Conference terri::cars_uk

Is this the same as the 3000GT? I've never heard of the
Eclipse. 


	Ian

    I'd had a couple of Wei�biers that evening, but I'm convinced that 
    the price on the beast was DM 39,900 (about 16,000 squid at today's
    exchange rate).  So I don't think it could have been a 3000GT (unless 
    it was a second hand one of course ... I'll check this evening, even 
    if it means missing the train!)  
    
    Cheers,
     Diane     

    
    The 3000GT costs about �35k in the UK so I don't think you saw one of
    those...  Mitsubishi must make a coup� that competes with the Celica,
    200SX, Prelude etc but they just don't sell it in the UK. 
    
    Unlike most other manufacturers, Mitsubishi can sell every car it can 
    bring into the UK under the quota system so it probably won't be tempted 
    to sell another model that it would need to stock parts/spares for.
    
    Richard.
    

    I think the Mitsubishi Eclipse is the model that's made in the US
    (joint venture with Chrysler) -- made to compete in N. America with the 
    likes of the Celica. I looked at one whiel I was over there when they
    first came out -- too American looking inside for my taste.
    
    John

It's also available in Switzerland... i seem to remember...

    Thanks everyone!  I passed the showroom again yesterday evening -
    it's full title is "Eclipse 2000 GTI 16V".  It looks like a baby
    (well, junior maybe) version of the 3000, without as many curves,
    but with 150 bhp.  It was smaller than I'd thought at first, but 
    definitely a 4 seater.  Seems a practical, reasonably priced 
    competitor in it's class, at DM 42,000 (the model I saw for 
    DM 39,500 was ex-demo).   
    
    Cheers!
    Diane
          

    Hello from the Colonies,
    
    	The Mitsubishi Eclipse is, as stated in a previous note, built by a
    joint venture with Chrysler. In the U.S. the car is marketed under 3
    different nameplates: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, Eagle Talon
    (Plymouth and Eagle being divisions of Chrysler). The cars have
    slightly different front and back ends and paint schemes but are
    otherwise identical. 
    	They come in 3 "flavors": the base car has 115hp and is front-wheel
    drive, the next up has a turbo and puts out approximately 190hp, the
    top of the line is all-wheel-drive with the turbo and puts out 200hp.
    Prices in the U.S range from $12,000 - $20,000 (U.S. dollars) depending
    on the model and options. It's a fairly popular car here.
    	My daughter's boyfriend had a 1990 Eagle all-wheel-drive turbo. It
    was pretty quick. Handled very well. Just traded it in on a Nissan
    300ZX twin-turbo (300hp!). Now THAT's quick!
    
    							Cheers...
    
    							Thom...

    I just noticed this note and can add a few things.
    
    I own a 1992 Mitsu Eclipse GSX and have had it since new. As noted,
    these cars are badged differently, but all come from the same place.
    The engineering effort was the result of an agrrement between Mitsu and
    Chrysler. The engines and some other bits come from Mitsu in Japan, and
    all the cars are assembled at a plant in, you'll love the name, Normal,
    Illinois, USA. The plant was originally a joint ownership between the
    two companies, but Chrysler sold its interest to Mitsubishi when it was
    strapped for cash about 2 or so years ago.
    
    My car is the top of the line model. It has a 2.0 liter dohc, turbo
    charged, intercooled engine that makes 195 bhp and 205 lb ft of torque.
    The GSX has AWD, a 5-speed (autop available), and 16x6" wheels with
    205-55 V-rated Goodyears. It weighs about 3,000 lbs.
    
    I live in the mile-high city of Denver where all cars are down on
    horsepower due to the altitude. But this car IS quick. It was tested in
    the various car mags with a 0-60 speed of 6.7 sec. Its steering and
    cornering are quick - it feels like it's on rails. Having lived with it
    for nearly 2 years I can report that it has been trouble free - I've
    had no service other than the normal oil change. The car has a rear
    seat that will hold kids, but I would never put adults there unless it
    was for a very short drive. The split rear seat will fold down giving
    me room for my golf bag. With the V-rated tires, the car is a bit
    noisy, but heck, it's not supposed to be a luxury car. My biggest
    complaint is the gearbox - the shifter uses cables to move the gears
    around and they make for a somewhat vague feel, especially when
    compared to something like the BMW 325i my friend has. In the
    mountains, this car is great fun, very surefooted and quick. And the
    AWD option makes it a viable winter car, though I'm sure that the
    normal FWD cars are pretty good in the snow.
    
    Is it worth the $20k? Yes, I think so. The Honda Prelude is probably
    about equal, maybe ahead since it is a newer design. The Mazda 626
    Coupe is sure nice. (I think the Mazda really looks like the Calibra.)
    There are a bunch of these Eclipse/Talon etc. here in the US. They've
    made about 500,000 of them! I didn't know they were exporting them to
    Europe. I would think they'd be competitive there if the price isn't
    outrageous.
    
    Paul