Mitsubishi Eclipse (2009-2012) review: a niche V6 coupe for patient enthusiasts only
3.1/5MotorsSouq Editorial Team
Buy an Eclipse GT only as a weekend project or enthusiast toy from someone who already sourced a specialist mechanic, never as a daily driver or a car you need to be reliable on short notice. The base 2.4-litre GS is not worth chasing in Bahrain at all — you give up the V6's character for none of the practicality of a proper family coupe.
Pros
- 3.8L V6 GT delivers genuine straight-line pace and sound
- Distinctive coupe styling with no direct rival on Bahrain's roads today
- Specialist workshops that also serve Evo/Ralliart owners can maintain it well
- Cheap to buy given very limited demand
Cons
- Almost no dealer parts support since 2012
- Noticeable torque steer under hard acceleration
- Cramped, token rear seats
- Very poor resale and thin used-market pool in Bahrain
The fourth-generation Eclipse was always a niche proposition in the GCC, sold in small numbers alongside far more popular Mitsubishi models and competing against segment favourites that had stronger regional distribution. The GT trim's 3.8-litre V6 is the version worth having: 265 horsepower through the front wheels gives it genuine straight-line pace and a proper V6 soundtrack, though torque steer under hard acceleration is noticeable and expected for a front-driven car with this much power.
A car that needs a specialist, not a dealer
Mitsubishi ended Eclipse production in 2012 and never sold enough of them here to sustain dedicated dealer parts stock even when the model was current. In 2026, almost every Eclipse on Bahrain roads is an enthusiast-owned car maintained by one of a small number of specialists who know the platform, often the same shops that service Evo and Lancer Ralliart owners. Buying one without already having that relationship in place is asking for delays measured in weeks, not days, when something needs a part.
The interior shows its age clearly next to anything from the current decade — plastics that were mid-tier even in 2009, an infotainment system that predates smartphone integration entirely, and rear seats that are token gestures rather than usable space. None of that is the point of this car, and buyers who need those things should look elsewhere.
Who it's actually for
This is a car for someone who already loves the Eclipse nameplate, has budget set aside for parts that may need to be sourced from outside Bahrain, and wants a characterful, reasonably quick coupe for occasional weekend driving rather than commuting. Treated that way, a well-sorted GT still delivers a genuinely fun drive; treated as a practical daily car, it will frustrate its owner within months.