View Full Version : Why Aren't Eclipse's sold in Australia
LT_Soul
01-24-04, 07:16 AM
Reasons?
Can't think of any - they'd make a killing over here, especially on the street racing market - majority of people either have Skylines, WRX's or Lancer GSR's
Why wouldn't Mitsubishi export them - we have every other make I think - even the FTO!
Because they're FWD and underpowered, add to that they're ugly and you've got a good combination.
sj_hurst
01-24-04, 09:35 AM
We don't have Skylines in the U.S. We just got the 300hp WRX's last year. And Lancer evolution this year (I'm assuming its somewhat close to the GSR).
http://www.mitsubishimotors.com/lancerevolution/index.html
So consider yourself blessed for having access to these cars earlier than us. Any one of them is much better than the Eclipse. :D
LT_Soul
01-24-04, 09:56 AM
We've had the Evolutions for years - I've seen an Evo I on the road - as well as the Evo VI and beyond...
But why not just have cars international? Is there some beaurocracy crap behind it?
Lancer Evos are so overpriced, for the same price here you could have a 402hp C4B (Callaway modded LS1), 2 door car with lots of luxuries.
But why not just have cars international? Is there some beaurocracy crap behind it?
Are there even any right hand drive Eclipses in the world? It costs quite a bit of money to redesign the car.
sj_hurst
01-24-04, 12:07 PM
Well LT, sports cars make up a very small % of the market here. More than half of all Americans buy trucks or suv's (I'd say at least 70%, if you lump the 2 categories together). Next is family cars and econo cars. Then, luxury. Real sports cars are at the bottom of the heap. lol..
You'd probably classify most of our sports cars as underpowered econo cars (the Japanese models, anyway.. like Celica, Eclipse, RSX, Lancer, and even RX-8). True sports cars (high hp, high performance) just aren't very popular here. That leaves little wiggle room for competition in the U.S. for true sports cars and explains why some of these models take so long to reach the U.S. Not only that, specific models that were discontinued here years ago are still being made & sold in other countries. Only recently has the Fast & Furious rice trend spurred Mitsu and Suburu to release their higher performance cars here. :rolleyes:
They dont really make a killing over here... they make for an excellent tuner car if you get a GSX, but otherwise.. they're not really worth it.
I dont think they're ugly either.. unless ur talking about the 3Gs.. them are ugly.
marianozz
01-24-04, 09:49 PM
Are there even any right hand drive Eclipses in the world? It costs quite a bit of money to redesign the car.
iirc japs drive backwards too :dunno:
Btw, the eclipse is made in the US if u care at all. lol.
marianozz
01-24-04, 10:12 PM
lol... no, i dont... i just assumed some mitsubishi jap would be around.... :lol:
Btw, the eclipse is made in the US if u care at all. lol.
That's what I figured, and should answer LT's question.
Yep, its made in some little no name town in the mid-west.
Sir_Gallahad
01-25-04, 03:08 AM
Yep, its made in some little no name town in the mid-west.
Normal, Illinois :P
No....really.
LT_Soul
01-25-04, 07:45 AM
Fair nuff - but again, if they spend enough time redesigning every other import here - why not certain specific models?
Fair nuff - but again, if they spend enough time redesigning every other import here - why not certain specific models?
Every model here is international, the Eclipse is America only. Even the Magna is over in the US as a Diamante. With the exchange rate and the cost of modifying the car to right hand drive, the car would be horribly overpriced, not to mention a factory would have to be built to build the cars, add to that they probably wouldn't sell well.
I could understand converting something like a Civic or a Corolla, but definitely not an Eclipse.
I could understand converting something like a Civic or a Corolla, but definitely not an Eclipse.
Both of those cars are already sold internationally, so yeah :).
Exactly. :P
I rest my case..
Or something..
Btw, i think you mean the Mitsubishi GTO, not FTO?
Thats just the conversion of our 3000GT.
marianozz
01-28-04, 09:53 PM
"America only" as in teh country? or teh continent?
seen a shitload around here... :hmm: all left hand drive of course... the right way :bigthumb:
Btw, i think you mean the Mitsubishi GTO, not FTO?
Thats just the conversion of our 3000GT.
We have both.
"America only" as in teh country? or teh continent?
Continent. Considering practically everything in the US would be in Kanadia.
marianozz
01-29-04, 07:06 AM
We have both.
Continent. Considering practically everything in the US would be in Kanadia.
errr... i meant as a whole, not just North America..... :slap::lol:
btw, did you just call me kanadian??? :hmm:
errr... i meant as a whole, not just North America..... :slap::lol:
btw, did you just call me kanadian??? :hmm:
I know you did.
No, I'd never be that cruel.
Flywest
01-29-04, 10:21 AM
Because they're FWD and underpowered, add to that they're ugly and you've got a good combination.
:stupid:
Sums it good.
:stupid:
Sums it good.
STFU.
The GSX is a very nice buy for what you get performance wise. AWD and Turbo... *drool*
Flywest
02-01-04, 09:11 PM
STFU.
The GSX is a very nice buy for what you get performance wise. AWD and Turbo... *drool*
Who said I was talking about the 2G GSX ? I'm talking about the new generation. Trash I tell you.
Who said I was talking about the 2G GSX ? I'm talking about the new generation. Trash I tell you.
Ok, i dont officially want to kill you anymore :P
You're now my new best friend,, be afraid..
Flywest
02-01-04, 09:16 PM
Ok, i dont officially want to kill you anymore :P
You're now my new best friend,, be afraid..
:fear:
:eek:
:P
:fear:
:eek:
:P
:naughty:
MasterBates
02-04-04, 05:45 PM
being as Ive worked for mitsu for 12 years, ill clear some shit up.
the cars could very easily and relatively cheaply be setup for right hand drive. hell, the domestic galant is built in the same factory as the eclipse, on the same platform. Of course, the galant is sold worldwide, being built at several different factories, using many of the same componants. Its not a price issue.
The real reason is marketing. Not too many other countries want the eclipse; trust me, its been looked into.
Also, the "little" factory in normal, illinois is now officially the largest (by production) assembly line in america, with the capability of 325,000-350,000 vehicles yearly. they make galants, eclipses, endeavors, chrysler sebrings coupes, and dodge stratus coupes.
by the way, the second gen eclipses are pure crap in every imaginable way. the new ones are light years better.
Flywest
02-04-04, 06:11 PM
being as Ive worked for mitsu for 12 years, ill clear some shit up.
the cars could very easily and relatively cheaply be setup for right hand drive. hell, the domestic galant is built in the same factory as the eclipse, on the same platform. Of course, the galant is sold worldwide, being built at several different factories, using many of the same componants. Its not a price issue.
The real reason is marketing. Not too many other countries want the eclipse; trust me, its been looked into.
Also, the "little" factory in normal, illinois is now officially the largest (by production) assembly line in america, with the capability of 325,000-350,000 vehicles yearly. they make galants, eclipses, endeavors, chrysler sebrings coupes, and dodge stratus coupes.
by the way, the second gen eclipses are pure crap in every imaginable way. the new ones are light years better.
Care to enlight us a bit more ? I'm just sad that they ditched the turbo powerplant in favor of the V6...that's my main complaint. I also prefer the 2G looks , but that's a matter of tastes.
MasterBates
02-04-04, 06:20 PM
Care to enlight us a bit more ? I'm just sad that they ditched the turbo powerplant in favor of the V6...that's my main complaint. I also prefer the 2G looks , but that's a matter of tastes.
ditching the turbo was a simple matter of economics. in its best year, the turbo never sold more than 10 percent. the warranty cost was also higher on it.
the v6 is a smoother, more drivable powerplant that is less expensive, just as powerful, and more reliable.
the 2nd gen MAY look better, but it was very unreliable in most aspects.
yea, DSM isnt exactly reliable, but id rather have a 4 cylinder turbo than a shit ass ugly 6 cylinder..
I doubt the GSX was exactly put out in mass production anyways..
Flywest
02-04-04, 08:19 PM
ditching the turbo was a simple matter of economics. in its best year, the turbo never sold more than 10 percent. the warranty cost was also higher on it.
the v6 is a smoother, more drivable powerplant that is less expensive, just as powerful, and more reliable.
the 2nd gen MAY look better, but it was very unreliable in most aspects.
That sums it well, still the 4 cyl /AWD was more sporty, but it's understandable they wanted to replace it due to costs.
Flywest
02-04-04, 08:21 PM
yea, DSM isnt exactly reliable, but id rather have a 4 cylinder turbo than a shit ass ugly 6 cylinder..
I doubt the GSX was exactly put out in mass production anyways..
Shit ass ugly 6 cylinder ? Watch your words son, I could bring my 6 cyl along down where you are and enlighten you :P
MasterBates
02-04-04, 10:00 PM
yea, DSM isnt exactly reliable, but id rather have a 4 cylinder turbo than a shit ass ugly 6 cylinder..
I doubt the GSX was exactly put out in mass production anyways..
youre nuts.
the 6 is every bit as powerful as the turbo 4, with more torque. its also got 2 additional cylinders which DO make a difference (simple engine physics; theres an additional power pulse every engine rotation), its a 60 degree v-6 (which is a naturally balanced engine) so its FAR smoother than a 4, and its tough as nails. Plus the additional displacement which allows for more power with less stress to the componants.
there were plenty of GSXs available, but no one bought them. Simple economics killed it.
You know whats funny as hell to me? Ive been working mitsu for a long time; in the 80s and early 90s EVERY car mitsu had was available turbo'ed. The starion, the mirage, the cordia, the galant, the tredia, the 3000GT, the eclipse, etc.etc. and they all went like hell.
you know what? NO ONE BOUGHT THEM. and a lot of them were VERY reliable. the mirage turbos were nuke proof, for crying out loud.
but as soon as mitsu wises up and builds cars people actually want and buy, people freak out and scream "sell-outs" as though they actually know what the hell they're talking about.
the new cars are much more in line with what the people that actually buy cars want.
18 year olds can kick and scream all they want, but very, very few ever actually bought these cars new. even now they buy 10 year old used ones that are beaten badly for cheap prices. it'll be the same with the 3rd gen in about 6 years.
One last thing. regardless of how you think the new gen eclipse looks (i like them a lot), they are a million times better built than the 2nd gen, for whatever reason. I can easily recommend one to anybody, whereas i cant recommend a second gen to anyone unless its an obviously well maintained example, and its NOT turbo'ed (although the chrysler powertrain isnt exactly reliable, it has proven to be moreso in the long run probably due to people beating the shit out of the turbo cars).
Its a heck of a lot easier to get power out of a already turboed 4 cylinder than a stock 6 cylinder.. money wise that is. Plus the AWD.. its a no-brainer. Then you consider that the 3Gs are ugly as hell and my '98 is worth as much as a 2000...
MasterBates
02-04-04, 10:25 PM
Its a heck of a lot easier to get power out of a already turboed 4 cylinder than a stock 6 cylinder.. money wise that is. Plus the AWD.. its a no-brainer. Then you consider that the 3Gs are ugly as hell and my '98 is worth as much as a 2000...
since the 4 is rated at 205 HP, and the 6 is at 215, that argument is weird.
I see "modded" cars everyday... and the 2nd gen generally is a poor choice for modding. the first gen was a much tougher beast for a lot of reasons. I have built reliable 440 HP first gen eclipses with very few issues. that wont happen with the second gen without spending serious cash.
youre kidding yourself if you think its cheaper to mod a turbo'ed car to get any real power out of it. (exhaust systems and air filters dont count, as theyre worth about 3 HP on either car).
the AWD, well, that I cant argue with. Still, no one bought them. If you want a turbo'ed AWD rocket, you get an EVO.
if you want a powerful, comfortable, decent looking and reliable car, you get the new eclipse.
Evo costs $20,000 more too.
With the money you save buying a GSX instead of a 3G you could buy a real big turbo and have atleast 300.. atleast.
MasterBates
02-04-04, 10:33 PM
Evo costs $20,000 more too.
With the money you save buying a GSX instead of a 3G you could buy a real big turbo and have atleast 300.. atleast.
20000 more than what? a second gen eclipse? sure. Not more than a 3rd, though, especially if you want a convertable.
apparently you arent reading me. you will spend an EASY 10 grand to get a 2nd gen to get 300 RELIABLE horsepower.
sure, you can bolt on a bigger turbo and do some tuning to hit 300 horsepower. and i garantee the car wont last more than 1000 miles like that before you bust a crank, destroy a trans, or any of a million other things. then you can shovel cash like manure to keep the sucker running.
racing and power is NOT cheap; never has been. thats why its usually the rich people that drive fast cars.
the EVO is warranteed, too. plus the chassis is a million times better than the 2nd gen eclipse ever was. the secret to a fast car is the chassis first, engine second. I can take a car with the proper chassis and kick the shit out of a car with 100 more HP with a sloppy, weak, wobbly chassis thats got all the wrong geometry and balance.
If you like your 2nd gen, thats fabulous. But the 3rd is just a much better beast overall as it should be. technology is suppost to advance things like cars.
Evo costs $20,000 more too.
With the money you save buying a GSX instead of a 3G you could buy a real big turbo and have atleast 300.. atleast.
I wouldn't argue with a guy that works on mitsibushi cars for a living... More displacement = more power to make. That's a seriously duh statement there... you can get more overall horsepower by turboing a 6 cylinder then a 4 cylinder...
He wasn't talking about the 3000GT, he was talking about the newer eclipses...
I wouldnt call either one a "beast" as you did.
And it would be stupid to drive all the time with the PSI all the way up if you had a bigger turbo, thats one of the great advantages of bolting on a turbo over a supercharger.. you can always just turn it off.
I have no doubt in my mind a 3G is more reliable and its not like im trying to question your knowledge.. you work on the danged things for crying out loud.
I wouldn't argue with a guy that works on mitsibushi cars for a living... More displacement = more power to make. That's a seriously duh statement there... you can get more overall horsepower by turboing a 6 cylinder then a 4 cylinder...
He wasn't talking about the 3000GT, he was talking about the newer eclipses...
And? All of those have already been brought up and i have no clue where you got 3000GT from..
I wouldnt call either one a "beast" as you did.
And it would be stupid to drive all the time with the PSI all the way up if you had a bigger turbo, thats one of the great advantages of bolting on a turbo over a supercharger.. you can always just turn it off.
I have no doubt in my mind a 3G is more reliable and its not like im trying to question your knowledge.. you work on the danged things for crying out loud.
What was the arguement against a 6 cylinder then?
And? All of those have already been brought up and i have no clue where you got 3000GT from..
nevermind, thought you meant 3g as 3000gt ....
What money saved on a GSX? You just said yourself that your car is worth as much as a 3rd generation eclipse, and yours isn't even a GSX. I don't exactly see where the money saved is coming from...
What was the arguement against a 6 cylinder then?
If you were reading, it was the 6 cylinder is an overall better buy for it's "bite" and its reliability.. but most definitely not its styling. Agreed on both levels about the reliability. Im arguing the "bite" because for what you pay for a 3G you can put into a GSX and get a lot more power.
If you were reading, it was the 6 cylinder is an overall better buy for it's "bite" and its reliability.. but most definitely not its styling. Agreed on both levels about the reliability. Im arguing the "bite" because for what you pay for a 3G you can put into a GSX and get a lot more power.
*Ahem*
Then you consider that the 3Gs are ugly as hell and my '98 is worth as much as a 2000...
Where's the money saved? If your car is worth as much as a 2000 3g then wouldn't a GSX be worth more? I don't see economic reasoning there, lol.
MasterBates
02-04-04, 10:44 PM
I wouldnt call either one a "beast" as you did.
And it would be stupid to drive all the time with the PSI all the way up if you had a bigger turbo, thats one of the great advantages of bolting on a turbo over a supercharger.. you can always just turn it off.
you can always just turn either off with your foot.. but no one ever does. people who want fast cars drive fast. Im no different.
I have no doubt in my mind a 3G is more reliable and its not like im trying to question your knowledge.. you work on the danged things for crying out loud.
the most unreliable are ALWAYS the modded ones. The "slap on a turbo and go like hell" ideas work, but a lot of people will pay the price in the long runf.
like I said, the original was MUCH tougher, and much more "modifiable" without fearing too much damage (especially the '90 model).
nevermind, thought you meant 3g as 3000gt ....
What money saved on a GSX? You just said yourself that your car is worth as much as a 3rd generation eclipse, and yours isn't even a GSX. I don't exactly see where the money saved is coming from...
If you were given a set amount, nothing crazy... it would be much more efficient to mod a GSX than a 3G. A turbo system is a easy 3 - 4 grand for a good one. By the time you get that for a 3G, youve already modded the heck out of the otherwise boring stock turbo.
the original was MUCH tougher, and much more "modifiable" without fearing too much damage (especially the '90 model).
Ive never heard that in my life, i belong to a club of dsm modifiers, most of them being 1Gs.. they spend more money on repairs than on performance it seems like..
If you were given a set amount, nothing crazy... it would be much more efficient to mod a GSX than a 3G. A turbo system is a easy 3 - 4 grand for a good one. By the time you get that for a 3G, youve already modded the heck out of the otherwise boring stock turbo.
Lets see, hypothetically (no real prices here)
Your car: 8k
GSX: 9k
3g: 8k (since its worth the same as your car)
Okay... so if you bought a GSX, it comes with a turbo... 205 horsepower.
The 3g, comes without a turbo, and 10 more horsepower and probably a lot more torque, for 1k less...
Which means you start off with 1k more to mod your 3g, as in comparison to your GSX...
Okay, lets say you don't mod either of them, you save 1k, and get 10 more horsepower. Okay, you stick 3k of mods in the GSX, and buy a turbo for the 3g, and it still has more horsepower then the GSX....
MasterBates
02-04-04, 10:52 PM
Ive never heard that in my life, i belong to a club of dsm modifiers, most of them being 1Gs.. they spend more money on repairs than on performance it seems like..
trust me. You can take a stock 1st gen engine pretty safely to 450 HP. no way in hell the 2nd gens gonna do that.
the transmissions were not that great in any year. the latter ones had a few improvements that made them wear out considerably less (brass double coned synchronizers, better bearings), but the internals were no stronger otherwise.
plus, all the 1st gen transmission internals were "upgraded" to these same parts by the time it was out of production in 94.
the suspension on the 2nd gen is terrible at best. far too many wear points and failures in the long run.
the engine is really the weak point on the second gen, though.
My car's resell value: 9k
Lowest 3G Resell Value: About 10K
GSX Resell Value: Ive seen 9s, but most are 10 - 14k
GSX Torque:213
3G Torque:163(way more)
It would be close either way with the modding, but it would be a lot smarter to just leave em stock,as they are mitsubishi afterall.. :P (no offense masterbates) Id just rather hear a turbo than that shit ass sounding 3G's muffler sound... gah, sounds like a stock coffee can.
My car's resell value: 9k
Lowest 3G Resell Value: About 10K
GSX Resell Value: Ive seen 9s, but most are 10 - 14k
GSX Torque:213
3G Torque:163(way more)
It would be close either way with the modding, but it would be a lot smarter to just leave em stock,as they are mitsubishi afterall.. :P (no offense masterbates) Id just rather hear a turbo than that shit ass sounding 3G's muffler sound... gah, sounds like a stock coffee can.Well, then i guess it would be a better investment for a 3g then just based on prices? (I quoted you on the price earlier since you said your car was worth as much as the 3g...)
Plus, the GSX has that much torque because of the turbo, put one on the 3g and see what happens...
Well, then i guess it would be a better investment for a 3g then just based on prices? (I quoted you on the price earlier since you said your car was worth as much as the 3g...)
Plus, the GSX has that much torque because of the turbo, put one on the 3g and see what happens...
1.I dont think so. id hate to call it an "investment" to buy something that ugly and underpowered to boot.
2. Not going there, this whole fucking thread was about the money value of that.. if your gonna get that much torque your gonna spend considerably more than you already are.. the car is 3 - 7 years newer, so with 10 - 11 being a really shitty ass 3G.. you're gonna more likely be spending closer from 15 - 18K on any decent models.
Thats enough arguing for one night, im going to fucking bed.. (( GrrrFF))
MasterBates
02-05-04, 06:57 AM
My car's resell value: 9k
Lowest 3G Resell Value: About 10K
GSX Resell Value: Ive seen 9s, but most are 10 - 14k
GSX Torque:213
3G Torque:163(way more)
It would be close either way with the modding, but it would be a lot smarter to just leave em stock,as they are mitsubishi afterall.. :P (no offense masterbates) Id just rather hear a turbo than that shit ass sounding 3G's muffler sound... gah, sounds like a stock coffee can.
where you getting those specs from?
the torque on the v-6 is about 210 foot pounds. on the GSX, it was never more than 200.
Plus, a V-6 with straight pipes sounds SO much more ferocious than a whiney 4. Thats my opinion, but its shared by many.
Plus, a V-6 with straight pipes sounds SO much more ferocious than a whiney 4. Thats my opinion, but its shared by many.
Anyone with half a brain. The only good 4 is a silent 4.
where you getting those specs from?
the torque on the v-6 is about 210 foot pounds. on the GSX, it was never more than 200.
Plus, a V-6 with straight pipes sounds SO much more ferocious than a whiney 4. Thats my opinion, but its shared by many.
Ah, lol. Ill concede.. but can we agree on one thing?
A turbo is pretty damn cool?
vBulletin® v3.8.1, Copyright ©2000-2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.