The Sportronic four-speed automatic transmission on our 2003 Eclipse GTS offered positive shifting.
The five-speed manual transmission coupled with the V6 is something desperately close to the perfect drivetrain. The clutch take-up and smoothness of the five-speed manual, much aided by its heavily counterweighted shifter, is incomparably fine. An excellent selection of gear ratios helps the five-speed make the most of the engine's power. If there is any way that you can justify a manual transmission (and if you commute in bumper-to-bumper traffic, there may not be), we strongly recommend the amazing combination of the V6 and the five-speed.
The Eclipse feels rock solid in long, sweeping turns, and compliant over rough surfaces. A low roll center, combined with pillow-ball links to the front anti-roll bar, contribute to its flat cornering attitude. The suspension lacks sophistication when it comes to handling big bumps, however.
Power rack-and-pinion steering is speed-sensitive, and feels very light at low speeds. The turning radius seems big at 40 feet, larger than that of an Acura RSX or Ford Mustang (each 38.1), and we frequently found ourselves backing up to get into tight parking spaces.
Eclipse GT and GTS models come with a great set of brakes. Large ventilated discs with dual piston calipers cover the front wheels while solid discs watch over the rear wheels.
With the top down, the Eclipse Spyder is a serious good-times car. However, it does suffer from a little more cowl shake than we would have liked. It's less pronounced than in some of its competition, but over rumpled roads the windshield and chassis juddered discernibly. This wouldn't be enough to discourage us, though, from committing to such a congenial new convertible.
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