I like the looks of the new Eclipse but I would recommend a motorcycle instead. You are still exposed to the elements much like a convertible, you have seating for 2, you will have better power to weight and handling, you'll save 15k.

 

Before I would do pick any of the choices you have here, I would definitely consider the 350 ZR used. I admit I am biased but I chose it over all the convertibles you have listed. It handles all the performance criteria if you are looking for that. Big enough for you to sit in if you are tall. Like someone said verts are usually weekend fun rides so you ought to find a well kept car with low miles in your price range. The car is drop top gorgeous though some disagree on the looks with the top up. The one real negative is sight lines out the back with the top up. Of course there is no problem with the top down which is as easy as pushing a button. Learn to use your mirrors and I thonk it will come out on top for you. At least take a test drive in one before you pull the trigger.

 

I have to agree with Sunset, that is an interesting alternative. There's one in our area with what look like 30 series tires, pretty sweet as a convertible. A nice low mileage 04 would save a bundle and still be ~$25K

 

I just saw a black GT V6 Eclipse convertible on the road with the top up. Ick.

 

Not only that, it looks like it's real hard to see out of. Not a well executed conversion.

Consider a VW Eos?????

 

The Base Eos will cost you about 2-3 grand more just for the MUCH slower 200HP version. Top of line version will cost you $37 grand and it's still less powerful, and weighs more. I am a VW fan, but that car is just in a totally different price league, plus you just don't get below invoice deals on VW vehicles, so it's not worth it. I'd imagine that car will sell for close to MSRP right now. The Eclipse Spyder has nice incentives going on right now. It's easy to criticize a car like this, but when they start unloading them for super deals, it's tough to argue against it, and the criticism really doesn't make a whole lot of sense. If you get get an Eclipse Spyder GT for $25k brand new, that's one hell of a car for the money IMO.

 

Why, though? If I had a daily driver (he's keeping his 8) and an extra $25k to blow on a second car, that poor excuse for a sports car they call the Eclipse would be on the bottom of my list. Why not an FD or something?

 

Well, he wants a convertible with lots of power. For $25k, try finding a brand new convertible that has the power and the amenities of the Eclipse. Why would he get an FD RX7? It's not a convertible, and it's an unreliable money pit with no warranty. That would be a VERY bad decision. Read back. He wants a powerful convertible with a warranty. He narrowed it down to a used S2000 or a Brand new Eclipse GT Spyder.

I do understand though. If the RX8 is his daily year round commuter/beater like my Mazdaspeed 6 is, I'd definitely not be looking at a FWD car as a second fun car. Now if the RX8 is his fun car, and he wants a fun daily commuter with a drop top, the Eclipse is a nice choice, especially for $4-5k off MSRP. I don't think you can find a BRAND NEW convertible car with that much power and features for $25k anywhere. If you can, please post it.

 

Used Boxster S anyone?

 

I got your answer. A friend of mine is selling her 2003 G35 coupe (automatic) with 32K for $23,000.

 

Did she cut the roof off herself or something? Viking is right -- it's a good deal. People hear Eclipse and immediately start bashing it because they lack the capability to think for themselves.

The Eclipse convertible is a very well equipped car and for a cruiser I can't think of a better car if that's what you're into. The Mustang GT (which will be a little more expensive) is another alternative, so it really comes down to preference -- they're obviously very different cars.

This forum loves to pat itself on the back for being mature, but this thread really shows the worst of it. I'm glad there are a few people who can respond fairly and coherently regardless of their personal feelings on the Eclipse and/or convertibles in general.

 

my friend has a coupe of this car and he drives me around all the time . I love the car, and it feels great. If you want to buy it go right ahead, its a great car.

 

The only good thing I can say about the current Eclipse is that Mitsubishi had a really cool commerical for the Eclipse in 1998.

 

try the new miata. suppose to perform better than the solstice/sky handling and 'feel' wise but the miata has less pwr.

not sure how easy it is to mod the current miata version, but prior versions had a huge aftermarket with many successful FI solutions.

1)new miata

2)used 350z convert (for pwr)

3)used s2K

IMO eclipse might be last vs the cars on your list or suggested above.

 

Couldn't agree more and as a current RX-8 owner and Mitsu Eclipse owner the stupid bashing is just pathetic. Mitsubishi builds a great product, I don't care what anyone says and all the their vehicles have great torque throughout the power band. I currently own a 2000 Eclipse GT (see below). This car has over 100,000 miles on it and runs better than the day it was new. Mitsu builds very good, very reliable, quality products, most of which are pretty much bullet proof if you do the idiot maintance.

With regards to whether or not you should get a new Eclipse spyder. Really depends on what you want to use the car for. Personally I'd say you are already highly interested in it, so go for it. It has an awsome warranty and if there is any one bad rap you can give Mitsu its that all their adds are geared towards those who can't afford their products.

Oh and with regards to the safety comments, I don't know where you guys are getting your information from but this car is heavy for a reason. Please people use your heads. Also any car can be made to handle great or go like stink, the only one draw back against the eclipse is FWD. Other than that I'd pit my 3G against my RX-8 any day with the mods I have done.

 

^^^^ Right on. I've read enough of the bashing of the past generation Eclipse, and my close friend has an 03 Eclipse GT. He beats the living snot out of that car too, and it shows no signs of failure. If I drove my Speed 6 the way he drives his Eclipse, you can bet your behind I'd have a failing car before too long. I wish my former RX8 and current Speed 6 could handle what that car can handle. It's actually more solid and durable, and I hate admitting it, but it's true. It has gotten ripped apart, but the fact is, it's a darn good car that's very well built, and built to last. I have little doubt the same rule applies to the new Eclipse.

 

All i see are comments of your opinion and your personal experience. I had a previous 96 GST eclipse and that was the worst mistake i ever made. The car was terribly unreliable, yours, maybe you got a winner on your hands, but the majority of mitsu cars do not last. Open your consumer reports books and read it for yourself, from the first eclipse to the last, there not reliable cars.

As far as this topic, as getting a convertable, I would rather opt for a S2000 (if your not over 6'-3") you can get those for nearly nothing, A Bmw Z3, or maybe even looking into getting a early 2000 C5 convertable vette this way you have power, handeling, looks all wrapped into one package.

IMO.... and it is my opinion.... the new eclipse is fugly, but hey that is my opinion.

P.S..also what happens when you put your modded eclipse against a modded RX-8? Clearly now modded vs stock isn't fair..... sure you made your eclipse to the bar of the RX-8, but when the 8 gets mods to it, that bar gets raised higher, leaving you to strive again to match the performance of the 8 , and i am not just talking speed wise, i am talking as a whole.

 

There is also a thing called abusive driving and agressive driving habbits. What you may think is "beating the snot" out of car is just agressive driving skill. I "beat the snot" as you say out of my 05 RX-8. 47k miles since new and not a single problem with my rotary engine or tranny. Now if i was abusive, the car wouldn't have last me past 10k miles.

In matter of fact , every car i owned , i "beat the snot" out of. And the ones that i kept past the 150k mark lasted me well beyond the 225k mark(usually i sell cars that i owned at the milage for some reason) with my agressive driving style. As long as you do regualr maitnance(which i do), you can "beat the snot" out of your car and have peace of mind.


I suggest you beat the snot out of your MS6 as well, lord knows anything badged Mazdaspeed is begging to get driven really hard.

 

Almost all I've seen throughout this entire post is comments and opinions, most of which are completely unfounded. I have nothing to prove to you, I know its a reliable auto and that Mitsu makes a good product (I've owned several). Last time I checked Consumer Reports gives the eclipse good reliability marks so I don't know where you are coming up with your information. Maybe you should go do little research, here's a great site a lot like this one www.club3g.com, oh and "search" is you friend there as well.

Oh and as for the 4G eclipse being such a crappy car, doesn't seem to be what the automotive press is saying. Last I checked none of them have had nothing but praise and no issues/problems to have fixed.

 

I completely agree with you here.

 

wow 3 pages.... I didnt think this would such as a controversial discussion.

well The dealer gave me such a good offer $24567 out the door tax included.
I did look into the S2k, the Z and others but for the price I just purchased my eclipse spyder.
I traded my 03 jetta so it worked out great.

This will be my second eclipse. While i was a teen I owned a 95 gs eclipse i bought it almost brand new.... yet I do sympathise with those who think mitsubishi reliability isnt too good because i had soo many problems with that car, glad i had warranty.
well this car feels great and i hope mitsubishi has gotten better. but I am not too concerned because i have the warranty .

This car is mostly for my lady and the family in General. I woulnt TRADE my 8 for the world. I have a Greddy kit just waititng to go in!!

anyway thank you all for the help i'll get some pics when i can

PS: for the record i think all these car are just great but people dont compare the 8 with other cars that arent in the same category. It matters only what you like. And its what you make out of that car what counts.

 

I thought nothing of the sort. When I say BEATING THE SNOT OUT OF A CAR, I don't mean agressive driving. SHEESH!!!! Not sure why you felt the need to respond to what I wrote. It was a story and an opinion. I won't let him touch my car because of how he drives. He launches the **** out of it all the time, revs it to all hell constantly, but somehow, that Eclipse can take all that abuse and still go. Even he can't believe it's held up. No need to argue this. I just think the car can handle more abuse. Doesn't mean I'd own one or I think it's a better car.

I drive my cars agressively, but I don't hard launch them and squeal my tires at every traffic light, and rev to redline nearly every time like he does, while pounding the gears and shifting very very hard. Somehow his Eclipse can take all this abuse. Maybe his car is a freak of nature, but I know a Mazdaspeed 6 clutch and tranny cannot handle what he does to that car, and I don't think the engine can either. I've read about the 3.0 engines in the last generation Eclipse. They are virtually bulletproof. Again, just an opinion, so don't argue it.

I just don't see this car as being as strong and durable like my STI was. I'd love to be wrong, but something tells me I'm not. I don't trust modifying it like I did my STI, because I feel like the car is built near it's peak allowance for HP. Still though, it's great car and I love it.

 

That's great! You made the right choice. That is one hell of a deal. Almost makes me wanna trade my Speed 6 in for one, but I don't need two convertibles. hehe. Congrats, and enjoy your new SWEET ride. For that price, it's simply an AMAZING car for the money. Probably an even better deal then the Speed 6 had, because it's a convertible. Gotta love it. You DEFINITELY made the right choice, and you didn't let the partial haters persuade you in your decision. You got what you wanted, and that's what it's all about.

 

Just FYI, if you "open up your consumer reports" for 2006 you'll see that Mitsubishi has 2 cars in the "Most Reliable" list of 47 total cars -- Mazda has none. Oddly enough, the Eclipse is one of those two cars.

People are so incomprehensively ignorant towards Mitsubishi and it's depressing.

 

I am not taking about 2006,hell any new car will fair well,look at the past eclipses.