2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse

This generation Mitsubishi Eclipse is bigger, more comfortable and made in America. Like its customer base, it’s aging and gaining weight. The car is 2-inches taller, and 3-inches longer than the old model, giving the interior a less cramped feel. Controls are laid out logically and for the first time, the Eclipse has headroom. Mitsubishi's little hot-hatch has turned into a Grand Tourer.

The hot turbocharged engines are replaced by a 3.0L V6 in the top-of-the-line GT. The new 6 has roughly the same power as the turbo 4, but is much more refined. Increase the revs and you're rewarded by a burst of speed and an M3-like exhaust note.

Front side airbags and 4-wheel disks with ABS come as part of a Premium Package option, available only on the GT. This package also includes leather, but standard features on all cars included alloy wheels, air conditioning, CD stereo, and power windows and locks. An automatic is also available and includes a Sportronic manual-shift mode. A convertible launched in 2001, and is available in GT trim as well as lesser GS and RS livery.

All in all, the 2000-2005 Eclipse is a grown-up sports car that still knows how to have fun. . YEAR TO YEAR CHANGES FOR THE MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE: 2001: The Spyder convertible arrived and featured a power-folding soft top, a with glass rear window. All models had an engine immobilizer and ABS came standard on the GT Spyder. Leather was an option on GTs and the GS Spyder, while the coupes got a few minor feature changes like rear child-seat anchors and a standard rear spoiler on GS and GT models. A new Sun and Sound package was available on the GS coupe and featured a sunroof and a premium audio system. A similar Sun, Sound, and Leather package was available for the GT coupe. 2002: Two new exterior colors were added along with a new Mitsubishi logo; and the GS and GT cars got a glove box and vanity-mirror lights. 2003: The GTS became the top model and all Eclipses got revised front-end styling, new taillamps, re styled instruments, and new interior color combinations. 2004: None 2005: The RS coupe was dropped. . COMMON PROBLEMS FOR THE MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE: Crankshaft Position Sensor (2002-2004) - $300 Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Control Solenoid (3.0L engine only) (2000-2001) - $110 Blower Motor Resistor (2000-2001) - $40