2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder User Reviews

I don't have the 2009 edition but I did purchase the 2008 and we shopped for months for a small convertible. We looked at the Sky because it is a beautifully designed car but no truck or storage and we can carry kids, golf clubs, groceries, and two Schnauzers. Love the way the car handles and looks and the top is up and down in seconds with you in the seat pushing a button. Good gas mileage about 22mpg around town. This car has gotten more compliments and head turns from all ages. This happens to be my midlife crisis car and I love it!!!!!!...read morehide

Pros

Great value for money and better than anything else at the same price

Cons

Needs larger rear window and another power socket

I’m not a dealer and I did buy this new Mitsubishi 2009 Eclipse GT Spyder and I strongly recommend it.

I set out to buy a Honda 2000, as I have owned Acuras since 1992 and still own a 2004 Acura TL, or a BMW M4 roadster. Mitsubishi hadn’t really crossed my mind and I suspect that’s a result of poor marketing by the manufacturer. Edmunds website alerted me to the vehicle and therefore I included it on the list and thank God I did. The Edmunds review gave it a fair review but didn’t mention or emphasize all the features of the vehicle. Suggesting that the rear seat is small on a roadster is a foolish comment, there are no good rear seats in roadsters at this price point but the Eclipse is certainly one of the better ones and, I quote from Edmunds, “However, while the 2009 Spyder's styling and power help set it apart, its practicality pales when compared with other four-seat convertibles.” And then suggests that you look at the Sebring! Does anyone looking for a roadster look at Sebrings?

There is no doubt if you want the most power, lowest price for a roadster then the Mustang is the best out there but living in NJ, where we get snow occasionally, I wanted front wheel drive and so the Mustang was not an option.

Here are my criteria that were met by the Eclipse. The Eclipse numbers are in paretheses.

1.It had to have decent horse power and that meant for me at least 250 HP. (265)

2.I wanted space enough for a golf bag in the trunk and possibly one behind the driver seats. (Both golf bags fit, one in the trunk and one in the back seat)

3.Safety, I wanted side air bags. (Eclipse has two)

4.Price was not an issue but value for money was. ($30,500 for this car is incredible)

5.Engine size was important as I wanted to keep this for a long time and figured that the bigger engine would be taxed less and last longer. (3.8 V6)

6.A/C had to be included. Driving on a hot rainy day in summer is no fun with the hood up and no A/C. (Included in the Eclipse)

7.A warranty that was as good as I could get. (5 years/60,000 mile bumper to bumper, 100,000 mile on drive train. That’s some warranty).

8.It had to look cool. Sebrings and Solaras just don’t do it for me but I did look at the A4 and Saab 9-3.

9.A powered roof system and a solid tonneau shelf was critical. I didn’t want those vinyl bag things. (The roof system is incredible, 20 secs to open or close and a fully sealed solid shelf tonneau when the roof is down).

10.A spare tire was necessary. Note the Solstice doesn’t have one but does have a puncture repair system. (The Eclipse has a doughnut tire in the trunk).

These were the important features I had on my list. I think the car looks very cool but that’s always a personal and objective issue. The radio is more than adequate even though you need to install a cable for iPod use. It drives incredibly well and has great acceleration very similar to my Acura TL with similar steering performance as they are both FWD. We have had adults in the back seat and it was OK for short journeys. The Driver and passenger front seats are great and have huge amounts of leg room. It was amazing how much room was in this car. It was possible to talk and be heard with the roof down at high speeds especially with the windows up....read morehide

Pros

Good fuel econ, looks great, quick conv. top up-down

Cons

cup holders to far back, no lt elbow rest, hood unlock lever can catch shoe toe when getting out,

This is a great sporty car. It helps if you are 5'6" because the cockpit sits a little off when you are 6' like me. seat adjust a lot of ways but there is just a feeling of your off a kilder a little. Cup holders are awkard to get cups into and out of. Good disk holder, lots of room. No room in back if you will have riders in back be under 5' yourself. I'm 6' and the seat is all the way back and there is 1" leg room for rear seat. There isn't a lot of trunk space either, there is a blocked off area for top to be retracted into and it takes up half the rear space, and NO way to put a 2 suitwer suitcase in trunk. It goes in rear seat but sits on seat laying down.
It is sporty and turns a lot of heads, I got it just for this reason I got tired of driving my pick-up. My Spyder goes fast and gets a lot of looks, and it's fun to drive....read morehide

Pros

It is a very good car for the requested price

Cons

Brakes are a little clanky at times

It has a very smooth ride. It comes with an insulated cup holder, and limited edition leather interior.