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Mitsubishi Eclipse - 2006 and Newer

410 messages,  Last post on Nov 08, 2012 at 4:23 PM

You are in the Mitsubishi Eclipse Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mitsubishi Eclipse, Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, Convertible, Hatchback

Messages Page 15 of 42

#136 of 410 The future for Eclipse in USA by m1miata

Jul 01, 2005 (10:58 pm)

I am at a loss to think of way to keep things going for Mitsubishi here in the States. In the past they sold lots of car with the Dodge labels on them, but that no longer seems to be possible. Seems to be a major split between DCX and Mitsu. Too bad, since at least the Lancer and Eclipse could be rebadged and sold as Dodge sporty cars if all else failed. Perhaps something of a Scion type of arrangement, for a youth targeted market. Once again, there may nothing at all wrong with their cars, trucks or SUVs, but so far what seems to have sold the best is the Eclipse and specialty road race cars. I don't care as to what label it becomes badged as, it simply needs to find a larger base of dealers. Here in the USA, they could sell say three or four specialty cars, like the Eclipse, though a larger network. If they sell other designs elsewhere in the World, under their name plate, fine, more power to them. I am just saying, an option here in USA is to make cars like no other make, and sell them through someone elses network. I owned a Dodge Stealth. It was the first one delivered here in my area, and it was a lot of fun to own. It did need an early transmission replacement, but when I took the keys to the car, it did have 250 miles on it. Too many test drives and salespeople hot rodding it, no doubt. Though the years I owned it, I came to the conclusion that it was not as reliable as a Datsun or a Toyota I have owned, but not the worse car in the World by any means. Gas mileage was good, and it was a nice ride on the freeway, as well as, for sporting the back roads of the country. Parts seemed higher than other cars. Since most all car makes have pretty reliable cars, say starting with the 2002 model year, I imagine the '06 Eclipse, though new, should be fairly good bet for reliability. Ya never know about the first couple of years. My biggest concern remains the ability to hang on in USA. Seems to me the best focus for their line of cars in USA is to go sport class, and price ranges between the $18K to $30K class. Maybe a MitsuSport division sold through some other dealers, or Mitsubishi dealers, though it still sounds like a limited number of sales. The Elise is being sold in our city by a Volvo dealership.
Right now GM is trying to make cars which go head to head with Toyota and Honda, and having the same results, as in little or no profits. Just like Mitsubishi, they need to make fewer cars and trucks, but make them unlike, and more desirable than the rest. If the best Mitsubishi can do sales wise is the New Eclipse, there ya go! Make these super looking cars, which dazzle the eye, yet cost less than say a Porsche. Reliable and boring is being made every day, and sold every minute of the day under well established names, like Toyota, so IF say Mitsubishi, or GM makes a car just as good, so what, it still has to sell for less, and thus no profit. Look, the New Stang, by Ford is selling well because there is not other car like it. Without independant suspension, only fair gas mileage, and such, technically it may not be as good as say brand X or the Eclipse, but who cares - it sells - it is different, and not a boring Solara, or is that wierd looking Solara. Personally, it is a bit too retro ( replica car ), though not a bad looking car. It too, seems to be gaining weight and size, but that is not the point. Perfect for many, the New Stang or older Mustang, which may be better, is something that Honda and Toyota do not have. Mitsu can make a wonderful car to compete against the Camry, but then again so does every other car manufacturer in the World - just about
What sells, and for a profit is something like the Magnum, or PT = different.
Loren

#137 of 410 Let's get back on track. by claires HOST

Jul 01, 2005 (11:45 pm)

This is a discussion of the Eclipse's features, attributes, etc. -- not a discussion of Mistubishi's future in general. If you'd like to talk about that, please look in the News & Views Forum for an appropriate topic.

#138 of 410 Problems with CD player ejceting a mp3 cd by pcmacbob

Jul 02, 2005 (8:47 pm)

I just purchased an Eclipse and in love with it with one exception. The Rocford CD system is great but when I created some mp3 cd's and put them into the unit it worked fine at playing them but when I went to eject one of the cd's I hear the unit making all kind of clicking noise without ejecting the cd and giving me an error message. I looked in the manual and it tells me to contact the dealer to have it removed. This will be a problem for a lot of the customers of this cd because who has the time to take their car into the dealer every time a cd gets stuck in the unit and it looks like it will happen a lot. Rockford needs to have a way to manually eject a cd that gets stuck in the unit. Also there is nowhere in the manual that tells me what manufacture of a blank cd that I should use and not use. I have to take a morning off of work on the 5th of July to have the dealer take a look at the unit and I am afraid that they will have to tear the cd unit from the dash to eject the cd and I will be without the car for the day. Other than that the car is a dream to drive. I went to San Diego from Anaheim Ca today and took some back roads that had a lot of curves and the car handled them great. I drove over 200 miles and before I left I topped the fuel in the tank and did the same when I got back and got 25 miles per gallon the first tank. This was driving at all different speeds. I have the 4 speed auto trans and love the manual part of it when driving the back roads and for passing.

#139 of 410 Re: Problems with CD player ejceting a mp3 cd [pcmacbob] by elgatoloco

Jul 03, 2005 (11:59 am)

Replying to: pcmacbob (Jul 02, 2005 8:47 pm)
Thanks for the review. This is the first I've heard of the mp3cd problem & it sounds like a supplier problem. Hopefully it's an anomaly as I have talked to several new owners with the same system & they claim it's very functional.
 
 I know that doesn't lessen your inconvenience though, and if I hear any news of your specific problem I'll make a post if it can be helpful.
 
I have the same basic 4 cyl & auto transmission although it's in an 04 Outlander. My wife doesn't use the manual mode but I like it a lot in the city as I practically never have to touch the brakes.

#140 of 410 Re: Let's get back on track. [claires] by graphicguy

Jul 04, 2005 (7:14 am)

Replying to: claires (Jul 01, 2005 11:45 pm)
claires....understand that this is specific to the Eclipse. But, the question we're posting is whether Mitsubishi is even going to be around here long enough to even make many Eclipses.....let alone, honor their warranty. That, in turn affects the Eclipse's reasle value and it's viability in the marketplace.

#141 of 410 Re: Let's get back on track. [graphicguy] by claires HOST

Jul 05, 2005 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: graphicguy (Jul 04, 2005 7:14 am)
Point taken. I have to consider the possibility, though, of driving the conversation so far into the woods that we can't find our way back
 
Meanwhile, there's another discussion in News & Views that touches on Mitsu's difficulties: You Are the Mitsubishi Marketing Manager.

#142 of 410 Re: Let's get back on track. [graphicguy] by wale_bate1

Jul 06, 2005 (10:20 am)

Replying to: graphicguy (Jul 04, 2005 7:14 am)
I'll second that.
 
I noticed a news item this AM about Pontiac offering a blown version of the Solstice. Now, before we go off half-cocked about how that's not direct competition, I think it embodies where more of the market is headed, and certainly based on price point and number of doors, it's competition in one form.
 
With highly anticipated performers like the Solstice (that also look sumptuous) hitting the market at near $20K price points, it will be harder to achieve and maintain broad based appeal with a heavy FWD coupe. Basically the demographic aged dramatically with the 2000 Eclipse, and this one, while apparently more refined and certainly better looking, pushes even further in that direction. Unfortunately, it's verging on being a modern iteration of the old "personal luxury coupe", a la those last versions of the old Fox-based (IIRC) Cougars or the old Monte Carlo, or even the newer Sebring and Stratus coupes.
 
I believe my old favorite Eclipse is about to be left behind as it evolves into a car away from which the market is evolving.

#143 of 410 Re: Let's get back on track. [wale_bate1] by graphicguy

Jul 06, 2005 (10:39 am)

Replying to: wale_bate1 (Jul 06, 2005 10:20 am)
If you look at the competition for the Eclipse, it's easy to see why skepticism reigns. Your afore mentioned Solstice is just one example (for the upcoming Spyder?).
 
In the performance coupe division you've got....
 
(high teens price)
--'06 Civic Si (new platform and design)
--Acura RSX
--Scion Tc
--MiniCopper
...to name a few...
 
(mid-high $20s price)
--350z
--RX8 (rotary)
--Mustang (GT with a V8)
...to name a few....
 
Any of the above cars either perform better or costs less or are better design studies.....in many cases all the above. Plus, all the above have better credentials from a corporate standpoint, both in absolute terms and/or in reputation.
 
So, the Eclipse may be a case of too little too late for Mitsubishi....even if it were a "homerun". Most believe it's good, but not great. Great is what Mitsubishi needs, across their entire model line.

#144 of 410 . by wale_bate1

Jul 06, 2005 (1:06 pm)

Those are sort of my thoughts on the competition too, graphicguy, though I hadn't thought of the Civic Si. Certainly if I were looking at affordable coupes or 2+2s, that Scion tC is an attention grabber.
 
I do think a homerun could've helped, if not cured all. Just look at what the 300C did for Chrysler, and the PT before it. Certainly a big hit can keep you in the game while you groom your prospects.
 
It'll be interesting to see what the sales figures are for July. Prior to release they were clearing old units at about 1200-1500 a month on steep discounts...

#145 of 410 GS vs Scion TC 2006? by aeroluvr

Jul 07, 2005 (3:09 am)

In 2001 I almost bought a fully loaded Spyder but for less than two grand more I got a very loaded BWW Z3 so that is my "fun" car.
 
My other/practical car is a Nissan 240SX 1993 which I LOVE. I've had it this long because I've never had any problems with it and I've never found a car I liked as much.
 
That being said...age is catching up with 'er and while I love the convertible BMW for long trips and "fun" I need a more practical/affordable everyday car now.
 
I assumed I'd look at Mitsu GS...but then Scion TC caught my eye and interest and that is where I stand now. Honestly I don't know which way to go. I did not want to get the first year TC 2005 nor did I like the Mitsu GS 2005 so now the 2006's are here.
 
A couple of questions I hope folks can answer here for me. I am very short...and in test drives of Eclipse's / Spyders before..I noticed a huge problem with lack of visibility out of the rear window. Used to be because of that tall spoiler..not it looks like it still may be a problem because of two things..one the driver's seat is not height adjustable (TC it is) AND the window is almost flat to the roof line instead of a true rear window..at least it looks that way. Would LOVE to hear from other SHORT women re: the 2006 GS.
 
Also...one thing about the Mitsu I noticed was it was not a tight turning car..by that I mean I'm used to being able to do full swing turns into opposite parking spots in my 240SX. Sure enough I looked and the Mitsu's have a very wide turning radius.
 
And there is cost. Priced with all I want (yes I would spring for the two GS packages and several of the comparable options on the TC as well) I would spend about three grand more for the GS vs TC I think. I'd have a (hopeful) incredible stereo system that I can't get in TC for that and a few other "goodies" but I can't find three grand worth ya know?
 
As far as dealers go...I have also in SO CA. There aren't that many Scion support Toyota dealers at first glance either so it would be about the same. And NOT to go off topic but it DOES concern me...their future...only because I am one who has ALWAYS strictly adhered to scheduled maintenance at dealers. As I said my 13 year old 240SX has had NOTHING major go wrong...brakes and I think one hose.
 
The other concern is ROOM. The TC is a fully operational hatchback..like my 240SX. I assume the 2006 GS is not...it has a trunk right? I won't have passengers that often..but the Mitsu has less room than my 240SX, especially leg room and far less than TC for rear passengers. AND I wonder after adding the stereo component for the upgrade in the trunk...also gonna cut way down on space right? THIS is why I need a practical car LOL...obviously a Z3 has NO ROOM for anything but fun.
 
So..would appreciate any input on the above..specifically on the 2006 GS Automatic. Thanks.

Messages Page 15 of 42

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