1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Consumer Reviews

Fun factor < Maintenance headache

Written by: TheMongoose on 08/24/2007

Vehicle

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2 Dr GS Hatchback

Review

Great handling car. gets 23-26 city and 35 hwy mpg with the 4 cyl. decent acceleration for getting on the highway. The motor needed a new head gasket and milling at 81k miles. Too early in my opinion.

Favorite Features

The sunroof!

Suggested Improvements

The interior just falls apart over time. Seems like every other month another piece falls off. The ground effects on the outside come off all the time. There are 10 plastic pins holding the pieces on the door and they cost over $2 each!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Good If You Don't Want Your Kid to Speed

Written by: jeeppsu85 on 02/05/2007

Vehicle

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2 Dr GS Hatchback

Review

My car is beautiful, but has no personality. I treated her like a daughter. I washed and waxed her weekly or bi-weekly and maintained her on a regular basis. There has been no problems with the leaks that are usually found with this model. My only problem is I tend to have problems accelerating on the highway and going uphills. In the winter, the trunk has the grand ability to smack ya on the head. This is a beautiful car but it has low performance. The 420A inline 4 has amazing economy, it hits about 230-310 miles per full tank depending how you drive. To accelerate fast you need to turn the air/heat off to get full power to the engine.

Favorite Features

The sunroof and fog lights.

Suggested Improvements

Swap the engine.

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2nd Eclipse

Written by: chuppy on 05/01/2005

Vehicle

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2 Dr GS Hatchback

Review

This is my second Eclipse and I couldn't be happier. I drove an SUV in between the two, and I loved that car, but you can't beat the gas mileage of a 5 speed eclipse! I can't wait until the new ones come out this summer...

Favorite Features

economical, exterior design

Suggested Improvements

option for a better stereo system. it's a pain having to have a new stereo installed.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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after 120,000 miles......

Written by: parrot on 02/11/2005

Vehicle

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2 Dr RS Hatchback

Review

Other than wear and tear (brakes x1 each and new clutch at 100k), this car has been great! It is prettier than the one that replaced it; bought it new (gs was a little too much for me new) and have done NOTHING but Mobil 1 and drive it like mad! Still quick and fun, and I still smile when I look at it. Lots of wear and tear (door handle broke, cardboard thingy in trunk worn) because I have hauled everything from firewood to bookshelves to 2 mountain bikes in it. Its gone all over, Austin to Santa Fe, Big Bend, New Orleans. They need to work a little bit on locking trunk release, lift over hatch very high. But overall, a very great car, comparable to my Acuras. I am hard on cars; its held up

Favorite Features

The shape. No wings (other than the little one), no scoops, no graphics. Also the fold down seat and the huge trunk space that is available. Paint and trim quality is excellent, save one gripe, see below. Otherwise, great. Warning: You can't replace the clutch plate; have to replace whole thing

Suggested Improvements

See above. The water got below the seal on the trailing outer edge of the sunroof and rusted out the sunroof (not the roof itself). Replaced with junkyard parts; lots of Eclipses get wrecked by 18 year olds. Have replaced little things to keep it looking nice. Needs interior trunk latch lock.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Unreliable

Written by: Jenny on 01/07/2005

Vehicle

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2 Dr GS Hatchback

Review

This car has been the biggest waste of money ever! I haven't even had it for 2 years and have spent $4000 on repairs for it! I swear I have to take it in to the shop once a month because something is shuddering or making a funny noise. It's ridiculous. I will never own another Mitsubishi ever.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

1 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Turrrrrbo

Written by: soundbarrier on 09/14/2004

Vehicle

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2 Dr GS-T Turbo Hatchback

Review

great little car, other than planned maint. I have had no problems with this car.

Favorite Features

Turrrrrrbo

Suggested Improvements

If the new model came in a V6 turbo I would buy one today.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Fun Race Car

Written by: Joe McGrew on 09/07/2004

Vehicle

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2 Dr GS Hatchback

Review

I've owned this car less than a year, and after owning several imports... this is by far my fav. I've just started on the minor race mods getting it ready for SCCA Autocross next summer... The motor is a challenge to get out through the top but everything else has been fun to work on. The interior strips out with so much ease. Exhaust is easy to replace. I hear ppl say this car isnt fast w/o turbo but if u dont mind having a sucky street car, strip the interior, drop the power steering and a/c, add an intake, drop the car bout two inches, strut bars, and total straight pipe will help greatly (sounds and looks like crap after all this but runs great).

Favorite Features

Exterior styling, handling, moonroof, and great sound (stereo and exhaust) if u just remove your muffler and not the cat and resonator it sounds loud but pretty good

Suggested Improvements

ummm, maybe more power, aluminum block and head or stronger head gasket, def stronger door handles

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Wow...you were owned

Written by: BreakNeckSpeed on 08/07/2004

Vehicle

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2 Dr GS-T Turbo Hatchback

Review

Let me tell you. After buying the car new what has impressed me most is the cost to maintain the vehicle. This was my first Mitsubishi, and after owning several Toyota products, what a welcome relief at the parts counter. This car is fast stock, but it's fun to add something new now and then to liven up the atmosphere out on the highway. 120k miles on the clock, and still strong.

Favorite Features

Turbo - enough said. Wooooooshhhhhhh!

Suggested Improvements

Turbo spoiler really obstruts the view at times.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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mitsubishi 98 eclispse RS

Written by: jay bird on 05/31/2004

Vehicle

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2 Dr RS Hatchback

Review

good reliable car, keep the oil change going, spark plugs go out real fast when it gets old, turning angle is not good

Favorite Features

body style and speed

Suggested Improvements

I wish the turning radius could be improved, it takes a large radius to turn

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Had mine for 6 years now.

Written by: John Carvajal on 03/31/2004

Vehicle

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2 Dr GSX Turbo 4WD Hatchback

Review

I bought my GSX new back in 1998. I made some modifications over the years to the exhaust and intake. Strut tower braces front and rear help to cure the car's roll during high speed cornering. There are differences in the 4G63 engine from the 1G to the 2G, mainly the turbo and intake manifold. The GSX is the best model because of the AWD and 4G63 engine. The non turbo models have to deal with a Dodge Neon engine that is very troublesome. As with any car, follow the maintenance schedule religiously and you won't have a problem. I've used synthetic oil since it came home, and I've had no valve issues or oil squirter blockage that causes the 4G63 valve click.

Favorite Features

Body that is unique. I have not felt the need to toy with the looks of the car. My 98 had a two tone interior (black with charcoal accents).

Suggested Improvements

Stock hairdryer needs to be upgraded. Strut tower braces to reduce body roll during cornering. 3inch exhaust. The stock infintiy radio has a tendency to blow the stock rear passenger side speaker. The fog lights are impossible to change yourself. Larger brakes.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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