Things to Check for When Buying a Used Mitsubishi Eclipse

No matter how good a car is at the time when it is produced, there are always a few flaws that owners have to contend with. However, these problems become more and more prevalent as the vehicles tend to increase in age. While it would seem natural to assume that any used vehicle is going to have some issues, when we are able to recognize and pick out these problems before we even buy the car, we can put ourselves in a much better position than if these problems turn out to be a total surprise. With that in mind, one of the most popular cars on the road today is the Mitsubishi Eclipse. However, Eclipses often come with their own fair share of problems. For that reason, it is important to know what to expect when buying a third generation model, production years 2000 to 2004.

Some of the most common problem areas can be addressed as soon as one looks at the vehicle. The profile and low ride of the Eclipse often lends itself to scrapes or structural damage on the underside of the body. Make sure to do a thorough inspection around the entire car, making sure there are no scrapes or scratches around the underside of the body. The front bumper of the Eclipse has been known to be weak under certain conditions. So, for that reason, it is even more important to make sure that the vehicle is in good exterior shape. Also, make sure to check the wheels and rims for dents or peeling, another common area of difficulties with this particular type of car. Check both headlights to make sure they are appropriately bright and the high beams and fog lights also work as expected.

Moving inside the car, another common problem area is the dashboard. Make sure to examine the entire dashboard for cracks. These are common across the back end of the board (close to the windshield). Check directly behind the read out for the CD player, this is one of the most common places they start. Also, make sure both window motors are functioning fine, they tend to go very early in Eclipse models. Check to make sure the leather on the seats is in good condition and that the pedals are not loose beneath your feat. Also, if the car has a sunroof, make sure to test it out, and make sure that it moves all the way across the track without jumping or stuttering. If the car is equipped with the Infinity four disc CD changer make sure that all of the disc changing buttons work.

Of course, most problems can be diagnosed while driving, and the Eclipse is no exception. Like any used car, start it up, and go to the front and pop the hood. Make sure to check the cleanliness of the engine bay, and make sure there is no rust on the outside in the bay or around it. Listen for knocks or pings, and watch for white smoke, even trace amounts. Eclipses do not have the best track record with certain engine components, although they do tend to have long lives overall. When actually driving the car, make sure to get to an open road or safe place and get the vehicle over 50 or 60 miles per hour. After that, make sure to put on the brakes, a little hard if necessary. One of the most common and damaging components over time is the rotors. Many Eclipses tend to have rotor problems even before 60,000 miles. Make sure the steering functions properly and the clutch has a good feel to it. Remember, if the car is a GT model, it should have a little juice behind the pedal, make sure the engine still has kick, their could be wear or damage issues if not. When driving the vehicle make sure to check the feel of second gear if it is a manual vehicle. Try downshifting from third to second, and make sure that the car goes into gear effortlessly and without any grinding. In fact, make sure to donwshift through all the gear, Eclipses occasionally have issues with the syncros.

Even though it may seem as if the Eclipse has a list of problems to check out, this is no reason not to search for an Eclipse. They are incredibly enjoyable cars, and can provide many years of faithful service to their owners if they are properly taken care of and maintained. For this reason, make sure that your Eclipse is in proper working order and is truly worth the purchase. Find the right model, make sure it has no problems, and you have located yourself a car that will provide years upon years of fun and enjoyment.