Hey everyone i was just wondering that you never hear to much about the eclipse GTS....does anyone know how well it performs? It puts out like 210 hp i think...how well does it compare to the RX8?

well i know the RX-8 6spd manual puts out 238HP i guess from there you would have to drive both and decide which you like better. they will both no doubt handle different.

i can tell you this.. my cousin (female) has an eclipse, and if you are over 5' tall dont try to sit in the back there is nowhere near enough head room.. i had my cousin (male) that is almost 6' go for a ride with me in the 8 i test drove. he said there was enough room in the back where his legs werent squished and he had plenty of head clearance.

The reason you don't hear too much about it is because it isn't that fast or really a sports car. It is front wheel drive, so the one mark against it. It also has a terrible interior with almost no space.

It may have 210 HP, but when your driving it, it sure doesn't seem like it.

I thought Eclipse's were RWD, or AWD?

nope, its FWD.

I am not a big fan of any of the current she-clipses. Now a turbo AWD from the previous 2 generations is a much different story. I would take one in a Talon or Eclipse

Originally posted by RX8Lover
nope, its FWD.
They are available with AWD, but come standard with FWD.

Originally posted by cueball
They are available with AWD, but come standard with FWD.

The current (third generation) Eclipse is not available with AWD.

I've driven a 2nd generation Eclipse GST Spyder. It had a 210hp turbocharged 4 with FWD. It was a blast to drive, but had noticeable torque steer, as you might expect.

In my opinion, Mitsubishi ruined the Eclipse with the 3rd generation; in addition to its "lowest common denominator" styling, they did away with the turbo engine (which made it a lot more fun!), instead opting for a boring V6.

Originally posted by jtimbck2
The current (third generation) Eclipse is not available with AWD.

I've driven a 2nd generation Eclipse GST Spyder. It had a 210hp turbocharged 4 with FWD. It was a blast to drive, but had noticeable torque steer, as you might expect.

In my opinion, Mitsubishi ruined the Eclipse with the 3rd generation; in addition to its "lowest common denominator" styling, they did away with the turbo engine (which made it a lot more fun!), instead opting for a boring V6.


Very true, I wish I still had my DSM (1990 TSI) :( It was even the only color that had matching side skirts.

4G63 > current eclispe engine

wait for the upcoming eclipse.

I've driven all versions of the Eclipse from 1997 to 2003. The only Eclipse that are "fun to drive" are the 2nd gen GST as stated before, and also the AWD GSX. The current GT and GTS don't seem much faster than the GS 147hp 4 Cyl. It also doesn't handle much better either.

After driving the RX-8 for a couple months the Eclipse is a far cry from "Fun to Drive"... like comparing kiwi and mangos.

BTW I did just turn 50K miles on my 2001 GS tonight and just replaced the tires and brakes in the past 2 weeks. Other than that, oil and air filter changes it has never seen a mechanic. I put 72K miles on my 1997 Spyder with same results except for having the leaky convertible top seals replaced under warranty.

Originally posted by TJRX8

After driving the RX-8 for a couple months the Eclipse is a far cry from "Fun to Drive"... like comparing kiwi and mangos.



Worst analogy EVER! :p

Originally posted by JmurphRx8
Hey everyone i was just wondering that you never hear to much about the eclipse GTS....does anyone know how well it performs? It puts out like 210 hp i think...how well does it compare to the RX8?

The GTS has 210hp/205lbft of torque and can run the 1/4 mile in high 14s/low 15s with a good driver and the 5MT, which is about the same as a 1G/2G GS-T stock, but, unfotunately, the SOHC 6G72 in the Eclipse has no where near the potential of the 4G63 found in the turbo DSMs. There is a supercharger kit for it out now that has a couple of guys running 12s, but barring that they seem to max out at mid/high 13s with bolt ons. As far as handling goes, even the owners of this car say it's mushy and just not as sporty as it should be. The 4G Eclipse is coming out within a couple of years, so if you're considering buying one you may want to wait for that car to hit the dealers before you jump and buy an Eclipse.

The only thing the current GT has going for it is the V6. It's not very fast, but it's smooth as a mirror and SOUNDS sweet. Even die-hard gearheads could mistake it for an I-6.

Maybe they'll redeem themselves with the 4th gen. It will likely use a similar engine to the Galant, which now comes standard with a 3.8L V6 making 230 hp. I would imagine the Eclipse will have 240+ hp.

Originally posted by IkeWRX
Worst analogy EVER! :p

do you ever have something nice to say??

Originally posted by cueball
They are available with AWD, but come standard with FWD.

He is referring to the GTS, which means it is latest generation of Eclipses, which means that they don't have AWD. AWD were only in the GSX of the past generations.

Good catch RX8Lover.:)

Guess I have to pay more attention to model levels.

Originally posted by wakeech
do you ever have something nice to say??

Are you always so freaking serious, lighten up, it was a joke.

Originally posted by cueball
Good catch RX8Lover.:)

Guess I have to pay more attention to model levels.

I only know this because I had a 98 Eclipse GS-T, until I sold it for the RX8! :D