How to spruce up your Eclipse without a ton of cost

Many vehicles can prove to be a fun car to own, but few are as inexpensive and as enjoyable as the Mitsubishi Eclipse. The company has long claimed that they are "saving the human race from boring 4 cylinder cars," and they couldn't be more right. The vehicle can be called many things, but boring definitely isn't one of them. The car is fun to drive, and even more fun to modify. One of the most effective ways to truly customize the Mitsubishi is to select and install an Eclipse body kit. Before you go shopping for a complete styling makeover, you first need to know a little bit more information about your model.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse began production with the model year 1990, and was considered to be in its first generation until 1994. During this time, the vehicle was also sold as the Plymouth Laser and the Eagle Talon. Although the vehicle didn't undergo a major redesign during this time, the pop-up headlights disappeared in 1992. The second generation Mitsubishi Eclipse was unveiled in 1995 and a convertible version, called the Spyder, was released in 1996. The Eagle Talon continued during the second generation up until 1998, but the Plymouth Laser was discontinued. Production on the third generation began with the model year 2000 and continued until 2005. The fourth generation began in 2005 and is still currently being marketed as the most recent version of the Mitsubishi Eclipse. An important note is that although the first and second generation vehicles shared many of the same parts, the more recent productions have been built on a different platform and are not compatible with older models.

Now that you're armed with all the necessary information, it's time to decide how far you would like to go with your car's new look. Eclipse body kits include components such as ground effects, fenders, lights, spoilers, hoods, trunks, and even doors. There are complete kits available, or you can simply pick and choose the parts you would like your vehicle to sport. There are many great companies out there that manufacture the Eclipse body kits, such as Extreme Dimensions, MimoUSA, AIT Racing, Sarona, Street Scene, Wings West, and Erebuni could ever want.

Many of the Eclipse body kits are made up of either fiberglass or polyurethane. When selecting your material, keep in mind that polyurethane is resists cracking if you live in a cold climate. It also is much more resistant to damage. Fiberglass is not very durable when used in parts that could potentially come in contact with other surfaces, such as ground effects.

None of the manufacturers of Eclipse body kits sell directly to the public, but each of their websites has a list of approved dealers and sources. Many enthusiasts are successful in purchasing their accessories and components online, but they are also readily available offline and can be ordered through any body shop. In addition, many individuals are able to find used parts on Ebay and from other classified postings.

Although some try to install their own Eclipse body kit, it's normally best to allow the professionals to handle it. Some pieces may require slight modifications for proper fitment. The installation will be worth it, however. Once the body kit is properly installed, even the harshest critic will believe in love at first sight!

Ronnie Tanner is a contributing writer at Eclipse Car Tuner. He writes about Eclipse Hood and other industry specific topics.