The gauges have been redesigned for 2003, making them easier to read.

The center stack has an unusual look with readouts for the radio, temperature and compass in an information module atop the dash, just above the controls. You have to look at the controls to manipulate them, then look up at the readout. If the two were closer together, the eye would do less rushing around, causing less distraction from the road. It's easy to see and read, however, better than those for a Mercedes-Benz. The audio controls for the Infinity stereo are excellent, big clearly marked buttons and knobs for changing stations, volume, seek, track, etc.

Located just below the stereo controls are three rotary dials for heat, ventilation and air conditioning. These switches are positive to the touch and are intuitive, though you have to push the fan knob in to turn the air conditioning on. The controls look like they came from a compact, though. Cleverly designed round dash vents swivel and turn to direct airflow just about anywhere you could want it; they also fold flush and snug when they aren't needed.

There isn't a lot of headroom in an Eclipse coupe, especially with a sunroof, less than in an Acura RSX or Ford Mustang. The Spyder has a quite bit more headroom than the Eclipse coupe (yes, with the top up). Like most sport coupes, the Eclipse is not the ideal car for picking up dry cleaning. However, a hook on the driver's side works okay for a few items, which drape well over the front of the rear seat.

The Spyder surrenders back-seat space to the coupe. It loses less than an inch of leg room, but more three inches of hip room are consumed by the top and its storage well.

A more serious drawback to the Spyder is a shortage of luggage space as the folded top and its operating mechanism intrude into the cargo bay. While the Eclipse coupe offers a cargo capacity of 16.9 cubic feet, the Spyder offers just 7.2 cubic feet. That means golf clubs have to go in the Spyder's back seat.