I recently came across this 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS for sale locally for under $5000. Granted, this vehicle has over 120k miles and has been in a front-end accident (minor / no airbags deployed). My parents are hesitant to purchase a car for me because they don't want to pay a lot in insurance, which is why the car would have to be under $5000 so we don't have to pay for full coverage on the vehicle. I really want something sporty, which is what led my search to this car. It's hard to justify by pictures online, but it seems in good shape considering the miles and year (besides wear and tear and fogged lamps).

I'm hopefully going to take a look at this vehicle this weekend and see if it is worth it. If so, we can get a mechanic to look at the car and possible make an offer.

Anyways, in your opinion, is this a good choice for a first car? It's inexpensive, cheap to maintain, safe (side curtains), and is sporty! I'd love some feedback!

Here is a link to the car:
http://www.hillsboroautomart.com/web...orida/2313084/

& the CarFax:
http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...AK24F56E046540

 

get a cheap civic or accord and call it a day

 

or a corolla! IMO, that generation Eclipse is one ugly mofo!

 

A lot less headache and less expensive insurance...

 

Get a sedan. You'll want to drive a lot and having 2-doors sucks. Plus your insurance will be cheaper.

 

Wanna see my first car?



1985 Chrysler Lebaron

I got it in 1996 - 11 year old car

I banged it up 3 times, everyone bangs up their first car, you will too

What I'm saying is, get something small, safe ,reliable and not so new

Look for an early 2000's Corolla, Civic, etc... Be prepared to dent, bang it up, and maybe a fender bender. once you get those out of your system and hone your driving skills, then go for something "Sporty"

Although I remember being 16 and I probably wouldn't listen to me me either cause all i wanted was a car to show off to my friends.

 

I could have gotten my mom's 1997 Dodge Intrepid but I went out and bought a car

 

NO! It's a chick car. Also not sure about the 2006, but the previous previous generation eclipse was terribly unreliable. One of my good friends had one and it left him stranded multiple times. It would die after a few minutes of idling and parts of the interior/exterior just started falling off.

 

Stay away. An older civic or accord will be much more reliable. Spend the rest of the money on taking girls out and using the civic or accord.

 

I had a 2000 Accord EX as my first car back in 2002. It was a fun little car. I thought I was the fastest on the road.

 

I'll probably be one of the few who like the 4G Eclipse.

It is not very competitive in regards to other cars, but I like its styling. I'm not really sure how the 2.4L Mivec would fare after 120,000 miles though... I think Mitsubishi motors are prone to consume oil later after a few miles.

Some of the main problems with them were:

Paint chips really easy (And the darker colors fade)
Interior plastics scratch very easily
The door pulls pop out often

I haven't heard too much motor wise, but I never really looked into them that far. One of my friends had a 2008 GS 4A/T and I have to say it held up pretty good to the abuse she put it through. She drove that thing pretty hard and I don't think it ever had a mechanical issue. Her boyfriend at the time definitely drove it hard and often abused the Tiptronic feature. They aren't the quietest, and the GSs aren't the quickest as they are pretty heavy and hers didn't get the best gas mileage. The 5M/T may be a little better.

If you can afford it and its condition checks out and the parents are okay with it, I say go for it. Honestly, I don't think your going to settle for a lesser car so if thats the best you can get then there ya go.

 

Counting me looks like 8 to 1 against. Get a Honda or Toyota and call it a day. Try for a one owner. Save some money for repairs.

 

Another one for a Civic. Ewww to the Eclipse. Find a cheap, used Civic and mod it like all the other younguns do. It's cheap, reliable, and easy to insure. Even a Toyota Corolla will be better than the Eclipse....and that's saying something, since as a rule I don't like Toyotas much.

 

If you want my suggestion, 2000-2001 Nissan Maxima. Get an SE and you might get some better handling, and a little more sporty looking. My I30 is the equivalent of that, just a little nicer since its an Infiniti. Won't carve canyons, but its been a great car. And the 2000-2001 had the 3.0 V6, not the oil-burning 3.5. But also an FYI, I go through a tank of gas a week (commuting to school every day and if I go anywhere else), and Nissan calls for Premium in the car. Just my , and anyone who posted in my thread last year can tell you what a pain in the ass I was when I was looking for a car . But all-in, probably would be best to get a Civic or Corolla, or maybe even a Sentra. I was kinda looking for a comfortable commuter when I was looking, and I kinda wanted something with more luxury for my car too

 

Something slow, economical, light, and reliable.

In hindsight, I'm glad my car's slow. There are many times when more power would've gotten me into a ton of trouble. I wouldn't say no to 20 more horses though...

Economical for obvious reasons. Like CLtotheTL32 said, you'll be driving everywhere. Tons of fun, but dropping fuel gauges make you angrier than you'd think.

Lightness helps everything, and it'll keep a little element of fun when you're on a back road. It'll save your butt a few times.

Reliable is again for obvious reasons.

Get something that'll keep you out of trouble and won't have you worrying. Having any car at all will bring its own fun with it.

 

That is a horrible first car. Get a nice 5 speed civic coupe or a corolla. The corolla is the more sensible choice reliability wise and are pretty quick with a 5 speed. Stay away from Mitsubishi at all costs. That year is prone to crank walk $$$$

 

I think OP isn't coming back to the thread.

 

 

1st post on an and asks about mitsu......

 

Car is sold. Maybe OP bought it? But agree with everyone else... car is

Never liked the Eclipse.