I have to say I maintained my enthusiasm for the Eclipse all week long, but there were moments when my enthusiasm toned down. For example, I tried to reverse into my parking stall but it just wasn't going to happen. The rear end is so high that I can barely see out of it. It's not impossible
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| The rear end is so high that I can barely see out of it. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
to get a view of what's behind, mind you, just more effort than I would like. Visibility when parallel parking isn't horrible, but not great either. The front window configuration - there are extra little windows at the front sides to increase side visibility - did compensate for the lack of rear visibility somewhat. It is a little detail (found in other Mitsubishi's too) that makes my life so much easier.
But ah, the dreaded fuel economy! I suppose not much can be expected from a powerful 3.8-litre V6. Its estimated fuel economy is 13.3 L/100 km in the city and 8.1 L/100 km on the highway. That's doesn't sound so bad if said quickly, and compared to a V8 with similar power is actually pretty good, but me, being used to four-cylinder economy models most of the time,
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| Now that I've test driven the Eclipse, I am going to say that its competition pails in comparison. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
ended up driving 550 km in my test week and paid over $80.00 in gas (gas prices being more that $1/L). And since this powerful machine drinks an elixir of higher grades, fuel costs are well beyond my budget. Although as mentioned previously, the GT was worth every penny.
Now that I've test driven the Eclipse, I am going to say that its competition pails in comparison. This is hands down the best vehicle in its category. And as much as I liked the Acura RSX Type-S, Accord Coupe and Mustang GT, the Eclipse blindsides them all.
