4th Oct 2002, 15:12
I have '99 Spyder also and the roof leaks. I also have a friend with a '99 Spyder and her roof leaks also. I like the car and want to keep it, but I can no longer put up with the roof.
12th Dec 2002, 22:38
I bought my Spyder on 4/20/02 and it constantly leaked. I was told that it was normal. Let me tell you that it's not normal and you should fight back. The dealership at first refused to return any of my calls and emails. I'd suggest that if anyone is having problems with the leaking and it's not getting fixed, to contact the Better Business Bureau and they will help take care of it. With the help from the BBB, the dealership had to pay for my car rentals and over $3000 for a new roof.
9th Mar 2003, 12:52
I just got mine out of the shop for roof leaks and my mechanic did a great job! I don't have any fear of driving in the rain anymore. I'd have to say the dealer you sent it to had some poor mechanics working for them.
2nd May 2003, 12:14
My girlfriend has a 1999 spyder and it leaks as well. I was searching the web to try to get an idea on how to fix the problem. We cannot return it to the Texas dealership since she moved to Kentucky. She is trying to sell the car, but would like to fix the problem without passing it on to someone else. I am going to try RTV clear caulk to fix the leak, if I can even pinpoint were it is coming in. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Realestate@sprynet.com.
20th Jun 2003, 15:48
I have a 97 Spyder and I love it more than any car I've ever had. The only problem is the roof leaks. It leaks a lot. I've had to put tape to seal the roof and having trash bags covering my seats is not the coolest look. Can anyone tell me on average how much this would cost to repair? Or better yet can I do it my self?
Okanos@hotmail.com.
29th Jul 2003, 15:52
I have a Eclipse Spyder 99, the roof was perfect when I bought it from the dealer, but after like 10 months I had the same problem with the leak.
I just went to a hardware store, I bought waterproof silicone sealant, and that's it. I keep my baby dry and clean.
21st Sep 2004, 17:36
I have a 1999 eclipse and I bought 10/03 and it leaks. all winter I would come to my car to find a wet seat. any suggestions on to what need to be fixed? Also the top is falling apart for no reason.
6th Jun 2005, 15:43
I purchased my 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder from the showroom floor. I've had several problems with it, such as a leaking convertible top. I had the dealership replace the molding 3 or 4 times, and it still continued to leak.
Last year I had the convertible top replaced with an after market top from TopsOnline.com. The upholsterer who put on the top on informed me that the top is a much better design than the original top from Mitsubishi. It no longer leaks.
Last year at 67K miles, I had the control arms and ball joints replaced due to poor handling. I recently found out that there was a recall on the front suspension in 2000, but I was never notified by Mitsubishi. I am now trying to get a reimbursement from the manufacturer for this repair.
The interior control panel on the driver's side door fell in, and Mitsubishi fixed it by putting a screw in the panel facing outward so that you can cut your hand.
My car now has 80K miles, and has encountered all of these problems. It's a beautiful car, but Mitsubishi missed the boat on the quality.
7th Jun 2005, 02:36
I owned a 99 eclipse spyder for about a year before I just had to get rid of it. I was so excited when I bought the car-was my dream car, but turned out to be an absolute nightmare. The convertible top leaked horribly, the back window material sagged making visibility very poor, and the windows rattled. I finally had to trade it in when both motors in the convertible top broke at the same time, and they told me it would cost almost $1,500 to fix. In the one year that I owned the car, it was in the shop at least 5 times-mostly for convertible top issues which of course are not covered in the warranty. I traded it in and got a 2002 eclipse with a moonroof which I absolutely love. If you are thinking of getting a 99 spyder PLEASE think again. I don't want anyone-not even my worst enemy-to be stuck with the problems that I did.
14th Jun 2005, 11:15
I have a 99 spyder eclipse and when it was raining I can not even go to school in it because my lap would get soaked. It leaked worse than I have ever seen a car leak. I payed 10,000 for it and when I traded it in the dealership said that it was only worth 5,000. Everything was going worth with it at once and soon as I got it fixed something else went wrong with it. It's not the mechanics it is the car! I got 5 uncles that are mechanics and they have been one for 30 years.
15th Jun 2005, 14:12
Re the above comment: your five uncles have been one mechanic for 30 years?
How do all five of them manage to get under the hood at the same time?
10th May 2006, 20:51
I have a 99 Eclipse Spyder that leaks, but I have found the problem. In the weather striping, there is a little pin hole that allows the water to enter the car on both corners in the front, so when the water hits the weather striping, instead of flowing to the sides and down the car, it runs inside.
Cure - plug the pin hole with whatever works and slice the weather striping so the water flows out to the side windows. Also, make sure you have replaced your scissors and cables (especially the cables - the new aftermarket ones won't go out and help prevent leaks). As for the door panels/ switches, you have to check them to make sure all four screws are in place, mine only had two kidy corner and in a month fell in. With a little ingenuity, JB Weld, duct tape, and bailing wire, you can fix anything.
10th Jun 2009, 16:41
The Above comment hits the nail on the head, but there is also one thing he forgot to mention.
There are 2 hooks, that you clamp/latch down to secure the convertible top, if you look at the front of these hooks there are 2 small Allen bolts that if removed, you can screw the hooks in further for a tighter clamp.
Do what is mentioned above and do this as another step to help things seal better, but don't forget to plug your holes!
30th Jul 2002, 20:53
It sounds like your problems were not your car, but your mechanic. When it comes to Mitsubishi, that tends to be a common problem. However, the Eclipse, hard top, happens to be one of the most incredible vehicles out there. There is nothing easier to modify, or hotter to look at when kitted. If you had found a good mechanic, you wouldn't have had to worry about a little leak.