After it received a few minor adjustments for the 2009 model year, the Mitsubishi Spyder continues to improve for 2010: the four-cylinder Eclipse Spyder GS adopts GT styling cues, including a two-tone front and rear bumper fascias and dual exhaust outlets. For 2010 the GS version is priced at $27,799 and the GT at $32,599.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is a convertible version of the Eclipse coupe. In most regards, the Spyder provides a similar driving and ownership experience to the coupe, which means sleek styling, four-passenger seating, a powerful available V6 and a reasonable amount of comfort.



The Eclipse Spyder GS features a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 162 hp and 162 lbs-ft of torque and mated to a 4-Speed Sportronic gearbox. The GT version gets a 265-hp 3.8-liter V-6 engine mated to a 5-Speed Sportronic gearbox.

There are two previous versions of the Eclipse Spyder. A Spyder was available for the 2001-’05 model years of the third-generation Eclipse. Like the current model, it shared its underpinnings with the Galant and had a power-operated top. This Eclipse was somewhat smaller than the current model, however, and less refined. This generation’s Spyder GS was powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder good for 147 hp. The GT had a smooth-revving 200-hp 3.0-liter V6. Both could be had with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. Though this Eclipse was fairly popular with consumers, it attracted little critical acclaim. In Edmunds.com tests, editors found that the car was not particularly fun to drive and had a noticeably low-quality interior.

The original Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder was available from 1996-’99 and corresponded to the second-generation coupe. The GS model had an unremarkable 141-hp four-cylinder engine, but the turbocharged GS-T was capable of 205 hp — an impressive number in its day. A five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic were offered. The Spyder’s top was a particularly nice one, with excellent insulation, one-touch power operation and a heated, but very small, glass rear window. Rearward vision was compromised severely when the top was up, but the rear seat was retained and the car’s structural integrity was impressive.

For 2010 the Eclipse GS will get Active Stability Control (ASC) as standard equipment, while both version got a rearview camera, stability control, Bluetooth and system with voice recognition and rearview camera system.