The Eclipse had the style of severly rounded edges, and a low-to-the-ground appearence. They always wanted a good looking car, for a good price.
In 1995 it really began. The Laser, and the Eagle Talon really tried to copy it, but didn't succeed. Then in 1996 they changed the design again. That began the rounded edges. Between 1997-1998 the only real difference in the design was the small circle tail lights on the rear bumper, and a lower front grill. The 1998 Eclipse was its best year. When viewed from the rear, the car resembled a woman with a nice ass, and hips bending over.
The 2000 Eclipse is a nice car, but has totally destroyed the original style and concept of the Eclipse. It used to look sleek and smooth, now it looks like a Pontiac Grand Am. Mitsubishi seems to have taken the old (but lucious) 3000 GT, and the 1998 Eclipse, and morphed them into the 2000 Eclipse. The car has also been crippled in horse power, but that should be fixed by mid 2000.