I have the the july issue of Automobile and they have a comparison story on the eclipse. Do they compare it to the 350Z, the RX-8, S2000, Mustang GT, Sti...nope, the comparison group was the Acura rsx-s, a mustang V6, and the mini cooper s.
Even the mag doesn't see this as anything more then a mid level sports car.

Let's see what some of the comments were:
" the eclpise is a champion of in-your-face style that challenges you with a futuristic shape. But once up close, the presentation unravels abit. It's 2.9 inches longer, 3.3 in. wider, and 1.9 inches taller then the car it replaces, and the small car proportions don't seem to fit the larger galant-sedan based platform quite right.

That's because the eclpise is really a big car beneath the small skin.

We must confess that looking good while driving fast is really important to us. And the eclpise GT is a quick car, as our test prove. And yetthe eclipse really isn't the best of sporty cars. It's too heavy, a whopping 3540 pounds, even heavier then the mustang.

The mitsu eclpise GT makes a big statement in a car that's just right for everyday driving, but it's a little too big for real driving excitement."

And how did the eclipse do in comparison to the others in this group. It finished last. This car is quick in a straight line but when it comes to a sports car or even a sporty car, it seems it's not even a good mid-level one...

BTW the mini took 1st and the acura second...

 

Motor Trend, Car and Driver, and Road & Track all had fairly positive reviews of the new Eclipse.

Who the hell actually subscribes to Automobile mag anyway?

 

who the hell actually subscibes to any of those magazines!

 

what's a magazine? I only know internet. :D

 

Is that a trick question? :p

 

I saw one today on the road and thought they were trying to hard to replicate the 350z or the G35. I wasn't too impressed.

 

a g-d aweful car...just hideous...I've seen, refuse to be seen driving it, even for a test drive

 

I don't think it is that horrible...just plain and chromy. Not something I would go WOW over, like the RX-8 :D

 

I hope to God they started that test from 2nd gear to go that slow. That or they accidentally were testing an Automatic RX-8 -- which knowing Car and Driver I wouldn't put past them (and, yes, I do subscribe).

 

small exerp from auto123.com's review of the '06 eclipse:

The longer I spent in the driver's seat of the GT, it became clearer that this car feels more out of sorts and miss-matched than a wellhoned sports car.

the entire article can be viewed here:

http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/...py?artid=48645

not a great review, but not terrible either...

 

It's got a fatty engine to go with the fatty weight but now that I see them on the road.. It's one thing for the Mustang to go retro but why, Mitsu, go back to 2nd gen DSM styling so soon? I sort of feel sorry for them.

 

You should compare with auto123's write up of the RX-8! It'll put a smile on your face:
http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/...tid=48193&pg=2

I for one heard the specs of the Eclipse before it came out (and liked the photos I saw), and thought - ohh, man..I should have waited.

No. No way. Definitely glad I didn't wait.

 

yeah, read that review too. i liked it i think someone posted it somewheres earlier this week

 

I have had 9 Eclipses and I just ordered a white '06 GTS that should arrive in a couple of months. The car is well balanced and has PLENTY of power on tap. I love the car. It is EXTREMELY comfortable and a blast to drive. Once I get my hands on it and begin working on this one it will be one of the faster cars on the street with minimal time spent.

And the people that are knocking the performance of the 3rd gen...My 3rd gen SMOKES my RX-8 in a street race and it handles like a dream with my sway bar/strut/spring upgrades. And I also forgot to mention that the car does this with a full stereo system and moulded body kit which adds several lb's.

 

are u on club3g? 9 eclipses, thats a lot of eclipses

 

The ugly, albeit subjective looks have to appeal to at least someone. Glad you like.

 

Showoff, how much did you get it for?

 

i like it, i think its a nice car, the GTS just cost too much, theres better cars for that price

 

This doesn't mean it's going to sell well at all. It just means that people want to be the first with something new and outlandish so everyone will look at it and go "hey, what is that thing?" and then they can talk all about it.

I suspect that with the price bar being set somewhere near the ozone layer as it is, they're going to have to throw some serious incentives at it to clear the lots. Same thing happened with the RX8 and GTO. I can't imagine this being very much different.

 

majority (like 90%?) of the eclipses sold are going to be the GS model, which starts a little under 20k, i think its a viable alternative for people who wants a sporty looking coupe instead of civic, corola, sentra, accord, camry etc.

 

Yeah I'm on 3G.

My "Fat Pig"



BTW I also got sponsored by BF Goodrich and Motegi Racing while driving this piece of ****.

 

$20,620. I also had a $1000 owner loyalty bonus that I got in an e-mail. I did the base GT. I only wish you could get a moonroof with cloth seats because I HATE Mitsu's leather.

 

Sweet Stratus! (where's my vomit emoticon?)


BTW, Motegis are for ricers.

 

is it a rule that sports car owners of ____ have to hate on owners of _____(insert competition here).??

our Rx8's arent exactly the most respected cars in the sports car world either. who cares? hell, i lost to an 06 eclipse (stock vs stock) a few weeks ago on the road and ive driven one too. i think they're honestly slightly faster than us (even tho thats not saying much). are you guys intimidated or something? lol its a car. im pretty damn comfortable with the fact that most people in the world probably think the Eclipse looks nicer than the 8. i dont care. what does it matter? i think the new Eclipse looks and runs great. definitely a good job by mitsubishi....finally.

ive owned a lot of sports cars. the 8 is a great car. handles like a dream, looks great (i dont care if people say its ugly), and the interior kicks ***. its not a super-car tho. theres no reason to be insecure.

 

true. possibly the most bias unfair write-up ever!