I recently test drove a 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage.
First - I really do NOT care for the exterior styling. Seems like they took the "two box" shape, tried to modernize it , tried to make it aerodynamic ... but it was all half ----ed together. The looks on this thing are horrible.
Second - I don't really trust Mitsubishi products.
Just some observations:
- The starter motor sounds like something from outdoor power equipment!
- EPA mileage rating is way off. I was testing a bit on the highway and slow going roads (no city) and on the highway, at 55MPH, it was getting 56MPG. Going slow, around 40, with no stop lights it was 65MPG! Much better than that of the Spark at those speeds. On top of that, my understanding is that the computer always displays 3-4mpg low.
- At around 60 or so, it's running at 3K. You could hear the engine but it was kind of cool sounding. Not too bad. Definitely more wind noise than I'm used to. Didn't feel unsafe, though.
- Interior is rather large. Typical Japanese small car - it's bigger inside than it is out. I had no problem fitting in the front seat of it. The back seat isn't quite Versa big, but larger than my Focus. Also, MUCH larger inside that Ford's Fiesta inside (the next size larger) ... I can actually fit in the back seat of this, unlike a Fiesta. Larger than Spark inside.
- Rear storage area is larger than that of a Spark. Plus, there is a spare tire! I have had to use them a few times, so that's a big deal for me.
- Did not get blown around in traffic.
- Not as slow as I thought it would be. Like the Spark, the Mirage is geared extremely low so it will pick up decently. It is also easy to take off from a stop light; no gas needed.
- Pretty well equipped at base model. Has power windows and locks and RKE - Spark base model has power windows, but neither Spark or Versa have RKE or power locks on base model.
- The radio doesn't look like a "I'm too cheap to afford a good radio". The interior is pretty welcoming. The Spark's interior isn't welcoming and a bit over the top for a cheap car. Versa's is nice, but I like this one better.
Things I did not care for:
- 3 Cylinder engine makes a lot of racket and vibration when taking off from a stoplight ... they do not like to lug below idle speed, apparently. My concern is - how will this engine be at 50,000 miles when the external balancing wears out and it has bad motor mounts? The 3 cyl will shake the car apart.
- Engine "whines" - for some reason it sounds like it has a super charger.
- The shifter is bad, but not as bad as the Spark! I could actually find the gears in this easily, unlike the Spark. The Spark reminded me of the trucks I grew up driving (18 wheelers), with worn out shift forks and gates that would leave the shifter wobbling around and guessing for gear. However, I could feel the shifter cables stretching! That's scary!
- Clutch was light, but engaged / disengaged AT the floor.
- Oddball tire size. There are not many on the market. I can find new tires for $50 for my Focus - those same ones were $75 or $100 for the Mirage. There are also no good snow tire sizes. Anyone would have to seemingly go up to 15 or down to 13s.
Most people will buy on styling. This just doesn't have it. Also, they will REALLY need to advertise the gas mileage of it, because at nearly $14K ... there are better options (not for mileage) only another $1000 away.
Not a bad little car. I will admit, I was really impressed with it!
First - I really do NOT care for the exterior styling. Seems like they took the "two box" shape, tried to modernize it , tried to make it aerodynamic ... but it was all half ----ed together. The looks on this thing are horrible.
Second - I don't really trust Mitsubishi products.
Just some observations:
- The starter motor sounds like something from outdoor power equipment!
- EPA mileage rating is way off. I was testing a bit on the highway and slow going roads (no city) and on the highway, at 55MPH, it was getting 56MPG. Going slow, around 40, with no stop lights it was 65MPG! Much better than that of the Spark at those speeds. On top of that, my understanding is that the computer always displays 3-4mpg low.
- At around 60 or so, it's running at 3K. You could hear the engine but it was kind of cool sounding. Not too bad. Definitely more wind noise than I'm used to. Didn't feel unsafe, though.
- Interior is rather large. Typical Japanese small car - it's bigger inside than it is out. I had no problem fitting in the front seat of it. The back seat isn't quite Versa big, but larger than my Focus. Also, MUCH larger inside that Ford's Fiesta inside (the next size larger) ... I can actually fit in the back seat of this, unlike a Fiesta. Larger than Spark inside.
- Rear storage area is larger than that of a Spark. Plus, there is a spare tire! I have had to use them a few times, so that's a big deal for me.
- Did not get blown around in traffic.
- Not as slow as I thought it would be. Like the Spark, the Mirage is geared extremely low so it will pick up decently. It is also easy to take off from a stop light; no gas needed.
- Pretty well equipped at base model. Has power windows and locks and RKE - Spark base model has power windows, but neither Spark or Versa have RKE or power locks on base model.
- The radio doesn't look like a "I'm too cheap to afford a good radio". The interior is pretty welcoming. The Spark's interior isn't welcoming and a bit over the top for a cheap car. Versa's is nice, but I like this one better.
Things I did not care for:
- 3 Cylinder engine makes a lot of racket and vibration when taking off from a stoplight ... they do not like to lug below idle speed, apparently. My concern is - how will this engine be at 50,000 miles when the external balancing wears out and it has bad motor mounts? The 3 cyl will shake the car apart.
- Engine "whines" - for some reason it sounds like it has a super charger.
- The shifter is bad, but not as bad as the Spark! I could actually find the gears in this easily, unlike the Spark. The Spark reminded me of the trucks I grew up driving (18 wheelers), with worn out shift forks and gates that would leave the shifter wobbling around and guessing for gear. However, I could feel the shifter cables stretching! That's scary!
- Clutch was light, but engaged / disengaged AT the floor.
- Oddball tire size. There are not many on the market. I can find new tires for $50 for my Focus - those same ones were $75 or $100 for the Mirage. There are also no good snow tire sizes. Anyone would have to seemingly go up to 15 or down to 13s.
Most people will buy on styling. This just doesn't have it. Also, they will REALLY need to advertise the gas mileage of it, because at nearly $14K ... there are better options (not for mileage) only another $1000 away.
Not a bad little car. I will admit, I was really impressed with it!
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