1995-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS vs GS
Note: This analysis focuses on the 2nd generation USDM RS and GS COUPE HATCHBACK models only (NOT GS SPYDER CONVERTIBLE). For information about the 2nd Generation Non-Turbo Eagle Talons Click here.Sources: A lot of this information is derived from the sales brochures, observation, and online parts catalogs.
Disclaimer: this info may not be comprehensive or exhaustive, and may contain mistakes or errors. If you see a mistake or something missing, feel free to drop a comment.
TL;DR? An equipment comparison is at the bottom of this post.
Before we begin: Are you trying to identify the trim level of a specific car?
The sixth digit of a 2g Eclipse's VIN shows the vehicle's price class:
- 3: Medium (RS Coupe)
- 4: High (GS Coupe)
Brief Introduction
The North American RS and GS coupes were the lowest trim levels for the 2nd generation Eclipse. Both were front wheel drive and equipped with a Naturally Aspirated 420A 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder engine making 140 hp @ 6000 rpm, and 130 lbs-ft @ 4800 rpm from the factory.
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A 420A Engine in a 1999 Eclipse RS equipped with an automatic transmission. The green battery, positive battery connector, and security alarm are not OEM.
Design Styles
- 2GA: 1995-1996 model years.
- 2GB: 1997-1999 model years. 2GB models saw changes to the front and rear bumpers, fog lights (GS), Alloy wheel design (GS), and interior cloth design.
Base MSRP
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price from J.D. Power (https://www.nadaguides.com/)- RS:
- 1995: $14,359
- 1996: $14,970
- 1997: $15,140
- 1998: $15,740
- 1999: $15,750
- GS:
- 1995: $16,329 (+$1,970 over RS)
- 1996: $17,330 (+$2,360 over RS)
- 1997: $17,550 (+$2,410 over RS)
- 1998: $17,880 (+$2,140 over RS)
- 1999: $17,910 (+$2,160 over RS)
Curb Weight
Manual Transmission/Automatic Transmission- RS:
- 1995: 2723/???? lbs
- 1996: 2767/2844 lbs
- 1997: 2767/2844 lbs
- 1998: 2754/2817 lbs
- 1999: 2754/2817 lbs
- GS:
- 1995: ????
- 1996: 2855/2932 lbs (+88 lbs over RS)
- 1997: 2855/2932 lbs (+88 lbs over RS)
- 1998: 2842/2906 lbs (+88/89 lbs over RS)
- 1999: 2855/2920 lbs (+101/103 lbs over RS)
RS & GS Factory Paint Colors
Paint codes from @Tanro's paint codes list.- W12 - Northstar White
- A52 - Minden Silver Pearl
- R87 - Saronno Red
- X13 - Kalapana Black
- Y76 - Biscayne Green Pearl (1995)
- G36 - Everett Green Metallic (1995)
- B73 - Kona Blue Pearl (1995)
- P01 - Durango Copper Pearl (1995-1996)
- L55 - Oslo Green Pearl (1996)
- B59 - Celtic Blue Pearl (1996)
- G56 - Monarch Green Pearl (1996-1999)
- A87 - Magenta Gray Pearl (1997-1998)
- P75 - Barcelona Red Pearl (1997-1999)
- P88 - Cayenne Red Pearl (1997-1999)
Factory Interior Colors
- Blue (1995-1996)
- Gray (1995-1997)
- Black/Tan (1997-1999)
- Black/Gray (1998-1999)
RS Coupe
This was the base model trim for the 1995-1999 model years (although there was supposedly an even more basic trim produced for a short time which I have not been able to find solid information on.)Regardless of package upgrades or options, all RS models featured:
- 14" wheels
- Rear drum brakes
- 16mm front sway bar / no rear sway bar
- No fog lights
- Center console tray without arm rest
- Cloth seats
- 5-way adjustable driver seat
- One-piece folding rear back seat
- Sun visors with unlit vanity mirrors
- Black manual side mirrors
- Black exterior door handles
- Fixed intermittent windshield wipers
- No rear wiper
- No side skirts (cladding)
- Fixed-mast antenna
Standard equipment:
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Steel wheels with covers
- Manual locks
- Crank windows
- AM/FM stereo with:
- 4 speakers (1995-1997)
- Casette player and 6 speakers (1998)
- CD player and 6 speakers (1999)
- No rear spoiler
- No cruise control
Preferred equipment package (1996-1999):
- Air conditioning
- Alloy wheels
- Cargo cover
- Rear spoiler
- Wheel locks (1999)
Power package (1997-1999):
- Power windows
- Power door locks
- Cruise control
Sunroof package (1999):
Preferred equipment package plus:- Power sunroof
Optional equipment:
- 4-speed automatic transmission
- AM/FM Cassette stereo with 6 speakers (1995, 1997)
- AM/FM CD stereo with:
- 4 speakers (early 1998)
- 6 speakers (later 1998)
- In-dash single CD player (1995-1998)*
- 10-disc rear-mounted CD changer (1996-1998)**
- Power sunroof
- Remote keyless entry (1997-1999)
- Air conditioning
- Alloy wheels (1995, 1999)
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) (1995)
** This equipment was not available with the AM/FM CD stereo optional in 1998 and standard in 1999.
Example of a 2GB Eclipse RS
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1999 Eclipse RS in Saronno Red with Power & Preferred Equipment Packages. Note: the front bumper is not a factory original. All OEM front bumpers featured a Mitsubishi logo and the section above the main inlet hole was black.
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GS Coupe
Regardless of package upgrades or options, all GS models featured:- 16" wheels
- Rear disc brakes
- 18mm front sway bar / 12mm rear sway bar
- Fog lights
- Center console arm rest
- Two-piece 50/50 split folding rear seat
- Power side mirrors color-matched to car
- Color-matched exterior door handles
- Mitsubishi HomeLink(R) equipped driver sunvisor
- Passenger sunvisor with vanity mirror lights
- Cargo cover
- Variable intermittent windhsield wipers
- Rear window wiper/washer
- Rear spoiler
- Side skirts (cladding)
- Power Antenna
Standard equipment:
- 7-way adjustable driver seat (1995)
- 6-way adjustable driver seat (1996-1999)
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Steel wheels with covers
- Cloth upholstry
- AM/FM Cassette stereo with 6 speakers
Preferred equipment package (1996):
- Air conditioning
- Power windows
- Power door locks
- Cruise control
Preferred value package (1997-1999):
- Air conditioning
- Power windows
- Power door locks
- Cruise control
- Alloy wheels
- Power sunroof
Premium value package (1997-1998):
Includes preferred value package plus:- Leather front seats
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel (1998)
- Mitsubishi/Infinity(R) AM/FM casette stereo with amplifier and 8 speakers
- Security system with remote keyless entry
Premium plus value package (1997-1998):
Preferred value package and premium value package plus:- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Sports value package (1999):
- Air conditioning
- In-dash single CD player
- Leather seating surfaces
- Power sunroof
- Power windows and locks
- Cruise control
- Security system
- 16" aluminum-alloy OZ Racing wheels
- White-face gauges
- Turbo ("high-rise") spoiler
- Chrome exhaust tips
Optional equipment:
- 4-speed automatic transmission
- In-dash single CD player
- Mitsubishi/Infinity(R) audio system with 8 Speakers (1995-1996)
- 6-disc CD auto-changer (1995)***
- 10-disc rear-mounted CD changer (1996-1999)
- Alloy wheels (1995, 1996, 1999)
- Anti-lock brakes (1995-1996)
TL;DR: Quick Comparison of base RS vs base GS equipment:
- RS: 14" wheels (GS: 16")
- RS: Rear drum brakes (GS: rear disc brakes)
- RS: 16mm front sway bar / no rear sway bar (GS: 18mm front / 12mm rear)
- RS: No fog lamps (GS: fog lamps)
- RS: Center console tray without arm rest (GS: tray with arm rest)
- RS: 5-way adjustable driver seat (GS: 6-way adjustable driver seat [1996-1999] 7-way [1995])
- RS: One-piece folding rear back seat (GS: 2-piece 50/50 split back)
- RS: Sun visors with unlit vanity mirrors (GS: driver side Homelink(R) and passenger side vanity mirror with light)
- RS: Black manual side mirrors (GS: color-matched power)
- RS: Black exterior door handles (GS: color-matched)
- RS: Fixed intermittent windshield wipers (GS: variable intermittent)
- RS: No rear wiper (GS: rear wiper/washer)
- RS: No side skirts (air dam) (GS: 6-piece [3 per side] color-matched)
- RS: Fixed-mast antenna (GS: power antenna)
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