2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse: What a Mechanic Wants You to Know

2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse: What a Mechanic Wants You to Know

The 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse is one of those cars that surprises people when it pulls into my bay. It looks sporty, sounds decent, and for a few thousand dollars it feels like you're getting a lot of car. But the third-generation Eclipse is not the turbocharged all-wheel-drive legend from the 1990s. It's something different: a front-wheel-drive coupe with a choice of two engines, a cheap interior, and a driving experience that's more about cruising than carving. In fifteen years of turning wrenches, I've seen these cars roll in with everything from a tired timing belt to a blown head gasket. A well-maintained example can still be a solid daily driver. The data is for the engineers. The feel is yours.

What Changed in 2000

The 2000 model year was a clean break for Mitsubishi. The old turbocharged GS-T and GSX models were gone. In their place, a coupe built on a shared platform with the Chrysler Sebring, assembled in Normal, Illinois. The 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse came in three trims: RS and GS with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, and GT with a 3.0-liter V6. A high-output GT-S version arrived later in the model year, but it was still front-wheel drive. If you were looking for rally-bred traction, this was not the car. But if you wanted a cheap, stylish two-door with a comfortable ride, it hit a lot of the right notes. I've driven all of them, and I'd rather have a clean GS than a neglected GT. The V6 is quicker, but it comes with more maintenance baggage.

Two Engines, Two Different Personalities

The base engine is the Mitsubishi 4G64, a single-overhead-cam 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower. That doesn't sound like much, and it isn't. But the engine is robust, parts are cheap, and it's easy to work on. The timing belt is the big one. Mitsubishi recommended replacing it around 60,000 miles. If the previous owner can't show you a receipt, assume it's overdue. I've changed more than a few of these belts that were cracked and ready to let go. A broken timing belt on this engine bends valves and leaves you with a repair bill that exceeds the car's value. The other common issue I see is a failing crankshaft position sensor, which causes intermittent stalling. It's a $40 part and an hour of labor.

The V6 Option

The GT came with a 3.0-liter 6G72 V6 rated at 200 horsepower. It's smoother and stronger, especially on the highway. But it's also more complicated. The 6G72 is an interference engine, which means a snapped timing belt is a catastrophe. You need to know when that belt was last changed. I've also seen multiple V6 Eclipses with oil leaks from the valve cover gaskets and the oil filter housing. The V6 also puts more strain on the automatic transmission, and the early 2000 models had a reputation for harsh shifts. If you're looking at a GT, insist on a manual or a car with paperwork showing a recent transmission service. The manual gearbox is actually a pleasant unit, with a light clutch and a clean gate.

Common Problems I See on These Cars

A 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse is twenty-five years old at this point. Rubber wears out. Plastic gets brittle. Even a garage-kept example will need attention. The most common issues I see are pretty predictable. The driver's door handle breaks because the plastic reinforcement cracks. The coolant overflow tank turns brown and leaks. The rear struts go soft, which makes the car feel floaty. And on the four-cylinder, the intake manifold gasket can leak coolant into the oil, which is an expensive repair if you catch it too late. One thing to appreciate: the car is simple by modern standards. There's no complex electronics, no direct injection, no turbocharger. You can rebuild most of it with hand tools in a weekend. That's part of the appeal.

What to Check Before You Buy

Before you buy a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse, check the timing belt records. If there's no proof, budget $600 to $900 for a new belt, tensioner, and water pump. Look for rust on the rear wheel arches and the bottom of the doors. Start the engine cold and listen for a ticking sound that goes away after a few seconds. Test every power window and lock. Take it for a long test drive, and if the transmission clunks when downshifting, walk away. A clean example is worth holding out for. A cheap example with hidden problems will cost you more than you saved.

How It Feels to Live With One

I had a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse in the shop for a week last fall. Claire drove it to work and found the seats comfortable and the ride smoother than expected. She also noted the interior is all hard plastic and the cup holders are useless. That's a fair summary. The Eclipse is not a driver's car in the way people remember. It's a cruise missile without the missile part. It sounds enthusiastic when you push the V6, but the chassis communicates more body roll than feedback. If you're expecting a second-gen GSX, you'll be disappointed. If you want an affordable, reliable coupe that turns a few heads and keeps your insurance cheap, it's a perfectly good choice.

Is It Worth Buying in 2025?

So where does that leave a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse in today's market? Prices have been creeping up because people who missed the 1990s turbo cars are looking for cheap nostalgia. A clean four-cylinder with under 100,000 miles will run you $3,000 to $5,000. A V6 with a manual can command $4,000 to $6,500, especially if it's a GT-S. Rust-free examples are getting harder to find. My advice: buy the best example you can find, prefer the four-cylinder for daily duty. Not because it's fast, but because it's honest. The 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse isn't the legend its predecessor was. It's just a good-looking coupe that needs an owner who understands what it is. The data is for the engineers. The feel is yours.