17th Aug 2008, 01:27
OK.. so with the exceptions of leaking tops, every one's problems seem to be related to lack of maintenance from a previous owner.
Realize that the car is older due to the second generation body that we all love as a convertible model. If anyone can let me know what this repair kit is called to fix the top from not going down all the way that would be great.
Getting my 2nd Eclipse Spyder in a month or so.. It's a 98 and it has 89k on it. Looks brand new and it does have a new top on it already... Lucky me... if it doesn't leak!!!
Enjoy these cars; they are great but nothing is perfect.
17th Apr 2010, 18:10
I bought a 1997 Eclipse Spyder GS in early March, and I have had nothing but problems since I bought it.
It ran perfectly when I first bought it, but 3 days later my engine went out. The technicians were not able to tell me what caused it.
I had the engine replaced, and only several days after I got it back, I noticed my car starting to overheat. I found out it was the thermostat getting stuck closed. So I replaced the thermostat and gasket, and flushed the radiator.
One week later I had the same problem, and had to replace the thermostat and gasket once again, and flush the radiator.
Now my car will not start. All the gauges, lights and radio work. When I try to start the car, it acts as if I'm not trying to start it. It doesn't make any clicking noises or anything. I have tried jump starting and cleaning any possible corrosion from the battery and cables, and it still won't start. In order for me to be able to get it to run, I have to push start it (pop the clutch). Once it has been push started, the car drives perfectly fine and doesn't have any problems until I turn it off and go to start it again.
I would not suggest to anyone to buy this car. It is a very cute car, but you will end up putting more money into it than it's worth.
Also it seems like in the near future I will have replaced almost everything on it, and it will be like new, but I am worried no matter how much I replace things, I will keep having problems.
12th Jul 2010, 01:22
I am thinking of buying my neighbor's 97 Spyder Eclipse GS convertible! Can any one stop me? He is a certified mechanic and went to college for it. He is gonna help me rebuild the car, and wants me to have it. I trust him, after all been neighbors for 15 years, can anyone give some advice? I want to know I am making a good deal for $1500. I want to add more horsepower, but, am broke and don't even have a car! So I really need a car and this is possibly my best investment for now, I don't have any money and am getting help with the purchase of this car. So, what can anyone write back and let me know if am making the right decision?
27th Aug 2010, 03:10
Hello Spyder drivers!!! Well, I bought a 1997 Spyder about a month ago with 100,450 miles on it. I got it from the original owner. Lucky me, so far, I have had no leaks at all.
Only problem is that those supports that always bend when that elastic wears out, were bent back and forward so many times that they are about to brake. The original owner fixed the elastic problem, and the top is opening and closing just fine, but, those supports are about to break. I already bought a piece of steel to fix them myself. I'll rebuild those with a stronger steel than the one used from factory. I'm very confident that that will take care of the problem once and for all. Other than that, nothing to complain about the car. LOVE IT!!!
10th Nov 2010, 14:45
Got my Spyder 2 years ago now, and the major problem with it was the leaking top, and the roof not going all the way down. I fixed that by adding new rubber tensors (I made them myself) and buying a new top.
It has already 130k miles, and no major problems with it, just dirty injectors, new engine support, new timing belts.
It feels fast and responsive for a 141 hp (GS model) car that was made over 13 years ago, and its still a big head turner.
So far I added rear disk brakes, and upgraded the front brakes with some 3000GT VR4 brakes with 4 pistons, and drilled and slotted rotors.
I am still planning on owning it at least 10 more years :D, or even more, and keep it for my grand children haha (I'm still 18, so yeah that's a long time :) )
19th Jul 2011, 14:21
I have a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Convertible GS. It is has a beautiful exterior design and looks, even good with a few scratches on the body. My clutch went out all of a sudden, and was making a hissing sound about two weeks before this occurred. The labor to fix the clutch is expensive, and if you buy your own parts, the shop I got an estimate at would not guarantee the work. But I want a stage one racing clutch and an online master cylinder and slave clutch too, so I will have to take my chances that they do the work right.
The door levers can get smashed easy, so be careful. The top I have to raise and lower it manually.
Look out for missing parts on the car before you buy it. The whole back up light assembly on the driver's side is missing, so I have to find something to replace it.
The driver's lights in the front break easy, so don't hit anything.
It has 159,000 miles on it, and the engine is still strong, so when I get the clutch fixed, it should last a while.
The roof does leak, so invest in getting that fixed if you have a problem too. There are a lot of kits that you can buy to modify the car like lights and taillights, interior lights etc.
I paid 1,550 for mine and I think it was a good investment. Name a convertible for that price that is sporty, looks good, and handles well, even though the turn radius is poor.
30th May 2008, 00:37
I am about to buy a 1997 eclipse 2.4 liters standard with 105,000 miles I hope that these car can be reliable because its going to be the only car that I will have atleast for right now.
Since the top doesn't work I will be replacing it soon but I know that these is a great car to own because I used to own a 2.0 turbo charged spyder which also was a 1997 to but I got into an accident with it.