steven000e

I am in the market for a convertible and I am really interested in the Mitsubishi Spyder GT. I test drove one today... and it felt amazing. Now the only thing that i didnt like was the fact the it is a FWD. but i didnt care cuzz it felt powerfull. i will still keep my 8.
I was wondering what you guys think of the 262 hp GT Spyder?
the one that i am looking at is going for 25K with almost all the goods!!

here are some pics of what they look like...

Detrich

i've never been a fan of the eclipse for many reasons- absolutely horrible safety marks, poor overall performance, overally fugliness- and the list goes on & on...

there are so many better choices out there for a convertible out there. yes- maybe not in that price range. but, u do get what u pay for. a convertible is already not as safe as other cars. and, honestly, the last car u'd want to get hit in is an eclipse.

if u value your life and the passengers you'll be carrying, get something else. seriously.

Kane

iTrader: (1)

I don't like it personally, for 25K-ish I would get a Sky Redline

deadphoenix52

convertible = bad. i dont like the eclipse at all.

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

So you want a car that's more expensive than a Mustang GT, just as heavy as a Mustang GT, less powerful than a Mustang GT, looks uglier than a Mustang GT, and sends the power to the wrong wheels?

Have fun with that.

Ike

You're not getting a Sky Redline for anywhere near 25k.

Ike

You must be able to see the future because as far as I know there is no crash test data on the Eclipse. The previous model scored fairly well in safety ratings. So, show me the source of your info that would make you say "if u value your life and the passengers you'll be carrying, get something else"
Also, I don't know where you get overall poor performance from. The steering on them is good, they handle fairly well, and in the 1/4 the coupe can trap over 100mph and run low 14s.

NoTears316

If someone were to give me an Eclipse, I'd take it... but no way would I spend money on one.

Mech_head

You are very right, a convertible doesn't handle as well and weights more but steven000e wants one and it is his money. Besides when ever he wants to step into a real car he still has his 8.

But i tend to agree with the rest, 268hp to the front wheels = torque steer.

The sky redline would be a good choice, but have you thought about a convertible Z?

Kane

iTrader: (1)

My -ish is bigger than most I guess. I had one for priced for 31 out the door...but got the 8 instead.

Ike

The Mujstang GT Vert is more expensive than the Eclipse Spyder by a few thousand...

AJ's Shinka

The Mustang GT's are marked up as well especially the convertibles. If we are talking 25k-30ish. I would have to go with forking up the extra dough for a s2000.

UltraRX

I like this car a lot too. Yea, yea, it's FWD and heavier than a handful of midsize sedans, but what's this car really about? It's a very cool-looking, quick sports cruiser with a stylish interior and comfy seats. At that price, I'd like one more than a mustang convertible (coupe vs. coupe, I'd go the other way.) The loaded examples I've seen are more in the low 30's though. Car & Driver also reported outstanding reliability on their's:

2006 Long Term Coupe:
http://www.caranddriver.com/longroad...clipse-gt.html

2007 Drop Top Test from C&D:
http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtest...spyder-gt.html

Spin9k

You've certainly picked perhaps the only reasonable spec(s) it has. The rest look fairly, no make that very - blaaa...

Here's why:

It:

Weight: 3680
Weight distribution, F/R: 59.8/40.2%
Drivetrain: FWD
Turning circle curb-to-curb: 40.0 ft
70–0 mph: 190 ft
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 0.83 g
Rollover protection: none


Rx-8

Weight: 3067 (2950)
Weight distribution, F/R: 51/49%
Drivetrain: RWD
Turning circle curb-to-curb: 35.4 ft
70–0 mph: 145 ft
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 0.87 g
Rollover protection: steel cage

Ike

No, I'm commenting on actually driving the car rather than just numbers in a mag and bullshit like weight distribution. The Eclipse also comes with all season tires while the RX-8 comes with summer tires which will skew braking and skidpad results quite a bit. Also, turning circle has nothing to do with handling, if anything it indicates a car has quick steering. Lastly, why the hell are you comparing it to the RX-8?

Bottom line, the Eclipse handles well enough for any reasonable person to have fun on the streets, it's fairly quick, and it's a pretty good value.

VikingDJ

Depends how you look at it. This is a nice looking car, with lots of power, especially when rolling. It's more of a luxury sports convertible, and leaves a lot to be desired as a pure enthusiast car. If I was in the market for a cool drop top daily driver, this would be on the list of candidates. As a fun enthusiast car, no, too heavy, and FWD, but I don't agree with many of the people responding to this thread.

The criticism is based on what the car was built for. This isn't meant to be what people want it to be, and what they criticize it for. This is a luxurious alternative meant for your basic consumer. It's naturally gonna get bashed by enthusiasts on a car forum like this, but my head turns when I see one, and it's got the looks and the power to make a darn good daily driver drop top.

Overall, I think Mitsubishi did well with this car, and it will appeal to more of a market then the RX8, so why criticize it. Then again, the RX8 takes an even bigger beating in other car forums, so why not criticize it.

steven000e

thanks for the help guys

It has come down to this
I got about 25-27 to spend on a convertible and i want something new or almost new (warranty reasons)


07 eclipse spyder


Honda S2000


NOT FAN of MUSTANGS so "NO"

Pontiac soltice (not really sure, i like it but something about it just doesnt feel right)


Saturn SKY (well it feels just like the pontiac but the closes on to where i live is going for over 30K so thats too much)


well maybe a miata but ITs just too small for my taste....

which one ...... which one.....

Spin9k

Well, umm, I'm comparing it to refute your comment (not the original poster's question). So the RX-8 has fairly good performance (not amazing) and you are saying "Also, I don't know where you get overall poor performance from..." so I'm illustrating by saying it's perfomance level is significantly below the RX-8.

And now weight distribution is "bullshit"??? That's a new one ike!
Turning circle has to do with suspension design not steering quickness - and on a FWD car turning circle generally suffers because of this... just like this car. And THAT is one "actually driving the car" spec that makes it a PITA in any low speed parking/turning situation. I know from experience w/one of my other cars that has a similar spec.

Zio

S2k all the way if you can afford one.

CarAndDriver

Used MX-5 Miata or used S2K. The Eclipse is all poser and so ugly.

Check out cars.com.

Spin9k

The Saturn and Soltice look nice in a chrome kinda way...just no storage and unknown reliability. I say why not take the S2K, still not much storage, but a known quality car and have some fun!

VikingDJ

You can get a nice used S2000 for that price. Probably an 05 with very little mileage. I mean, to compliment an RX8, a torquey car with noticably more power, and easy to go fast in seems like a smart choice. I couldn't own two torqueless cars personally. The Eclipse and S2000 will be night and day other then the fact that they are convertible. The S2000 needs high revving to be fast, and feels slow unless you stay in vtec all the time. There's no pull to it, just like the RX8. The Eclipse just needs your foot on gas, and it will go. That car is a beast once rolling, as the trap speeds show. When a car runs low 14s, but traps over 100mph, you know it's picking up serious steam on the second half. I'd stay clear of one in my S2000 on the highway, if I ever got challenged, because I'd lose.

I'm trying not to be partial, since I own an S2000. Since you have an RX8, I'd say go with the Eclipse. It will be brand new, and give you a totally different feel, then if you got an S2000.

The Solstice and Sky, well I'm partial to American cars, and I'd likely never own one. Plus, I need a power top. Tough call here, but drive both then decide.

CarAndDriver

I did a quick search lots of used S2Ks. I think you might be able to get a 2006 if you do a good job at dealing and don't mind paying at the top of your range. The good thing about the S2K is that it has been out a long time so the used market has good supply. And I think 2 seat convertibles tend to be short sighted purchases that people regret quickly if they find out it is incompatible with their lifestyle.

Sky over the Solstice.

Ike

Actually no, you didn't illustrate a damn thing, you just tossed up some numbers that aren't even performance statistics is most cases. At no point did I say it handled as well as an RX-8, and no one is claiming the Eclipse is going to rip up a road course. In fact you're the only one that is comparing it to an RX-8, why would you do that?

Weight distribution is bullshit if you think it indicates how a car performs. There are plenty of cars with a weight bias that "outperform" cars with near 50/50 weight distribution. Turning circle has a lot to do with the steering rack, often cars with very quick and responsive steering have a larger turning circle. Finally, last I checked, needing a little more room to do a u-turn or parking is not a performance category.

Ike

They totally different cars with totally different buyers in mind. Telling someone that is looking at an Eclipse Spyder that they should get an S2000 is stupid. Unless of course the person that is looking at the Eclipse thinks it's some sort of enthusiasts car.