New Car Review of the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Mid-Size Convertible.

Description: Mid-Size Convertible
Base MSRP Range: $24,399 - $30,199
Invoice Price Range: $22,759 - $28,170

The convertible edition of Eclipse was engineered from the outset to work as a car without a coupe's superstructure -- it's rigid and stiff, which sets up some sporty road manners.

Spyder's power-operated folding soft top lowers in seconds, with all movements controlled by dual electric motors sent into action by a single dashboard button. The exterior looks daring and aggressive like the coupe in geo-mechanical style.

The 3.0-liter V6 is used on GT and GTS models and delivers 210 hp. A stubby shift lever, mounted on the console, connects to manual or automatic transaxles. Spyder GS continues with the single-cam 2.4-liter four rated at 147 hp for a manual transmission or 140 hp for automatic.

Three new exterior colors come to 2004 issues (Machine Green, Torched Steel Blue and Steel Blue Pearl), as well as two new tints for the fabric-clad top (Sand Blast and Blue).