my roommate and I were in key west over spring break and hell, everybody and the mother had an post-98 eclipse.

I just wanted to inquire what other people thought about whether it qualifies as a spyder. I've always been under the impression that a spyder is a 2 seater sports car (among other things). and I would never classify the eclipse as a spyder regardless of what mitsubishi says. the only worthwhile think I think they're turning out these days is the lancer evo, but I digress.

basically with weight gain, no significant engine performance and with 4 seats, I think mitsubishi is just trying to capitalize on a smooth name for a shitty car.

anybody have any ideas on this? I got into several heated discussion with some poser rice boys in key west and I was just wondering if people are more inclined to agree with myself and my roommate.

thanks in advance for any input.

To my knowledge, a Spyder denotes a convertible. And the only Eclipse Spyder (unless I'm missing something) is a convertible. And the 3000GT Spyder was a hardtop convertible, and then there's the MR2 Spyder, and the Maserati Spyder, etc, etc.....

well then a 2 seater convertible. maybe that's what I should have said.

so miata's are spyders? or z3's z4's z8's alpina's too?

I'd say if the manufacturer wanted to label them thus, then yeah. I just would never have classified the eclipse as a spyder and I think its purely a marketing decision on the part of mitsubishi. its not even their top performance vehicle. not with the new evo dropping ship.

maybe I'm letting my personal distaste for the post-98 cloud my judgement. I think they had the makings of an affordable competitor, but they ruined any chances they had when they appealed to the all-flash appeal of the mtv generation.

And the 3000GT Spyder was a hardtop convertible, and then there's the MR2 Spyder, and the Maserati Spyder, etc, etc
Not forgetting the 360 Spyder! Mmmmm..;)

Yeah I was also under the impression that a spyder was a two seater convertible.

Well, a "coupe" is supposed to be smaller than a "sedan", but nowadays companies use it to refer to a 2-door vs. 4-door. Car companies call a version "GT" to denote sportiness, when it's nowhere near sporty. People/car companies intermix sunroof/moonroof all the time. So, it's no surprize that Mitsubishi will take license with the name "spyder".

---jps

It may be named a "spyder", however, it is not a real "spyder". Just because I name a car a convertible, does not make it a convertible UNLESS IT HAS NO TOP.

A spyder is a two seat convertible - if it has back seats it is not a spyder.