Test Drive - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse

[ARon]

So i went to the local dealer and test drove it, not impressed at all. I mean the car is nice and all, i really dont like the new shape to begin with, its a girls car for sure, but a 3.8L only pushing out 263 hp makes me think this should be a Ford Eclipse or something.

The drive was nice, it has a stiff suspension so the ride really isn't that smooth but nothing to complain about, it handles pretty well. I did slide out a little on the on ramp going onto the freeway, the guy told me it's cus the car needs to be worn in a little, makes sense but that was a problem. From the stop you punch the gas and you kind of go to make sure your pressing the right pedal or if it is in 1st, pretty slow off the line, but once you get over the 5500rpm range it has some nice pull, im to sure on times for 1/4 or 0-60 but im sure it isnt too quick. The interior was cool, it has like those half leather half suede seats or whatever it is, i dont like em but if you do they looked nice. Still got those stupid circle vents for a/c and heat, those annoy me, look tacky too. But everything inside is situated where it should be, nothing is gonna make you go what the fuck. The one i test drove had a premium audio package, which i dont care anyway cus i end up puttin my own shit in their, but the speakers cracked when i put it up, wasn't really loud to tell the truth but some people might not like there music real real loud. All in all the car is cool, it's driveable, and if your like 16-20 it might be for you. I'd buy one for my girl and for around 20g it isnt a bad choice, but not something that is screamin to performace enthusiasts like the previous gsx's and such, so peace.

 

[prasad]

In 4 words
Junk econobox with FWD.

 

[C.R.Y.]

how is it an econobox with a 3.8 liter v6 and costing over $20,000? its nearly the same size as a mustangs v6. an econobox would have a very restricted 1.5 liter 4 cylinder. and fwd isnt that bad, i had a stealth r/t before i should know. its just that awd wouldve been better.

 

[Duke]

It's not an ecobox, but what makes me wonder if the change in course Mitsu has taken.

Previous top-of-the-line 'Clipses had AWD and were turbocharged. They were quite the little performance monsters. Now it's turned FWD and has a big, understressed engine. Previous GSX's and GS-T models (GSX is AWD, GS-T is FWD, but the engine is the same) had 210 HP from a 2litre engine. That's 105 hp per litre, which is impressive. Now it's down to nearly 70 per litre. Torque's went up, as it should with almost doubling engine size, but overall i feel it's lost it's performance, racey character.

 

[prasad]

It's not an ecobox, but what makes me wonder if the change in course Mitsu has taken.

Previous top-of-the-line 'Clipses had AWD and were turbocharged. They were quite the little performance monsters. Now it's turned FWD and has a big, understressed engine. Previous GSX's and GS-T models (GSX is AWD, GS-T is FWD, but the engine is the same) had 210 HP from a 2litre engine. That's 105 hp per litre, which is impressive. Now it's down to nearly 70 per litre. Torque's went up, as it should with almost doubling engine size, but overall i feel it's lost it's performance, racey character.

2 words its missing.
DISPLACEMENT BABY.

 

[Duke]

2 words its missing.
DISPLACEMENT BABY.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH, COME ON MATE. The Eclipse is meant as a lightweight sportscar. Not the type of machine you'd throw a 5.7 litre Chevy V8 in!!! Personally i feel charging the engines is the way to go. Not some half assed attempt with building a bleeding huge (for its class) 3.5 litre block which, in NA form, doesn't stand up against previous 2 litre turbocharged variants, and neither stands up against real NA monsters, such as Camaro SS"s, 'Vettes and Vipers.


and, err, the displacement's almost doubled, but power remains scarce, especially since the car put on weight....