Ever driven a 3 cylinder Mitsubishi Mirage?

[Elkins45]

Just how slow are they, even with a manual transmission? Is the NVH unbearable? How’s the build quality? There’s a 2017 with 120k nearby but I don’t want to waste the guys time if it’s as big of a dog as I imagine it would be. The VIN indicates it was made in India so that would be a first.

Merry Christmas!

 

[slacktide_bitog]

There is nothing wrong with the Mirage. It is a quality car that will last a long time with no problems

People hate on them for no reason. The build quality is very good. The manual transmission makes it sporty, but even the CVT ones don't have any widespread CVT problems. Although the CVT is the same Jatco used in other Mitsubishi and Nissan cars, the Mirage's smaller engine with less power means it isn't stressed out anywhere near as much.

IIRC, Mirage is made in Thailand.

 

[Rand]

I'd be afraid to drive it on the highway because you might die Geo Metro style.

Other than that.. no complaints slightly more eco ecobox.

 

[DemoFly]

Yes I test drove both the CVT and the manual back when they were $10,995 new in like 2013-14?

They are quite slow but fine in the city or as a momentum car. The manual gear spacing is pretty bad. The CVT accelerated much better. They are loud. The wheelbase is noticeable on the highway and overpass transitions. Our family has owned 2 Toyota Echos and a Yaris. So we love a good small car, but for some reason the mirage felt too small for us. FWIW I really, really liked the interior and engine note.

 

[jsean]

They’re alright with a manual transmission. Wouldn’t get one with the CVT especially at that mileage. Don’t expect it to be peppy - the Mirage sold well in other parts of the world. The problem with most experts who spew out their nonsense in name of journalism are mostly morons.

The purpose of the Mirage is/was to provide a decent mode of 4 wheel transportation. It hits that mission and does fine. It’s not GTI and never pretended to be one. They are well built vehicles and will long for a long long time as long as they’re cared for like any other vehicle.

You can also check out the Facebook forum for Mirages - there are quite a few folks on there with 200k ish miles. If it’s a good deal and checks out, it’ll be a good vehicle for you as long as you have the right expectations from it. Good luck!

Side note - how did you find one to be made in India? IIRC, Mitsu India had closed their assy center there in 2015-16 and the Mirage never got built there. They were built in Thailand and Philippines per my recollection.

 

[Elkins45]

Side note - how did you find one to be made in India? IIRC, Mitsu India had closed their assy center there in 2015-16 and the Mirage never got built there. They were built in Thailand and Philippines per my recollection.

I’m wrong. It has an M VIN and when I googled it the first result said India. I guess I should have read past the first result. The VIN is ML which is Thailand.

 

[Jetronic]

It all depends on cost, besides of the use case. if a mirage sells for $18k and a jetta for $21k, I'm not interested in the mirage much. But I know they will be cheaper to maintain and drive, it's just small.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I never drove one but see them for sale at reasonable prices.

 

[Patman]

I have always felt like the Mirage would be a good car if you were buying it new because of it’s lower price point but once you get into the used car market there are so many other options for the same price that it is no longer worth it. I would rather have a Civic or Corolla that is a few years older than the Mirage.

 

[dishdude]

As with everything, it depends on what they're asking for it.

 

[hemitom]

Basic transportation ! Does exactly what it is designed to do get you from point A to B ( reliably ) .

 

[leroyd92]

The only problem I've ever had with Mitsubishi, is when I worked at a auto parts place for over 7 years, parts for anything Mitsubishi seem to be impossible to acquire. Something three or four years old you couldn't get simple stuff for it like coolant parts or hoses or plastic junctions. I never understood that to be honest.

This is where I need to say I've never driven a Mitsubishi or owned one. But I do dislike the fact that if I were to acquire one I couldn't get stuff for it locally

 

[Elkins45]

They are asking $4900 but my guess is they would probably take 4k. There’s another guy with a 2009 Honda Fit with a manual who only wants $3400 but it has 160k. The Fit might be the better choice because they have such a good reputation.

Wikipedia says the 1.2L engine produces 78 HP. IIRC the venerable 22R in my 1981 Toyota truck only produced 100, and that was in a much heavier and less aerodynamic 4x4 truck. I think I could probably live with that as a bumming around car.

 

[GR_CoB]

They are asking $4900 but my guess is they would probably take 4k. There’s another guy with a 2009 Honda Fit with a manual who only wants $3400 but it has 160k. The Fit might be the better choice because they have such a good reputation.

Honda Fit is a better choice here.
That being said - I drove both the manual and CVT Mirage. CVT sucks, but manual is fun and the 3-banger sounds rowdy. In a way it reminded me of how a naturally aspirated 2JZ sounds with a resonator delete. The type of car you can have fun in without breaking the speed limit. All while getting 40MPG.
I'm a bigger guy, so with driver's seat adjusted for me the back seat becomes unusable for people in the Mirage. But in the Fit - there is still some leg room. Drove one recently too. Ended up buying a 2008 Scion xB tho. All the leg room.

 

[Elkins45]

Honda Fit is a better choice here.
That being said - I drove both the manual and CVT Mirage. CVT sucks, but manual is fun and the 3-banger sounds rowdy. In a way it reminded me of how a naturally aspirated 2JZ sounds with a resonator delete. The type of car you can have fun in without breaking the speed limit. All while getting 40MPG.
I'm a bigger guy, so with driver's seat adjusted for me the back seat becomes unusable for people in the Mirage. But in the Fit - there is still some leg room. Drove one recently too. Ended up buying a 2008 Scion xB tho. All the leg room.

It’s hard to argue with the xB, as my sig will attest. I wish Toyota had seen fit to continue them as Toyotas after they folded Scion.

 

[supton]

I thought it slow, buzzy, and realized it would be annoying on my commute. Love the idea, but not the vehicle for me.

 

[PF52]

They are asking $4900 but my guess is they would probably take 4k. There’s another guy with a 2009 Honda Fit with a manual who only wants $3400 but it has 160k. The Fit might be the better choice because they have such a good reputation.

Get the Fit. It comes enthusiastically recommended by CKN so we know it's good!

 

[eljefino]

As a semi-orphan I as a buyer would demand a very decent price for the car.

Like said you can get a lot more car for a little more money.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I have no problems with the Mirage but I would probably skip it unless its a screaming deal. They are one of those super small cars designed to sell very cheaply in developing nations. As mentioned above, they used to be like $10K new. While nothing is cheap anymore, they seem to have increased more than other, nicer rides.

 

[dogememe]

The only problem I've ever had with Mitsubishi, is when I worked at a auto parts place for over 7 years, parts for anything Mitsubishi seem to be impossible to acquire. Something three or four years old you couldn't get simple stuff for it like coolant parts or hoses or plastic junctions. I never understood that to be honest.

This is where I need to say I've never driven a Mitsubishi or owned one. But I do dislike the fact that if I were to acquire one I couldn't get stuff for it locally

You're 100% correct in this. If we can even get Mitsubishi parts, they have to be ordered - not in stock.