2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse Review

The 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe returns for 2008 in two trim levels, the GS, with a base price of $20,999, and the GT which has a starting MSRP of $24,499. Both versions are two-door hatchbacks with front-wheel-drive. The difference between them lies primarily with the engine.

The GS comes with a 2.4 liter, 162 horsepower four-cylinder engine providing 162 pounds/feet of torque, and a choice of either a five-speed manual transmission, or a four-speed automatic with a manual-shift mode. The GT kicks it up a notch, with its 3.8 liter, 263 horsepower V6 engine (260 pounds/feet of torque), and either a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission, the latter of which allows the car to go from zero to 60 in 6.8 seconds.

Standard features of the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse include fog lights, and alloy wheels (17 inches for the GS, 18 for the GT), as well as climate control keyless remote entry, power mirrors, windows, and door locks, and an AM/FM radio/CD player combination that has six speakers and support for mp3 playback. The GT also comes with traction control and vented disc brakes, as well as a compass and outside temperature gauge, while the GS does not. Optional upgrades available for either trim include the "Sun and Sound" Package which upgrades the audio system to a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate stereo with satellite radio and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and also adds a glass sunroof, while the GT can also add a "Premium Sport Package" which extends the features even further, to include heated mirrors and heated leather front seats, and automatic functionality for the climate control system.

Safety features on the Eclipse include side- and head-curtain airbags for the front seats, as well as anti-lock disc brakes, but only the GT comes standard with traction control or stability control, though the latter can be added to the GS with the purchase of the limited edition "SE" options package.

Estimated fuel economy for the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS is 20 mpg city/28 highway with the manual transmission and 20/26 with the automatic. For the GT, the manual transmission gets 16 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway and fuel efficiency is 17/26 with the automatic.