1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Review
Price Estimate: $88 - $138

Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- One of the best top-down cruisers being sold this year.
Cons
- Rear seat is little more than a parcel shelf. And as in all front-wheel drive vehicles, beware the understeer!
What’s new
Eclipse Spyder GS gets air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with CD player and wheel locks. The Spyder GS-T is now flashier than ever before thanks to standard 16-inch chrome-plated alloy wheels. All models have a fresh black interior appearance with gray cloth.
For sale near Biloxi, MS
2 listings
- 44,213 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 4cyl manual
- Hi-Line Motors (495 mi away)
- 2.0l 4-cylinder turb...
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Located in Plano, TX
The 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2dr Conv Spyder GS-T Turbo Auto stands out with its vibrant Saronno Red exterior, a color that beautifully complements the...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 4A3AX55FXWE099784
Stock: 099784
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-13-2025- 51,712 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 4cyl manual
- Fazza Motors (1,266 mi away)
- Remote keyless entry
- Panic alarm
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Located in Marlborough, MA
1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T Spyder GS-T Safety Inspected, Fresh oil change & filter. White Mitsubishi2.0L DOHC Turbocharged 5-Speed Manual Clean CAR...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 4A3AX55F0WE017741
Stock: 1304
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 02-27-2025
Vehicle overview
Capitalizing on the recent success of convertible sports cars, Mitsubishi released a topless version of itsextremely successful pocket rocket in the spring of 1996. Unlike most convertibles, the Spyder is notmerely a chopped version of the Eclipse coupe. Instead, it was designed from square one to be aconvertible. This results in a drop-top that is extremely rigid with only a 50-pound weight gain over itshardtop sibling.
Available in entry level GS or performance-oriented GS-T trim levels, the Eclipse Spyder is destined toimpress the most demanding of taskmasters. Instead of the bellicose Chrysler-built 2.0- liter enginecommon to the GS coupe, the GS Spyder receives a 2.4-liter engine pulled from the Mitsubishi Galant.Horsepower figures are nearly identical for both powerplants but the Spyder's engine has the definite edgein torque; 14 percent more available at a relatively low 3000 rpm. The real excitement, however, lieswith the GS-T. Using a proven Mitsubishi 2.0-liter intercooled turbo engine producing 210 horsepower,the GS-T offers more power than convertible competitors from BMW, Saab and Toyota. Prettyimpressive for a car that costs less than $26,000.
The Eclipse Spyder has very attractive look-at-me styling that we think is a good component of anyconvertible design. The sleek, compact body and tidy dimensions are complemented by fine interiorergonomics and an excellent driving position. GS-T models come packed with goodies that include leatherseats, an in-dash CD player, cruise control, security system and air conditioning, to name a few.Unfortunately, antilock brakes are conspicuously absent from the GS-T's standard equipment list.
We cannot point to many reasons to not by the Spyder; it has a respected bloodline, attractive looks andpromising performance. However, in the $25,000 price range, it places itself in direct competition with twoof our perennial favorites, the Mazda Miata and the Ford Mustang GT convertible. Both offer rear-wheeldrive performance that will appeal to most enthusiasts and are solid in construction and design. This is notto say that the Spyder isn't a worthy contender, just that it makes the decision difficult. Well, that's onetough decision we would love to make.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Mississippi
$150/mo for Eclipse Spyder GS
Eclipse Spyder GS
vs
$144/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Why not add a turbo
4.75 out of 5 stars4g64twannaB, 02/10/2003
1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS 2dr Convertible
I can't say enough about this car.
Although in the bone stock form it
leaves something to be desired.
Handling:it is great. Add an
aftermarket strut bar and coilover
style springs and your golden. The
interior is very comfortable withit's
reclineable bucket seats and easily
accessible console. The exterior is one
of those things that makes this car so
great. It looks … as aggressive as some
of those $30k and up sports cars. Now
here's a secret not many people know,
put the cylinder head from a turbo on
this engine block and guess what, you
can bolt-up the gst/gsx turbo and your
non-turbo 2.4l spyder is now a turbo hp
machine. Overall a great car.
Whats with all the whining?
4.88 out of 5 starsTbird-eclipse, 05/18/2010
1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS-T Turbo 2dr Convertible
There are a lot of whiny people on here, it's 13 years old people. This is a great car. Mine has 129,000 miles and has giving me NO ISSUES at all expect for water pump, that's it. Very fast, very sporty, incredible gas mileage for the power and lets out, and a beautiful design that still looks great compared with other ugly bubble but cars today. Glad I bought it, it turns heads … everywhere I go and have had many random strangers tell me they want my car. The only other car that competes and I would buy would be a 1993-1995 Ford Thunderbird Sports Coupe but it doesn't come as a convertible so would have to convert it which I'm considering doing.
Speed
5 out of 5 starsESPVIK, 04/04/2009
1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS-T Turbo 2dr Convertible
This thing rocks and always will. I have put some money into it, but it is all for speed, so many mods, not enough time. This thing is the best - by far the greatest car ever owned.
love this car
4 out of 5 starsPete and Judy, 07/30/2016
1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS 2dr Convertible
I bought this car from a good friend who was the original owner. He always took the car to the dealer to get serviced. It is a red convertible with gray interior and black rag top. normally aspirated 2.5 liter and auto trans. When I first bought it , I had to do all 4 brakes completely (rotors, drums, pads, slave cylinders, master cylinder, and bleeding). They worked flawlessly after … that for about 6 or 7 years, and then I just had to turn the rotors and install new pads. A couple of years ago I replaced a broken alternator belt. Then a few months ago I replaced the original water pump. And of course I did the timing belt and balance shaft belt at the same time, which were still in relatively good condition. And a new battery. And that is all the maintenance I have to do in the 9 years that I have owned it. Basically just a few normal wearing parts. Oh yeah, the original owner replaced the transmission with a brand new one a couple of years before he sold it to me. He had no other issues whatsoever. Enjoyable to drive, and something I wasn't expecting: in the summertime with top down it is a great chick magnet! That particular series of Eclipse has a much sexier look than any other series that was built before or after it. Pros: fun to drive, very reliable, and very affordable to own. Cons: the rag top was leaky and no good to drive in the rain. But I'm told that could have been avoided if the original owner had used a conditioner on it every few years, and garaged the car more often. And the front end body work is very close to the ground. You must always tap the brakes and unload the suspension before driving over any bumps or dips, and enter or exit steep driveways very slowly and at angle. If you like this style of car and can find one that has been well maintained over the past 2 decades, buy it!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, so we've included reviews for other years of the Eclipse Spyder since its last redesign.
1998 Eclipse Spyder Highlights
Convertible
GS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $150/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 5.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
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 – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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