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saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

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Old May 20, 2005 | 08:48 AM
  #1  
Caps94ZODG's Avatar
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saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

going past Universal her in Orlando tere it was on the left..metalic blue..was striking..smooth lines..almost like they wanted the old 90's and newer cars to blend together..and you got the 06

was a decent car, and you know what it is when yo usee it..
Old May 20, 2005 | 09:02 AM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

I predict that car will not sell well (FWD V6's cars a nothing special now a days) and it will be the last new car Mitsu releases in the USA
Old May 20, 2005 | 09:06 AM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

I don't know this for a fact, but I would guess that the current generation Eclipse has a relatively high percentage of female buyers.

I see girls in these all the time. Moreso than any other sporty coupe.

For that reason alone, I think it could continue to sell well... the current Eclipse isn't really known for overwhelming power, so maybe the same buyers will stay loyal with this modest power bump.
Old May 20, 2005 | 09:50 AM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

Mitsu is pushing them out early:
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102418


I'd see this Eclipse being moderately successful, just as the last generation was. The styling and power are improvements. As others noted, it appeals to female buyers, but is still too soft (and non-turbo) meaning it won't appeal as much to the more hardcore/street tuner crowd. I don't see it capping off the demise of Mitsubishi, though. There will at least be another new Lancer/Evo.
Old May 20, 2005 | 10:17 AM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

IMO, the car is ugly. The previous model before this one is a little better.
Old May 20, 2005 | 10:26 AM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

It looks like an older model eclipse mated with a ferrari. I can see this car pulling in buyers that might have gone to the mustang. Hell, the average eclipse buyer for years cross shopped the mustang. Its the closest thing the Japanese have to a pony car. Personally, I am not a fan.
Old May 20, 2005 | 10:33 AM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

Originally Posted by Darth Xed
I see girls in these all the time. Moreso than any other sporty coupe.

For that reason alone, I think it could continue to sell well... the current Eclipse isn't really known for overwhelming power, so maybe the same buyers will stay loyal with this modest power bump.
Check out Road & Track.

0-60: 5.8 seconds!
1/4 mile: 14.4 @ 101mph!

Just to compare, the G35 coupe 0-60 in 5.9 and 1/4 mile in 14.4 @100.6, 350Z 5.6 and 14.1 @ 101.8!

.........................the biggest news for the Eclipse is the new engine that powers the GT model: its a cast iron block, aluminum head 3.8 liter SOHC V6 that delivers 263bhp at 5750 rpm along with 260 lb.-ft. of front tire shredding torque at 4500 rpm.

It features MIVEC (mitsubishi Innovative Variable timing and lift Electronic Control) to optimize the powerband at both low and high RPM running. It works. MIVEC plus the increased capacity give this 3.8 power to spare at all times, with extra kick at higher rpm. The outgoing 3.0 liter defined the term "buttery smooth." The new one should be classified as "buttery smooth, but with some serious rip."

Despite the weight handicap, the new Eclipse absolutely trounces the old car in acceleration, no doubt helped by the new 6-speed manual transmission ( a 5 speed automatic with sportronic manual shifting is available) that has relatively short throws, with just a touch or rubberiness. Zero to 60 mph takes a mere 5.8 seconds (smack dab in Nissan 350Z territory), with the quarter mile flying by in 14.4 sec. At 101.0 mph. The 2001 Eclipse with the 5 speed manualhit 60 mph in 7.2 sec., respectable but not thrilling.
Not blazing fast, but it keeps up with a 350z.

Last edited by slt; May 20, 2005 at 10:36 AM.
Old May 20, 2005 | 10:51 AM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

Exactly...what he said

I read the same article the other night, and I think its going to be a great car. Will it set the sales charts on fire? Maybe...maybe not. The problem? This car is SCREAMING for the EVO's engine. Take 13 extra HP, lose 100+ lbs (that 3.8 is heavy) and give it the tunability of the EVO, and that thing would sell like the old turbos did. The way it is though? I like it. $23k is a good deal for how fast it is, I like the styling, I like the fact its FWD for the winter, and I like the fact it actually has POWER...unlike the RSX and the other import crap in this price range.

I don't like imports typically. I like this car a lot. Would I buy it? No...but I like it
Old May 20, 2005 | 11:05 AM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

I think it's a nice car, but Mitsu really added a bit of heft to the weight

Adding 400 pounds to a sports coupe is not a good thing.
Old May 20, 2005 | 11:07 AM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

Originally Posted by Jason E
Exactly...what he said

I read the same article the other night, and I think its going to be a great car. Will it set the sales charts on fire? Maybe...maybe not. The problem? This car is SCREAMING for the EVO's engine. Take 13 extra HP, lose 100+ lbs (that 3.8 is heavy) and give it the tunability of the EVO, and that thing would sell like the old turbos did. The way it is though? I like it. $23k is a good deal for how fast it is, I like the styling, I like the fact its FWD for the winter, and I like the fact it actually has POWER...unlike the RSX and the other import crap in this price range.

I don't like imports typically. I like this car a lot. Would I buy it? No...but I like it
Remember that Front drivers winter advantage comes from 2 diffrent traits. Weight over the wheels and realitvely less power to those same wheels. High HP front wheel drive can be a handful in winter. The only thing that makes it partially ok is that the power is generally made in the upper rpms. But that can be a blessing and a curse.
Old May 20, 2005 | 11:36 AM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

I saw an entire car trailer semi thing with probably 8-10 of them on it here in Lawrence yesterday. I did not like the look in person anymore than I did the photos of it.
Old May 20, 2005 | 11:40 AM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

Originally Posted by falchulk
Remember that Front drivers winter advantage comes from 2 diffrent traits. Weight over the wheels and realitvely less power to those same wheels. High HP front wheel drive can be a handful in winter. The only thing that makes it partially ok is that the power is generally made in the upper rpms. But that can be a blessing and a curse.
I will grant you that. However, consider this car versus a Mustang GT. I think you see where I'm going now Put snows on the Eclipse, and despite 263hp and a lot of torque I'm confident its snow characteristics will be pretty good.

The main thing that bothers me with the Eclipse is the razor-sharp handling with this car is absent, with a lot of that due to the high curb weight. I mean, this thing is 100 lbs more than a Mustang GT This car is really more of a GT car than a sports car, according to R&T...based on their assessment and the #s, I agree entirely.

With that being said, I still really like it. If R&T gets a 5.8 0-60, imagine what C&D will get! I'm betting a 5.5.
Old May 20, 2005 | 12:51 PM
  #13  
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

it looks like a used bar of soap
Old May 20, 2005 | 01:02 PM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

Would there not be some serious traction issues with 263hp going to the front wheels?
Old May 20, 2005 | 01:14 PM
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Re: saw a 2006 Eclipse yesterday

Originally Posted by Skyhawk
Would there not be some serious traction issues with 263hp going to the front wheels?
No more problem than the Monte SS with 303 hp going through the front wheels.



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