2000 MITSUBISHI Eclipse Spyder 2.4L 16v 5MT (150 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mitsubishi tried to get more money out of its customers’ pockets when it tried to upscale the Eclipse lineup, and that was also confirmed by the introduction of this drop-top version for the Japanese sporty vehicle.

With the battle for sporty coupes lost in front of the Civic and Integra, Mitsubishi focused more on highly-priced vehicles and offered the Eclipse with more amenities and better sound-proofing materials.

With the Spyder version, Mitsubishi tried to get more customers that didn’t really want a performance vehicle but a sporty-looking one. And that was exactly the case. At the front, the headlights were not that aggressive anymore. They looked more like spread on the corners, flanking a curved hood that didn’t sport a bulge anymore. From its sides, the lack of a B-pillar helped the vehicle look to gain some bonus points for design. At the back, the stamped Eclipse nameplate into the bumper was just a confirmation that it was that model, not a rag-top Sebring, with which it shared its platform.

The cabin was a clear sign of improvement in terms of quality. It didn’t lose all its sport-oriented details, such as the white dial for the tachometer and the red needles. Also, the three-spoke steering wheel, with a Momo-inspired look, was also a reminder that once the Eclipse was a lively coupe. Apart from the front bucket seats with high bolstering, the Spyder version also provided a bench in the back, but it offered almost no legroom and was suitable as an extra storage area.

Under the hood, the carmaker installed a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter inline-four and a 3.0-liter V6. But that still didn’t make up for the former turbocharged 4G63 unit. Moreover, the 2006 version was only front-wheel drive.