Car Reviews: 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

In order to feel the pain that comes with change in the automotive world, one needs only to be a fan of a single type of car. One then simply needs to watch as their model of choice is picked apart, “modernized” and utterly destroyed as new generations and “improvements” are made. Fans of nearly every generation and type of car lasting longer than five years have had the opportunity to bear witness to this. Of course, any Mustang fan remembers the pain that shot through the heart strings the first time the 1980’s “Fox” body rolled out. Or, perhaps the Nissan Z enthusiast remembers cringing in disgust at the first 1984 Nissan 300zx. However, while many brand names have been utterly destroyed in attempts to make them better, perhaps one model that has fallen particular pray to this phenomenon is none other than the Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Starting off in the early 1990’s, the Eclipse (or Plymouth Laser, or Eagle Talon) began it’s life as a small, sporty and boxy two door coupe. From that day on, the next generation saw a curvier body, and the addition of a truly enjoyable turbo engine coupled with all wheel drive. However, that engine, and the once applauded all wheel drive system are now gone, and what we have sitting before us for review today is the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS.

From the outside, it seems that the 2004 Eclipse GT is a mixed bag. While the car is definitely sporty, encompasses a low, wide stance, many things about the exterior are either hit or miss. Namely, one either enjoys the vent like designs on the side doors or hates them, and the same can be said of the triangular headlights and low roof. However, for most, the Eclipse GT is definitely a winner in the looks department, and although the style may not leave one screaming for joy, it’s definitely more professional and grown up than the previous generation, and looks an incredible amount better than the bloated fourth generation cars. The design on the GT model is enhanced with a semi-big, but not overdone rear spoiler, seventeen inch rims, fog lights incorporated into the front grill, and a brushed aluminum gas cap.

Moving inside, the Eclipse continues to play that trick on us where were not quite sure if we like it or hate it. Strangely, the interior quality seems to have taken a gigantic dive from previous models in the third generation. Owning and loving a 2000 Eclipse GT myself, I can say that that car has some incredible leather and a beautifully put together interior as a whole. However, I cannot say the same thing for the 2004 GTS. It may simply be a bad model, or a stroke of poor luck, but everything in the 2004 model simply feels a bit tacked together. The leather seats have lost the quality they once had, and there are strange dark blue highlights all over the interior, including the center of the seats, different pieces of the dashboard, and over the armrests on the doors. However, the Eclipse is still an incredibly comfortable car for the driver, and definitely for the passenger in the front seat. Very low height and limited clearance in the back make sure that adults over 5′ or so are not going to be comfortable. The interior still makes the driver “feel right” when driving, and the shifter, pedals and leather wrapped steering wheel all contribute to a great driving experience overall. However, this is somewhat limited by the poor visibility offered by the large spoiler taking up a decent chunk of the back window and the strangely curvy A-pillars.

Still though, even though the interior and the exterior may be based on a love or hate relationship with the individual driver, most of the worth and overall value of the car comes from the way in which it drives. Much like the top of the line Eclipse models before it, the GTS manages to behave with a nice mixture of style and grace, although something just seems to feel a bit missing. Those who enjoyed the turbo charged GSX models of the past have nothing to complain about with the new 3.0 liter 6 cylinder, although the engine output remains roughly the same (210 horse power), the V6 just feels a lot tamer than the four cylinder turbo. The front wheel steering handles acceptably, although you can expect some nasty torque steer when laying down the pedal in first or second gear. Of course, reasonable driving and an understanding of what your car is and what it can do make sure that the 2004 Eclipse GTS is a very enjoyable car. It’s far from the fastest thing on the road, but it has enjoyable performance and handling, and it is an incredibly comfortable car to drive.

Considering the price difference between the 2004 Eclipse and the new generation models, the choice really is up to the consumer. However, even though it may not be able to compete with the previous generations models, the 2004 Eclipse is by far better than the new generation, and, in the eyes of this reviewer, a far better bargain than the bloated and costly 2005+ models.