How many miles can a Mitsubishi Eclipse last? When you’re in the market for a new or second-hand Eclipse, that’s, of course, a very reasonable question to ask. After all, you’re probably looking to get the most bang for your buck. In this blog, we’ll look at this question in great detail but first, let’s start with a quick answer:
On average, a Mitsubishi Eclipse lasts between 170.000 – 190.000 miles. An Eclipse needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.16 times per year, with a 13% chance of severe problems. Furthermore, Eclipse owners spend an average of $510 per year on repair costs.
Having said that, we’re certainly not done. Below we’ll first explain in more detail how many miles a Mitsubishi Eclipse can last. After that, we’ll also show you how much an Eclipse costs per year and which production years are most and least expensive. Furthermore, we also discuss the common problems that the car can have. Read on!
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How Many Miles Can A Mitsubishi Eclipse Last?
Although the Eclipse has done pretty well on our testing for the 150k+ mile database, however, just having a higher percentage doesn’t mean that the car is reliable; there are many other factors that we have taken into account and have subjected the Eclipse to our rigorous testings to make sure the results we get are super accurate and precise.
Amount Of Miles | Percentage Of Cars |
Cars With 150.000+ | 21.69% |
Cars With 100.000 – 149.000 | 41.57% |
Cars With 45.000 – 99.999 | 32.53% |
Cars With 0 – 44.999 | 4.21% |
We have seen 21.69% of the cars have crossed that 150k mile mark, but that’s because this car is old, the car will inevitably cross high mileage, but we expected it to cross much higher numbers. We were disappointed when it couldn’t even cross the 200k mile mark, which it should have managed to cross as it has been out there for so long.
It gives us an idea that this car couldn’t cross 200k miles, probably because they didn’t have it in them and gave up. To ensure that our first assumption is right, we have carried out the remaining tests on our list and described them below.
How Reliable Is A Mitsubishi Eclipse Compared To Its Competitors?
Several cars are similar to the Mitsubishi Eclipse, and we have made a list of some of those with potential. Most of them are older cars, and because they are old, their mileages are super high; it’s not easy to find one with low miles. The majority of them with high mileage means that the reliability result won’t be that accurate, so they need to go through our rigorous tests to make sure that you find the best deal possible.
Model | Sample Size | Cars With 150.000+ Miles | % Percentage Of Cars With 150.000+ | Highest Mileage |
Mitsubishi Eclipse | 166 | 36 | 21.69% | 190000 |
Plymouth Lazer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 34384 |
Toyota Celica | 38 | 18 | 47.37% | 250000 |
Acura Integra | 3 | 1 | 33.33% | 250000 |
Mazda RX-8 | 45 | 0 | 0% | 130000 |
Compared to other competitors, Mitsubishi Eclipse didn’t do well, its competitors are clearly doing much better, and that’s probably why the number of cars on sale is also minimal. These cars are mostly held on by enthusiasts who probably had these as their first car, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse is by far the most unreliable of the lot.
Even though it’s quite unreliable, it gives you that 90s vibe that people are looking for, and on top of that, it has that sporty look that increases its charms even more.
How Reliable Is A Mitsubishi Eclipse Compared To Other Mitsubishis?
Model | Sample Size | Cars With 150.000+ Miles | % Percentage Of Cars With 150.000+ | Highest Mileage |
Mitsubishi Eclipse | 176 | 35 | 19,89% | 260.000 |
Mitsubishi Mirage | 1.524 | 6 | 0,39% | 175.000 |
Mitsubishi Outlander | 3.276 | 53 | 1,62% | 250.000 |
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution | 120 | 4 | 3.33% | 160000 |
Mitsubishi Galant | 97 | 34 | 35.05% | 220000 |
Mitsubishi 3000GT | 29 | 24 | 17.24% | 230000 |
How Much Does Maintenance Cost Per Year?
Before buying a car, you need to know how much would it cost you later on, the average annual maintenance cost comes out to be $510, which is not that bad, and hopefully, you can find a well-maintained one with low miles on it.
Model Year | Annual Maintenance Cost |
2007 | $446 |
2008 | $468 |
2009 | $464 |
2010 | $533 |
2011 | $541 |
2012 | $473 |
Mitsubishi Eclipse Common Problems
NOTE: Before buying a used car, I always like to make sure the vehicle isn´t having any problems that you should be aware of. The easiest way to do this is by buying an OBD2 scanner. These scanners can easily be plugged into any car you’re interested in, and they’ll give you a rundown of potential problems.
The Sun Roof Gets Stuck
This is a common issue that the Eclipse owners face. It happens mostly due to poor sunroof maintenance as they are often neglected and not taken care of properly. They need frequent lubrication to keep it smooth and to keep it in working condition. These roofs are very delicate and must be used with extreme caution.
It would also stop working with a sight bulge of the roof panel after some accident because once the roof isn’t aligned with the sunroof anymore, you sunbathing and enjoying the weather is over. Plus these roofs are super expensive to repair. The cost of troubleshooting is more than $100, so make sure that the one you are looking for has it in working condition without getting stuck halfway through.
Manual Transmission Problem
This is also a common problem that occurs in the eclipse due to the binding of the synchronizer with the gear surface, which means that you might not have to take it to the mechanic for expensive repairs. If the gears are hard to shift in the Eclipse, you can put a manual transmission fix/friction modifier, and you will get back smooth shifts after driving a little.
The diagnosis for a specific problem can be around $150; go for it if you have a check engine light. When you don’t have a check engine light, you can just put this fluid, and you will be good to go.
Rattling Noise From The Clutch
This noise is one of the serious rattling noises in Mitsubishi Eclipse. If this rattling from the clutch goes away when you press the clutch pedal and the noise is most prominent at idle, then get ready for a huge blow to your wallet if you want to get it fixed. The culprit, in this case, is the Clutch disk springs that can cost you $1400 to replace. This problem is most prominent in the earlier models that came before 2009.
Exterior Door Handle Breaks
This problem is specific to the other model as they had that plastic door handles, and what do you know, they tend to break a lot, and did we mention that they are old. You can find replacements though, it’s not that difficult and not that expensive either.
Brake Padel Pulsation
This problem is common in the earlier models, and it happens mainly due to the brake rotor’s wear and tear. This problem might be fixed temporarily by resurfacing the rotors, but sooner or later, it will happen again. Brake rotor replacement is the permanent fix that you should go for. This replacement cost is somewhere around $500.
Charging System Failure
This failure is often overlooked, and the mechanics would suggest changing the whole charging system. Still, the cause is often merely due to a blown fuse, so make sure that the diagnosis is made by thoroughly checking the fuses related to the charging system. These fuses are cheap, and you find them for less than $5.
Rust problem
Eclipse has been around since 1989, and their models, due to their old age, have rust issues. So make sure that the one you are looking for is handled with care and proper maintenance has been carried out. Rust removal treatment can cost around $500 and more if the rust is severe. You can try to remove the rust DIY if it’s one of those surface rusts, but if the body has been eaten away by rust, you need professional expertise to have it back in shape.
Make sure to check the vehicle’s underside to see if there’s any rust lurking in there. Little rust is inevitable, but lots of rust is unacceptable. Check the body panels by lifting floor mats and check the condition of the floor panels. If the Eclipse had a sunroof leaking problem, likely, it would also have rust on the floor panels.
The salt in the roads in the winter also damages the car a great deal; if the car has been living in one of the warmer states, it can be in a better state than those Eclipses that had been situated in the colder ones. So when you are looking to buy one of these, you can look them up in the relatively warmer state, i.e., Florida.
Engine Stalling/ Rough Idle
This problem can occur due to several different causes. The most prominent ones are
- Spark plugs
- Ignition coils
- Fuel injectors
- Fuel pump
- Clogged/leaked PCV
- EGR Valve
In Eclipse, if none of the above is the culprit, then most probably the fault is with the ground of the electrical system. Make sure to ask your mechanic to check all 5 grounds to ensure that it’s in working condition. Normally, you would be paying about $140 for the diagnosis.
Is a Mitsubishi Eclipse A Smart Buy?
After going through hard facts, it’s better to know how the owners see the Eclipse. After going through the forums and many other databases where the Eclipse community is thriving, we have seen that it can be a reliable car, given that regular maintenance has been carried out without negligence.
Moreover, it’s known as the Mitsubishi Evolution in disguise as it shares many different components with the Evolution, i.e., the engine in some variants and the suspension components.
If you can find a well-maintained Eclipse with no issues whatsoever, then you should get one as they aren’t going to depreciate much more than they already have; you probably won’t lose much, if in case you want to sell it in the future. You may also want to look at the Mitsubishi 3000GT.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Maintenance Schedule
It’s important to know about the maintenance schedule so you won’t miss out on any crucial repairs and maintenance that could affect the normal working of your Eclipse.
Before/On Every 10,000 Miles
- This is where most of the manufacturers recommend changing engine oil and oil filter but you should consider changing them before 7,000 miles to get the best performance and long-lasting reliability.
- Check the brakes
- Tire rotation
- Check for any rust
- Lubricate the components that require lubrication, it will reduce the rattles.
- Lubricate the sunroof seals
- Check for any electronics issue
Before/On Every 20,000 Miles
- See the condition of the spark plugs, given that this car is already in high mileage, you would be needing to change the spark plugs sooner or later if the previous owner hasn’t done it yet
- Check the brakes
- Rotate the tires
- Check the suspension components
- Check the transmission fluid level
Before/On Every 40,000 Miles
- Inspect the timing chain, if it does have a fault, you will be hearing a lot of rattles from the engine.
- Inspect the PCV system along with the EGR valve and the hoses for any leaks or clogs, normally these are the culprits in making your car have poor idle and then lose power as well.
- Coolant replacement
- Drive belt replacement
- Transmission service
- Cabin filter replacement
- Brake pad/rotor replacement
- Tire replacement
Before/On Every 60,000 Miles
- Chang the ignition coils
- Replace the spark plugs
- Replace the fuel injectors
- Replace the fuel filter
- Replace the connecting harness for the spark plugs if necessary
Other Maintenance Tips
Most of the problems occur due to ether clogs or leaks in the engine bay/engine compartment. You can avoid these problems with style if you are using regular lubrication lest the hard plastics wear out and use high-quality petroleum to help clean the engine’s internals; this high-quality petroleum is available in many different brand names.
To prevent your car from rust, ensure that you don’t let mud stay on it for more than 4 days because mud contains moisture. When moisture stays on the iron body, chemical reactions will occur known as the oxidation reaction, and you don’t want that to happen because that is when rust will happen to eat away your precious car.
Also read: The Exact Bolt Pattern Of A Mitsubishi Eclipse
Sources
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!