Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Toyota Celica VS Mitsubishi Eclipse
I have a ’93 Acura Integra. It is a great car.
Over the period of 7 years it needed no repairs. It
has a certain subtle class to it, and I have been
very happy with Since it is 7 years old I thought
it’s time to go new-car shopping. Also I want my
new car to bes a little less conservative, a little
more flashy than the Integra I have. Since I like
Japanese cars I went to test-drive the two obvious
alternatives, the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse and
Toyota Celica. Here is what I found:
Mitsubishi Eclipse is a very nice car, a real head
turner, inside and outside. It has a lot of power,
it’s a little noisy though. I was disappointed,
however, to find out that if I want ABS I have to
go for the highest model that is available. ABS is
an important safety feature that drivers appreciate
more and more every season. It is not a wise
marketing policy not to make ABS available as an
option with every model, or at least with most
models, in the hope that those who want ABS will
buy the highest model, where the manufacturer can
make more money. One hundred years ago Henry Ford
realized that to make more money he had to care
more about the volume of products sold than about
the money made on each unit. How can Mitsubishi
Motors not know that in order to be successful in
America means to give consumers all the choices
they can possibly think of. Educated consumers in
the USA have so many choices that if they want
something and they can not get it with one
manufacturer they will turn to another
manufacturer. If they can get ABS on a Chevrolet
Cavalier, which can hardly be compared with,
otherwise, a much finer Mitsubishi Eclipse, than it
should be possible to have ABS on any Eclipse.
There were too many people on the Toyota lot, all
eager to test drive the Celicas so the only car I
could drive was the 4 cylinder version. The Celica
is very attractive outside and the 4 cylinder
version that I drove was much less noisy as the 6
cylinder Eclipse, surprisingly, and provided a much
smoother and more responsive ride. However, the
cheap plastic dashboard is inexcusable in this
otherwise very fine automobile. The quite shocking
disappointment with the Celica was the manual
antenna. It is an invitation for vandals every time
you park the ca,r and one has to unscrew and store
it every time when going to a car wash. It is a
disgrace to a Toyota. How could anything like this
be approved is beyond my imagination. Because of
the above I am putting my car hunting on a back
burner. Let’s see what Acura comes up with, I hope
Acura realizes it’s just about time to release the
redesigned Integra.
Over the period of 7 years it needed no repairs. It
has a certain subtle class to it, and I have been
very happy with Since it is 7 years old I thought
it’s time to go new-car shopping. Also I want my
new car to bes a little less conservative, a little
more flashy than the Integra I have. Since I like
Japanese cars I went to test-drive the two obvious
alternatives, the 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse and
Toyota Celica. Here is what I found:
Mitsubishi Eclipse is a very nice car, a real head
turner, inside and outside. It has a lot of power,
it’s a little noisy though. I was disappointed,
however, to find out that if I want ABS I have to
go for the highest model that is available. ABS is
an important safety feature that drivers appreciate
more and more every season. It is not a wise
marketing policy not to make ABS available as an
option with every model, or at least with most
models, in the hope that those who want ABS will
buy the highest model, where the manufacturer can
make more money. One hundred years ago Henry Ford
realized that to make more money he had to care
more about the volume of products sold than about
the money made on each unit. How can Mitsubishi
Motors not know that in order to be successful in
America means to give consumers all the choices
they can possibly think of. Educated consumers in
the USA have so many choices that if they want
something and they can not get it with one
manufacturer they will turn to another
manufacturer. If they can get ABS on a Chevrolet
Cavalier, which can hardly be compared with,
otherwise, a much finer Mitsubishi Eclipse, than it
should be possible to have ABS on any Eclipse.
There were too many people on the Toyota lot, all
eager to test drive the Celicas so the only car I
could drive was the 4 cylinder version. The Celica
is very attractive outside and the 4 cylinder
version that I drove was much less noisy as the 6
cylinder Eclipse, surprisingly, and provided a much
smoother and more responsive ride. However, the
cheap plastic dashboard is inexcusable in this
otherwise very fine automobile. The quite shocking
disappointment with the Celica was the manual
antenna. It is an invitation for vandals every time
you park the ca,r and one has to unscrew and store
it every time when going to a car wash. It is a
disgrace to a Toyota. How could anything like this
be approved is beyond my imagination. Because of
the above I am putting my car hunting on a back
burner. Let’s see what Acura comes up with, I hope
Acura realizes it’s just about time to release the
redesigned Integra.
Tagged:
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Also, in Motor Trend, the Celica GT-S beat the crap out of the 2000 Integra GS-R and the Eclipse GT (despite the Eclipse having a V-6, the Celica was faster). Anyway, the Celica is neat and the most sporty out of all on the market right now. Check into it.
In comparison, my new Celica is everything( we did not know ) the '74 wished it was. I was hooked as soon as I saw it on TV.
I've recently had a new 1996 Camaro Z28 (stock) and a 1994 Mustang GT with 450HP ( before you kicked the Nitrous button ). Without a doubt, the Celica is much more satisfying.When you tach out above 5500rpm between shifts, the engine responds like it is Turbo charged....it is exhillirating.
It is definately the best car for your enthusiast dollar ( yes, this is my midlife crisis remedy ). But, don't under estimate the ability of a "mature driver".
I'd be remiss not to mention my dislikes ( beleive, there are just a couple ):
1. The Cruise Control control rotates with the steering wheel. I've found myself searching for the cancel switch. ( obeying the speed limit of course ).
2. The driver's side of the center console becomes uncomfortable to the outside of your right leg. I installed a small cushion over dress panel.
I can't wait 'til it's broken in.....I'll put my G-Tech in it.
on the highway running 55-65mph. Very Impressive.
When running 75-80mph I down to 28mpg. The only concern is the 180hp@7500rpm, that's cooking the rpm. When driving V8's and then cooking 7500rpm on a 4 banger you feel like she's gonna blow.
If not....wait for the new Integra.
I don't think it's going to be out in the next 12 months though.
But what's important is that you like your Eclipse.
Anyhow, as for reliability and resale, there are too few facts to base any comparison on; certainly everyone goes ga-ga over toyota's reputation, but that does not mean the "NEW" Celica is going to be reliable. Also, we must separate fact from reputation, almost any car that cost over $20k will last at least 5 years without ANY problems. Reliability difference are so marginal now-a-days in general for cars 5 years from new date, that it is not a big deal any more.
As for resale, likely the Celica's will have great resale, but I think the Eclipse GT's will be no slouch either. It is just too soon to tell and there is little evidence to base an opinion on the eclipse's potential for resale.
Finally performance, it will come down to what your looking for. I read the articles in R&T, and despite "mrspeed's" implication, there was no hands down winner. They summed it up by saying the Celica is better on the track, but the eclipse is better in real world road driving. I would agree based on my multiple test drives of each car. Plus, how many of us drive on a track? The 0-60 numbers differ by 0.2-0.3 seconds, which I doubt any of us could probably pick up anyway.
As far as the Celica being all new, the engine is shared with the Corolla. Don't think Toyota would tarnish the rep. of their beautiful Corolla with a bad engine. Also, compare Mitsu's past reliability records with Toyota. NO CONTEST!!!!
I’m looking at Road & Track’s 2000 Sport and GT Cars special issue, and the numbers say the Eclipse GT and the Celica GT-S are neck and neck in terms of speed. The Eclipse is quicker to 30mph, the Celica’s quicker to 40, they’re even at 50, Celica’s quicker to 60, Eclipse is quicker to 70, etc. In every case, the difference is one or two tenths of a second -- a difference you and I would never notice without a stopwatch. They’ve got identical times to 100 feet, identical times to 500 feet, and identical numbers in the quarter mile (15.4 seconds at 91.5mph). There’s reason to believe the Eclipse has a slightly higher top speed, but unless you’re driving a Metro, how often does top speed come into play in the real world?
It’s great that Toyota’s once again making a Celica worthy of the name, one that can keep up with the Eclipse; that hasn’t been true in recent years. And a normally aspirated I4 that makes 180 horses is cool. But arguing about which of these cars is faster is like arguing about whether or not a ton of feathers is heavier than a ton of lead. We’ve got two nifty sports cars here that are quite fast. There are lots of slower cars than the Eclipse GT and the Celica GT-S, but let’s face it -- there are lots of faster cars, too.
So it all comes down to styling. Really subjective stuff, like which car you think has the cooler exterior and the nicer interior. The Celica’s exterior is very sharp -- literally, in may respects. But in my entirely subjective view, I think it’s a little too radical -- it’s like it’s trying too hard to look cool. I can’t really explain it any better than that. I chose an Eclipse GT because I think it looks much cooler on the outside -- more elegant, more dramatic, and yeah, more refined. I think its 17” wheels look wicked. I love the alloy fuel door. And while the Celica’s seats are really nice, I think the Eclipse’s are pretty great, too, and its interior is more comfortable for two regular sized adults.
Also, I drive in western L.A. County and Ventura County traffic, where every other car on the 101 is a huge SUV being driven by somebody whose last car was a Miata (can I get an “Amen,” people?), so I feel a tiny bit safer in a car that’s little bit bigger than the Celica. And while the two cars are equal in speed, I prefer the sound and smoothness of my car’s V6 over any 4-cylinders I’ve driven. (I might feel differently if I’d ever driven an S2000, but I haven’t had that pleasure and probably won’t any time soon.)
Anyway, that’s my reasoning. Your mileage may vary. (In fact, in the Celica, your gas mileage will probably be better. But that’s another discussion, isn’t it?)
Unfortunately, some folks can't feel convinced of that unless they can convince everybody *else* their car is best. I've seen guys so caught up in this syndrome, they'll argue that their new Integra could beat a Mustang GT.
I must admit that some of my fellow Celica owners can be equally rabid. I've even heard a story of a new GTS beating a new Cobra in a heads up street race. Hmmmmmmmmmm.........
You're right about the performance of all these cars......they're really all so close that it really comes down to the driver.
I've used published numbers from C&D in the past just to get a better idea of how the car may feel relative to other cars. What's weird is that 0-60 in 7.0 flat feels completely different in a Celica GTS from an Eclipse GT. My advice is to try not to get caught up in the hysteria, test-drive several different cars and get the one that best fits you.
Same holds true for interior dimensions. Pure numbers don't tell you how the space is shaped and/or arranged.
Also, most mags these days post COMPLETE tests of their cars: all manner of acceleration tests, braking (though not as standardized I'll admit, sometimes 60-0, other times 70-0), brake fade, slalom, skidpad, noise level (db) at full throttle, 70mph cruising, 70 mph coasting, top gear passing accel (30-50 and 50-70), etc. etc. etc. C&D also does a fairly indepth tire comparison every 2-3 years to test, amoung other things, wet traction. Hell, they even test back seat space and back seat comfort (2 different tests) for many sedans as well as how many cases of beer a minivan will hold. Maybe you need to be reading different magazines or something......
Sorry for popping in sth thats outa context, but I didnt know where else to post. I bought this '91 celica gt a week back, and i'm having pblms with the power steering. The PS fluid leaks out within a day of topping it up. Any else had this pblm? My local mechanic wants me to replace the PS unit, but I'm not so sure abt that & I dont know anyth abt cars either.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks.
krabber@hyperoffice.com
I like the look and the feel of the Eclipse better. After all...how often are you going to be driving mountain roads or driving hard like that? The Celica does have stiffer suspension but not much and it makes for a better ride in the Eclipse (you don't feel the roads as much).
Anyone who tells you that the Celica is quieter than the Eclipse is full of crap. The Celica is slightly louder than the Eclipse. Especially in engine noise and road noise.
Acceleration: Eclipse 1 - Celica 0
Celica is fast...no doubt about that. That 133lb torque engine needs all of those 6 speeds that it can get because it's a guttless horse. Not the my Eclipse is the fastest car out there but even she admitted that she liked driving my car when she wanted to drive fast because it really feels like you're moving. Sounds nicer too.
As far as how both cars look, that's all in your taste. I like the look of the new Celica but I like the Eclipse much better. Both of us get heads turning when we're driving our cars down the road.
And there's a posting about a high revvv engine...are you kidding?? Why on God's green earth would you want such a small engine to work so damn hard?! Though I admit that Mitsu went for a more casual approach with the Eclipse, At least I don't get scared the damn thing is going to explode when I take it to 5500 RPM! Whenever I take that Celica to that kind of RPM it sounds like it's going to fall apart!!
As far as the inside is concerned, I'd swear that they were both designed at the same place and built by each compay to their own spec. I sincerely think that the stereo in the Eclipse is better able to handle more bass and louder sounds than the Celica but again, that's just a judgement call.
Overall, I'd say these cars are about on par with each other as far as raw performance is concerned. So, like all other cars out there it comes down to the driver. While I greatly enjoy driving the Celica, I enjoy driving my Eclipse even more. It all boils down to driving tastes and driving style.
I once blew away an SVT Mustang that I had no business beating. Chalked that one up to the driver. I blew away another, older Mustang (5.0) where the guy was a decent driver. Who knows...these days it's all about tastes and preferences.
Good luck and stop arguing...you're wasting driving time!
C-mon now. Either your friend does not know how to build a mustang or you are talking too much bologna. Transam beating a mustang never, I raced so many of those, first gear ulready 2 cars ahead. No mods either.are you sure your friends' mustang wasnt a 6 banger?
No comp here. sorry.
Until I read #35. Obviously you have'nt been around cars long enough either.
"Transam beating a mustang never,"
yawn......
Everything I've heard about the new eclipse, is all good. I don't think this car will have some of the reliability problems the older models had.
I in no way would base my decision of these 2 cars base on reliability alone.
Drive them both and see which one you like better.
Am deciding between buying the eclipse GT and teh
celica GTS . Though I have fallen head over heels
for teh eclipse, there is practically no rear view
available & almost scared teh hell outta me when I
was test driving it . Is this just a mistaken
observation on my part ?
The eclipse GS also tended to skid when hard barking, was it the lack of ABS on teh car coming into teh picture ?
& yea jst how reliable would teh new eclipse be ?
For both of you and your obtuse reasoning, I freely admit stating "I had no business beating. Chalked that one up to the driver". In other words...the driver of the SVT 'Stang sucked. He was some punk kid that was driving daddy's investment and was afraid to hit the pedal. It never ceases to amaze me that people like the both of you come in and half read a post before jumping to reply to it. As I sad before "I had no
business beating" that SVT Mustang. Yes that's what it was because I saw the little 'SVT' symbol on it as I came up behind it. Yes I freely admit that if he put his foot to the floor he would have left me behind.
Don't forget that it's the driver that wins the race, the car is simply his tool.
To all others, I apologise for that rant.
So far my Eclipse has been very reliable but I have to admit that there's little to no history on these cars as of yet. The ommitance of the turbo vastly improves your engine quality there (unless they added an intercooler to the turbo). From what I've heard of the old Eclipses, the turbo was a major headache for the engine. Great power but problematic.
#39 what are you doing looking at GS Eclipses? Go for a GT! Trust me...you'll thank yourself in the end.
I've had my Eclipse longer than my girlfriend has had her Celica and we've had them in the shop both about the same number of times for only a couple of minor things like sticking driver mirror (hers) or a sticking passenger window button (mine) amongst one or two other things. Nothing major.
Good luck and always READ and UNDERSTAND the post BEFORE yoyu reply!
I own a y2k Celica GTS and I love it. Now a buddy of mine owns a y2k Eclipse. First off, the Eclipse used to share the same platform as the Eagle Talon now its the Mercury Cougar. That should tell you some thing right there. Celica shares it's platform with no-one. I could be wrong, but dosen't Chyrsler own Mitsubishi? So you have think about quality issues. Where as, Celica is still being built in Japan By TOYOTA. Celicas been around so much longer than the Eclipse. Geez, The eclispe used to be Plymouth Lazer for crying out loud. Now, my friend that owns the Eclipse, I hate to disapoint you Eclipse fans but after the 5th time in the shop (owned for 6mo) for some major engine problems, got rid of it and bought a Celica. Mitsubishi even told him that he wasn't the only one with the problems. Horrible engine. So basically if your a smart car buyer and look at the whole picture rather than 0-60 times and engine size, and look reliability and Manufacturers Track record then you'll should be able to make a precise decision.
Your celica ain't perfect either..
There also are no visable mechanical problems with the eclipse. Sure theres problems here in there, but nothing so far has pinpointed to a design flaw by mitsubishi yet.
I've driven the new eclipse v6 and personally found it to be much more structurely solid than the previous model. The new motor is also very strong in the low rpm range and does'nt require downshifting and high revs to make hp. The transmissions are also revised and much better than the previous.
I have a friend at work who bought a fully loaded GTS with automatic. I already told him he made an unwise move opting for the auto. The car corners and handles great. But for 25k, the car performs very sluggishly off the line.
The eclipse I thought also provided a much more comfortable and quieter ride compared to the celica. It also had much more interior room.
For the money, I personally would buy a prelude or eclipse gt if I was looking at a new sport coupe.
Times are changing, thus designers must see into the future. Both Eclipse and Celica models have "unique" designs. I like my "organic" 98 Eclipse GS. With 35,700 miles I have not had a single problem with it. I hear lots of horror stories about reliability and am glad to see my luck holding for me. Interesting to note, I hear reliability issues for ALL cars. It's amazing what an individual will do to express their opinions, thus making it very difficult for someone to buy a car on "word of mouth".
Well, I've just about gone of a complete tangent, so I'll end it here with one final note. Choose the car YOU want because YOU love it.
Cheers!
-j
EclipseWorld