So what if I think this car looks better as a coupe; the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is nevertheless head-turning, an ideal drop-top for weekend jaunts to the beach, where being seen is usually the most important thing. That said, you're not giving up much in performance with the convertible, especially in GT trim. As soon as you turn the key, the 3.8-liter V-6's deep, menacing exhaust growl reminds that this 2+2 can keep pace with more expensive cars, thanks to 260 bhp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The numbers provide the proof: It ran to 60 mph in a scant 6.0 seconds and to the quarter mile in 14.6.
The new Eclipse Spyder is better than the previous model in virtually every cat- egory. Not only does it possess more per- formance, it comes equipped with a new automatic top that, when lowered, folds completely out of sight under a flush-fitting tonneau cover. The Spyder's handling is impressive for a front-engine/front- wheel-drive car, with understeer noticeable through only the tight corners. The Eclipse Spyder GT retails for $28,269; the inline- 4-powered Spyder GS will come in at an affordable $25,389.
