zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
At $7,900, Is This 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T A Furiously Good Deal?
At $7,900, Is This 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T A Furiously Good Deal?-May 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:16

Nice Price or No Dice 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T Spyder

The seller of today’s Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder calls the car a “Cool Rare Fast & The Furious Ride.” Let’s see if the price they have set for it is just as fanciful as that fast-action movie series.

When you think about it, more of a good thing is always... well, good. In the case of yesterday’s that meant not one, but two turbos and not one but two axles driven, plus a stick shift with fully six cogs to play with. Our candidate also had more maintenance and repairs under its belt and the receipts to prove it. Unfortunately, the “more” that the car offered also extended to its price tag. At $14,000, that proved to be too much more for many of you, and we said adieu to the Audi with a 74 percent No Dice loss.

Image for article titled At $7,900, Is This 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T A Furiously Good Deal?

Hey, does it weird you out to think of owning a car sold under one brand but built predominantly from the design of another brand? We generally refer to that as “badge engineering.” It’s evident in everything from the new Honda Prologue and Ford of Europe’s electric Explorer which are based, respectively, of the General Motors Ultium and Volkswagen MEB platforms, to the Toyota Supra which is basically a BMW in a Toyota dress.

Today’s won’t cause any such brand confusion since it’s the original maker version of a platform that, at the time was also sold under the Eagle marque within the Chrysler fold. These were pretty compelling cars so you can understand Chrysler’s interest in getting them to its customers.

Image for article titled At $7,900, Is This 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T A Furiously Good Deal?

We’re going to focus on the original formula, however, and in this case, that means a 2+2 sporty FWD convertible powered by a 210 horsepower 2.0-liter DOHC turbo four and sporting a five-speed stick. The Eclipse was also available with AWD, but not in the convertible. That might be a fair tradeoff for some and a deal killer for others.

Image for article titled At $7,900, Is This 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T A Furiously Good Deal?

The ad describes this silver-over-gray Eclipse as being in excellent condition. It also says it has six cylinders, but unless it’s got two extra in the boot, that’s a typo. The car looks to be in very nice shape for its age and modest 95,000 miles, with paint that seems to pop reasonably well and chrome on the factory alloys offering a good bit of bling. The top appears to be in, shall we say, top form as well. The only issue on the car is some flaking paint on the A-pillar trim.

Image for article titled At $7,900, Is This 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T A Furiously Good Deal?

Inside, things are just as inviting. The car is leather-clad and that upholstery seems to be holding up well. An aftermarket head unit sits in the dash just above the shifter, but otherwise, it all seems stock. On the downside, passengers have to stare at a delaminating airbag cover on the dash which shows the car’s age.

The ad claims the A/C works and says the car has been garage-kept. Oil changes are said to have been undertaken every 3,000 miles. Other pluses include new tires and brakes and a fresh clutch. It has a clean title and a passing grade from the smog tester. What might that bring in cold, hard cash?

Image for article titled At $7,900, Is This 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T A Furiously Good Deal?

The seller is asking $7,900 for the car, and that’s a far sight better than what was asked for the . This one is older and has the two age-related issues of the pillar paint and the airbag cover that’s trying to go AWOL, but it’s still in pretty good shape otherwise. It’s also much better looking than that later car.

But is it a deal?

What do you think, is this Eclipse a bargain at that $14,000 asking? Or, does that price mean the planets aren’t aligned for a ready sale?

You decide!

San Francisco Bay Area, California, , or go if the ad disappears.

Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up at and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
This Tiny 18-Karat Gold Ford GT Model Car Will Only Cost You About $40,000
This Tiny 18-Karat Gold Ford GT Model Car Will Only Cost You About $40,000
I love car collectables. I have diecast race cars all over my office, and I once found this $50 clock shaped like a steering wheel on clearance for $11. I brag about it to this day. But some collectables are totally perplexing to me, like this solid-gold miniature model. I...
May 23, 2026
My Dream Dodge Viper Is for Sale but I'm Too Poor to Buy It
My Dream Dodge Viper Is for Sale but I'm Too Poor to Buy It
This is like that time I saw the perfect pair of suede boots but didn’t buy them because I lack the closet space. Except instead of boots, it’s a first-generation , and rather than lack of space, now it’s a lack of money. Booooo. I’ve made of the first-gen Viper...
May 23, 2026
At $7,950, Could This 1997 Ford Mustang Cobra Get You To Bite?
At $7,950, Could This 1997 Ford Mustang Cobra Get You To Bite?
Today’s Cobra is claimed in its ad to be supercharged, but there’s no evidence of it being blown in the provided pics. Could that potential mistake make its price an even bigger one? In life, there are certain warning signs that alert us to danger. There’s the Rattlesnake’s eponymous rattle,...
May 23, 2026
Making Good Cars Isn't Enough
Making Good Cars Isn't Enough
Yesterday, shocked the business world with news that despite strong profits as of late, it will close several North American plants and lay off some 15,000 workers as part of a massive restructuring. There’s a theory that if GM just made better, segment-leading cars it wouldn’t have been put in...
May 23, 2026
At $15,000, Could You Fall Under the Spell of This 1978 Dodge Warlock?
At $15,000, Could You Fall Under the Spell of This 1978 Dodge Warlock?
While the nineteen seventies was an era of decline for muscle cars, it also gave rise to a short-lived age of fun trucks, led by Dodge and models like today’s Warlock. Let’s see if there’s any magic left in this machine. It’s said that beauty is in the eye of...
May 23, 2026
I Need a Small, Fun Car That Will Last at Least Ten Years! What Should I Buy?
I Need a Small, Fun Car That Will Last at Least Ten Years! What Should I Buy?
Ken from New England likes small, fun, and zippy cars. He keeps them a long time, but his current ride is getting towards the end of its life. Ken’s ready for a new ride but wants something that can last a while. What car should he buy? (Welcome back to...
May 23, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved