In the coupe, the sunroof offered one-touch operation to open, although the same can't be said of the retractable soft top on the convertible. It required the release of two latches prior to pushing a console mounted
switch that lowered it quickly. Its power windows didn't automatically return to their full upright positions after the top was lowered, as in some premium ragtops, but then again the Spyder was hardly premium in price when new, or on the pre-owned lot.
Going roofless changed the Mitsubishi convertible's personality completely. Visibility went from being somewhat confining, as its oval shaped rear window was rather small, to all encompassing. I can remember that its few shakes and shimmies, the result of a bit of cowl flex due to its lack of a body stiffening hard top, were lost in the moment, air blowing through the hair and sun warming the cheeks.
While not as 'tight' as some convertibles the Eclipse Spyder handled commendably. It stayed relatively horizontal to road surface when pushed and tracked extremely well through switchback corners. It gets the same independent front MacPherson struts and independent rear multi-link
setup on coil springs that made the coupe such an enjoyable driving partner, plus its rack-and-pinion steering was reasonably direct with fairly quick turn-in, but like its coupe sibling, not in the same motorsport league as some of its competitors.
And to go along with its more relaxed driving style, the seats were comfortable but not as form fitting as some of the model's sportier competitors. Still, only extreme driving enthusiasts seem to like the ultra-large side bolsters that keep the back in place during aggressive maneuvers, but make getting in and out a chore. The Eclipse was much easier to live with day to day when it came to that.
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| Going roofless changed the Mitsubishi convertible's personality completely. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Going roofless changed the Mitsubishi convertible's personality completely. Visibility went from being somewhat confining, as its oval shaped rear window was rather small, to all encompassing. I can remember that its few shakes and shimmies, the result of a bit of cowl flex due to its lack of a body stiffening hard top, were lost in the moment, air blowing through the hair and sun warming the cheeks.
While not as 'tight' as some convertibles the Eclipse Spyder handled commendably. It stayed relatively horizontal to road surface when pushed and tracked extremely well through switchback corners. It gets the same independent front MacPherson struts and independent rear multi-link
 |
| It stayed relatively horizontal to road surface when pushed and trackedextremely well through switchback corners. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann,Canadian Auto Press) |
And to go along with its more relaxed driving style, the seats were comfortable but not as form fitting as some of the model's sportier competitors. Still, only extreme driving enthusiasts seem to like the ultra-large side bolsters that keep the back in place during aggressive maneuvers, but make getting in and out a chore. The Eclipse was much easier to live with day to day when it came to that.