The second-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse, produced from 1995 to 1999, represented a significant evolution from its predecessor. As part of the Diamond-Star Motors (DSM) joint venture with Chrysler, it shared its platform with the Eagle Talon. The car featured a more rounded and aggressive design, and it offered a range of trims from the base front-wheel-drive RS to the top-tier, all-wheel-drive GSX. Turbocharged GS-T and GSX models received the legendary 4G63T 2.0L inline-4, producing 210 hp and making them formidable performance cars for their time.
The Eclipse's status as a collector car was cemented by its starring role in the 2001 film *The Fast and the Furious*. This exposure made it an icon of the 90s import tuner scene, and its image is inseparable from that era. Today, collectors are bypassing heavily modified examples in favor of clean, factory-original cars. The GSX, with its combination of turbo power and all-wheel drive, is the most sought-after model, representing the pinnacle of DSM performance in a stylish package.
The market for the 2G Eclipse is broad, with an average sale price of just over $17,000. Heavily used or non-turbo models can be found for very little, often as project cars. However, the top of the market has seen exceptional growth. Low-mileage, unmodified GSX models have sold for as much as $63,000, proving that demand for the best examples is strong. This wide spread means there's an Eclipse for most budgets, but finding a truly pristine survivor requires patience and a significant investment.
Buying Tips
- Beware of "crank walk" on 1995-1999 4G63T engines. Check for excessive in-and-out play at the crank pulley, which signals impending engine failure.
- On GSX models, thoroughly inspect the AWD system. Check for leaks from the transfer case and rear differential, and listen for whining sounds during a test drive.
- Most Eclipses have been modified. Prioritize stock or tastefully modified cars, as reversing poor-quality upgrades can be costly and difficult.
- Check for rust, especially on the strut towers, rocker panels, and under the plastic side skirts. Cars from northern climates are particularly vulnerable.
- A detailed service history is a major plus. These are complex, turbocharged cars that require consistent maintenance to remain reliable.
Prices range from under $5,000 for project cars to over $60,000 for pristine, low-mileage GSX examples.
1,888 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2nd Gen vehicles have been tracked across auctions and listings on Hypercars, with 771 currently live.
Data sourced from Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, eBay Motors, PCarMarket, and Collecting Cars. Updated daily.
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