The Top Ten Used Cars-Trucks for December 2008

The Top Ten Used Cars-Trucks for December 2008: Today is the mid-point of the month and just 10 days until Christmas! A very important part of our business is to keep a pulse of the used car and truck market. What’s hot…and what’s not.

Every month we will preview the Top Ten Used Cars and Trucks for the current month, which is now December 2008. Every day for 10 straight we will publish the “Doenges Top Ten” starting with #10 on the 15th of the month and finishing with #1 on the 25th of the month and reveal what vehicle is #1.

# 10: Mitsubishi Eclipse:

Sporty, fast, and sleek are just a few of the words consumers use to describe their used Mitsubishi Eclipse. The little sports car has come a long way over the years and has even, interestingly enough, been sold under a couple different names.

The Original Eclipse

The Mitsubishi Eclipse first went into production in 1989 and was initially designed for left-hand drivers. It was named after an eighteenth century English racehorse, and has been sold as the Eagle Talon and the Plymouth Laser.

The first generation Eclipse was sold as an entry to mid-level four-cylinder sports coupe. Then the car underwent minor changes throughout its production; 1992-1994 models were manufactured with updated sheet metal and pop-up headlights.

The second generation car (1995-1999) had a major update in styling. New to the line was a convertible model which was introduced in 1996. During this period, the Eclipse was sold as an Eagle Talon. Unique versions of the model were sold overseas in some European countries with customized sideview mirrors, and unique amber rear turn signals.

Newer Model Used Mitsubishi Eclipse

The third generation Eclipse (2000-2005), including a convertible, was unveiled in 1999. Powertrain options were upgraded and the suspension setup was adjusted to provide a softer more compliant ride quality. However, AWD was no longer an option.

No longer an Eagle Talon, the Eclipse shared its platform and powertrain with the Mitsubishi Galant. Weight was also up slightly from previous year’s model.

In mid-2002, the GTS trim was introduced for the 2003 model year. This vehicle included an engine with a 10:1 compression ratio and an improved air intake system, giving the car an extra 10 hp and a slightly improved power curve.

Important to note is the Mitsubishi Eclipse EV. This was released in 2001 as a prototype electric vehicle, complete with a lightweight electric motor and lithium-ion battery in the chassis. It was powered by manganese lithium-ion batteries which have a 65-percent reduced charging time over nickel-hydrogen batteries.

The EV participated in the 2001 Shikoku EV Rally, a 780 km circuit around the perimeter of Shikoku, Japan, where it drove in excess of 400 km on a single battery charge. Unfortunately, since it was a prototype, it was never available for commercial sale.

The fourth generation Eclipse (2006-Current) is currently available, both new and pre-owned. It was introduced in 2007 and is still a strong seller in North America, Mitsubishi’s primary market.

While Eclipse’s are not the most popular coupe on the road, experts have said they are still fun to drive and own. They’ve come a long way since their inception, and it appears they’ll be around for a many more years to come.

Popularity: 2% [?]

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