Automotive Forums

Hi everyone!

I am a kid from Poland, who's starting college in the US this fall. And I'm going to need a car - with manual transmission (automatics are something that not many Europeans will be interested in   ).
Anyways, my question is about the Mitsubishi Ecplise. This is a cool looking car, in the price range that I'm interested in. But my budget is not really high (I would say - it's pretty low - a college student...).
Is Mitsubishi Eclipse a considerably reliable car, as about parts and breaking down? Would I, as a college student, afford to buy gas for it?
Maybe it's a stupid question, but as I live in other country, where the gas price is 3x as much as in the US, I might find your answer very helpful.

Thanks!  

I bought a bottom of the line '97 Eclipse RS with manual transmission in 2003 as my first car.   I have yet to need any major repairs.  Twice a belt has come loose and simply needed to be refitted.  I can't speak for the reliability of Mitsubishi as a whole, but my personal experience in an Eclipse has been great.  

What year Eclipse are you looking to buy?  You say your budget isn't very high, yet a new Eclipse starts around $25,000.  The reliability and styling of the Eclipse has changed significantly over the past 10 years, so without knowing whether you want a new, used, or old model, I can't offer any meaningful advice.  If you post some specific price limits, and your preference for age and mileage, it would help alot.  

I owned a 1998 Eclipse Convertible for about a year and even on the convertivbles, the gas mileage is great, and reliability is good. I would definately go with a 1995 thru 1999 bodystyle because you can find base models of those for pretty low, and pretty good miles.