2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review$27,999 to $32,599
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Quick, it’s your last chance to own one of the most overpriced, underpowered convertibles in history. Perhaps that's a bit harsh for the last year of the Mitsubishi Eclipse, but numbers don’t lie, and with the Mitsubishi Eclipse there have always been better options for less money. Lackluster sales and a new focus for Mitsubishi in general mean there’s no room for the Eclipse anymore. Considering Mitsubishi’s rather meager lineup, that’s a tough sell, but regardless of reason 2012 signals the end of the Eclipse.
The Spyder version of Mitsubishi’s sport-inspired hatchback coupe has always garnered particular appeal among misguided enthusiasts, willing to pay extra for exotic appeal as opposed to less for actual performance. Front-wheel drive (FWD) has never been a stalwart of the sports-car community, and automatic transmissions are anathema to driving enjoyment. You get both with the Eclipse Spyder. GS Sport and GT trims attempt to sound if not feel sporty, and they even look the part, too. Swooping curves and a rakish stance show off the style a sports car should have, but the equipment leaves you wanting more.
The Eclipse Spyder starts with the GS Sport trim, which offers heated leather seats, a 650-watt Rockford-Fosgate 6-CD stereo, Bluetooth, rear-view camera and 18-inch alloys. Unfortunately you also get a 162-hp, 2.4-liter engine yoked to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Sport doesn’t enter into it. Plus, with the convertible's extra 200 pounds over the coupe, the Eclipse Spyder loses even more of its zip, as well as some fuel economy. Here, with the 4-speed automatic, it drops to 19 mpg city/26 highway. The power convertible top is nice, however, dropping in a claimed 19 seconds, but the car's lack of passing power and a transmission that refuses to downshift robs much of the enjoyment out of it. The ride isn’t comfortable enough to make the Eclipse Spyder a top-down pleasure cruiser, and the engine isn’t powerful enough to make it a true sports car. And that’s aside from the dismal tranny.
So there’s the GT with its V6 – a 265-hp, 3.8-liter mill that gets a 5-speed automatic. It has a manual shift gate – as does the 2.4 – but it still doesn’t replace the fun a traditional three-pedal manual would offer and manages only 16/24 for fuel economy. More importantly, the GT Spyder pushes the price up over $32,000, which opens up many options for convertible sports cars, most of which have more power, get better mileage, offer a manual transmission and even cost less than the Eclipse. The GT adds automatic climate controls and a wind deflector, but it doesn’t even come close to offering the kind of value you’d get with a V6 convertible Mustang or Camaro, both of which cost less and offer more power and better gas mileage, not to mention the option of a traditional manual.
A slow, sad end for a car that once had so much potential. Over the years it was sold as an Eagle Talon and a Plymouth Laser, and it even starred in "The Fast and the Furious," but it never settled correctly. And before it finally dies, Mitsubishi has little to say in terms of commemoration. The only changes for 2012 include Brake Override logic, a new spoiler for the GT and one new exterior color.
Not big on goodbyes, Mitsubishi?
User reviews for 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
Write a review2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Rockford Fosgate · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 650 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: grocery bag holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.21
Engine
Alternator: 110 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: two tone · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: two tone · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
Lights
Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 17.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Rockford Fosgate · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 650 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: storage organizer · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 4.21
Engine
Alternator: 110 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: two tone · Grille color: black · Mirror color: black · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: two tone · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
Lights
Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 17.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Rockford Fosgate · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 650 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: grocery bag holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.33
Engine
Alternator: 110 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: two tone · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: two tone · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
Lights
Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 17.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 22 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 21 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
