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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 19 of 42

#179 of 410 Re: dave82....i guess the solstice may compete ... [lhess] by dave82

Sep 14, 2005 (9:42 pm)

Replying to: lhess (Sep 14, 2005 7:42 am)
Most of the people that I see driving around in an eclipse seem to be in the
25-30 age category. Can they afford a 2006 gt, which with tax and license is going
to cost them $27-30K? I think that one of the primary reasons for the eclipses popularity
before was that it was a relatively inexpensive sports car, especially with the 0-0-0
financing for anyone with a beating heart. Mitsubishi sales started their precipitous decline in 2003 when Mitsubishi had to stop selling cars to people with poor credit histories. We'll have to see what the sales are like over the next few months, but I'm remain skeptical when I can count on one hand the number of 06 eclipses that I've seen so far. And what happens when Mitsubishi needs to start diverting some of its meager advertising budget to the new Raider? Right now it seems that they can only afford to advertise one car at a time. I agree that the biggest hindrance is that many people don't expect Mitsubishi to survive in the US. That includes several friends of mine who work at Mitsubishi headquarters and have either sold or are in process of selling their homes.

#180 of 410 The average age of the Eclipse used to be around... by lhess

Sep 15, 2005 (8:31 am)

32, 33, 34... Slightly older crowd (I'm talking about 2000-2005 body style) and those models were at roughly the same price as the 06 models. My 01 spyder gt would have retailed for about $30K had I bought it new. and, they only had 200 hp's and 210 in later models. the 06's are a much better value, in my opinion. I have to say, though, I have not driven one, I'm simply stating that based on numbers and what's on the car.
 
As i said earlier, I will consider the 07 spyder when it hits the market. My buying or not buying will depend on: the reputation of the car at that point, the status of the company overall, and, of course, what the convertible looks like.
 
Yes, I think people in that age range can afford them. I'm 36 and have an rx8 which retailed higher and I am OLD for this car!!

#181 of 410 Re: The average age of the Eclipse used to be around... [lhess] by dave82

Sep 15, 2005 (1:00 pm)

Replying to: lhess (Sep 15, 2005 8:31 am)
Can they afford them without the cheap financing that existed before? 0-0-0 was
zero down payment, no payments for a year, and 0% interest rate. On top of
that, you could qualify for the loans with a less than stellar credit rating. Remember,
Mitsubishi's sales dropped like a rock in 2003 when they had to stop offering loans
to people without good credit. The credit side of the company had to write off over $1 billion in bad loans, and ended up laying off virtually everybody, as well as selling most of the remaining loan portfolio at a huge loss. Needless to say, Mitsubishi can't afford to offer those same deals anymore.

#182 of 410 I think there are plenty of people in that age range ... by lhess

Sep 16, 2005 (8:17 am)

that can afford the Eclipse Gt without the 000 financing. Like I said, I have a mid-range rx8 (about $31K), I'm old compared to most 8 owners, and these youngsters are buying the loaded 8's and then swapping out wheels, adding turbos... They seem to be able to afford them. However, these are exactly the "kids" that the Eclipse does not appeal to because of the FWD, weight...
 
I agree with you that the 000 probably attracted people who truly could not afford them. They see they can drive the car for a year for "free" and by the time they have to start making payments, well, something really good would happen by that time and they could make the payments when they had to. Not so = bad debt. And, i suspect the people who could afford an eclipse realized how stupid it is to not make payments on a car for a year while it's depreciating rapidly.
 
Ok, so when we look at all this, whatever possessed Mitsu to make such a stupid offer? To move cars? It doesn't take a Harvard grad to see that moving cars but getting no money is not smart. Seriously, what was the motive behind the 000?

#183 of 410 . by wale_bate1

Sep 16, 2005 (9:22 am)

It may sound cynical, but "desperation".
 
Now you know I like Mitsu, but there is no secret about it: Mitsu USA is in deep, and has been for some time. Looks like it's continuing too, from those early returns on the Eclipse. It's maddening, considering what they can deliver.
 
The are directionless right now, and the new car, IMO, really emphasizes this. Ithas no idea what it's supposed to be. What's underneath in no way matches what's going on outside. The outside is slippery-stylish and recalls a real sporting image, yet what underpins it is mostly Galant ES in character, which is not all bad, but not a match either.
 
I wasn't keen on it when I first saw it, but this looks like something they could win a few hearts and minds with (from Autoweek):

 
Most likely, Europe will get it in early '07. If the current company trend continues, we'll never see it.

#184 of 410 wale bate1 .... I ditto you on all the above .... by lhess

Sep 16, 2005 (11:19 am)

I like Mitsubishi, loved my spyder. But, I know the grim reaper is knocking at their door. And, likewise on the eclipse - it's like something homeless wandering around. The Sportback really grows on you and has some potential if they could get it here.

#185 of 410 Re: I think there are plenty of people in that age range ... [lhess] by dave82

Sep 16, 2005 (7:15 pm)

Replying to: lhess (Sep 16, 2005 8:17 am)
Why would Mitsubishi make such a stupid offer? Put an ambitious CEO in charge of both sales and credit. Sound like a conflict of interest? Gagnon thought that he had the credit risk under control. His sales slogan was "500,000 by 2005". The focus was entirely on increasing sales. In addition to 000, fleet sales became huge--sometimes 30-40% of total retail sales for a month. When Mitsubishi started selling cars in Canada, they rushed to open dealerships all over the place. I heard that some places were literally parking lots.

#186 of 410 sadly, no mitsubishi for me...... by starfreak1

Sep 19, 2005 (11:55 am)

Just thought I'd post this to guage a response and get opinons. I'm in love with the new 2006 eclipse but sadly won't be buying one because of horror stories i've heard from people i've spoken to first hand about problems with Mitsubishi's service department/warranty repairs. I simply do not trust them or the 10 year warranty and that's sad because i'd happily spend the money on one otherwise. I haggled with the salesperson at my local dealer and agreed to $500 over invoice, yes invoice but when I spoke to the manager and to the service department to get a sense of where they were coming from I felt a strong sense to stay away from them completely. slimy is the only word i can think of. Instead I'm going to opt for the 06 Honda civic si even though I wanted a hatchback and I'm not thrilled with owning another Honda (boring). I'm not worried that Mitsubishi will be a dead company in a year or two like some people are...more that while I do own the car I'll have one headache after another and after all, who wants to date the hottest girl in the class if she's going to cheat on you?

#187 of 410 Re: sadly, no mitsubishi for me...... [starfreak1] by m1miata

Sep 20, 2005 (9:04 am)

Replying to: starfreak1 (Sep 19, 2005 11:55 am)
Next year, they may have the Solstice Coupe out. Not that would be hot!
The
Civic Si should be out soon.
 
The Solstice....
xkss, "Pontiac Solstice" #919, 19 Sep 2005 3:39 am
 
Loren

#188 of 410 Re: sadly, no mitsubishi for me...... [starfreak1] by bigal3

Sep 20, 2005 (2:05 pm)

Replying to: starfreak1 (Sep 19, 2005 11:55 am)
You are right, there is nothing worse than getting stuck with a greedy car dealer. After ripping you off when they sell you the car, they will continue to squeeze your wallet when you bring the car back to the dealer for spare parts, service or repairs.
 
If you buy a Honda Civic, there are dozens of dealers nearby & there are always someone with the spare part in stock in case you need them. You can shop around for better prices & better service.
 
If you buy a Mitsu Eclipse, there is only 1 dealer around & there are limited spare parts in stock waiting for your car in case you need them. Your Eclipse may have to sit in their repair shop for weeks waiting for the spare part to be ordered or shipped from hundreds or thousands of miles away. And when it arrives, the sky is their limit when they are preparing your repair bills.
 
If they are greedy & rip you off when they sell you the car, you can bet that they will be greedy & rip you off when you take the car to the dealer for service or repair.
 
I rather be boring when I take the Honda for service....than to get excited with the repair bills when I take my Mitsu to the dealer.

Messages Page 19 of 42

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