I was initially looking for a 03-05 model but because of college sucking my wallet dry I found a decent 2000 gt for a fair price. I am going to test drive it this week but I want to get some input from members. I like that it has decent HP (200) because of the v6. I am not planning on modifying it, just going to keep it stock since I'll be needing it for the rest of my college years and can't afford it breaking down. It currently has 82k miles and I've heard that it can go past 125k if serviced properly. So my question is is this a good car for a daily driver? considering the horsepower it has, I just want that extra boost when I'm on the highway.

 

my answer to your question is no......after getting one i believe these cars are nothing but problems....i'll admit its a fun car and im actually in the same position your in so i know what u mean about not having lots of money, but seriously, i did the same thing, bought this car cause i heard it would last, and yes it has lasted, but since i bought it at 94K miles, i have put $2,000 into it in repairs, thats just parts not labor costs cause i do my own repairs, maybe i got a lemon, maybe not, but thats an awful lotta **** to go in 6 monthes.......but its your decision ur the one that has to drive the car everyday.....but in my opinion the eclipses don't hold up, lots of **** goes, and u need a deep wallet if u wanna keep it going.

 

the previous owner/driver is a woman, I spoke with her, whose husband knows about cars(although this info is always sketchy when buying used cars), so he's been the one doing the maintenance but I'm test driving it anyways so I'll look for defects/noises. She recently replaced the battery, spark plugs & wires, and new tires(as of August). I forgot to mention she added an intake. Smog was done last month and she bought the car two years ago and hasn't had major engine problems so far. Although if I buy it, I will replace the clutch, timing belt, water pump, etc. at around 100k or before just to be safe. Synthetic oil has always been used, no leaks. The car sounds perfect, but like you said, it may start to fail on me. I will test-drive it and give an update.

 

I dissagree. These cars are pretty reliable when taken care of. When you get it, do the timing belt and all the maintanance ASAP. That is sooo important I cant begin to describe. Also, with that amout of miles, if it is a manual transmission be prepared for a clutch change around 100k.

When test driving the car, remember to hit every single gear including reverse. Take a compression tester with you, it should be around 160psi on all cylinders.

 

Wp's GT motor lasted 130k and it was turbod and making near 300Hp and run hard

 

Ive had a few of these cars... well two... they hold up real good under normal conditions. Its when you start trying to screw with em that they get unhappy. I havent had too many problem with either of mine, except for the ones that were self induced, lol.
They are V6s, so the powers right there, which makes them pretty quick 'passing' cars.

 

i agree with sebba. these are very reliable cars. i work on them almost every day. if you keep up the maintenance and dont drive like your head is on fire these cars can go for 200k plus! and yes, change that timming belt. also replace the PCV valve. i currently have an 01 GT im in the process of replacing all the front seals and the rear main seal due to the pcv was clogged shut and the back pressure blew out all the seals. $15.00 pcv valve caused this. now he's gona pay us $780.00 cause he never changed that PCV valve. the old saying" pay a little and save alot" comes to mind when talking about routine maintenace on your mitsubishi!! good luck!! greg...

 

For what its worth. I have had 3 of these cars. one I though was a race car so I beat the hell out of it and it was broken every other week it was a GS. The other 2 were GT spyders one 5spd and one sporty. The 5spd I traded in at 45kmiles for the Evo (never any trouble) the other I have still at almost 90K never any issue what so ever. Also my sister has a GT sporty and hers has over 90k and not one issue at all as well.

SilverGT your car was either beat or not taken care of that well. these cars are very very reliable. When you treat them like the racer cars that the older eclipses were they dont do to well. I know there are plenty of people who are well over 100k prob close to 200k now and still running strong. Both model engines I4 and V6 are very very strong motor in there factory state. when you had turbos and go fast toys your break that barrier, but otherwise a 3g with just an intake will last you for a very very long time same as being bone stock.

Do the maintenance and the car will agree with you

 

thanks for the response/input everyone. I test drove it today, runs smooth, engine looks/feels good, shifts with ease, sounds like i'm going for it. Although I didn't know the turnings were wide on eclipse. meh i 'll get used to it.

 

They are tanks. The 3Gs are like buicks they have very wide turning radius and lacking handling.