So, have you been whiling away the long winter nights dreaming about buying a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GS-T convertible?
Didn't think so.The Spyder is one of those cars that defines the term "niche vehicle." In the Spyder's case, the niche couldn't be much narrower, particularly this time of year.
Shopping for one of these little two-seat, drop-top beasts in January seems about as likely as me buying next year's Christmas presents this month just because they're on sale. Some people are that far-sighted. I'm not one of them.
On the other hand, if there were ever a January in Utah made for driving around in a sports car with the top down, this seems to be the one.
Unfortunately for me, this particular review is coming to you a few weeks late. I tested the Spyder back in December during that weird period when the thermometer was flirting with zero-degree temperatures and Mark Eubank could barely contain his glee.
The amount of time I spent with the Spyder's top down can be counted in minutes, not hours; just long enough to make sure that, yep, it really does go down. Journalistic responsibility requires no less.
Still, I would suggest that the Eclipse Spyder may be just the ticket for those few who believe practicality is for sissies. Who don't like seeing themselves coming and going at every intersection. Who hate losing their car in the parking lot because their beige Chevy looks like all the others.
Yep, this one's for you, Mr. or Ms. Iconoclast. For a lot less money than a Mercedes-Benz Kompressor, BMW Z3, Corvette convertible or Dodge Viper, you can express your individuality, your joie de vive, your lust for life -- you know, all that stuff you see in the car commercials -- in the new Mitsubishi Spyder.
Wow, I think I just sold myself on Eclipse! Whoops, never mind. I just remembered there isn't enough room in the trunklet for a dozen golf balls, let alone my clubs and pullcart. Guess I'll just have to remain Practical Pig and stick to boring old sedans and sport-utilities.
Even though I suggested that the Spyder is something of a value package when compared to some of its competitors, that doesn't mean it's cheap. There are no fewer than five Mitsubishi Eclipse models: the RS, GS, GS-T, GSX and the top-of-the-line GS-T Spyder convertible.
Base price for the Spyder is $26,960 but, happily, that includes every possible luxury and convenience that Mitsubishi -- a company famous for its love of gadgetry -- could think of. The only addition to the base price is $435 for transportation charges, putting the bottom line at $27,395.
For that you get a vast array of goodies, including a convertible top that is not a one-button job, as is the latest rage, but is electrical once you release the windshield header levers and get it started.
It has a Homelink universal transmitter for opening your garage door, AC, security system with keyless entry, an Infinity premium CD/cassette stereo with eight speakers, cruise control, power mirrors, door locks and windows, adjustable steer- ing, leather seats, center console with cupholders and numerous other items.
But luxuries do not a sports car make. That job is left to the Spyder's 2.4 liter SOHC 16-valve turbocharged engine that produces a lusty 210 horsepower with the five-speed manual transmission (my test car's rig) and 205 with the automatic shifter. A mighty sporty package.
New items for the 1999 Eclipse Spyder are black-on-white instruments, the choice of black leather upholstery (replaces gray but tan still available) and a new exterior color "Sundance Plum Pearl" which replaces "Magenta Gray Pearl."
Fuel mileage for the five-speed manual version is rated at 23 mpg in city driving and 31 on the highway.
The Eclipse is assembled in Normal, Ill., with engine and transmission parts coming from Japan.