Used 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Mitsubishi touts its U.S. cars and trucks as "Driven to Thrill," and its boldly-sculpted 2008 Eclipse Spyder as the "attainable exotic." Based on the fourth-generation Eclipse coupe, the Spyder is available as the four-cylinder GS or V6 GT, and features a standard premium audio and a power cloth top that tucks away under a flush tonneau in about 19 seconds. It looks great and is pleasant to drive, especially the 260-horsepower V6 GT, but it’s also bigger and heavier than ever. And, unlike some previous generations, it’s front-wheel drive only — there’s no available all-wheel drive or turbocharged model.

At nearly 3,500 pounds base curb weight — more with the V6 engine and a load of options — the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is no lightweight, ultra-agile sports car. That said, it looks terrific top-up or down and can be great fun to drive on twisty two-lanes, especially the V6-powered GT with its available Premium Sport Package, which includes 18-inch performance tires. The handling is good, the steering crisp and the braking strong, but accelerating hard out of a tight turn or from a stop is asking a bit much of the front-drive layout and therefore results in noticeable torque steer, which is felt as tugging at the wheel. Despite that, 60 miles per hour from rest comes up in a respectable seven seconds. The attractive interior is ergonomically excellent and the seats are first-rate. But be careful: The low, thick-pillared convertible top leaves substantial blind spots to the rear quarters.

The "wave form" instrument panel houses easy-to-reach controls and motorcycle-inspired gauges lit at night by ice-blue LEDs. The high-back, adjustable-lumbar-support "race-inspired" bucket seats have open headrests for enhanced rear visibility and the faux leather-covered four-spoke tilt steering wheel has remote buttons for the standard Rockford Fosgate premium audio system. Compared to the third-generation Eclipse, interior room has increased in every dimension and the legroom-challenged rear seats (really, for kids only) have three-point belts and anchor points for child restraints. The center console offers storage pockets, large covered cupholders, a covered storage box big enough for CD cases and a pair of 12-volt power outlets.

Compared to the previous generations, the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is wider, taller and longer, sporting a wide track and the longest wheelbase to date. Despite all the increased dimensions, the Sypder’s curvaceous body, muscular shape and crouching-tiger presence make it look somewhat smaller than it is. With jet nacelle-inspired grilles, an aero-wedge profile, tightly stretched skin and a laid-back windshield, it makes a bold statement. Despite the inclusion of rear seats, the car comes off visually as a two-seater with a low, tight-fitting "speedster" top.

Power cloth soft top
The multi-layer fabric top, with its polyester and cotton interior headliner and heated glass rear window, provides a surprisingly quiet cabin when it’s up, and a hydraulic system, quieter than the previous model’s electric motors, folds it completely out of sight under a flush-fitting power tonneau in about 19 seconds.

Rockford Fosgate Premium Audio
This surprisingly standard high-end system pumps 650 watts of peak power through nine speakers, including an eight-inch, long-throw subwoofer in a designed-in, fiberglass-reinforced, acoustic-suspension enclosure between the rear seats. It includes a six-disc CD changer with MP3 playback capability, plus unique automatic sound equalization for top-up or top-down driving, custom music genre and sound field settings and an industry-first memory that stores DSP settings in six presets.

The four-cylinder base GS is well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, air conditioning, cruise control, remote keyless entry, power windows, locks and mirrors, power cloth soft top with powered tonneau cover, theft-discouraging engine immobilizer and a noteworthy 650-watt Rockford Fosgate premium audio system. Standard safety features include dual-stage front airbags with front-passenger occupant sensors, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, tire pressure monitor and anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). The GT adds the V6 engine, electronic traction control, an outside temperature and compass display and larger ventilated rear disc brakes in place of the GS model’s solid rear discs.

An optional Leather Package available on the GS includes leather seating surfaces, heated outside mirrors, heated front seats and an outside temperature and compass display. A Premium Sport Package for the GT adds all that plus 235/45R18 performance tires on Sword Silver-finished 18-inch alloy wheels, aluminum pedals, automatic climate control system and eight-way driver’s seat.

The standard GS 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generates decent performance, at least partially due to its patented Mitsubishi Innovative Variable timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) system, which varies intake valve timing to enhance both low-end torque and high-rpm power. The GT’s 3.8-liter V6, which also benefits from MIVEC, offers 98 additional horsepower (three fewer than in the Eclipse coupe due to a different exhaust system) to much better motivate the Spyder’s considerable mass. Both available automatic transmissions feature Sportronic shifting for manual control of gear changes when desired.

2.4-liter in-line 4
162 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
162 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 (manual), 19/26 (automatic)

3.8-liter V6
260 horsepower @ 5750 rpm
258 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/25 (manual), 16/24 (automatic)