Ever driven a 3 cylinder Mitsubishi Mirage?

[earlyre]

my GF has a 2014 CVT model as her DD. bought it from carvana a few years back, had 60-70k mi on it at the time, has to be over 100k now... 20+ suburban miles each way.
is it a clacky buzz-box? yep.
does it get her back and forth reliably through almost any weather? yep
and gets 30-40mpg while doing it.

so far the only "hard" part of maintenance is tires... there aren't that many available in that small of size.
but, being small, (165/65 R14) they were CHEAP.

when we first started dating, she needed tires ( the ones on it were worn out to the point she had 2 roadside flats in a week) the Discount tire in front of where we work got her some Khumo Solus TA31's for about $60/ea. (since discontinued, but they still have them listed for$129/ea...) the newer version( Solus TA51A) is listed for $92 each.
Meanwhile for my C-Max, I spent Nearly a Grand on tires....granted I got "top of the line" 3PMS rated Michelin cross Climate 2's ( 225/50 R17)... which at $215/ea are still cheaper than the OE Michelin Energy Savers. ($254)

 

[Elkins45]

I gave the online listing a closer look. The car doesn't have cruise control nor bluetooth, so that very significantly reduces the appeal to me.

 

[supton]

I gave the online listing a closer look. The car doesn't have cruise control nor bluetooth, so that very significantly reduces the appeal to me.

I wouldn’t think BT should be hard to add.

As for cruise, it only has 78hp, all you need is a brick.

 

[andrewg]

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.

I don't concur that the Honda Fit has a good reputation....at least not from me. I had one. It was the worst Honda I've ever owned....and I like Honda's. Hated the car.

 

[Elkins45]

I wouldn’t think BT should be hard to add.

As for cruise, it only has 78hp, all you need is a brick.

I still have the Bluetooth gizmo from my first Scion, but not having cruise is annoying. I suppose that I could always drive one of the other four three cars I own that have it LOL, but my I’ll-conceived master plan was to squirrel away a handful of cheap cars to hopefully last me for a decade. I don’t think I want one that would be annoying when I have an infinity of other options.

My 2019 super bargain Fiesta didn’t have cruise and I was planning on adding it, but I sold it for a Covid windfall before I got around to it. Adding it to a Mirage is a good bit more involved than it would have been with the Fiesta or my 2007 Corolla before it.

 

[supton]

I haven't used cruise that much over the years, but I do want it in my cars--despite not using it. ??? I know my manual transmission cars it was just fine. My automatics, being Toyota's, they just would flip out and double downshift on hills. Drove me nuts. Haven't used it much in the wife's hybrid, I tried it once, but it had this idiotic feature that would have it slow down on curves... we disabled that but the scar remains.

In hilly NH I like to droop my speed a bit going up a hill, if no one is behind me. Better mpg I think. Otherwise the temptation is to set it to the speed limit and fall asleep. No fun in that.

 

[spackard]

Toyota’s 22R-E engine is an entirely different engine than a 1990 3 cyl, 1 liter engine (Daihatsu Charade).

This Mirage, 2017, 1.2 liter, with variable valve timing, I’m imagining is much more livable.

 

[vavavroom]

Yes, I drove my friend's Suzuki Swift occasionally during my high school days. I preferred my Rabbit. Anemic but acceptable for a shoe box on wheels - the Swift, not the Rabbit which was swift.

 

[earlyre]

I still have the Bluetooth gizmo from my first Scion, but not having cruise is annoying. I suppose that I could always drive one of the other four three cars I own that have it LOL, but my I’ll-conceived master plan was to squirrel away a handful of cheap cars to hopefully last me for a decade. I don’t think I want one that would be annoying when I have an infinity of other options.

My 2019 super bargain Fiesta didn’t have cruise and I was planning on adding it, but I sold it for a Covid windfall before I got around to it. Adding it to a Mirage is a good bit more involved than it would have been with the Fiesta or my 2007 Corolla before it.

GF's Mirage didn't have Cruise, the factory stereo had Bluetooth, but it didn't really work.
her Dad installed Aftermarket Cruise, it works, but can be a bit flaky (seemingly random cut outs)
she got a Cheap android headunit for Carplay, and a backup camera.

 

[Jarpin]

I want to sell my aging 2001 Subaru for a used Mirage to get from work and back. I already have a Outlander Sport and beginning to like Mitsubishi for the simplicity of their smaller cars.

 

[martinq]

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.

Having had first hand experience with Nissan / Jatco CVTs in the past (2009-2013 CVT 1 / jf0009e) I was surprised to hear about the CVT durability success in the Mirage. 300k miles on an OE Jatco CVT?!? What gives? (besides maintenance and time, ie. newer design and/or mfg)

There could be one big difference here besides just a smaller engine (lower torque) compared to the 1.8/2.0 that I'm familiar with from Nissan, the difference could also be the controller. Even if Nissan and Mitsu are using the same CVT from Jatco, they may be using their own TCU and/or code. I haven't looked into this too deep but it's an idea I'd like to investigate.

 

[martinq]

I don't concur that the Honda Fit has a good reputation....at least not from me. I had one. It was the worst Honda I've ever owned....and I like Honda's. Hated the car.

Can you elaborate?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I don't concur that the Honda Fit has a good reputation....at least not from me. I had one. It was the worst Honda I've ever owned....and I like Honda's. Hated the car.

Me too it was barely just o.k. and definitely approaching a $12K throw- away ecobox, being sold for $17K (yeah, got the sport with the MT).

The Front struts and suspension are Mac pencils and little rubber doughnuts. Mine didn't hold up to New England roads.

The L15A7 VTEC engine could be robust and sprightly, and it is even approved for SCCA Formula Ford but they made one big mistake.
No exhaust manifold. Runners are cast in head with the ignition coil sticks snaking between hot runners - this means short coil life.

Also, the little engine is tucked under the overhanging windshied and a bear to do basic service.

The MT fluid - a glorified 5W30 motor oil, I found requires changing yearly to keep shift quality snick-snickey.

I have found Mitsu Mirage to be a fragile girly car. And a thin-tin can. But if you treat it like a teacup poodle, it may serve around town.
My Eco-Sport is now my base car limit. A surprisingly friendly day to day car, well made by Mahindra tractor in India.

Best little fun thing I have driven (rental) was Fords last gen Fiesta 3dr Hatch, Drove much better than the Mazda (2) equivalent
I liked the automated manual in the rental - but I know it is a problematic.

Pick your tolerable compromises ... I suppose

 

[andrew_j]

Civic , Corolla used a bit more is vastly superior buy. Good luck

 

[97prizm]

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!

Reviews say it's an appliance nothing more nothing less. I've read to go for the manual transmission option if you can find one. The biggest issues were for a while there were rumors that Mitsubishi was going to pull out of the USA or North American market so it made buyers skittish. Think Daewoo, Isuzu and Suzuki. It doesn't help that there aren't many dealerships and they have what three vehicles for sale?

 

[nthach]

I gave the online listing a closer look. The car doesn't have cruise control nor bluetooth, so that very significantly reduces the appeal to me.

Slap in a cheap Boss or Jensen deck. They’re decently good.

 

[Elkins45]

Best little fun thing I have driven (rental) was Fords last gen Fiesta 3dr Hatch, Drove much better than the Mazda (2) equivalent
I liked the automated manual in the rental - but I know it is a problematic.

Pick your tolerable compromises ... I suppose

I owned a 2019 Fiesta sedan with a manual from new for 11k miles until greed got the best of me and I sold it for a profit during Covid. I was surprised at how much I liked that car, and how well built it seemed to be.