The Eclipse
Last updated: March 3, 2007 at 9:01 am by Derek
SOLD! My Eclipse has been traded in for a new 2006 Subaru WRX. It was a great car, gave me almost no trouble, and was a lot of fun to own. Since I get a lot of hits on this page from people looking for info on their Eclipse, I’m leaving it up.
Sometimes a car can be more than just a means of transportation. Sometimes a car can be a hobby too. I bought my car in April of 2001, brand new off the lot. When I got it, I didn’t know a thing about cars. I didn’t even know what modding was. Then, when I started searching the web for Eclipse websites, I found more than I bargained for. Websites and discussion boards filled with people that were customizing their cars for looks and performance. Discussions ranging from recalls to racing, waxing to rebuilding an engine. I started reading and shortly thereafter I was hooked. Afraid to do too much to my new car, I started with the simplest mod of them all - using reflective tape to fill in the wheel cap logos. One person warned me before I started, “It starts with the simple things. Soon you won’t be able to stop!” How right they were.
I look at it as a worthwhile hobby. Some people collect stamps or build models. That’s nice and all, but with my hobby I spend time with it every day, regardless of whether I’m actually “working” on it or not. I drive every day, so why not make it a little more fun? And hey, if you turn a few heads in the process, all the better.
These days, I don’t spend much time working on the car. I don’t have time to go to car shows, the paint is showing the effects of five Buffalo winters, and I certainly don’t have the disposible income to “invest” into the car anymore. But I still enjoy driving it every day and tinkering with it once in awhile, and it’s still going strong with 90,000+ miles on it.
Mod List
Performance
- AEM short ram intake
- Powerslot Rotors (all 4 corners)
- EBC Greenstuff Brake Pads
- Magnecor 8.5mm KV85 ignition wires
- Denso Iridium IK20 spark plugs
- Automotive Impact Grounding Kit
- Palm III/Pocketlogger
Sound
- Infinity 210W Premium Package sound system
- Infinity Basslink 200W 10″ powered subwoofer with remote level control
- Rede Dual Air Horns
Engine Dressup
Exterior
- Debadged
- TYC altezza tail lamps
- Chrome “Eclipse” 3rd brake light cover
- Diamond cut Euro clear front turn signals
- Chrome rear bumper letter inserts
- Aluminum fuel door
- Gutter Guard ghetto grill
- Chrome emblems
- Silver painted fake vents
- 20% window tint
- Silver painted front license plate holder
- Red wheel cap logos
- Mitsubishi mudguards
- Dual Club3G and UBRF stickers
Interior
- 2 - 6″ StreetGlow neon accent tubes (Red) - Front footwells
- 2 - 9″ StreetGlow neon accent tubes (Red) - Rear armrests
- 1 - StreetGlow 20″ neon accent tube (Red) - Rear decklid
- 2 - StreetGlow 15′ strands Hottwirez (Red)
- StreetGlow Indiglo Sport Pedals (Red) - Day | Night
- Silver painted dead pedal
- Lighted switch (Red)
- Red masked interior lights
- Red steering wheel logo
- Hot Wheels Eclipse
Note: Pictures were taken at various points. Not all mods are shown in all pictures.
Specs
- Year/Make/Model/Trim: 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
- Options: Premium Package
- Color: Patriot Red Pearl
- Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
- Engine: 6G72 3.0L SOHC V6
- Horsepower: 200/5,500 (Stock)
- Torque: 205/4,000 (Stock)
- Redline: 6250 RPM
- Fuel: 92 Octane
- Average MPG: 26
- Tire size: 215/50-R17
- Purchased: April 2001, Dan Georger Mitsubishi
- Traded In: February 27, 2007
- Final mileage: 93,838
- Assembly location: Normal, Illinois
- Number of visits to this holy ground: 1
- Length of road trip: 1600 Miles (Round-trip)
- Personal top speed: 120 MPH
- Speeding tickets prior to purchase: 0
- Speeding tickets since purchase: 1
- Tickets for illegal tint: 2
- Tickets from lying hillbilly yokels with nothing better to do than waste an hour of my time for passing through their town: 2
- Number of those tickets dismissed in court: 2
- Roadkill tally: 2 Raccoons
- Name given by Amanda: Elvira