The sound system is quite powerful, its 650 watts causing the car to vibrate when cranked up too much. The 6-CD changer can read MP3 files, but skipping songs manually created muted delays of 2 or 3 seconds, as if the receiver couldn’t keep up. The digital text readout could also be better.
Competition
The Eclipse Spyder starts at $32,298 for the 4-cylinder GS model, while the GT-P carries an MSRP of $37,798. Our test car also cost an extra $160 for the pearlescent paint.
The Spyder must battle the following:
BMW 128i Cabriolet, 230 hp, $39,900
Ford Mustang Convertible Pony Package with options, 210 hp, $33,149
Mazda MX-5 GT, 166 hp, $39,995
MINI Cooper S Cabriolet, 172 hp, $36,350
Pontiac Solstice GXP, 260 hp, $36,685
Saturn Sky Red Line, 260 hp, $40,165
Volkswagen Eos Trendline, 200 hp, $35,975
The MX-5, Solstice and Sky don’t have back seats, and the V6 Mustang is a good deal compared to the others. The Pontiac and Saturn can be bought for a lot less, however, since they’re about to be cancelled.
Conclusion
The Mitsubishi Eclipse pleases in many ways, but disappoints in others. It’s a mighty good looking car, it offers a high level of performance and the Spyder allows top-down motoring at a decent price. Yet it seems as though the car has matured too much to be overtly sporty and please a younger crowd.
If the company is open to suggestions, how about putting the car on a diet and bringing back the spirit of the first-generation Eclipse using the Lancer platform and with the 237-hp turbo engine from the Lancer Ralliart? That would fit better with its character, something Mitsubishi should leave alone.
photo:Matthieu Lambert
Competition
The Eclipse Spyder starts at $32,298 for the 4-cylinder GS model, while the GT-P carries an MSRP of $37,798. Our test car also cost an extra $160 for the pearlescent paint.
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| The Mitsubishi Eclipse pleases in many ways, but disappoints in others. |
The Spyder must battle the following:
BMW 128i Cabriolet, 230 hp, $39,900
Ford Mustang Convertible Pony Package with options, 210 hp, $33,149
Mazda MX-5 GT, 166 hp, $39,995
MINI Cooper S Cabriolet, 172 hp, $36,350
Pontiac Solstice GXP, 260 hp, $36,685
Saturn Sky Red Line, 260 hp, $40,165
Volkswagen Eos Trendline, 200 hp, $35,975
The MX-5, Solstice and Sky don’t have back seats, and the V6 Mustang is a good deal compared to the others. The Pontiac and Saturn can be bought for a lot less, however, since they’re about to be cancelled.
Conclusion
The Mitsubishi Eclipse pleases in many ways, but disappoints in others. It’s a mighty good looking car, it offers a high level of performance and the Spyder allows top-down motoring at a decent price. Yet it seems as though the car has matured too much to be overtly sporty and please a younger crowd.
If the company is open to suggestions, how about putting the car on a diet and bringing back the spirit of the first-generation Eclipse using the Lancer platform and with the 237-hp turbo engine from the Lancer Ralliart? That would fit better with its character, something Mitsubishi should leave alone.
photo:Matthieu Lambert
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