[betha_b1]

Zarbs, I like that they didn't put the brand names on! People should know what it is by the logo. I prefer less badging on my cars actually. I usually take off some or all of the badging on my cars. Although my EC hasn't bothered me yet. I spent a semester in Australia and my flatmate actually had a Mitsubishi. Her father was a mechanic and the car had a ton of miles on it. It's actually one of the reasons I even considered a Mitsubishi over the past couple years. I never thought of the brand as competitive prior to driving around in hers over the 7 months I was there.

 

[betha_b1]

I fitted my Hood struts/dampers in around ten minutes. If you install them you'll know they're right if they are in a straight line from hood to fender. If they are at an angle then you need to swap them over. Not a hard install really. The hardest part is cutting the sound dampening pads to allow the dampers to move freely. I got on a sewing machine with my covers to sew some black bias binding to the cut edge as the insulation inside the pads tends to spill out everywhere. Looks more professional as well. You'll need a thick needle on the sewing machine and a heavy thread plus thin down the insulation at the edge to make the sewing thickness less...

I did this with thin bias tape and heavy duty bonding tape. It seems to have worked well. The edges look so much better! Great idea Zarbs!

 

[52Traction]

I don't like the seats, they gave me backache. Also my front fog lights don't have bulbs, they are fake.

I like the engine. The acceleration is very good. However, it struggles over 200 km/h, but this is a crossover at the end.

I have an Edition One with full leather and have driven across Europe to Italy twice - 3,000kms each trip and found the car very comfortable, 1st trip the car wasn't even 'run in' and the CVT did seem to work hard on some of the inclines over the Alps but it was fine though fuel economy is not the best in it's class, even in 'Eco' mode

 

[52Traction]

Ordered these gas struts https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-St...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 from the USA and fitted them today.


Whilst they did come with basic instructions and were marked left and right, I want to thank mtgtnt for the more detailed version making the job much easier to figure out.

 

[DevonDancer]

I was quite interested in the concept of these struts because I hate heavy bonnets with a simple slot in support! (bit pennypinching IMHO)
Looked up the link above but puzzled as it says 'for aluminium bonnets only' whereas the eclipse bonnet is clearly steel!
I'm guessing those who've fitted them find they work nonetheless ?

 

[52Traction]

I was quite interested in the concept of these struts because I hate heavy bonnets with a simple slot in support! (bit pennypinching IMHO)
Looked up the link above but puzzled as it says 'for aluminium bonnets only' whereas the eclipse bonnet is clearly steel!
I'm guessing those who've fitted them find they work nonetheless ?

Yes with no issues whatsoever, opening the bonnet (Hood for our US cousins) is a breeze and it stays up no problem.

 

[mtgtnt]

Every time I have had to take the EC to the service, each time a different tech, loved seeing those on there. And yes, they work perfectly.

 

[zarbs]

My gas struts work so well I have removed the standard support bar as it didn't connect any longer with the struts in place. Much safer with the struts installed.

 

[betha_b1]

I love the struts I installed as well. Putting in windshield washer fluid is a breeze now! I did the struts on my mr2 spyder back and front as well years ago. Well worth it!

 

[betha_b1]

Ok I want to add a dislike regarding the windshield fluid! A) when you are low the car is excessive in telling you. So much beeping like multiple times while out driving the car, it is way over board and B) when the warning comes in the reservoir holds just under one bottle so you can't empty the whole bottle into the car which I also find annoying. I always keep a bottle in the car now because I got low on a 200 mile drive and I was close to driving it into a wall just to make the beeping that was occurring every 15 minutes stop! It's so excessive for merely low windshield fluid!

 

[zarbs]

Can't say I've ever seen/heard this warming. Most likely only a USA model thing. I top up my washer reservoir every time I open the bonnet/hood when checking oil etc. I add the washer treatment first then add the water to mix. Premixed fluid is not something that we see in our auto shops here.

 

[MrJEHowley]

Had the Cross for a few weeks now and glad it's my wife's car, and not mine. I can't find anything at all to "love" about it, there is a lot of mediocre going around it, but have found a lot on the dislike to hate side.
Dislikes:
Base model 16" wheels with tires that have WAY to much sidewall flex.
Split rear window..not as bad as the Aztec, but still a lot of "eh...but why?" to the design.
Seats feel like they belong in a Kia...not a Mitsubishi.
CVTs are BORING
Lack of power - even my 18 y/o Xterra is more fun to drive
HATE:
The steering feels DEAD. There is ZERO feedback and the handling is very lackluster.

 

[Telferstr]

Sorry you feel like that JE. Suppose it would not do if we all thought the same way.
I'm very happy with my EC, maybe because it does not have CVT drive but a 6speed manual gearbox and 18" wheels. Find it nippy with a very good turn of speed if and when needed.
Seat are fairly comfortable and the suspension reasonably smooth, Find the steering quick and responsive, yes, maybe could do with a bit more feel, but not that bad.
Hate is a strong word, but there you go, speak as you find.

 

[MrJEHowley]

Sorry you feel like that JE. Suppose it would not do if we all thought the same way.
I'm very happy with my EC, maybe because it does not have CVT drive but a 6speed manual gearbox and 18" wheels. Find it nippy with a very good turn of speed if and when needed.
Seat are fairly comfortable and the suspension reasonably smooth, Find the steering quick and responsive, yes, maybe could do with a bit more feel, but not that bad.
Hate is a strong word, but there you go, speak as you find.

We are going to be changing out to 18s for summer tires, and putting winter tires on the 16s. That will help handling, a lot, but still not going to make up for the shortcomings on the steering side of things.

A manual gear box would help with boring driving, but then the wife wouldn't be able to drive it Mistu makes good cars, so I'm good with it being hers, and the little I will drive it. It just isn't a car I would buy for me. But I have to admit, my little '95 Eclipse was a fun little car

 

[Gabe aus]

I just received my struts and they don't fit Grrrr!

They are too short to install as per the sellers photo.

No instructions included and no bolts!

Hi Oldsalt, thanks for the headsup on the struts, logged onto ebay, found them and ordered them. Cant wait to get on and fitted. Sorry to hear they are wrond size, the website i got mine from says specific to MY18 EC
cheers
steve

 

[Col.TED]

one thing I didnt like with our EC was the Cruise Control recovery when you have not attained the closest speed to where it was initially set and you press resume....it wasnt smooth and tends to overdrive the engine & almost go wild....my EC doesnt have that adaptive cruise control.

 

[Gabe aus]

Same as I got, at least it didn't take you very long to work it all out.

Gotta say, they are a huge improvement, don't understand why they are not standard as Mitzi would buy them very cheaply. 🤓😉

Hi all, I got the kit from ebay, however i found it on page 2 of this stream and had a hell of a time trying to fit even though I watched numerous youtube vids wih no help at all. With no instructions, I had to go by the photo on ebay and fitted the top brackets first. they didnt look right so I flipped them side to side. Fittted bottoms and then very slowly tried to close hood and immediately thought this is not right. Sure enough, the bottom brackets started to bend, so immediately removed them. Then I went back to this thread and read page one, just wish I had read this first. I cant remember exactly, but I think I installed the bottom brackets wrong side and had ball to rear which would explain why we had to lift the hood to the stops to attach to bottom bracket. Now worried that I might have weakened bottom brackets by bending them. Call me stupid, but thank all you guys for your input and now at least I beleive I know what I did wrong. Not sure if I should risk installing again, would hat if someone got seriously hurt if the struts were to fail, so looking at other options. Will also be sending feedback to retailer about this and the fact NO INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED. Willtry to post some pics when I figure oit how to upload.
Anyway, thanks to all those who take the time and effort to post here as it is of great value to all EC owners who care.
cheers and thanks again and have a geat year ahead.
cheers
gabe.
BTW,received mine in less than a week.

 

[Gabe aus]

Further to previous, here is the result of the one careful cycle of closing and opening the bonnet/hood.
Note the bends in the lower mounts on left of pic. This is a serious safety issue, imagine that bonnet falling on you as you work under it. that is a very heavy item.
At the very least, the parts should be identified as to their location, eg; llf (lower left front) lrf, etc.
Will be contacting supplier and asking for replacement lower brackets as i consider current ones are too dangerous, also asking them to have parts marked with location and orientation and at least some attempt at installation instructions.
ps moderators would you consider making this issue a sticky alert for those about to attempt installation of struts ?

 

[betha_b1]

I must say the split rear window is not my favorite in term of practicality in the winter... The accumulating snow is less than ideal in terms of rear vision....I still do like the look and the fact that it covers most people headlights who are driving behind me.

 

[slippercream]

I'll do something a little out of my norm: what I like about the Cross.

1. Looks. If you have good wheels to replace the factory dubs, and make it match the fenders, it looks pretty sharp.
2. S-AWC. Compared to even the Outlander's, the S-AWC on this thing performs better. I do wish it had a front LSD though. Because you really can feel the rear traction shift every so often - and when you do -- Baby Evo -- it nooice
3. Interior comfort features. Compared to Mitsubishis of past, the heated seats and steering (wish it were the full wheel though), HUD, and Bird's Eye View cams --- and even the head unit --- again compared to Mitsus of the past --- good refinements. I do miss the full pano roof on the Outlander Sport though. Loved that thing so much, I miss it dearly.
4. Stopping force. For something as heavy as this thing, the brakes do work damn well.

And finally - I really do think the powertrain is not that bad. It's clearly just horrible gearing. You can really feel the torque on-demand despite such a spineless, gutless, life-suckingly low overall gear ratio. I imagine that, if transmission limitations were not a thing to consider --- a tune on 93RON that's in the low 15's for AFR might give the car maybe another 50 or so horses, just on the fuel and tune alone? I can only imagine what swapping out to a used 16G and better piping would do.

If not for that transmission, I really think the Cross could be an interesting project. Sadly, the fact that we're talking highly electronic and ECU-integrated TCU here is a dealbreaker from the get-go.