Buying a used car: Are Mitsubishi Eclipse 1996 GS-T Spyder Convertables reliable?

[DAWeinG]

I want to spend about 7-8k on one and I was wondering what kind of things I would be looking out for. I heard from a friend that they break down a lot but I heard from a website that their "reliability track record is impeccable". I know that there are numerous factors which would contribute to the car's reliability such as mileage and care but I just need to know some general opinions on the overall liability of this car. I also heard that the repairs for this car would be costly. T/F?

I'm interested in this car, maybe that car in particular but it has high mileage; over 100k miles on it

I'm assuming this is better because it has a new engine and tranny but my friend told me I should inquire why it needed a new engine/tranny in the first place

Need advice!! TIA.


I would also appreciate some recommendations if any. I am interested in a 4 cylinder sports car with very good gas mileage up to $8000. Convertable is a plus and something that looks like the 96 GS-T convertable spyder is a plus too.

I'm a total car newbie

 

[geno]

I've heard bad things here and there about their trannies, and occaisionally motor issues. I don't know about the 2nd gen DSM's, but the 1st gens had electrical probs.