tourer than a sports car. With the heavy V6 engine up front and plenty of torque for quiet highway cruising, it does the job of a grand tourer perfectly well. On the highway, the car is quiet, the engine barely turning over while cruising at high speeds in comfort.
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I’m not sure what is with the Eclipse’s turning radius, though. I’m honestly a little baffled by this, but it is absolutely horrendous. There should almost be a sign on the rear of the vehicle that says, “Caution: wide right turns.”
Okay, perhaps it is not that bad on the road, but in parking lots it is. Trying to get into or out of a parking space becomes a very daunting task. Unless you have three lanes available to you to swing out extremely wide to make the, turn you will be reversing and readjusting a few times before getting into the spot.
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Sometimes automotive journalists can be a little harsh. Truth is cars are so great these days that we have to be, otherwise all reviews would say, ” it’s a great car; go buy one.” The Eclipse has its quirks — it does understeer and the turning radius really is something you want to ensure you can live with because it has to be the most annoying thing I discovered about the car.
The so-so visibility and torque steer can be dismissed by the average driver. The smooth highway ride and easy-to-drive nature of the car are great for zipping around town — especially when the weather is good, the sunroof is open and the tunes are cranked.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT-P
MSRP as tested (including destination): $35,793
For more information on Mitsubishi and the Eclipse visit Mitsubishi Canada
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April 07, 2008, 01:19:52 pm The Eclipse is starting to really fly under the radar again. Do think it looks very sharp still. The price drop last year was significant, so kudos to them.
April 07, 2008, 02:06:00 pm I would think that when the Lancer Reliant comes out the Eclipse might be a tougher sell. I know there not really in the same segment but I would think there would be some definite cross shopping going on.
April 07, 2008, 05:04:48 pm
Judging by the amout of post at this time. I would say nobody is really that Interested either.
This car makes no sense buying new. This is a great used buy if you can find one that is. I'm sure they take a big hit when driving off the lot.
Mitsubishi make very reliable motors. It is the lack of deal networks and brand recognition that is hurting them I surspect. I don't even see that many people driving any Mitsubishi nor do I know anyone who owns one or even posting on here about buying any Mitsubishi cars.
April 07, 2008, 07:25:02 pm my sister bought a 2008 mitsubishi eclipse gs 5-speed (the 4-cylinder) in december, and while it is very new still (about 6000km), it must be said that not a single thing has gone wrong with it. it has a surprisingly forgiving ride for a car with sporting pretensions, and has good steering feel. because the car is so wide and low, it handles very well too.
i test drove the v6 and found it to be way over powered. i think that the 4-cylinder is a much more balanced car.
anyway, the car is a pretty good deal if you look at it as a real sports car as opposed to an accord or altima competitor or a top end civic/tiburon competitor.
i think it looks great, and the fact that there arent too many on the road makes it more special.
April 07, 2008, 08:41:18 pm I've often considered the Eclipse to be the new Grand Prix. Now it even has the same name.
April 07, 2008, 08:59:51 pm I'll take a 1997 Eagle Talon TSi over this any time.
April 08, 2008, 01:47:50 am
Judging by the amout of post at this time. I would say nobody is really that Interested either.
This car makes no sense buying new. This is a great used buy if you can find one that is. I'm sure they take a big hit when driving off the lot.
Mitsubishi make very reliable motors. It is the lack of deal networks and brand recognition that is hurting them I surspect. I don't even see that many people driving any Mitsubishi nor do I know anyone who owns one or even posting on here about buying any Mitsubishi cars.
I have a 07 Mitsubishi Outlander. A little over a year into the ownership and almost 20K, I'm happy with it. I had no problems with it either and as far as I’m concerned, it’s been as reliable as a car can be. I'm an active member on few Outlander forums and I know that I'm not an exception.
I have two other co-workers owning 07-08 Outlanders and one owning an Eclipse. They started to be visible in Toronto area at least, but of course they cannot compete with the CRV and RAV4 which are everywhere, but I wouldn't really like that.
Toronto area has a decent number of dealers as well (about 6-7 dealers).
I’ve been watching the sales figures for Mitsubishi over the past year and the Outlander and the Lancer are selling in decent numbers (better than Subaru in general), especially for a brand with little equity in Canada and only two redesigned models.
The Eclipse is a model from the past, along with the Galant and Endeavor, but the replacements are coming up in few years and maybe even more models (e.g. Colt).
Here it is what appears to be the Eclipse successor: 2.2L diesel 200 hp/300 lb-ft, AWD, Twin Clutch SST transmission.
http://www.netcarshow.com/mitsubishi/2008-ra_concept
April 08, 2008, 12:27:02 pm This gen Eclipse it too large and too soft so it does nothing for me and I used to daydream about the 1st and 2nd gens. Cord is right, the current Eclipse is not unlike the Grand Prix for the poser factor.
April 08, 2008, 01:39:30 pm Looking at this car, I can't help but think understeeeeeeeeeeeeer
April 10, 2008, 12:07:52 am A production version of the RA's drivetrain would be similar to the upcoming Lancer Ralliart's, but then the Eclipse would have to be downsized to become a pseudo-Lancer coupe in order to feature this level of technology and stay in its current price bracket while avoiding the 40k range the Evo is in. Mind you, I have a hard time believing that the next generation Eclipse will be anywhere as sophisticated as the RA Concept, especially considering how watered down the current generation is when compared to the Concept E it was based on. All skepticism aside, I definitely agree with Cord and Dorin and I'm hoping that Mitsubishi will make the right decision and return some of the Eclipse's original spirit in the next redesign.
April 10, 2008, 12:27:24 am
Take the Ralliart powertrain and cram it into something with that body, though...
April 11, 2008, 02:06:51 pm I loved my Lancer Sportback - the 2.4 motor pulled really well. Just got back from a business trip in a 4 cyl Eclipse and it looked great but felt h-e-a-v-y and the four seems exceptionally loud.