A Comprehensive Guide To Maintenance Costs, Reliability, And Average Prices

Summary

• The 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse had a redesign that was inspired by the second-generation Eclipse seen in the Fast and Furious movies, giving it a sleek and stylish look.
• The car came in four trims and Mitsubishi also offered Spyder versions of two of the trims, providing additional options for buyers.
• The 2008 Eclipse was praised for its reliability, with a high reliability rating and positive reviews from owners, though some common issues reported included sunroof malfunctions and brake problems.

Mitsubishi rewound the clock when designing the fourth-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse. Gone were the nifty exterior panels and louvered front bumper, replaced by a smooth, flowing outer layer reminiscent of the second-gen Eclipse, one of the standout cars in the Fast and Furious movie franchise. Powered by a standard 2.4-liter inline-four producing 162 horsepower or an optional 3.8-liter V-6 generating 263 horsepower, the 2008 Eclipse was the third fourth-gen model. It came in four trims: GS, GT, SE, SE-V6. Mitsubishi offered Spyder versions of the GS and GT.

The limited edition SE models featured interior enhancements and a unique aerodynamic package, which included a huge rear spoiler, a front chin spoiler, and 18-inch rollers. The sporty Eclipse featured a specially-tuned suspension designed to provide both comfort during everyday commutes and sharp responses in corners during performance runs. As one of the last models wearing one of the most iconic Mitsubishi nameplates, the 2008 Eclipse stands out in the used car market. Before you buy one, however, find out everything about the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse, including its running costs.

This guide provides comprehensive information provided by the manufacturer. Top Speed sourced additional data for maintenance costs (RepairPal), reliability (Carsurvey.org and J.D. Power), and average prices (Edmunds, Classic.com).

Maintenance And Repairs

According to the analysts at RepairPal, it’ll cost you $468 annually to maintain your 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Therefore, in ten years, barring significant repairs, you should spend around $4,680 keeping your 2008 Eclipse in working order. RepairPal adds that the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse’s maintenance costs are lower than the running costs of Mitsubishi models sampled by the outlet.

Most Common 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse Problems Reported

• Sunroof malfunction
• Manual transmission shifting difficulty
• Unusual clutch rattle
• Brake pedal pulsation
• Exterior door handle breakage
• Airbag malfunction

The most common issue reported by 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse owners was sunroof malfunction caused by a faulty switch. The sunroof either remained stuck closed or required manual assistance to move. Sunroof switch replacement costs less than $100, so the issue shouldn’t bother you too much.

Repairs And Pricing Info

(Data: RepairPal)

Mitsubishi made the fourth-generation Eclipse for six years (five for the Spyder variant), meaning there are plenty of spares for your 2008 Eclipse. Barring major engine and transmission parts, most Eclipse spares are affordable. You can skimp on labor costs by undertaking the repair work, but only if you are experienced in handling Mitsubishi machinery.

Recalls And Safety Investigations

(Data: NHTSA)

The NHTSA recalled the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse for the same reason it recalled the Ferrari 458 and 488: loss of braking power. The agency found that corrosion of the ABS unit may cause reduced braking ability. Mitsubishi solved the issue by instructing dealers to clean the system or replace the ABS unit on affected vehicles.

Reliability, Running Costs, And Expected Mileage

Per J.D. Power, the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse is very reliable, posting a score of 80/100. The solitary rating on carsurvey.com paints the sports coupe as a very dependable vehicle, much like these affordable sports cars. One expected complaint is that the Eclipse has limited room for rear passengers.

Reliability Rating: 9/10

One Eclipse owner reviewed their example on Carsurvey.org, giving the vehicle an impressive 9/10 reliability rating:

The reviewer praised the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse’s dependability and praised Mitsubishi dealerships for being easy to work with. However, he complained that he experienced difficulties closing and opening the trunk lid and that the trunk light often came on when it wasn’t supposed to.

Running Costs: 8/10

The Eclipse owner who reviewed his sports coupe on Carsurvey.org gave it a running cost score of 8/10:

Despite describing his V-6-powered 2008 Eclipse as a ‘gas guzzler’, the owner suggested via the running costs score that the 2008 Eclipse is cheap to run. Given combined fuel ratings of between 19 and 23 MPG, 2008 Eclipse models were not exactly fuel efficient, with the inline-four-powered models fairing slightly better than V-6 variants.

Highest Miles Reported: 21,000 Miles

The one reviewer who posted ratings about his 2008 Eclipse on Carsurvey.org stated that his car had covered 21,000 miles:

21,000 miles is not much, but consider that when the review went up (November 2009), the 2008 Eclipse was still relatively new. The owner praised its sporty exterior and attractive interior but criticized its large turning circle. By and large, he was pleased with his purchase, giving the sports coupe an overall rating of 8.2/10.

Pricing And Values

Valuation Highlights

(Data: Edmunds)

The data on Edmunds shows that you can get a well-maintained 2008 Eclipse for less than $5,000. However, Classic.com shows us that those super-low prices only apply to high-mileage examples: An Eclipse Spyder with 10,000 miles on the odometer sold at $17,250. Stick shift enthusiasts should be happy to learn that manual 2008 Eclipses cost slightly less than their automatic equivalents.

What To Look For Before Buying

As we have seen, the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a very reliable car. However, poor maintenance can turn the vehicle into a lemon. If you want to end up with a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse that doesn’t give you constant headaches and eat into your savings, look out for the following before you buy one.

Timing Belt Wear

The inline-four and V-6 powering the 2008 Eclipse are hardy engines. However, they can be susceptible to timing belt failure. Ensure that the previous owner changed the timing belt after around 60,000 miles. If in doubt, change the timing belt(s) yourself after purchasing the car (the inline-four engine has two belts).

Proper Maintenance

Ask for service records to ensure that the previous owner maintained the car as guided by the manufacturer. Confirm whether they filled the car with the prescribed fluids. For instance, the automatic transmission fluid, which requires changing every 60,000 miles or so, has to be Mitsubishi SP III fluid. The use of any other fluid may cause shuddering at high speeds.

Rust

Check the underside of the car for signs of rust or corrosion. Minor corrosion and rust aren’t deal-breakers, but they could help you lower the asking price. This guide will help you protect your used 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse from car-killing rust.

Is It Worth Buying A 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse?

It is worth spending your money on a 2008 Mitsubishi. By the time the 2008 model rolled out, the hype surrounding the Eclipse had died out. Indeed, Mitsubishi discontinued the nameplate at the end of the fourth generation. Nevertheless, the Eclipse remains an iconic nameplate – and one of the cheapest ways to own it is by buying a 2008 model.

The 2008 Eclipse is plenty fast enough with its stock engines – at its premiere, the V-6 powered variant was the fastest Eclipse ever produced – so you don’t need to mod the engine. On the other hand, you can get creative with the vehicle’s exterior. You could, for instance, create your own unique interpretation of the Fast And Furious Eclipse or draw inspiration from our idea of what a modern Eclipse would look like.