2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Review

The great outdoors is only 20 seconds away with the new Illinois-built Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder convertible, which arrives just in time for spring. That's the time it takes to lower the top on the early 2007 Spyder version of Mitsubishi's revamped 2006 Eclipse coupe.

The new Spyder is built with the coupe at the automaker's Downstate Normal plant and benefits from features of that fourth generation coupe, which was introduced last spring.

The new coupe has sleeker styling than its predecessor and is longer, wider, higher, roomier and more powerful than the 2005 model, with a futuristic-looking interior and more safety features.

No wonder Eclipse coupe sales jumped to 3,284 cars in the first two months this year from 1,680 units in the same 2005 period.

As with the coupe, the convertible has front-wheel drive. That makes it nose-heavy and more of a grand touring (GT) auto than a hard-edged rear-drive sports car, although it has athletic handling and is fun to drive.

While heavier than the coupe, the Spyder GT still is plenty fast with its sophisticated 3.8-liter, 260-horsepower V-6 -- doing 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds. The engine in the entry Spyder GS is a 2.4-liter, 162-horsepower four-cylinder. It provides acceptable acceleration if you're not in too much of a hurry.

The GS with a five-speed manual transmission costs $25,389 and the GT V-6 model with a six-speed manual goes for $28,269. A four-speed automatic transmission for the GS and a five-speed automatic for the GT cost $900. They both have a manual shift feature.

Standard equipment for both models includes air conditioning, fog lights, side air bags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and power windows, mirrors and locks with remote keyless entry.

A $980 leather package for the GS has leather and heated seats, along with heated outside mirrors. A $1,730 Premium Sport Package for the GT gives it 18-inch alloy wheels and wider tires, a six-way power driver's seat, leather and heated seats, aluminum pedals, automatic climate control and heated exterior mirrors.

The engines have special valve timing to help optimize engine efficiency and power across a broad engine speed range.

It's almost too easy to make the front tires squeal during quick acceleration from a standing start. But, as with many front-drive cars, the GT convertible has torque steer -- unwanted pulling of the front end to the side during hard acceleration. However, it's not the erratic torque steer of some fast front-drive cars.

The wide torque spread of the V-6 allows skipping lower gears, which helps produce torque steer. Start out in second gear, or directly shift from first gear to third or fourth gear and most torque steer will be eliminated.

The Spyder has quick steering, although its large turning circle won't be appreciated in tight spots. There's secure handling, with minimal body lean in curves, but the ride gets choppy on some roads. Brake-pedal feel and stopping power are good.

Estimated four-cylinder fuel economy is about 23 mpg in the city and 30 on highways with the manual and 23 and 29 with the automatic. Figures for the V-6 are about 18 and 27 with the manual and 19 and 28 with the automatic.

A Spyder GT I tested had the V-6 and manual transmission, which shifts nicely and works with a long-throw, but light, clutch that is easily engaged.

The Eclipse coupe has a slick roofline that makes it look good, but many convertibles look ungainly with a raised top. Not so with the Spyder, which looks racy with its lowered top; it has a distinctive "chopped top'' look of a classic 1950s Porsche Speedster when the top is raised.

The Spyder has a multilayer acrylic cloth -- not inferior vinyl -- top, with a natural rubber layer between the cotton headliner and outer fabric. Natural rubber is superior to the more commonly used butyl rubber because it holds its shape better and resists stretching and shrinking during extreme temperatures.

The top lowers and goes up quickly at the touch of a button after releasing two windshield frame clasps. It disappears under a power hard-tonneau panel that looks like part of the rear deck, thus avoiding the "baby buggy" look of exposed lowered convertible tops.

The Spyder is fairly draft-free during top-down driving. And it fits snugly and allows a quiet interior when raised -- always a welcome feature in a convertible. That's partly because the side window glass drops down a bit when the door is opened or closed to engage special door seals for less wind noise and to improve sealing for better heater and air conditioner performance.

Costlier cars usually have that window feature, so it's nice to see Mitsubishi add such a thoughtful touch.

The top resists "ballooning'' at highway speeds and its glass rear window has a defroster. However, the raised top hampers rear quarter visibility when, say, merging from an expressway on-ramp despite decently sized outside rearview mirrors.

Long, heavy doors make it difficult to slip in or out of the Spyder in tight parking spots, and front seat belts are difficult to get a hold of and fasten. But there's decent room for two tall adults in large supportive bucket seats despite a space-eating center console. The rear seat is strictly for toddlers or small pets.

The "motorcycle-inspired" gauges are best left to motorcycles -- they're hard to read because they're set in deep coves and have small markings. Their ice blue backlighting looks futuristic at night but interferes with gauge legibility. The fasten-seat-belt warning bell never shuts up until the belt is buckled, as if designed by someone who thought Spyder buyers will be idiots who refuse to fasten seat belts.

Climate controls are large, and other major controls are located where they should be. The console cupholders are situated so they don't invite spills, and a cover puts them out of sight when they're not in use.

The heavy hood opens to reveal a surgically neat engine compartment, but it requires a prop rod to hold it open.

The small trunk has a high opening, but its lid raises smoothly on hydraulic struts. Soft luggage -- and not too much of it -- is recommended. But that's OK because the Spyder is pretty much of a summer weekend getaway "fun car."

Mitsubishi has been in a financial soup for the past few years, but cars such as the Eclipse Spyder promise to help return it to profitability. 

2007 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER 

PRICES: $25,389-$28,269

LIKES: Slick styling. Strong available V-6. Power top operation.

DISLIKES: Long, heavy doors. Small cargo area. Occasional jumpy ride.