11-3-2006
2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
by Dave Stall
2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT looks and drives sharp

This 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT has a futuristic look to it, thanks to the optional ground effects package that hugs the road.

But then Carriage Motors in Murrieta added the Extreme ZR 245/30ZR 20-inch tires mounted on custom KMC chrome wheels so that the "sunset pearlescent" paint job really pops. Not only does the GT look good, it runs good as well. Plus, it delivers fuel mileage I can live with (18 miles per gallon in the city and 27 MPH on the open road).

If you pick the 3.8-liter V6, which delivers 263 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and torque of 260 at 4,500 rpm, you will be relegated to premium fuel. But if you opt for the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which gets 162 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and torque of 162 at 4,000 rpm, it runs on regular gas. It just depends on how fast you need to get to freeway speeds.

I test drove the six-speed manual transmission but you can also get the very efficient automatic. Depending on the model, you can choose from a four-speed automatic, four-speed with overdrive automatic, a five-speed automatic or a five-speed with overdrive automatic. I have never seen so many automatic transmissions to choose from!

The GT comes with bucket seats that are very supportive and comfortable, plus they look sporty. You really sit down in the Eclipse, which is just where I like to be. Your height shouldn't be an issue in the GT because you can slide the seat all the way back manually and barely touch the clutch pedal (this is coming from a six-foot driver).  Sliding the seat back that far does impede the rear seat room, but if you can slide your seat forward to a comfortable position, the rear passengers fit just fine. The driver seat has a total of six adjustments for those hard-to-fit drivers.

The dash is very well done with a big speedometer and tachometer, plus at night the lighting is "ice blue," which is somewhat reminiscent of Volkswagen but very effective. I tried lowering the intensity but couldn't find the knob controlling the dash lights. There's also a pod on top center of the dash that houses a clock, compass, outside temperature and tells you the radio station.

The audio system is below the pod. On this model, Carriage Motors added an optional 650-watt Rockford Fosgate nine-speaker with a 10-inch woofer sound system that truly rocks. It also comes with an in-dash six-CD changer with MP3 capabilities. This audio system can also be controlled from the leather-wrapped sport steering wheel.

Below the audio system are the climate controls, which are easy to reach and operate. In between the driver and passenger seat is a very efficient center console with a closing compartment as well as cup holders and a center armrest that doubles as yet another storage area. The handbrake is in the center as well.

Popping the rear hatch is accomplished by using the keyless entry system. Inside the trunk is a very large storage area plus a hard shelf with the script Eclipse embossed on it. Flip the seats down for added storage. Another "bling" item is a chrome strip running on top of the rear hatch, sort of like a small spoiler. Another option I'm not all that fond of is the alloy fuel door, but at least this one had Eclipse scripted on the door.

The safety features in this car add to the motivation to buy it. These features include front airbags, dual seat side air bags, dual curtain airbags, side impact beams in the doors, three-point seat belts at all seating positions, upper and lower child anchors in the rear seating and crumple zones surrounding the occupant area. Another standard feature worth mentioning is a built-in anti-theft system.

I saved the best for last - the warranty. Mitsubishi has a 10-year/100,000 mile power train warranty, a five-year/60,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty and five-year/unlimited miles roadside assistance. Hooray for Mitsubishi!

How did I like the car? It's great. It has a killer sound system, plenty of power, great visibility and it handles quite well considering the low profile tire and wheel package. Plus, it really looks sharp driving by storefront windows (I looked good).

I'd like to apologize for two things. First, I told you last week I would be testing a Suzuki, but Carriage Motors decided to give me the Eclipse instead (even though it carries Suzuki). Second, my apologies for the old refrigerators in the background of my photos. I didn't see them until I got home.

Carriage Motors has just taken over the Mitsubishi-Suzuki and added Hyundais to its location in Murrieta. Call Carriage at (888) 331-6482 to take my test vehicle for a ride.

Next week, a Nissan from Mossy Nissan in the Escondido Auto Park.