2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Review
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Avant-garde styling, powerful V6 engine, well-suited for drop-top cruising, comfy front seats.
Cons
- Poor outward visibility with top raised, sluggish acceleration from four-cylinder model, small backseat, wide turning circle, no auxiliary audio jack.
What’s new
The convertible Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder receives mildly restyled front and rear fascias for 2009. The GT trim gets standard stability control and xenon headlights, while a new dual exhaust system results in a 5-horsepower increase for the optional V6 engine.
Edmunds says
Though it's not without its flaws, the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder's mix of unusual styling, comfortable front seating and sporty performance make it a worthy choice among sub-$30,000 convertibles.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS 2dr Convertible (2.4L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.90 per gallon for regular unleaded in Illinois.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Illinois
$220/mo for Eclipse Spyder GS
Eclipse Spyder GS
vs
$191/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Affordable convertibles with backseats are usually not the most thrilling automobiles in the world. Normally, they're the darling of Florida rental car fleets, offering a pleasant top-down motoring experience with little flair and little fuss. The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is not without flaws, but a handful of appealing attributes help it avoid this rental-car stigma.
Item number one is the Eclipse's swoopy styling. The bulbous fenders give the car an aggressive look, and there's a new blacked-out front fascia this year that mimics the look of cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Nissan GT-R. Also, while the front-drive Eclipse will never be able to keep up with an Evo, it does boast decent handling and an optional 265-horsepower V6. In short, the Eclipse is considerably more entertaining than the typical rental-fleet fare.
However, while the 2009 Spyder's styling and power help set it apart, its practicality pales when compared with other four-seat convertibles. The upright backseat is all but uninhabitable, and rearward visibility with the roof raised is notably poor. Speaking of which, the Spyder's soft top is less appealing than the quieter retractable hardtops offered by many competitors.
Overall, deciding on a 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is all about priorities. If you want a comfy cruiser or something with a usable rear seat, consider a Chrysler Sebring, Pontiac G6 or Volkswagen Eos. Alternatively, if you want a truly sporty convertible, the Ford Mustang is a better option. But if what you're looking for is something that can do a little of everything, the Eclipse Spyder is a respectable choice.
Performance & mpg
The base Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 162 hp and 162 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual is standard and a four-speed automatic is optional. Fuel economy is 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. The Spyder GT receives a powerful 3.8-liter V6 that makes 265 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It gets a six-speed manual standard with a five-speed automatic optional. The GT's fuel economy is a crossover-like 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined with the automatic transmission, and virtually identical mpg with the manual.
Safety
The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder comes standard with antilock disc brakes and front-seat side airbags (with head and torso coverage). GT models further benefit from traction control and stability control. Stability control is not offered on the GS. In testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Eclipse Spyder was given the highest rating of "Good" in both frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests.
Driving
The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder handles well for a front-drive convertible and delivers a fairly supple ride given its sporting pretensions. There is a little more chassis flex over bumps than we'd like and the car's turning circle is a shade south of nautical, but that's not enough to spoil an otherwise enjoyable driving experience. The base four-cylinder engine found in the Spyder GS will get you where you need to go, but the GT's V6 is a better choice. Not only does it add some personality to the Eclipse thanks to its snorty exhaust note, but it also compensates well for the GT's portly 3,700-pound weight. (Four-cylinder models are a couple hundred pounds lighter.) The manual transmission is recommended for those so inclined, as it's easy and fun to shift.
Interior
The Eclipse Spyder's cockpit has an attractive flowing dash, simple controls and generally high-quality materials, although there are some cheap bits here and there. The available two-tone color schemes are an attractive touch; however, some may find the terra cotta and white combo a little like sitting inside a Creamsicle. (With that color combo, oddly enough, the backseat remains black.) Front-seat comfort is above average for this type of vehicle, but the upright two-person rear seat is suitable for children only -- and small ones at that.
The Spyder features a three-layer convertible cloth top. Dropping it is a cinch. Release the header latches, hit a button and the top stows itself under the solid tonneau cover in 19 seconds -- and it goes up just as rapidly. Unfortunately, this design severely limits rear visibility with the top up, and trunk space measures only 5.2 cubic feet.
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder models
The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is a four-seat convertible available in GS and GT trim levels. Standard equipment on the GS includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a power cloth soft top, foglights, keyless entry, air-conditioning and a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate stereo with a subwoofer and in-dash six-CD changer. No auxiliary audio jack is available. The GT adds a V6 engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, larger rear brakes, xenon headlamps, an outside temperature display and a compass.
The Deluxe Leather Package available for the GS adds upgrades such as leather upholstery, heated side mirrors and heated front seats. The GT's Premium Sport Package adds those items plus machine-finish wheels, automatic climate control, a six-way power driver seat and a removable wind deflector.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.
5 star(82%)
4 star(17%)
3 star(1%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
105 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.13 out of 5 stars
A Sluggish Hottie
Sluggish Hottie!, 12/18/2006
2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT 2dr Convertible (3.8L 6cyl 5A)
I have owned three convertibles prior to this one and it is by far the best value and hottest looking one I have owned. It is gorgeous, fun-to-drive and and very spacious inside. The top stowage system is superb and works flawlessly. The brakes are great. However, I am not happy that this is such a heavy car with the same horsepower as a Pontiac Solstice, which is half as big. What … gives? My engine should have another 100 horsepower to really move. All-in-all, there is no other car to compare at this price. I drove the Miata, Solstice, BMW Z4, 300Z and none have the roomy interior, killer sound system, awesome top and "drool appeal."
5 out of 5 stars
Sporty
Paul, 12/11/2016
2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT 2dr Convertible (3.8L 6cyl 6M)
Ten years and 55,000 miles, three batteries, 2 sets of tires. I just replaced the clutch which required the engine to be yanked and re-installed. The interior plastic is easily scratched - don't take dogs for a ride! Otherwise, the car has held up great. The Rockford Fosgate sound system is at 500 watts per channel is more than adequate with the subwoofer mounted in the back seat … cushion. The car is very quick and agile on windy roads which makes it very fun to drive. Visibility out of the back window when the rood is up is limited by the small oval rear window, but at least it is glass and not Isinglass. The car is solid with no rattles after 10 years which is remarkable in and of itself, but being a convertible makes it even more impressive.
5 out of 5 stars
Have Loved this Car for 10 +years now
Tommy Ketcher, 03/28/2016
2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT 2dr Convertible (3.8L 6cyl 5A)
This is a really fun car to drive, The top comes down and back up in 18 seconds with no issues 12 years. Have not had a single repair in the 72,800 miles I have put on it. Replaced the Battery, Tires in 2013 and other than that nothing except the recommended services such as Oil Changes. Vandals sliced open the Convertible top in 2017 and I took it to a Company in Kansas City, KS under … insurance. Top King specializes in that kind of work and it is flawless again. I have considered trading it in several times but can find nothing that I would like to have under 50k that would take its place. Paint is like new, some hazing on Headlight covers that I need to take to have detailed.
5 out of 5 stars
Fun Car
Glenn, 07/02/2017
2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT 2dr Convertible (3.8L 6cyl 5A)
We were looking for a convertible to leave at our lake house and bought the Spyder. Its been a nice surprise and great fun to drive. It looks great in black and get lots of compliments. Money well spent.
Update: The car is still doing well. We enjoy driving it and are planning on keeping it for a long time.
Second Update: still enjoying the car with no issues at all.
Third … update: car is still doing great. Always a pleasure to drive.
Fourth update: No problems at all. Still enjoying it. I’m looking forward to driving it this summer.
Fifth update: Car is running and driving great. Had to repair the A/C. The condenser was bad. Common problem on these cars, but the car is 13 years old, so it’s expected. Looking forward to the rest of the summer with it.
Sixth update: Had to put in a mass air sensor it in last summer. Easy fix, I did it myself. Car is running great. Looking forward to this summer with it.
Seventh Update: No issues to report. The car is running great! Expecting another summer driving it and enjoying the fresh air in my hair!
Eighth Update: the car is sleeping in the garage at the lake waiting for me to get back in a couple months. It was running well when I left it, and I expect it to fire right up when I return for another summer of top down fun. Still running well and no real issues. The interior is holding up well. It’s all black and I get compliments on it a lot. Doesn’t use a drop of oil. Since the A/C repair, it’s back to freezing you out of the car again. Still feeling good about the car!
Eighth review: car is still doing well, no bad issues to report. The top still looks great and operates properly. I’m sure it being garaged helps there. I took a friend for a ride and he commented on the passing power. The V6 gives it plenty of power. It won’t challenge any Hellcats, but it has all the power you need really. Still glad we bought it. Update 9: The Spyder is a “Lake Car” for me. It stays at my second home, and is used in the summer, so I don’t have much new to report. When I put the car up in October it was running well with no issues. I had some great top down days with it last summer. On the really hot days, the A/C works great and freeze you out. I expect when I get back up there in April, it will fire right up and the top will come down, and I’ll be enjoying the ride.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, so we've included reviews for other years of the Eclipse Spyder since its last redesign.
2009 Eclipse Spyder Highlights
GS
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $25,949 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $220/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 5.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Eclipse Spyder include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintAcceptable
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