Is This Eclipse Your Daily Racecar Fantasy?

Is this Eclipse all go and no show, or all show and a no-go?

If you've gone through this blog long enough, you know my connections with Eclipses. There will forever be a place in my heart for this little sporty Mitsubishi coupe. The first and second generations, produced from 1990-1999, are especially stand-outs for me.

I had what was known as the 1GB. Mitsubishi had a tendency to alter the appearance of these cars quite frequently, so you'll find slight changes to each model, even within the same generation, on a nearly year-to-year basis.

During the first two model years, Mitsubishi was partnered with the Daimler-Chrysler Corp. It was a joint company. Under the umbrella you'll find several cars branded as either Chrysler or Mitsubishi posing many similarities. Known as "DSM," this joint between the two manufacturers meant there were several variants based on the Eclipse. There was Mitsubishi's Eclipse, followed by the Eagle Talon and finally, the Plymouth Laser. All three were produced during the first two years of the Eclipse, and were then discontinued by the release of the third-generation in 2000.

Before they changed essentially everything that the engineering behind the early Eclipses stood for, you'll find examples such as this '99 Eclipse Spyder GST.

The "Spyder" was Mitsubishi's name for the drop top edition of their wildly successful Eclipse. Both coupes and convertibles were offered with several different trims, ranging from the base options, to the fully loaded high performance edition. The trims determined whether the car was produced on a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive platform, as well as whether they came with a factory turbo.

The base was sold with a single-overhead cam naturally-aspirated inline four producing just 90 horsepower and was offered with FWD. The GS was upgraded to a dual-overhead cam naturally aspirated four cylinder also paired to a FWD platform. Both the GST and GSX were offered with the biggest DOHC engine available. The GST marked the FWD turbo while the GSX signified AWD turbo. What we have here today is a GST Spyder, meaning a FWD turbo convertible- one of the more desirable options.

However, regardless of what came from the factory, this owner has definitely toyed with the original design. The owner claims she is equipped with a fully built motor, meaning she was designed to handle much more power than factory-rated. The motor is bored .20 over Weisco pistons and ARP head studs, designed to handle 40 psi of boost and a tune up to 1000 hp. She also offers a three inch turbo-back exhaust, a much bigger Precision turbo and currrently makes 415 hp at a "conservative" 15 psi boost.

He explains the trans is built as well, complete with a Phantom Grip LSD and axles swapped to handle the extra power. She's dropped on coilovers, has an upgraded intercooler and fuel pump, bigger injectors and a stage three clutch.

It is obvious the owner built the car for speed and that there are thousands upon thousands invested into her. The real questions are:

1.) Does this car suit the Gas on E way?

and 2.) What's wrong with it?

There are a lot of expensive parts installed and cosmetically she seems to be in great shape. The paint is custom and fresh-looking and she has a new top and very nice aftermarket wheels. She is fitted with racing seats and has a front lip and toe hook for some nice finishing touches.

However, the owner states the car is idling very high (over 3000 rpm when it should be under 1000) which could be a sign that there are issues with the idle or throttle sensors- a true headache in DSM's.

He also slipped into the description that she could use the addition of a "high efficiency fan," which could be an indirect forewarning that the car is overheating.

The owner emphasizes that it is a project car with lots of potential. He says test drives are limited to around the block, and serious buyer should plan on trailing her home. He is open to trades, but is very set on his price. If you've done your reading, you'll know by now that the value of a car is in no way a reflection of how much money you invest into personal modifications.

With all that being said, the owner is asking for $5,500- brought down from his original asking price of $9000. Does this car seem to be a smart buy to fix and fly, or a headache that'll make you cry?

Let us know, you decide!

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