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Comparison: 1995-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS & GS

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1995-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS vs GS

The Mitsubishi Eclipse RS and GS were the non-turbo trim levels of the 2nd generation Mitsubishi Eclipse, produced from 1995-1999. The RS served as the base model trim for most of this period, and although they share similarities, there were numerous differences between the RS and GS models. While the RS offered various factory options for added comfort, such as power windows and cruise control, certain equipment like power mirrors, upgraded seating, and side skirts, among others were reserved for the GS trim level and could not be upgraded from the factory, barring perhaps, a special order.

This write-up delves into the standard and optional equipment for both trim levels, aiming to assist you in identifying a car's trim level and potential modifications more accurately.

Please remember that this post is intended as a helpful guide for car enthusiasts and potential buyers, not as a definitive authority. Car modifications and special orders can significantly change a car's features. Thus, it's always best to use your judgment and consult with a trusted mechanic or car expert when you're in doubt.

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.

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. :)

Sources: Much of this information is derived from sales brochures, firsthand observation, and online parts catalogs.

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The Original 1995-1999 Eclipse Sales Brochures Used for This Writeup





Is a Certain Car an RS or a GS?

How to Tell Using the VIN​

The sixth digit of a 2g Eclipse's VIN shows the vehicle's price class:
  • 3: Medium (RS Coupe)
  • 4: High (GS Coupe)

Base Equipment Quick Comparison

Trying to guess the trim level without a VIN? This list compares the major differences between standard equipment at a glance.
  • Center Console Arm Rest
    • RS: No
    • GS: Yes
  • Door Handles
    • RS: Black
    • GS: Color-matched
  • Fog Lights
    • RS: No
    • GS: Yes
  • Radio Antenna
    • RS: Fixed-mast
    • GS: Power
  • Rear Brakes
    • RS: Drum
    • GS: Disc
  • Seats
    • Driver
      • RS: 5-way adjustable
      • GS: 6-way adjustable [1996-1999] / 7-way [1995]
    • Rear Seats
      • RS: 1-piece folding bench back
      • GS: 2-piece 50/50 split back
  • Side Mirrors
    • RS: Black Cable (Manual Adjustment)
    • GS: Color-matched Power
  • Side Skirts (Air Dam)
    • RS: No
    • GS: 6-piece [3 per side] color-matched
  • Sun Visors
    • RS: Unlit vanity mirrors
    • GS: Driver side Homelink(R) and passenger side vanity mirror with light
  • Sway Bars
    • RS: 16mm front / no rear sway bar
    • GS: 18mm front / 12mm rear
  • Wheels
    • RS: 14"
    • GS: 16"
  • Wipers
    • Front
      • RS: Fixed intermittent wand
      • GS: Variable intermittent wand
    • Rear
      • RS: No
      • GS: Rear wiper/washer

Base Equipment Video Comparison (Surface Level)

Here is a video demonstrating the surface level differences between an RS and a GS:
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"BUT THIS RS/GS has 'X' Equipment!"

I can think of two good reasons why an Eclipse doesn't line up neatly with the standard or optional equipment for its trim level:
  1. A Factory Special Order (Rare)
    1. While I am not CERTAIN special orders were actually a thing, I've seen some evidence to suggest that they might have been. Is it possible an Eclipse has an upgrade that went beyond the official list of potential upgrades? Maybe.
  2. A Previous Owner Modified It (Common)
    1. Given the age of the platform and its heavy inclusion into tuner culture, its certainly possible that owners upgraded an Eclipse with equipment from higher trim levels, as well as any number of aftermarket modifications.
      1. In fact, a stock trim level upgrade is at the root of this blog. I'm upgrading an RS to a GS. It can be done, yes, but it's a LOT of work, and that means a lot of cost.

There may be other reasons too, including mistaken identity. Make sure you do your homework and consult an expert if you are not sure.​





A Deeper Dive into the RS & GS Trim Levels

Are you really passionate about a non-turbo Eclipse? Me too! That's why I compiled all of this information into an organized list. I'm working to add more photos to the guide for additional clarity, and I'm also working on an even deeper dive in the first reply to this post... It's a work in progress. 😊 Read on and enjoy! 👇

General Information

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 Standard & Optional Equipment

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.)

Base equipment:​

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 required the optional AM/FM Cassette stereo in 1995, and was not available with the AM/FM CD stereo optional in 1998 and standard in 1999.

** 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.





GS Coupe Standard & Optional Equipment

Base equipment:​

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 sun visor
  • Passenger sun visor with vanity mirror lights
  • Cargo cover
  • Variable intermittent windshield 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
  • Silver-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)
*** This equipment was only available with Mitsubishi/Infinity(R) sound system.

Example of a 2GB Eclipse GS
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A 1998 Eclipse GS at an Auto Recycler
 
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A More In-Depth Look​

I plan to update this thread to showcase various differences between the RS and GS coupes as I find them.

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. :)



1997-99 Non-Turbo Air Guide
This plastic duct mounts behind the front bumper's main inlet hole. The parts are similar, but the RS version does not have the holes pierced for the fog light brackets. For more information on the 1997-99 Eclipse Air Guide, click here.

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Part Numbers
RS:
MR236478
GS: MR294553

GS Air Guide Installed:
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Silver-Face Gauge Cluster
Every RS and GS coupe used the standard black-face gauge cluster except for the 1999 Sports Value Package (10th Anniversary Edition) GS. This was the only Non-Turbo (N/T) car to use a silver-face gauge cluster.
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