Okay, here's the deal. I found the car in burgundy and I absolutely, positively love it. It has 72K miles on it and my mechanic checked it out and said that it's in great shape. The only thing he found were two trouble codes stored in the computer memory - the purge valve and another code related to the fuel injection system. He said, however, that the light wasn't on because they are both two trip codes. And that it's possible the codes were tripped if the previous owner didn't tighten the gas lid enough.

It's what else he said that concerns me....

He said that Chrysler has redesigned the head gasket on Eclipses at least three times over the years, but that it still leaks every 30-40K miles. He said that the car has higher than average problems with the alternators. Also, that people have problems with the convertible top leaking. Obviously, these are all things that COULD happen, but still...he indicated that he's seen a lot of these cars, many different models, in the last 15 years. He's been a mechanic for almost 25 years and honestly, has no reason to mislead me because they only charge for their diagnostic work if their customer's actually BUY the car he's evaluated.

Here's the thing...I really want the car. I know that Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans may have better reps, but frankly they don't turn my head. I got in that car and man....

So...I'm here looking for feedback. Basically, I want to know is what he's said basically true or is the car getting a bad rap. These things that he's mentioned...are they things that happen now and then that I could prepare for or do preventative work and avoid surprises...or am I just excepting that, by buying the car, I'm going to be paying $300 in 6 months for an alternator, $700-1000 in a year for a head gasket, etc....

Quick, honest feedback would be greatly, greatly appreciated. I want to make a decision by Monday.

THANKS!!!!!

 

I've had 4 Eclipses. My first wife, second wife, and current wife all have 2006 Eclipses right now. My first wife has had 3 all together. My son has a 2001 Eclipse. That's a total of ten Eclipses amoung us. The only problem with any of them was when my son drove through a flooded intersection about two years ago. Ended up having to replace the engine and ECU. I think they are one of the best deals out there.

 

the light could be on for 300 reasons. have it checked out prior to purchase

thats all totally incorrect.
2001 spyders have NO chrysler parts on them. its 100 percent mitsu, and there are absolutly no engine troubles. there are no alternator troubles. and the top? the 2001 is the second gen eclipse and has no leaking issues (the same cannot be said of the first generation of eclipse convertible). the door strikers have been known to work their way outward on all the later eclipse', not allowing the door to shut all the way (obvious by a large gap between the door and body when the door is closed), but thats easily fixed by adjusting the door striker.
get it. there are very, very few issues to note on that car.
the only thing to make sure of is that the maintenece has been done. have the oil changes been done? how about the cooling system flushes and transmission fluid changes?
and most important, the timing belt (which is due every 60K). you dont want that breaking on you from neglect.
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