Affordable Sports Car: 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse

By Pauline Abreu

3,436 views Apr 11, 2010

2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

If you want a sports car that looks the part, but isn't as hot on power, then the 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse is the perfect vehicle for you. There are two engine options; the one most drivers would prefer is the 3.8-liter V-6, which gives out 265 horsepower. The other is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 162-horsepower, which is less than you would expect from a sports car. The fuel efficiency is low as is expected from these types of vehicles. The most fuel efficient model, the four-cylinder equipped with a manual transmission, returns 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The Eclipse is not quite as sporty as its looks may imply, especially with the smaller sized engine that lacks the power that is needed. The car does seem more impressive when you see that it does 0-60 mph in 9.2 seconds, but that was with a test hatchback model of the car. The V-6 does have enough power to have torque steer when pushed to its limits going around bends, a common pitfall for front-wheel drive models. However, the handling is good and is easy to manage--the car seems to stick to the road nicely.

The newly designed grille and bumper make this vehicle look more aggressive than previous models. It is available in two bodystyles, the Coupe and the Spyder convertible. The interior looks good with easy to use functional controls and everything is user friendly in general. Reviewers say the back seat is uncomfortable and there is little cargo room, but if you were looking for comfort and space you wouldn't be looking to buy a sports car in the first place.

Let's get to the affordable price, which is one of the main highlights of the Eclipse. A pricetag of $20,699 of for the base model is something most drivers that would like a sports car can live with. You just have to ask yourself if you want the looks and the power, or just the looks? The 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a nice looking car, more comfortable than your average sports car, and most definitely within the average driver’s price range.