2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Photo Gallery
Day 1:
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Well, better late then never, as they say. This week I get to cruise around in the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT-P. Although the weather has turned a little on the nippy side here in Ottawa, I’m sure I’ll manage to enjoy some top down driving throughout the week.
When the Eclipse Spyder was revealed in Detroit last January, I was there front and centre. I remember the flurry of photographers and the comments from the crowd. Mitsubishi took its coupe’s design and improved upon it - at least for the Spyder, in my opinion, and in the opinion of many others at the show. This car was built to prove Mitsubishi is back and here to create excitement about the brand.
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With a starting price of $31,998.00, the Eclipse Spyder comes standard with a 5-speed manual tranmission mated to a 2.4L SOHC inline 4 cylinder engine producing 162hp. Also included is a 650 Watt Rockford Fosgate stereo system, air conditioning, heated seats, cruise control and 17″ alloy wheels. In other words, the Spyder comes fairly loaded in base (GS), form.
My tester ups the ante by moving up to the GT-P version, which increases engine size to a 3.8L V6 producing 260hp and 258lb-ft of torque. The 5-speed transmission becomes a 6-speed manual, the 17″ wheels are bumped up to 18″, and the interior is lined with leather front to back.
I’m praying for some sun and warmth this week to allow me to get the full experience this car has to offer. Lucky for me I had the opportunity last evening to cruise around top down in the mild late summer air.
2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT-P
MSRP as tested: $38,093.00
For more information on Mitsubishi and the Eclipse visit Mitsubishi Motors Canada
Updated Septemeber 21st 2006
Day 2:
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It’s only my second day with the Eclipse, but I have already put quite a few kilometers on it. So far I have been having a blast cruising around both top-down and top-up in this sporty coupe.
It seems reactions to the Eclipse Spyder are mixed. Some absolutely love the styling, while others simply do not find it appealing at all. Out in the real world I’ve found the same type of reactions. Some can’t keep their eyes off of the vehicle, while others commented they liked it in pictures but in the metal the proportions are not quite right.
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Personally, I think the Eclipse Spyder looks great, especially in the red colour of my test vehicle. It really stands out as a unique vehicle on the road. Most seem to be turned off by the bulbous rear end, but not me.
That rear end does cause some visibility issues from the driver’s seat, unfortunately. Top-down the high rear is not too much of an issue, and visibility is fairly decent.
Raising the roof causes more than a few issues with visibility. Rear visibility is very poor, sideways visibility is limited and the rear quarter blind spots are huge. There is no B pillar (thankfully) but the C pillar, essentially the rear corners of the soft top, is about two feet wide, creating almost zero visibility.
Good thing that front windshield is large: with enough power to get you in serious trouble with the law you’ll need it to keep a keen eye on the horizon.
Updated September 24th 2006
Day 3:
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Yesterday, I headed out to Costco and found this excellent deal on a colour laser printer. The printer is large: as a reference, it weights 80lbs. You wouldn’t think it would fit in a small coupe, and honestly, it wouldn’t have if the Eclipse weren’t a convertible. Lower the top, drop the box in gently from overhead, and close the roof again. No problem!
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The 3.8L V6 engine in the Eclipse Spyder is wonderfully smooth. I liken it to the Honda Accord V6 or Nissan 350z VQ engine. The snarl from the exhaust is truly intoxicating and with 260hp and 258lb-ft of torque, the feel from the engine is just as intoxicating as its sound. All I long for is for is that the Spyder was all-wheel or rear-wheel drive to complete the excitement factor.
I’m quite pleased with the handling of the Spyder as well. The car feels remarkably stiff, turn in is sharp and the steering has a weighty, solid feel. Get on the power a little early in the corner though and push becomes a problem with so many ponies trying get to the ground through the front wheels. Even with the traction control on you could burn the tires off this thing in quite the hurry.
Updated September 8th 2006
Day 4:
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I hadn’t realized the Eclipse Spyder took premium fuel only until I headed to the pump to fill up the tank. I was anxious to see how many litres it would swallow, as I had traveled close to 500km and still had over a quarter tank left, according to the fuel gauge.
The Eclipse’s fuel consumption as rated by Natural Resources Canada is 13.3 / 8.2 L/100km (city/highway). With a heavy foot and love for the V6 snarl I averaged 10.5L/100km over a mix of 50/50 (city/highway) driving. Gearing that has the engine turning just barely 2,000 rpm in sixth gear on the highway allows for excellent fuel economy when desired.
I very much enjoyed the Eclipse Spyder over the course of the past week. It is an excellent cruiser and has enough grunt to still be classified as sporty. If you’re in the market for a sporty convertible or even just a cruising one, certainly give the Eclipse a look - you will not be disappointed.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT-P
MSRP as tested: $38,093.00
For more information on Mitsubishi and the Eclipse visit Mitsubishi Motors Canada
to our site.
September 21, 2006, 01:24:44 pm But aside from the Cdn market, Mitsu doesn't need to attract the die-hard car enthusiasts to the Eclipse, it's got the Evo for that. The new Eclipse (both coupe and Spyder) are great (though heavy) boulevard cruisers. They have eye-catching styling and with the V6, plenty of grunt too. Comparing the Spyder to the Solstice is silly -- they're not the same class -- the Mitsu can actually be used for more than just a weekend toy with having 4 seats and a trunk.
Personally I wouldn't put my money into one for a number of reasons, but suggesting it it's a horrible value and just the worst thing to ever be produced is off by a long shot... not to mention the silliness of suggesting it's underpowered in its V6 version.
September 21, 2006, 02:02:38 pm I think the styling promise something really sporty where as it delivers something more in the Solara/old Sebring conv style. Its not bad as such (certainly not for me) but with the mis-matched style and performance its might miss out on its target customers.
September 21, 2006, 03:11:53 pm
I mean, $32,000 for a 4cyl fwd convertible?! Thats crazy! Especially from a company like Mitsubishi that is trying to win educated car enthusiasts back after all their recent (and past) blunders. (Internal conspiracies to cover up recalls, brutal warranty for Evo customers, etc)
Almost $38k for a 260HP FWD convertible? Lets see what else is in that league... Ohhh, Ford Mustang GT Convertible for the same money anyone?! A solstice is literally $10k cheaper and will turn a LOT more heads. Not to mention the Sky. I mean heck, a Solara V6 is only about 2-3k more then the 4cyl Spyder. Even the G6 GTP Convertible is a couple thousand less!
Sorry, but I don't see any "value" in this vehicle either. You'd have to be a pretty die-hard Mitsu fan to buy one of those cars to begin with, let alone the convertible - at least at that price.
I think were not debating the content, just the delivery. The Spider will not be on my radar for the same reasons you have mentioned.
September 21, 2006, 04:13:59 pm Starting price: $31,998.00
Eclipse Spyder GT-P: $38,093.00
That much money for an old Eclipse in a new dress .... no thank you! Mitsubishi is in the financial ditch in Canada. The new Lancer better be one hell of a winner if they want to remain here.
Mitsubishi as announced that the Evo X will be available in Canada in 2008-2009 ... or whenever it comes out. Sounds interesting!
Subaru Impreza STI on its new Legacy chassis VS. Mitsubishi Evo X on its Caliber/PT Cruiser chassis
September 21, 2006, 09:22:50 pm I'd love to catch up to one of these while driving the monster!
September 21, 2006, 09:25:03 pm It WOULD be fun to watch.
September 22, 2006, 07:51:43 am What is with all the rag tops having those tiny rear windows and huge blind spots..hell even my old MGB had plastic rear side windows..it is ridiculous in this day and age to allow such lack of vision,...if it's for apperance sake they should be called BLING SPOTS!!!!!
September 22, 2006, 09:16:33 am Since yesterday I've seen two Spyders and it was on DrivingTelevision.
It gets a big meh from me. I can see how some would find the looks appealing. It reminds me of a bodybuilder. Looks strong, big and mean, but it suffers from lack of actual strength that can be used in real life. It is a big improvement over the last one though. The last one was fugly.
September 22, 2006, 11:46:01 am
The vinyl 'windows' you could stick all over the top if you wanted to. The glass requires enough clearance all around it to fit into the cubby where the top needs to sit. Glass windows are all about the bling, Saffy. Well, that and not yellowing out after 2 years... and having the luxury of a rear defrost element.
September 22, 2006, 12:13:46 pm "THAT" woz a GIVEN.....but they can't OVERCOME it...we shall NOT OVERCOME !!!! Imagine if Mdx Hardtop engineers had Pontiac 1/2 square foot TRUNK VISION...same thing eh!!!........oh we have to sit this teeny TRUNK/Headroom/Rear Window in existing sheet--rock......na na na.....somefings stinks in
SodburyDenmark and it's the designer/engineering divisions.....September 22, 2006, 02:53:50 pm
SodburyDenmark and it's the designer/engineering divisions.....You show them folding glass and they'll show you bigger windows in soft-tops.
September 22, 2006, 06:51:20 pm I agree with speedyneon. I bought a '90 Eagle Talon TSI AWD 5 sp. new in Dec. '89. Fastest car I've ever driven or rode in. 0-60 in 6.3 sec. A little turbo lag but once that slingshot fired, look out. Great in the snow, but limited by ground clearance of course. At the time I bought it the only other cars that offered: dohc 4 valve per cyl., turbo, and AWD were priced way above the approx. 17K I paid for it. Only exotics not counting the Celica All-Trac that was a few K more than the Mitsu. The should have never abandoned this market but what do I know!
September 22, 2006, 06:57:04 pm
Your right imagine if Mitsu kept this model going and refined it further how it would be now. It was way ahead of its time in N/A.
September 22, 2006, 11:22:09 pm Those early Talon's were great....cramped inside but good for 2 people. Didn't like revised front end when the abandoned the pop up lights.....
They've gone GT cruiser...not for me.
September 23, 2006, 07:45:42 am Make the side rears plastic then or smaller glass corners than fold inwards....geezis this the END OF INVENTIVENESS...we should still be wiping out butts with thistles and pine cones .O.h U still are.......
September 26, 2006, 05:42:47 pm Wing is it really fair to comment on any gas mileage. When the engines are not broken in?
Also what is wrong will all these people who complains about blind spots, learn how to use your mirrors
September 26, 2006, 06:01:22 pm The Eclipse is pretty bad even with correcct adjustments of the mirrors it just doesn't give you a good sense of security. This morning for example I backed up onto the road and there was a kid walking, I could not see him in any of my mirrors I didn't see him until I was sideways.
Most of the cars are close to broken in, although the Eclipse has 5000km. I think it's fair to give readers a sense of what they might accomplish with the vehicle.
September 26, 2006, 06:09:09 pm Throw a cap on a pick up truck, then learn how to drive with a blind spot
September 26, 2006, 06:10:33 pm At least the mirrors are large and in the correct spot on a pick-up, the mirrors are horrible on the Eclipse. I've driven lots of cars / trucks and use my mirrors exclusively.
September 26, 2006, 08:24:01 pm Sounds like the Eclipse has everything it needs to be a great car, except RWD. What was Mitsu thinking with this machine?
September 27, 2006, 07:55:52 am ..FWD !!!!!!
September 27, 2006, 08:56:40 am Even the coupe I drove a while back had some serious blind spots. Like AB said, no big deal if you're used to using your side mirrors tho. I really liked the coupe but Mitsu's financing and prices are just out of whack. The price of the 2006 GT coupe I looked at was 34K or something. After the 60/84 term at 5% interest or so the thing would have cost about $50K total. "yeah, but the payment is low!!" was the salespersons response.
It may be bloated and too mushy handling for a "sports car" but I really dig it. Shame the price was a bit too much at the time and I didn't want to down-scale into the GS.
September 27, 2006, 10:10:48 am Psst... Wing,
From Day 3: "as a reference, it weights 80lbs."
and: "I’m quiet pleased with the handling "
September 27, 2006, 05:51:31 pm James, the car looked good in red when I saw it the other day. You were on eagleson heading to (presumably) Bridgestone when I saw you. I was in the 1989 Black Camaro and gave you a little wave. Will I see you on Sunday?
Adam
September 27, 2006, 06:15:57 pm Yup I returned the wave. See you Sunday.