A Few Questions...

Hey all. Here's my situation. I've always been a GM man, but my Pontiac Grand AM finally cinched it for me. I'm tired of all the problems I've been having with American cars, but the idea of buying a Japanese car has been killing me. Until I saw the Eclipse GS Spyder. Now I'd seen the newer Eclipses around for a few years and thought they were actually really nice, especially for a j-car.

I've been looking around, and the only EGSS I've found that I could afford was a 2001 GS Auto w/ 38K miles on it, for around $14.9K. Before I go out and do something I might regret, I'd really like to know...

-Is this a decent value for this car? I know KBB says $13.5K, but hey, it's a dealership and I'm sure I can knock it down to about 12K.

-Are there any specific problems that Mitsubishis have? More specifically, is there any characteristic faults that Eclipse Spyders have?

-If not this specific Spyder, should I bite the bullet and go for a new one -which will definately kill my wallet... but hey, it's all in the name of hot cars, right? :biggrin: )

Well... any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks all! Maybe I'll end up being a member of the Mitsu-owner family!

1. seems a bit high to me. i paid $10k for an '00GS w/ 10k miles.
2.no problems really. a few people have had trouble with worn hubs, and other front end stuff. but nothing too major. the overall quality is so-so. the interior quality is also so-so. but that motor...its got loads of potential on tap.
3.if your gonna go new, spread your options further. tell us how much you have now to work with, and we will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Yeah, 14.5 for a GS isnt that great a deal. I got a 2000 GT 5 speed for under that, and it's a coupe. If you arent looking to put any money in the motor, then you will probably be disapointed with the 4 banger performance. The V6 is significantly stronger, especially in the manual. The weight of the car is the biggest issue...its a tank, and the Spyder is even heavier i think, so dont expect an eye opening experience from open throttle. If you are looking to mod, there are more performance options (from actual companies) for the 4 banger than there are the V6...but if you have some money you can get a faster car from the V6. I have had no real problems from my GT, and its at about 90K miles.

Good luck, and talk price with the dealer.

i think thats a horrible deal. i got my '03 GT for 15k.

got mine new for 18.5k, thats a sucky deal

Yeah not a great deal. I picked up my 01 Eclipse GT for $11,700.00 and it was loaded with every option except for the automanual transmission and only had 31,000 miles on it. Also feel your pain with the Grand AM had a GT and the Transmission, Differential, and the computer all went out on me in one day. But the Eclipse is alot more fun and a overall better ride than the GAGT.

got my 00 gs for 7k w/72k miles on it. had it checked out before buying, and the guy at the tuner shop (not the dealership) says the eclipse's have great engines that last.