This is a rental car that I picked up at Dulles airport back in the New Year.

I had actually booked a Ford Fusion and my heart sank when they jovially told me I'd been given a Chevy Monte Carlo.

At that point I said, "haven't you got something like a Hyundai Sonata or Toyota Camry instead ?"

This may seem like a strange choice but the Chevy was not something I wanted to drive around in.

Anyway the chap at the counter said he had a Mitsubishi Eclipse if I'd prefer something Japanese (which I do) and said "I'll take it if it is the V6 version".

It was and I was sold!

So what do I think of it?

Well the styling is varied - it's not a handsome package overall but it does have some good angles.
The chrome effect rear spoiler is pure cheese that I'd certainly not pay for!

The interior is a let down - it just feels cheap - the leather seats much be the lowest grade leather available? It might as well be PVC as there is no life to it whatsoever.

I do enjoy the responsive engine and so far I'm very impressed with the cornering abilities of the vehicle.

Fuel economy is not great around town - I averaged about 15mpg but out on the highway it averaged perhaps 27/28mpg.
Which, as far as I'm concerned, is pretty good for an almost 270hp sports coupe!

There are a few niggles that need to be mentioned.

Mirror Adjustment Control - located below the dashboard where any human of average or above average height cannot possibly adjust the mirrors while sitting in the driving position! Why do manufacturers place it there?

To open the trunk with the remote key you must remove it from the ignition switch - even although the car engine is turned off and the shifter in Park.
What's the logic here?
I've not read the users manual and see no other way to open the tailgate other than with the key remote?

The Rockford Fosgate MP3 stereo system sounds good but there is no facility for displaying track names & titles etc.
What you get is disc number and track.
That's a bit of an oversight for what is supposedly an upgraded system.