Driving is also much more relaxing when you have all the rear view mirrors set properly. The rear quarter panels are large enough so that the blind spots on the car are quite large. When the mirrors are set properly, the need to have your neck on a swivel for lane changes or just general awareness of what is going can be kept to a minimum.
One large concern that I had when the Eclipse turned up at my house was the day to day practicality of the car. If you look in the back, there is a large base speaker for the top line stereo that takes up space and the area looks a bit small to start with.
In an unusual move I found that I needed to haul some sod. With the seat up, I was able to put in 9 rolls of sod (about 90 sq.ft.) in the back. Carrying the sod was also the only time that the crisp handling of the Eclipse deteriorated. I guess putting roughly 90 kilos about half a metre behind the rear axle has to have some affect.
The rest of the day to day chores such as getting to and from work, parking downtown or at the mall can all be rated as easily done. The only issue I have had is the size of the rear seat. Think of it as a rear padded parcel shelf. When I put the seat back to where I’m comfortable, there is no leg room behind me. Even my extra ordinarily flexible son declined to ride in the back.
As comfortable as this car is to be in and to drive, getting in can be problematical. Interestingly enough the difficulties of getting in or out had little to do with age. The Eclipse is a sports car and sports cars are low to the ground which means getting in is often like a controlled crash into the seats. Once used to the procedure (and some are faster learners than others), it’s not a big deal and well worth the effort.
Maybe “Proud as a Peacock” can apply to Eclipse owners as well as NBC!!
photo:Charles Renny
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| The rear quarter panels are large enough so that the blind spots on the car are quite large. |
One large concern that I had when the Eclipse turned up at my house was the day to day practicality of the car. If you look in the back, there is a large base speaker for the top line stereo that takes up space and the area looks a bit small to start with.
In an unusual move I found that I needed to haul some sod. With the seat up, I was able to put in 9 rolls of sod (about 90 sq.ft.) in the back. Carrying the sod was also the only time that the crisp handling of the Eclipse deteriorated. I guess putting roughly 90 kilos about half a metre behind the rear axle has to have some affect.
The rest of the day to day chores such as getting to and from work, parking downtown or at the mall can all be rated as easily done. The only issue I have had is the size of the rear seat. Think of it as a rear padded parcel shelf. When I put the seat back to where I’m comfortable, there is no leg room behind me. Even my extra ordinarily flexible son declined to ride in the back.
As comfortable as this car is to be in and to drive, getting in can be problematical. Interestingly enough the difficulties of getting in or out had little to do with age. The Eclipse is a sports car and sports cars are low to the ground which means getting in is often like a controlled crash into the seats. Once used to the procedure (and some are faster learners than others), it’s not a big deal and well worth the effort.
Maybe “Proud as a Peacock” can apply to Eclipse owners as well as NBC!!
 |
| The body design looks like you deserve a ticket even when you are parked. |
photo:Charles Renny
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