I have been looking for a car for about 6 months and I've narrowed it down to getting a 98 Mitsu Eclipse... I am not sure which model to go with. I have never owned an Eclipse and do not know anyone who has personally. I love the car but I will need to go to the states this summer for a few weeks and import it back to Canada. I would like to hear some feedback about this model and how long the life is out of these 16valve engines... I have heard about a few timing belt problems in the GSX/GS-T but nothing about the RS/GS. Any comments or suggestions would be much appreciated... Thanks.

 

theres no timing belt issues if you replace them when your supposed to with an oem belt and not a gas station brand belt.

Choose what model you are looking for :
GSX all wheel drive turbo lots of fun
GST front wheel drive turbo
GS/RS slow but cheap insurance

 

GSX or GST all the way
you will regret buying a RS\GS later down the road if you dont get one now

 

Thanks I think I was really thinkin bout the Gst or GSX the AWD and that HP would absolutely boot!! Thanks for the response but have you heard of any other problems with this year of eclipse?? such as any common electrical problems?? and one last question... wat type of range are replacement parts priced at? (do u have to get them through Mitsu?) I know that some imports are rediculous for replacement parts especially euro's..... thats why I'm starting to steer away from lookin at the GLI. Thanks for the help boyz

 

Buy the GSX!!! you will ove the car. as long as you take good care for it you and the car will be fine. the only prolem with those is the whole crankwalk thing but I think that was mainly a problem in 95-96 models and some 97-99s. but all I know is do oil changes religously and it will drive fine. I use only moble1 fully synth. on my EVO and I change my oil every 2000-2500 miles.

 

Oh and for parts. well the parts IMO are not all that bad its labor where you pay for it and also upgrades can be a tad bit expensive but thats part of the game noone car go faster without throwing money in somewhere.

I had the head in my GS rebuilt for $300 with a 3angle valve job done. I pulled the head With a buddy of mine it only took and hour and brought to a shop. in two or three days I was up and running again. My friend john had his TSi head rebuilt with a factory valve job by mitsu and it cost him a little under $2000 and mitsu had his car for 2weeks