The reason the Mirage gets so many bad reviews is because so many reviewers are missing the point. It's not designed to be fun or luxurious, it's designed to get people from point A to point B reliably---that's it. If people have higher expectations, they need to spend more money and get something nicer
Yes but the problem is many dealers says the only car the bank will finance u (for starter) is this Mirage which as I’m writing this comment, it’s the deadliest car on America. 😉 There are better and cheaper options like the Versa. And im NOT a Nissan guy. I used to own a Mirage “Technica “ myself (Technica was the LS version here in Puerto Rico. )
@elcanbu5610 Your dealer is probably lying to you. The Mirage is miles from the worst rated crash test car in America. Never - and I mean NEVER - trust ANYTHING your dealer tells you. ☮
The Mirage is probably more reliable than many more expensive modern cars because it has less trash technology. Unfortunately it's just too small for me. I just spent $9000 for a like new (literally) one owner 36,000 mile 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis. I've had several (though never one this nice) and had excellent luck with them. They are wonderful, large, comfortable, powerful, V8 powered, rear wheel drive cars, with no modern trash technology. You actually have to drive them yourself. If you don't know how to use the brakes or turn the steering wheel, you are eventually going to run into something, probably sooner than later.
Not too long ago the Nissan Versa was the cheapest car you could buy for less than $10K. Now the cheapest is $17K and it's even smaller and looks cheaper?? Dang. Crazy times we live in.
I got T-boned, driver-side while in a 2018 mirage. When I bought the car, I noted that it was the only car in its segment with side-curtain airbags. I sure was happy about that when my head bounced off the airbag instead of the window or pillar. I owe my health to that car.
America clearly has a problem that every second person in comment section in car reviews talks about how they crashed in that car.. Glas you made it. But why on earth are there so many crashes in the US?
@@chriskonte1909haha yep they seem to lack any defensive driving ability like Australia doesn’t have the best drivers but when you watch the USA Dashcam it’s almost like they line each other up.😂
Every 2018 US model subcompact car had side curtain airbags, and front side airbags. Spark and Sonic actually have side rear airbags. Fiesta and Yaris had atleast one driver knee airbag. With the Spark and Sonic having knee airbags for both front occupants.
I've had mine since new in 2015. It has over 120,000 miles on it with no issues whatsoever. I've owned a bunch of Metros in the past too and as much as I loved my Metro's, the Mirage has been problem free for over 8 years now with nothing more than oil changes, 2 sets of tires and front brakes. Lifetime mpg's have averaged just over 40. It's inexpensive, reliable, economical transportation and easy to maintain (I mean really easy). No it's not perfect and it doesn't try to be. It's not fast (but will go plenty fast given enough space). I don't need a car to flex, and I give zero F's what other people think. I've been laughing all the way to the bank for the last 8 years.
Thank you for your first hand report as an actual owner. Many years ago they brought a small car to America, it was German, it had a very small engine, it was slow, people said it was the worst car in America, it was called the "Volkswagen Beetle", and Americans bought millions of them and loved them. Never listen to the "experts", listen to the actual owners. Thanks for your post here.
Thanks for being a responsible US(?) citizen and chose not to buy a Crossover or something like that. I feel like Subcompact cars in the US can still be good choices especially if you drive a lot around the city. I have so many friends and people from small village where I live that appeciate the Mirage. And honestly it got everything that people these days want. -A/C & optional auto A/C -Bluetooth and optional Apple Carplay/Android Auto -Automatic transmission as standard (until the 2022 model year there was also a 5-speed manual as standard in the ES-trim I think) -a backup kamera -Your usual white, black, grey and silver colors as well as the seen cool gold/yellow, a red and a magenta-red mix and a bright blue. Useless funfact of the day: Over here in Germany there are the following trim levels: Basis, Select, Plus, Select+ & Top The "Basis"-trim stards at 11.990€/13.232$ and offers the same 1.2l engine you find in the US with slightly less power 71hp not 78hp like you have, power mirrors, power windows, A/C, touchscreen multimedia radio, halogen daytime running light, no backup kamera (since it's not a legal requirement), no-LED elements in the front or taillights anywhere, 5-year/100.000km(60.000miles) warranty. That's basically everything you need - simple transportation.
This is transport. Not a fashion statement. It travels safely from A to B. It keeps you warm when it’s cold and cold when it’s warm. It won’t be targeted by thieves. It serves a purpose and the purpose is met .
Doug Demuro, THISS is how a proper review is filmed. You don't call bs on cars just because they're affordable. Yeah a person who has a ford GT, a Porsche Carrera GT, etc will never understand cars that are affordable. Cheap cars can be fun as well.
I wish the Mirage would stop getting such an undeserved bad rep! I have one. It’s fun to drive. It does what it’s meant to do. It’s a car, not a plane or a spaceship. It’s got personality. I even named mine. It’s not a race car. It never pretended to be one. Don’t say it’s still the worst car because that’s not true. Thank you. Rant over 😊
It's a decent and frugal choice after all, Mitsubishi could have made it better, so it could compete more globally -Add a few more engine choices (specially the ones with 4-cylinders) -fit it with sturdier hardware and better suspension so it could be more suitable for long drives -fix It's ageing aesthetics with better profiles and angles so it could still keep up with the competition -and better yet? (If possible) add a hot trim of it (probably, a RalliArt version that packs a bigger 1.6Turbo with about 200 horses underhood, and with active yaw control on it too as standard)
The rep is very much deserved. The "personality" is that it's cheap trash. Get a Fit or Yaris, those at least have the benefit of being built better and more reliable.
I've heard nothing but good things from people that own these. Dead reliable, great on gas, and somewhat fun to drive on twisty roads. This is definitely a perfect car for someone who isn't necessarily a car enthusiast, and just needs a car to get to and from work.
I bought mine new in December of 2014. It now has 218,000 miles and all it has needed other than basic maintenance is three clutch cables, a water pump, and repair of a broken wire on the MIVEC solenoid. It has NEVER left me stranded, has averaged 40 mpg, and is the best car I have ever owned.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 There are Mirages that have clocked 400,000+ miles with basic maintenance so I think mine has a lot of miles left. These cars are VERY reliable. Since it was so inexpensive I was able to make it my very first new car and I have no plans to ever sell it. Oh, and the car it replaced? A '97 Geo Metro.😆
This is exactly how cars should be made. Simple and affordable. Today people want luxury and all that stupid crap. No no no. Simple and effective. Youre driving a car not living in a moving house. This car for me is an A+. Easy to work on, fool proof, not fast enough for new drivers to go crazy, a trunk, backup cam, cruise control and perfect mpg.
If only this was the majority of the cars on the road here in the US and we didn’t have all these monstrosities on the street. It’s like a perpetuating cycle of bigger vehicles. Thanks for sharing your perspective! 🙂
I feel like Mitsubishi is recognized completely different in the US than elsewhere. Here in Germany Mitsubishi is a very popular brand (6th biggest market I think) and has a good reputation for reliability and value, on par with Toyota. They sell far more vehicles than Honda (they sell maybe 5000 cars p.a.) or Nissan or Subaru. The Mirage is one of the most popular sub-compact cars here, and also older Mitsubishi models seem to be a lot more frequent than other japanese brands. You still see plenty of Mitsubishis from the 90s here. It's a bit sad that (some) Americans seem to hate Mitsubishi because they don't sell any enthusiast cars anymore, but their normal cars are actually pretty good.
That's really not true. Maybe Germany is 6th biggest market but they sell not many cars. No one cares about Mitsubishi here. Honda is much more popular cazse they sell better cars.
@@sebastian5903 nope that's totally incorrect. You can look up the statistics. Honda has barely sold any cars here in the last 10/15 years, maybe 4/5000 p.a. Mitsubishi sells way more than that, and always has since the 2000s Honda barely has any dealerships and they seem to not advertise anything, whereas Mitsubishi has plenty of dealerships and they have very good reputation for consumer services.
Mitsubishi is also very popular here in the Netherlands, including the Mirage (which is named “Space Star” instead of “Mirage” in Europe, or at least in the Netherlands).
I absolutely love this car! Simple, basic, reliable. While I do believe you were referring to the Versa rather than the Sentra for that comparison, I would take the Mirage 10 to 1 over the Versa. The Versa appears better but the Mirage is built better. You are spot on, though, comparing it to a modern-day Geo Metro. And it has the quality to match. Perfect. Now if only we could do something about those wheel covers. Even plain silver steelies would be better... Most of all, I loved watching you write it off, at first, as a piece of crap, like every other youtube tool, and slowly be won over by this charming little car. As such, I'm glad I stuck with your video til the end. Thank you for this honest review on, what might be, the last honest car available in North America.
Haha it’s a great little car, for all the reasons we both mentioned, and I knew that as soon as I started researching it’s specs and got into it to drive! There’s something special about it, it’s what cars use to more commonly feel like, although at the time that was maybe unknown, if what I’m trying to say makes any sense. I’m glad you’re enjoying yours and I’m appreciative of you watching my video of it! 🙂
It's so underpowered not sure why would it be better than a versa. Versa is larger better on highways hills and merging. nissans better resale value too.
There's some compelling reasons to go with the Mirage over the Versa but the Versa has its advantages too. Mirage: hatchback version still available new, not so for the Versa. Fuel economy is better than the Versa. The EPA estimates are way off for the Mirage, 50 mpg is easily doable with proper hypermilling technique. Mitsu actually has a good record with Jatco CVTs, unlike Nissan so reliability will be better. Mirage has a much longer warranty and alot more cargo and passenger volume room than a Nissan too. The Versa: will be more comfortable arguably, have more power, better handling, cheaper parts, and a much bigger dealer network too. The 2023 Versa is still available in manual unlike the Mirage but good luck finding one, they're almost non-existent on the lot. My family is on its 4th Mirage, a 2014 DE, 2017 G4 ES, 2021 ES, & a 2922 G4 BE, so I'm familiar with these little workhorses.
To the previous reply, you could say some of these things about a Dodge Dart too, but would you buy one? The only way I would choose a Versa over Mirage is with a manual. And as mentioned, good luck with that...
In Japan, 3 cylinder minicars are much more common because of population density and narrow roads. If anything, the mirage highlights how much manufacturers take advantage of their customers...
I chose this vehicle (1.2 litre European medium 'Invite' trim, 2021 MY) for my 100% analogue parents because the city size, amazing turning circle, low running costs, no touch screen and ON-OFF buttoms only. It turns out better than I excepted. It's kind & honest basic motoring vehicle, still with some creatures comfort (side airbags, AC, rain & dusk sensors, 2xDIN Pioneer audio), strangely happy on drive, alike puppy when you throw the ball. And I can repeat just 55-57 mpg every drive, just 10 mpg less than my (more complex and not so happy-puppy) Yaris Hybrid.
If you don't think the economy hasn't shifted in recent years, White Bear Mitsubishi was selling brand new 2017 ES manuals for $7,500-$9,500 for most of that year . I paid $9,299 for a brand new 2017 Mirage ES manual that year, because I didn't qualify for any of the $500 rebates (loyalty, VIP, or military). I know someone who bought a 2021 ES manual in sand yellow for $10,400 OTD from WB, and that price included delivery to their home in North Carolina. Prices jumped drastically shortly after that, & they have never come down. You could have bought two brand new Mirages for under $20, 000 just a couple years ago! Brand new cars for under $10,000 OTD caught my attention, & that's why I have one in my driveway. Mine is near 80,000 miles now. Outside of oil changes, I replaced wiper blades, tires, & front brakes/rotors. That's it! My last tank (filled up tonight) was 46 mpg (mixed driving). 40-50 mpg is typical (higher in summer & little lower during the winter months - winter blend gas, snow tires, & whatever). Affordable, reliable, & economical! When these cars were highly discounted (paid 65.4% window sticker), looking at used cars seemed silly! Final note - WB bought a Mirage back from one of their customers. It was still going strong, & it had 414, 000 miles on it! Car snobs can think whatever they want! These are great little cars! My hope is the Alliance doesn't ruin the brand!
I appreciate you sharing you experience and understanding of the market of this platform over its generation, very insightful! Those who own these cars sure seem to love them, I’m not surprised why. I’m glad yours has turned out to be a very reliable and fiscally advantageous decision! 🙂
Wow sounds like you are from Minnesota too. Yes had my eyes on a mirage back then. Price was right4 sure. 400k plus miles.on a mirage is great! I ended up buying a new ford focus w 5 speed manual transmission in 2016. It now has 300k miles ...only thing went bad so far is coolent tank.. Had a small crack in it.. Seen the mirage do very well in ice and snow Focus don't do well In snow. Right after i got the focus ford discounted them down to about 10k too. Mirage seems like a great car. Not sure if it's worth 15k . Anyway will just see how long the old focus will go. A very small % of any cars makes it to your 400k mile mark. At that point it don't owe you anything. Was looking at the new Toyota cross hybrid as a replacement 4 the focus . Do like the mirage problem is there are so few of them around and not many dealers .
That’s insane! I’ve obviously seen the title of his video but haven’t watched it or any other channels review of the Mirage to out of concern to bias my own experience and style. But having difficulty selling them 5 years ago for 9k is insane, that sounds like a steal, lol. 😂 Although I guess 9k 5 years ago is similar to the same ‘worth’ in todays time when certain things are up to 50% more since Covid.
I came super close to buying one for $9500 in orange 2020. Manual model. Chose a 2015 Scion XB manual with 31k miles for $10,500 (also incredibly good deal!).
The Mirage is literally THE BARE MINIMUM of what’s required by DOT. I’m sure they’d happily get rid of a couple airbags and the reverse camera if they could.
@smithsfan425 Backup cameras are very unsafe for the fact they give drivers the bad habit of not actually looking especially side cameras that come on when you put your turn signal on, my brother has a 2018 with tons of cameras and has been in 5 crashes I drive a 2000 Lincoln town car with non of that and have been in ZERO accidents.
How soon we forget the original Volkswagen Beetle . A small , efficient vehicle that was easy to maintain and served the purpose.of A-B transportation.
I love this car. Not from the start when the launched it ages ago but after the first face-lift (also ages ago). It's a small basic car with basic good old mechanics that does the job. It's nimble where it must be and gets you everywhere you need to be, even long distances if you accepts what it can and especially what it can't. The only negative I have is the price (it's expensive in Europe) and the consumption (especially with the CVT that I love). If I had to choose between this car and a bigger more specked (read filled with useless gadgets and gimmicks) car I would choose this one any day.
He failed to mention the reason I bought the 2022 Outlander. Both it and the Mirage have a 5 year/60,000 mile BUMPER TO BUMPER warranty (in addition to the 10 year drive train warranty). So with the Mirage you lay down maybe $16K and have no repair costs (except tires, wipers and maybe brakes) for five freaking years. At the five year point it would have a resale at maybe $7000. Total cost for the period is $9,000 depreciation plus $500 for a set of tires. $9,500 divided by five years is $1,900 per year! Then consider the minimal gas cost and you have an incredible value. No-- I am not a Mitsubishi salesperson. But I love my Outlander.
I have a 2020 ES 5 speed that I bought brand new for $11,600 out the door including gap insurance since they had the new models already on the way. It currently has 56K trouble free miles and last year I drove it from Florida to Oregon and back, 6400 miles in total and it handled it great except for a few of the steeper climbs where I had to drop a gear. I averaged 43.6 mpg for the entire trip with a low of 40.3 due to the steep climbs and a high of 48.6 running around the Cascades in Oregon. I even slept in it which was surprisingly comfortable. Typically running 70 mph it consistently gets 45-46 mpg. After having nothing but motorcycles for 7 years I was looking for an inexpensive, reliable car to use as a commuter and it knocks that out of the park. I have previously owned a 1978 Mk1 Ford Fiesta and a 1991 Ford Festiva and while they were both great cars neither was as well equipped and both had significantly less horsepower with the Fiesta having a 66 HP 1.6L and the Festiva had a 63 HP 1.3L. The Mirage reminds me of those cars. It's just simple basic transportation and I'm fine with that.
I appreciate you sharing your experiences! I’m glad you’ve had such a great ownership experience and are getting even better than advertised MPG! Thanks for watching. 🙂
damn you got great gas mileage, ive driven from WA to GA 3 times and many times from GA to the midwest in my 2017 SE cvt. My avg on road trips are around 36 to 37mpg, I try to stay 5 over the limit most the time without trying to push it to hard, jus try to keep the eco light on really. I do remember the steep mountains in the PNW, i think at one point in north cali or OR i was holding it at 4k rpm and could not even go above 50mph lmao, same when i was trying to get over those big mountains going into LA.
@@OrganicFoxes I just kept it at 70 mph with the exception of going through Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho where the speed limit was 80 mph. In the 5 Speed the little three cylinder was turning 4K rpm at 80 mph so I tried not to push it too much.
I drive for Avis moving vehicles between lots and I'd like to add that the Mitsubishi's feel so much more responsive, better made and comfortable then nearly every Chevy I've driven. GM has gotten so lazy with materials and their electronics that I'd take one of these over them any day.
I had to do a 2 hr road trip in school and we took a GMC Yukon. I ended up with a headache at the destination from all the road vibration and how uncomfortable the back seat was. I knew I’d never buy a GMC after that.
I was actually considering one...then they dropped the manual. They also haven't addressed the rear end alignment problem. If you don't know about that. Some come out of the factory with the rear end out of spec and you can't align it. So you blow through tires. Look it up, you'll easily find what I'm talking about. So you need to ask them when you buy one to check the alignment...
That sounds like its come from the same people who copy and paste bogus hearsay scary car stories on nerdy forums. Subaru ring land failure etc, that sort of nonsense. I cant find anything online about what you mention. Nothing wrong with the Mirage.
@oddities-whatnot type into your Google search "mitsubishi mirage alignment issue". It will take you right to a link to the "mirage forum" link about the issue. It's right there in front of your face.
I owned a 2014 Mirage for many years. It was great for what it was. And being almost 6' 2" tall...I need good headroom. This car has that to spare (and I like to sit upright). It's a little crude around the edges. But for cheap, comfortable 'enough' transportation? I think it's a GREAT car. Warning! Check the brakes regularly. It might be just my car. But I went through rotors and drums like MAD. ☮
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Tomorrow is my crosstrek's last free oil change and I made a detailed list of all the issues I have had since Day 1. If they tell me any of those problems are "normal", i'm gonna flip my shit lol
Subaru's pretty terrible. My 14-year-old 4Runner has had less problems than my 9-year-old Forester... Well, the 4Runner hadn't really had any problems I ran into...
Been a passenger in it once, in the European 'Space Star' version. It's a completely adequate car shaped appliance, that does car things like driving around cities and short highway stints just fine in adequate comfort for about 2 hours at a time. Sometimes, adequate is just perfect for your mobility needs.
At 17k, I personally think something more full featured like base model Corolla is better for those who can afford it the extra $. But for those on a (very) tight budget, it's nice to have the option.
Owned one. The bad is it is slow and is not that good on the interstate. Once you get over 60 keep two hands on that wheel. But in the city even with the cvt it is fast enough and gets around in tight spaces unlike anything else. The MPG is great. It is big on the inside (I am over six foot and it was comfortable for me) and fold down the back seats and there is more space then you think. The interior is hard and cheap plastic but might hold up better over time compared to some luxury interiors. It is generally cheap to maintain and reliable, but don't expect a Honda or a Toyota. If 90 percent of what you do is city driving and don't require luxury, it isn't a horrible choice. If a decent stereo matters to you and you are buying new, spring for a better stereo. It is a 90's car with updated safety features.
I like the look of the Mirage; but the loose steering, rollie suspension, and extreme lack of sound deadening is what keeping me away from buying one. The first gen Chevrolet Spark I rented years ago (I haven't driven the 2nd gen) rode with more confidence on the highway than the Mirage. The only issue I had with that gen Spark is the excessive road and wind noise. I wish GM didn't cancel the Spark, because i can't find that car in the Activ trim anywhere. Now my only choice is the Kia Rio (where's the BSM and LED taillights?) and the Hyundai Exter (I'm praying for Hyundai to bring it to NA). The Nissan Versa is nice with its ACC, but that car is slower than the Kia Rio/Hyundai Venue with the same horsepower, torque, and transmission.
I've borrowed one from a Mitsubishi dealer in Annecy, France. It was a very pleasant experience and despite it only has 78hp, I was having fun ! It's a light car after all and it made me want to downsize ! I own a 04 Corolla with a 2.0 116hp diesel engine. I'm interested in buying a '13 Volvo V40 for its look and comfort but I'm scared I'll be bored when driving it so I'm also looking at little cars as the '16 Aygo or this second facelift of the Mirage. Nothing is better than the feeling of a light car. When I passed my driving license in 2014, I bought a little 1996 high range Renault Clio with a 80hp petrol engine, and I've never had more fun than with this one.
The mirage has always been small and slow, always been a 4 cylinder until this though, and I think there was once a 6 cylinder in one of the markets itbwas sold in, but they've always been damn reliable, i had a 2003 (only sold with the 1.5 here in Australia) manual and it was amazingly cheap in fuel and thanks to a big tank for the size, it had amazing range, and nothing would ever kill it, still see heaps of the older ones here getting around
I've always liked small cars and a car maker would have to really mess up for me to reject a small car. I've never driven a Mitsubishi of any size though. The modern Mirage has attracted a lot of negative reviews, I suspect unfairly. I'm just under 5'9 so very likely to feel comfortable, even in the smallest of cars. 'If I fits, I sits!'
I would get one to commute to work, the only thing that would worry me the most is other crazy drivers especially in mammoth sized cars and trucks crushing me to death.
Quick math. You pay about $200 for every 10k borrowed. On an average loan, average rate. If you can get out the door for 20k. You pay $400. - $20 for every 1k you put down. Put down $2,000 your payment would be $360. Don't forget maintenance gas and insurance. Now can you afford a new car. Do not ask the dealer. They will always tell you YES!
We’ll there you go, for only 95$ a week you can drive a new car that has a 100 year, I mean mile warranty! I’m really glad this little car still exists in the year 2023 in America lol. Now if only we also could get the Suzuki Jimny here. 🙂
I've said it several times and I'll say it again: You are much better off buying a decent 5-10 year old car than a brand new factory beater. You can have a Corolla or Civic secondhand for $16000. Even though it would be a few years old, it would be nicer inside, and far more reliable. Or get a secondhand Yaris or Fit, which are direct competitors to the Mirage, and again even though it's older it will most likely be a bit nicer and more reliable.
My thoughts exactly. A new base model Corolla is around $21k, for $16k u can get a used one like u said a couple years older & i take a Corolla over this thing any day
I have a 2007 Honda Fit. It was granny owned and had 60k miles on it when I bought it two years ago for $6000. It has 85k miles on it now. I will give it to my daughter when she starts to drive.
Yes but you’re not counting the fact that it’s more difficult to finance used cars. Most people in the market for something like this have low income and credit and their choices are a new Nissan, dodge, or this thing.
@joeyt6089 I'm not sure how true that usually is. I wasn't making much fresh out of high-school, yet I was able to finance a $17kOTD F150 that was 7 years old at the time. If vehicle age does play a factor in getting financing, I'm pretty sure it's more of an issue past 5 years old. Another reason I think this is because a lot of those "any credit" type dealers in my area mostly have cars 5-10 years old. If the car being new would help the low credit customers they're marketing towards, they'd probably be putting more newer cars 1-3 years old on the lot.
@imnitguy Those Fits are something. I saw a video on here where someone rolled 7 times in his fit, walked out with minimal scratches. My fiance had a 2010 Fit, crashed head on with an Explorer and she walked away with just a couple scars on her wrist from the airbag. Your daughter will be safe in that car.
I bought a Mirage for something light to tow behind my motorhome. It makes me smile every time I drive it, it's that much fun. I added XM when I bought it and the car is just enjoyable. My dealer gives a 20 year, 200,000 mile warranty on top of that. How can you beat that?
We have a 2022 Mirage and we love it. I actually love it more than many other cars we tested. The camera on the rear is the only thing I wish they would improve. Ours came with a automatic breaking system which I do no see on yours. I will say, the manual version is soft shifting, but we got the CVT and it actually is good. The thing we found out is that flooring the accelerator pedal does not make it go faster, I found that letting off the gas and slowing re-engaging it helps it get up to speed faster as it keeps the CVT ratio aggressive. We also get 50 mpg highway and up to 42 mpg on the streets. Oh, and we sound proofed the ceiling and floor to fix the fact there was barely any sound protection and road noises were a problem like wind on the roof or the exhaust on higher speed and general wheel well sounds. So my review would only fault it on the rear camera bump and lack of sound dampening provided for all those flat panels. The crash test rating though is weird on this one, it got a 4 star because of the small overlap got 4 star, and it was given 4 stars because the "dash could contact the drivers knee." However, they have not retested it since 2014 version despite improvements obviously being made. Mitsubishi added a knee airbag and improved the side airbags to go all the way up into the window area which I would not have known if I did not sound proof the roof. In contrast, the Nissan Rogue got a 5 star rating, but that is because SUV's do not have to adhere to the safety standards of a smaller vehicle. The Nissan Rogue got a similar report on the moderate overlap while doing poor for rear restraints and dummy kinematics while also only getting a moderate for driver head protection in side impact and these were all rated great in the Mirage. The reason I brought up the rogue was because they use a similar engineering and materials for the internal cage which is a benefit of Mitsubishi being part of the Nissan Renault alliance.
Great write up, thanks for sharing! 🙂 I do know at least one viewer reported in the comments that they no longer sell this in Australia due to poor side impact testing. And I know here in North America some of the crash tests have been updated/modernized and not all our vehicles are scoring as well as they would have several years ago.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Both true, but I did make a point to compare with similar years. Right now, I think only Mazda passed in the small SUV category. But the safety rating in Australia was 34 out of 37. I honestly thought that Mitsubishi pulled out of Australia because of sales going down for the Mirage only selling 70,000 or something like that for the entire time there. I think that Kia had products that were outselling the Mirage over there. While writing this, I looked into it, apparently Mitsubishi declined to upgrade the Mirage for the new side impact law that focused on Trees and Poles because of dwindling sales. The way the mirage was built for Australia wasn't as robust as here as well, with many of the safety features here being omitted there or requiring additional costs.
That’s really good information, thanks for looking into it and sharing! 🙂 All I know is the Mirage was honestly a really fun little car to drive, that does well at what it was designed to do. But in modern time North America where way to many people drive lifted trucks and big SUVs it would be hard to feel comfortable with a family in a less than one ton weight car. IMO 🤷♂️
Well said about how to make progress with CVT. I had an Outback, flooring it gets you nowhere. A lot of people dont understand how to drive CVT but once you get used to it they are great.
I have a 2022 Mirage. I love this car. I got an SE model with heated leather seats and couldn't be happier. Super good gas mileage i am getting 40mpg on average highway at 70mph and about 36mpg in town.
I bought a '23 Black Edition G4 6 months ago as a second car and I absolutely love it! Other than initial acceleration it can hold its own on the highway and very comfortable. I'm also 6'0 and got good headroom. Great car for no BS driving
I root for small cheaper cars, things are easy to mantain, decently equipped nowadays, parts are everywhere. Not everyone needs a huge ass SUV or Crossover with a crap ton of useless tech
My wife and I needed a second car for commuting, and we got ourselves a 2023 Mirage hatchback at the beginning of last year. We absolutely love it. We don't care about heated seats or crazy sunroofs or huge tesla-style touchscreens. We needed a car that went from point A to point B, comfortably and cheaply, and the Mirage is perfect for that! Not to mention it's also a blast to drive, and can find a parking spot almost anywhere on account of it's tiny size. As someone who grew up in the passenger seat of an '04 Scion XB, the Mirage feels like a logical step forward for the subcompacts of that time. The car's cheap, reliable, and fun. That's what we asked for, and it delivered on that, and more!
For the price, I’ll not say this is worst car lol... many people will love this car for its value and purpose. I know I would because I owned the previous model.
When the Mirage was re-released in the US a few years ago, the $10k price tag made this make sense. But $16k? Why the hell would someone drop that in a Mirage?
@@finalboss7956$5000 is a lot of money when you’re talking about a car under 20k. That’s a 30% increase. Mirage gets better mpg, smaller (which is what people in dense cities want, like myself) and numerous folks in the comments here are saying they have mirages that get driven hard with zero issues. Corollas are great cars but I’ll save the $5k and get better mpg with this all day long.
Its because US CAFE fuel economy rules absolutely murdered the subcompact category. The Mirage includes a $1400 EPA fee because tiny cars are supposed to get 49 combined MPG, and its $140 for each MPG it falls short. Its been this way since the government bailed out GM and Chrysler. We let the failed automakers write rules designed to keep cheap competitors out. The next round will raise the bar to 55mpg, adding another $840 fee to the Mirage, while barely affecting expensive larger cars.
@@emptyshirt wow. Typical government ruining everything. Yet we have huge pickups everywhere, as if promoting those is supposed to be any better. We should deregulate the segment so automakers can build small cars again.
I think if you have $16k to spend on a car you're better off buying a used car. Of course that raises the issue of reliability but that isn't a huge worry when you can buy a similarly priced corolla or civic.
I understand what you’re saying. But it’s adequacy to get up to speed in my area is a measurement that if for no one else I am interested to see, lol. Thanks for watching! 🙂
I have owned 2 Mirage's. The first a 2017 ES hatchback and currently a 2022 ES hatchback. Both have been excellent little cars. My 2017 went 89,000 miles without a single issue before I traded it in for the 2022. They are reliable, efficient cars. They are not fast, which is fine. I dont know why some people are obsessed with 0-60 times. It has been such a great commuter car and I would highly recommend one. This car will literally last forever with the proper car. I love the simplicity of this car as well.
That’s awesome! I’m glad you’ve had such a good experience with each one so far. I like understanding the performance of cars and what effects their performance, I know most people don’t care, lol. But where I do A LOT of highway driving it’s important to know how quickly you can pull onto a fast road and get up to speed, if for no other reason. Thanks for watching and I hope you have many happy miles out of your 22! 🙂
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 But why is 13 seconds bad for that? I remember 15 years ago, any vehicle that would do 0-60 in 8-11 seconds was considered fast. So I'd say 13 seconds is not that slow. Especially on freeways/interstates, where you usually have a decent amount of road before you even reach the part where you need to pull onto them.
I can only speak to my experiences. The acceleration time/safety seems to be relevant to the situation. 13s in its self isn’t bad, but when many other cars get up to speed much faster these days and overall road speeds have increased; the 13s although not horrible can at times be an issue. Some owners have also mentioned this in their area within these comments. Thanks for watching! 🙂
Chrome parts on the front bumper are more expensive than the rest of the car 😜 I used to work for Mitsubishi in one European dealership, and we were asked to come to a presentation and give our thoughts on it before production... there were 50 dealers from all over Europe there and everyone hated it and we openly told them about it but they didn't care and went with it. Most dealerships choose not to import it 🤣
That’s really interesting! And something on the front of exterior would be more likely to be damaged anyways than say having a nicer dashboard or some other interior trim piece. Thanks for sharing your experience! 🙂
Do you know what they said about the Volkswagen Beetle back in the 1950's and 1960's? They said it was the worst car in America, that it was cheap and had no power and was too small. Americans bought millions of them... loved them... made them the most purchased car in world history.
They'd sell a lot more little cars like this if US fuel economy standards weren't such incredible nonsense. Fuel economy standards are calculated based on the footprint of a car, and failing to meet standards results in a $140 fee per MPG. This means that a small car getting 26 MPG would have a larger fee than a midsize car that gets 25 MPG. Thats why CAFE rules don't prevent 16 MPG Hellcats from selling, and instead reduce national fuel consumption by keeping poor people off the roads.
This is also a good example of systemic racism, since historically poorer communities end up paying more of the CAFE penalties or simply can't afford transportation. Is that intentional?
I think more automakers need to look at this segment. With inflation and other factors many people simply can’t or are over extending themselves with out of sight cars and payments. Just think a year or so ago the CEO of Ford said we need more entry level vehicles. I thought at first maybe he was sincere but not anymore.
I have owned 3 at this point. Most honest car you can buy. Bulletproof and easy to maintain and drive. Cost per mile is absolutely miniscule. The one thing I will say, is that the 5 speed manual version is VASTLY superior to the CVT from a smiles per mile standpoint. They really dropped the ball when they discontinued that option. They should have just made a super poverty spec version but that's not how the bean counters work.
@OmarRodriguez-vl2tq I'd buy it in a heart beat & the 100k warranty, can't go wrong! I'm simple, so I'd be happy for that & am a mechanic, so anything less electrical is a + for me!
@OmarRodriguez-vl2tqnot true at all. They were same spec as now. I saw them regularly discounted for $10000, too. Powerful windows locks everything included. I would never drop $15000 on a new one, the big discount ls (and getting a manual model) made the most sense.
They all need manuals and turbochargers. It's a HOOT to scramble about. CVT let's it down the most. Styling still dowdy. I'd appreciate a new Lancer IF it was good looking like the last one, there is a manual and can get speed control with it, and is NOT another goddam SUV. Rest in Peace, Eclipse
I went to take a look at one at the dealer in town, I had a 94 Metro for years when I was a teenager (like 2008) and it lasted a very long time and I loved it very much so I thought this might be the new car for me. Unfortunately that CVT automatic screams bloody murder on the freeway so it was a no go for me, and I was super confused to hear they don't offer a 5 speed manual because I think that would really have made me actually buy it. Ended up with a Toyota Camry LE instead
I had a chance to either get a Mirage or the Lancer that I have now back in 2019 (the Lancer was 2 years out of production but there were unsold stock you could buy). Both had models with CVTs and I figured that I wanted the extra power and space of the Lancer, and it looked better design wise. Also the '17 model year Lancers were being sold cheap by dealers, almost the same price of the Mirage back then. To this day my '17 Lancer is still going and I drive it with some spirit with the paddle shift (manual mode) and it takes it very well. Fuel economy is around 28-33 mpg but the extra hp and torque was sooo worth it. Comfy on road trips too. The Mirage needs atleast 100 hp and I'm sure that 3 cyl engine is capable of that hp but they won't obviously do that to ruin fuel economy. Instead I really think they should give paddle shift or some manual mode for the CVT on top versions of the Mirage. You can be ready to pass peeps on highways and accelerate out of corners without having the engine drop to idle everytime you let off the gas.
This thing is as fast as my 1998 Ford Escort sedan that I bought 5 years Used. I actually loved everything about it, except how slow it was. But it was stylish, BASIC, transportation when I started my first _real_ job and needed a commuter vehicle. The Mirage at least has some nice extras. So not a full-on penalty box. I see primarily three types of Buyers for it. One, those starting out in Life who need a commuter vehicle while in High School or starting out in the workforce. Two, those who made some mistakes in Life. They're living paycheck-to-paycheck. Have the type of low-paying job where they need to be at work or risk getting fired on the spot. Don't want the headaches of a used vehicle, so they buy a Mirage. And Mitsubishi dealers will happily bend over backwards to sell Mirages and get them off their lots as quickly as possible. Plus, greedy insurance companies tend to be somewhat reasonable with rates on these types of vehicles. Three, folks who are older and just done with the B.S. known as "Life." They're done. They don't care. Screw what others think of them. They have limited funds, need a car, and want to save money. Sadly the Jatco CVT transmission in the Mirage is garage, and horrendously failure prone. Biggest con against this otherwise good choice for basic transportation. No one works on that trans. Replacement only when it fails. And the new one could fail again. Average cost of a new Jatco CVT is $4K. And that does NOT include the labor to install it.
Haha 🤣 I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’m trying to be more creative and let more of my personality out in the videos as quality improves more with practice. I honestly had way to much fun making this video, lol.
I drove one a while ago, such a blast to drive and you don’t feel the lack of power if you drive the manual version as opposed to the CVT, the little 3 cylinder makes a great noise when revved up. I considered buying one but I don’t really have a need for it, but they are great little cars, most people don’t really need more than this from a car
I love basic transportation. My 2015 Juke S is as basic as you can get. But has a 1.6 turbo. 188 hp and 188 ft/pounds torque. 6 speed manual. Has AC and a kicking stereo. All that I need. I love it. Thank you for reviewing a small affordable car that pretty much anyone can get.
"Worst" is relative. There's a reason why the average car price in Canada is over $66,000! People want soooo much in their new, massive tank sized SUVs or pickups. This on the other hand is what a car should be at its core: A vehicle to get from point A to B AND be fairly affordable, reliable, low on gas use, and a comfortable comuter vehicle. Simple, cheap and good enough. That's why the Mirage is probably my next car. I don't want no 12" touchscreen that just distracts from my driving. I don't want a car that can bankrupt me when it breaks down. I don't want to struggle finding parking in the city for my tank sized SUV.
I honestly really liked it, I just wouldn’t be a buyer due to the poor safety ratings. But I’m glad it exists and wish more cars were simpler and affordable like this. 🤷♂️🙂
Looks pretty decent and fun to drive. 0-60 is bad but drive accordingly. I once had a 1985 Renault with 78 HP weighing about the same so I could easily live with this.👍
I think it would be a great car if you could buy it for a lot less than the sticker price. Seems like a very simple car which is great because it's less that can go wrong and with proper maintenance it will go forever. One area to look at is the wheel wells especially in the back.. just straigh bolts and very little if any rust proofing... Guarnteed to be rusting in as little as two midewest winters. The car will rust away before the engine dies more than likely.
I have owned my 2002 Mitsubishi Mirage for over 2 years 4cylinder engine 5 speed manual Its got 222000 kilometres Never any trouble since i got it All highway driving i live in rural Victoria
I'm a delivery man for a medical company. I was going to buy one of these but snapped out of it and bought a used Toyota Corolla instead. And it was lowered-priced! Best decision ever.
This is really the cheapest new car you can buy and I'm not referring to the sticker price. Mitsubishi is in a really deep hole and had to cheap out in production to save cost and survive. Back where I came from (where this car is produced), we call this "ampaw", which means full of air, or hollow like an empty soda can coz there's really not much car. There's literally air in places where you'd expect a structure to be. Base models come with no airbag, no abs, no rear window defogger, no 3rd brake light, and crank windows. I could not even imagine how this paased a 4 star ncap as this is literally the unsafest new car to buy in my country because it is "ampaw", the whole car is a crumple zone like an empty soda can so any accident ensure that the occupants turn into mush. A friend of mine hit one of this with his little Yamaha moped, and the Mirage was almost written off. Well, the Mitsubishi dealer wrote it off so they had to take it to an outside repair shop. The whole front end was ripped off. Hood, fenders bumper, radiator support, and crash support bar, while my friend only had to replace the mirrors on his moped. People are afraid to lean on this car as the fenders are so thin and soft that you could dent it just by touching it too hard with a heavy hand. It's crazy to think that just a while back, Mitsubishi used to make some really good cars, heck even the Mirage nameplate was used on a sporty 2 door coupe. Crazy how Mitsubishi had fallen to such lows, making such a crappy car that makes Chinese cars look not so bad when you compare them... The only reason people buy these is for business. They use it for Grab or Uber. The only private owners of such cars are those who's option is either a scooter or this car as this is the only 4 wheel option they could afford. Unless the buy second hand of course. The only positive thing about buying this car is it is reliable as any Mitsubishi should be. It keeps you dry in the rain ulike a scooter or motorcycle. And unlike a scooter or a motorcycle, you could take your whole family with you.
I really appreciate your write up and personal experiences with this platform! If you don’t mind me asking, what country do you live in? I love hearing the various names and personal experiences of this vehicle from people in different countries. 🙂
Nice review! I like really practical, cheap cars which this seems to be. The major issue I see is the price. This car should start at 14K at the most. I say this as an owner of a Nissan Versa Note, which is a very similar but slightly better car to this.
Thanks for watching! A lower price would be cool! Some viewers have said these were several thousand cheaper before the pandemic and had discounts bringing them to nearly 10-11k in some instances. 😬😎
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 It's true. Here in the Netherlands, before the pandemic, you could buy this car for anywhere between 9000-11000 euros. But right now, it starts at almost 17K. Crazy.
Fellow americans! I'll tell you a secret. You don't need 2 tonnes, 300hp cars to complete your everyday tasks. The Mirage is a great car for your market. In Italy the vast majority of the cars sold are more or less as powerful and big as that, and we are one of the best car manufacturers in the world. I'd really hope FIAT started selling the Panda in the US, I think you would appreciate it
Don't think this was mentioned in the video, but the Mirage gets the highest gas mileage of any non-hybrid gas engined car sold in the U.S. since 2014! Everything else is icing on the cake. And most owners easily beat the EPA results. There is nothing like it on offer in the U.S.
I own a 2020 and this car has taken me back and forth from Texas to California many times without spending hundreds of dollars on gas. Not a luxury car by any means but it gets the job done.
After buying this car in emergency after my car broke down… its become my favorite car of all time! It handles well and is a great every day car. Sitting in traffic and going through the city is a lot less painful with a fuel efficient car.
"Worst car" is doing a lot of lifting there. Manufacturers don't make honest budget cars like this any more, since the margins aren't high enough to justify them. At least that's their excuse.
I do agree, I wish we had more vehicles like this. I just wish they were a tad bit safer. It’s hard to drive a small car in North America where way to many people drive big trucks/suvs.
Its everything you need in a suburbs to city car that takes an occasional longer distance trip, more of these in rush hour would make things much easier and cleaner.
Is it just me, or could homie for reals not say 'Mitsubishi Mirage'? I heard something like MitsSHubishi Miragsh I swear on, like, all the bibles. Like Cumberbatch not bein able to say 'penguin' on the penguin documentary. Hahahhahah. PingWings. Either way- full size presentation on a subcompact ride, my friend.😁👍
My daily is a 2010 Honda Accord 2.4L. About a month ago, I had a 2022 Mirage as a rental and to be honest, I loved it! I took it on a 300-mile round trip and was relatively comfortable the entire way. Best of all, for that entire trip, I only had to pay US$30 in gas!
The reason the Mirage gets so many bad reviews is because so many reviewers are missing the point. It's not designed to be fun or luxurious, it's designed to get people from point A to point B reliably---that's it. If people have higher expectations, they need to spend more money and get something nicer
Yes but the problem is many dealers says the only car the bank will finance u (for starter) is this Mirage which as I’m writing this comment, it’s the deadliest car on America. 😉 There are better and cheaper options like the Versa. And im NOT a Nissan guy. I used to own a Mirage “Technica “ myself (Technica was the LS version here in Puerto Rico. )
Well said.
☮
@elcanbu5610 Your dealer is probably lying to you.
The Mirage is miles from the worst rated crash test car in America.
Never - and I mean NEVER - trust ANYTHING your dealer tells you.
☮
The Mirage is probably more reliable than many more expensive modern cars because it has less trash technology. Unfortunately it's just too small for me. I just spent $9000 for a like new (literally) one owner 36,000 mile 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis. I've had several (though never one this nice) and had excellent luck with them. They are wonderful, large, comfortable, powerful, V8 powered, rear wheel drive cars, with no modern trash technology. You actually have to drive them yourself. If you don't know how to use the brakes or turn the steering wheel, you are eventually going to run into something, probably sooner than later.
@@geraldscott4302So, you mean 'too small' as in safety?
BTW - I rented Crown Vic's/Grand Marq's many times. Wonderfully, smooth car.
☮
Not too long ago the Nissan Versa was the cheapest car you could buy for less than $10K. Now the cheapest is $17K and it's even smaller and looks cheaper?? Dang. Crazy times we live in.
Profit begets inflation
The more the currency inflates, profit margins shrink, so prices must increase because executive pay and dividends 🔁inflation
You can also argue the mirage is a way better car than the cheapest car from the yester-years. Also, inflation is a thing. Way worse these days.
You can thank the semi conductor shortage for that.
That’s what happens as technology advances
I was thinking $16k for this is insane.
I got T-boned, driver-side while in a 2018 mirage. When I bought the car, I noted that it was the only car in its segment with side-curtain airbags. I sure was happy about that when my head bounced off the airbag instead of the window or pillar. I owe my health to that car.
I’m glad you’re okay! Side curtain air bags should be standard across the board at this point. 😬
America clearly has a problem that every second person in comment section in car reviews talks about how they crashed in that car.. Glas you made it. But why on earth are there so many crashes in the US?
@@chriskonte1909haha yep they seem to lack any defensive driving ability like Australia doesn’t have the best drivers but when you watch the USA Dashcam it’s almost like they line each other up.😂
@@ar12. The general (self) awareness of drivers in some other coutnreis is eye opening.
Every 2018 US model subcompact car had side curtain airbags, and front side airbags. Spark and Sonic actually have side rear airbags. Fiesta and Yaris had atleast one driver knee airbag. With the Spark and Sonic having knee airbags for both front occupants.
I've had mine since new in 2015. It has over 120,000 miles on it with no issues whatsoever. I've owned a bunch of Metros in the past too and as much as I loved my Metro's, the Mirage has been problem free for over 8 years now with nothing more than oil changes, 2 sets of tires and front brakes. Lifetime mpg's have averaged just over 40. It's inexpensive, reliable, economical transportation and easy to maintain (I mean really easy). No it's not perfect and it doesn't try to be. It's not fast (but will go plenty fast given enough space). I don't need a car to flex, and I give zero F's what other people think. I've been laughing all the way to the bank for the last 8 years.
That’s awesome to hear, thanks for sharing and I’m glad you’ve had such a fantastic experience! 😎
Thank you for your first hand report as an actual owner. Many years ago they brought a small car to America, it was German, it had a very small engine, it was slow, people said it was the worst car in America, it was called the "Volkswagen Beetle", and Americans bought millions of them and loved them. Never listen to the "experts", listen to the actual owners. Thanks for your post here.
Mitsubishis can be ranked just after toyota for their reliability
Yep, not everyone wants a stonkin' hot rod. This car should be just fine if you are the practical type.
Thanks for being a responsible US(?) citizen and chose not to buy a Crossover or something like that.
I feel like Subcompact cars in the US can still be good choices especially if you drive a lot around the city. I have so many friends and people from small village where I live that appeciate the Mirage.
And honestly it got everything that people these days want.
-A/C & optional auto A/C
-Bluetooth and optional Apple Carplay/Android Auto
-Automatic transmission as standard (until the 2022 model year there was also a 5-speed manual as standard in the ES-trim I think)
-a backup kamera
-Your usual white, black, grey and silver colors as well as the seen cool gold/yellow, a red and a magenta-red mix and a bright blue.
Useless funfact of the day:
Over here in Germany there are the following trim levels:
Basis, Select, Plus, Select+ & Top
The "Basis"-trim stards at 11.990€/13.232$ and offers the same 1.2l engine you find in the US with slightly less power 71hp not 78hp like you have,
power mirrors, power windows, A/C, touchscreen multimedia radio, halogen daytime running light, no backup kamera (since it's not a legal requirement), no-LED elements in the front or taillights anywhere, 5-year/100.000km(60.000miles) warranty. That's basically everything you need - simple transportation.
This is transport. Not a fashion statement. It travels safely from A to B. It keeps you warm when it’s cold and cold when it’s warm. It won’t be targeted by thieves. It serves a purpose and the purpose is met .
Doug Demuro, THISS is how a proper review is filmed. You don't call bs on cars just because they're affordable. Yeah a person who has a ford GT, a Porsche Carrera GT, etc will never understand cars that are affordable. Cheap cars can be fun as well.
Cheap light weight cars can be extremely fun, lol. Thanks for watching! 🙂
That is not a review channel its a channel where you look at cars you will never afford
A Mitsubishi Mirage is sill a lot better than having to rely on taking the bus or Uber everywhere.
That’s absolutely right! 🙂
But does it beat a bicycle? lol That's the real question!
Mirage is known to be super reliable. People with over 300,000 miles that have never had a warranty issue and still driving them today.
I wish the Mirage would stop getting such an undeserved bad rep! I have one. It’s fun to drive. It does what it’s meant to do. It’s a car, not a plane or a spaceship. It’s got personality. I even named mine. It’s not a race car. It never pretended to be one. Don’t say it’s still the worst car because that’s not true. Thank you. Rant over 😊
Lol. The mirage is a cool car, and I’m glad you’ve been able to enjoy yours. Thanks for watching! 🙂
It's a decent and frugal choice after all,
Mitsubishi could have made it better, so it could compete more globally
-Add a few more engine choices (specially the ones with 4-cylinders)
-fit it with sturdier hardware and better suspension so it could be more suitable for long drives
-fix It's ageing aesthetics with better profiles and angles so it could still keep up with the competition
-and better yet? (If possible) add a hot trim of it (probably, a RalliArt version that packs a bigger 1.6Turbo with about 200 horses underhood, and with active yaw control on it too as standard)
The rep is very much deserved. The "personality" is that it's cheap trash. Get a Fit or Yaris, those at least have the benefit of being built better and more reliable.
Yeah, Chrysler-Fiat deserves the worst car ever shade.
@@BlueOvals24 I kinda wish I had gotten a Fit before they discontinued them 3 years ago.
I've heard nothing but good things from people that own these. Dead reliable, great on gas, and somewhat fun to drive on twisty roads. This is definitely a perfect car for someone who isn't necessarily a car enthusiast, and just needs a car to get to and from work.
Did you say "work", isn't that old fashion?
Looks like a Matchbox car on steroids.😂
I bought mine new in December of 2014. It now has 218,000 miles and all it has needed other than basic maintenance is three clutch cables, a water pump, and repair of a broken wire on the MIVEC solenoid.
It has NEVER left me stranded, has averaged 40 mpg, and is the best car I have ever owned.
That’s awesome!! How many more miles do you think you’ll have it for if all continues to go well?
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 There are Mirages that have clocked 400,000+ miles with basic maintenance so I think mine has a lot of miles left. These cars are VERY reliable. Since it was so inexpensive I was able to make it my very first new car and I have no plans to ever sell it.
Oh, and the car it replaced? A '97 Geo Metro.😆
😂 perfect!
I do like 55 MPH on mine (2023 es) Exactly 4.7 Litre per 100 km
so like 7.50$ Canadian for every 100KM (5.75$)
Is this a manual or the cvt?
This is exactly how cars should be made. Simple and affordable. Today people want luxury and all that stupid crap. No no no. Simple and effective. Youre driving a car not living in a moving house. This car for me is an A+. Easy to work on, fool proof, not fast enough for new drivers to go crazy, a trunk, backup cam, cruise control and perfect mpg.
Also it has a bangin warranty.
If only this was the majority of the cars on the road here in the US and we didn’t have all these monstrosities on the street. It’s like a perpetuating cycle of bigger vehicles. Thanks for sharing your perspective! 🙂
I feel like Mitsubishi is recognized completely different in the US than elsewhere. Here in Germany Mitsubishi is a very popular brand (6th biggest market I think) and has a good reputation for reliability and value, on par with Toyota. They sell far more vehicles than Honda (they sell maybe 5000 cars p.a.) or Nissan or Subaru. The Mirage is one of the most popular sub-compact cars here, and also older Mitsubishi models seem to be a lot more frequent than other japanese brands. You still see plenty of Mitsubishis from the 90s here. It's a bit sad that (some) Americans seem to hate Mitsubishi because they don't sell any enthusiast cars anymore, but their normal cars are actually pretty good.
I really appreciate you sharing your perspective and experiences in your part of the world! Thanks for watching. 🙂
That's really not true. Maybe Germany is 6th biggest market but they sell not many cars. No one cares about Mitsubishi here. Honda is much more popular cazse they sell better cars.
@@sebastian5903 nope that's totally incorrect. You can look up the statistics. Honda has barely sold any cars here in the last 10/15 years, maybe 4/5000 p.a. Mitsubishi sells way more than that, and always has since the 2000s
Honda barely has any dealerships and they seem to not advertise anything, whereas Mitsubishi has plenty of dealerships and they have very good reputation for consumer services.
I miss my old Mitsubishi Starion
Mitsubishi is also very popular here in the Netherlands, including the Mirage (which is named “Space Star” instead of “Mirage” in Europe, or at least in the Netherlands).
I absolutely love this car! Simple, basic, reliable. While I do believe you were referring to the Versa rather than the Sentra for that comparison, I would take the Mirage 10 to 1 over the Versa. The Versa appears better but the Mirage is built better. You are spot on, though, comparing it to a modern-day Geo Metro. And it has the quality to match. Perfect. Now if only we could do something about those wheel covers. Even plain silver steelies would be better... Most of all, I loved watching you write it off, at first, as a piece of crap, like every other youtube tool, and slowly be won over by this charming little car. As such, I'm glad I stuck with your video til the end. Thank you for this honest review on, what might be, the last honest car available in North America.
Haha it’s a great little car, for all the reasons we both mentioned, and I knew that as soon as I started researching it’s specs and got into it to drive! There’s something special about it, it’s what cars use to more commonly feel like, although at the time that was maybe unknown, if what I’m trying to say makes any sense. I’m glad you’re enjoying yours and I’m appreciative of you watching my video of it! 🙂
It's so underpowered not sure why would it be better than a versa. Versa is larger better on highways hills and merging. nissans better resale value too.
There's some compelling reasons to go with the Mirage over the Versa but the Versa has its advantages too.
Mirage: hatchback version still available new, not so for the Versa. Fuel economy is better than the Versa. The EPA estimates are way off for the Mirage, 50 mpg is easily doable with proper hypermilling technique. Mitsu actually has a good record with Jatco CVTs, unlike Nissan so reliability will be better. Mirage has a much longer warranty and alot more cargo and passenger volume room than a Nissan too.
The Versa: will be more comfortable arguably, have more power, better handling, cheaper parts, and a much bigger dealer network too. The 2023 Versa is still available in manual unlike the Mirage but good luck finding one, they're almost non-existent on the lot.
My family is on its 4th Mirage, a 2014 DE, 2017 G4 ES, 2021 ES, & a 2922 G4 BE, so I'm familiar with these little workhorses.
To the previous reply, you could say some of these things about a Dodge Dart too, but would you buy one? The only way I would choose a Versa over Mirage is with a manual. And as mentioned, good luck with that...
In Japan, 3 cylinder minicars are much more common because of population density and narrow roads. If anything, the mirage highlights how much manufacturers take advantage of their customers...
I chose this vehicle (1.2 litre European medium 'Invite' trim, 2021 MY) for my 100% analogue parents because the city size, amazing turning circle, low running costs, no touch screen and ON-OFF buttoms only. It turns out better than I excepted. It's kind & honest basic motoring vehicle, still with some creatures comfort (side airbags, AC, rain & dusk sensors, 2xDIN Pioneer audio), strangely happy on drive, alike puppy when you throw the ball. And I can repeat just 55-57 mpg every drive, just 10 mpg less than my (more complex and not so happy-puppy) Yaris Hybrid.
If you don't think the economy hasn't shifted in recent years, White Bear Mitsubishi was selling brand new 2017 ES manuals for $7,500-$9,500 for most of that year . I paid $9,299 for a brand new 2017 Mirage ES manual that year, because I didn't qualify for any of the $500 rebates (loyalty, VIP, or military). I know someone who bought a 2021 ES manual in sand yellow for $10,400 OTD from WB, and that price included delivery to their home in North Carolina. Prices jumped drastically shortly after that, & they have never come down. You could have bought two brand new Mirages for under $20, 000 just a couple years ago! Brand new cars for under $10,000 OTD caught my attention, & that's why I have one in my driveway. Mine is near 80,000 miles now. Outside of oil changes, I replaced wiper blades, tires, & front brakes/rotors. That's it! My last tank (filled up tonight) was 46 mpg (mixed driving). 40-50 mpg is typical (higher in summer & little lower during the winter months - winter blend gas, snow tires, & whatever). Affordable, reliable, & economical! When these cars were highly discounted (paid 65.4% window sticker), looking at used cars seemed silly! Final note - WB bought a Mirage back from one of their customers. It was still going strong, & it had 414, 000 miles on it! Car snobs can think whatever they want! These are great little cars! My hope is the Alliance doesn't ruin the brand!
I appreciate you sharing you experience and understanding of the market of this platform over its generation, very insightful! Those who own these cars sure seem to love them, I’m not surprised why. I’m glad yours has turned out to be a very reliable and fiscally advantageous decision! 🙂
Wow sounds like you are from Minnesota too. Yes had my eyes on a mirage back then. Price was right4 sure. 400k plus miles.on a mirage is great! I ended up buying a new ford focus w 5 speed manual transmission in 2016. It now has 300k miles ...only thing went bad so far is coolent tank.. Had a small crack in it.. Seen the mirage do very well in ice and snow Focus don't do well In snow. Right after i got the focus ford discounted them down to about 10k too. Mirage seems like a great car. Not sure if it's worth 15k . Anyway will just see how long the old focus will go. A very small % of any cars makes it to your 400k mile mark. At that point it don't owe you anything. Was looking at the new Toyota cross hybrid as a replacement 4 the focus . Do like the mirage problem is there are so few of them around and not many dealers .
Yeah, Doug DeMuro reviewed a 2018 Mirage and said that dealers were having trouble "unloading" these turd buckets for $9k........BRAND NEW!
That’s insane! I’ve obviously seen the title of his video but haven’t watched it or any other channels review of the Mirage to out of concern to bias my own experience and style.
But having difficulty selling them 5 years ago for 9k is insane, that sounds like a steal, lol. 😂 Although I guess 9k 5 years ago is similar to the same ‘worth’ in todays time when certain things are up to 50% more since Covid.
I came super close to buying one for $9500 in orange 2020. Manual model. Chose a 2015 Scion XB manual with 31k miles for $10,500 (also incredibly good deal!).
The Mirage is literally THE BARE MINIMUM of what’s required by DOT. I’m sure they’d happily get rid of a couple airbags and the reverse camera if they could.
Haha probably.
Why would you need a reverse camera on this?
@@greujuhuman necks have fused from a decade of cell phone use and no longer are able to tilt, much less twist to their sides
@smithsfan425 Backup cameras are very unsafe for the fact they give drivers the bad habit of not actually looking especially side cameras that come on when you put your turn signal on, my brother has a 2018 with tons of cameras and has been in 5 crashes I drive a 2000 Lincoln town car with non of that and have been in ZERO accidents.
And ironically that's what makes it so reliable
This car has better gas milage than other hybrid cars😂
Isn’t that the truth, lol. 😆
yeah because its a tiny tin can that weighs only 1800 pounds 😭 lol
How soon we forget the original Volkswagen Beetle . A small , efficient vehicle that was easy to maintain and served the purpose.of A-B transportation.
That’s true, and rear engined! I have a cousin who has built a lifted and engine swapped bug, it’s definitely a hoot! 😂
I love this car. Not from the start when the launched it ages ago but after the first face-lift (also ages ago). It's a small basic car with basic good old mechanics that does the job. It's nimble where it must be and gets you everywhere you need to be, even long distances if you accepts what it can and especially what it can't. The only negative I have is the price (it's expensive in Europe) and the consumption (especially with the CVT that I love). If I had to choose between this car and a bigger more specked (read filled with useless gadgets and gimmicks) car I would choose this one any day.
He failed to mention the reason I bought the 2022 Outlander. Both it and the Mirage have a 5 year/60,000 mile BUMPER TO BUMPER warranty (in addition to the 10 year drive train warranty). So with the Mirage you lay down maybe $16K and have no repair costs (except tires, wipers and maybe brakes) for five freaking years. At the five year point it would have a resale at maybe $7000. Total cost for the period is $9,000 depreciation plus $500 for a set of tires. $9,500 divided by five years is $1,900 per year! Then consider the minimal gas cost and you have an incredible value. No-- I am not a Mitsubishi salesperson. But I love my Outlander.
You’ve brought up a good point! That’s a very good rate of depreciation. 🙂
I have a 2020 ES 5 speed that I bought brand new for $11,600 out the door including gap insurance since they had the new models already on the way. It currently has 56K trouble free miles and last year I drove it from Florida to Oregon and back, 6400 miles in total and it handled it great except for a few of the steeper climbs where I had to drop a gear. I averaged 43.6 mpg for the entire trip with a low of 40.3 due to the steep climbs and a high of 48.6 running around the Cascades in Oregon. I even slept in it which was surprisingly comfortable. Typically running 70 mph it consistently gets 45-46 mpg. After having nothing but motorcycles for 7 years I was looking for an inexpensive, reliable car to use as a commuter and it knocks that out of the park. I have previously owned a 1978 Mk1 Ford Fiesta and a 1991 Ford Festiva and while they were both great cars neither was as well equipped and both had significantly less horsepower with the Fiesta having a 66 HP 1.6L and the Festiva had a 63 HP 1.3L. The Mirage reminds me of those cars. It's just simple basic transportation and I'm fine with that.
I appreciate you sharing your experiences! I’m glad you’ve had such a great ownership experience and are getting even better than advertised MPG! Thanks for watching. 🙂
out here in 2023 comparing a new car to a '78 festiva and a '98 fiesta... that alone damns this car
😂
damn you got great gas mileage, ive driven from WA to GA 3 times and many times from GA to the midwest in my 2017 SE cvt. My avg on road trips are around 36 to 37mpg, I try to stay 5 over the limit most the time without trying to push it to hard, jus try to keep the eco light on really. I do remember the steep mountains in the PNW, i think at one point in north cali or OR i was holding it at 4k rpm and could not even go above 50mph lmao, same when i was trying to get over those big mountains going into LA.
@@OrganicFoxes I just kept it at 70 mph with the exception of going through Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho where the speed limit was 80 mph. In the 5 Speed the little three cylinder was turning 4K rpm at 80 mph so I tried not to push it too much.
I drive for Avis moving vehicles between lots and I'd like to add that the Mitsubishi's feel so much more responsive, better made and comfortable then nearly every Chevy I've driven. GM has gotten so lazy with materials and their electronics that I'd take one of these over them any day.
I had to do a 2 hr road trip in school and we took a GMC Yukon. I ended up with a headache at the destination from all the road vibration and how uncomfortable the back seat was. I knew I’d never buy a GMC after that.
Yes
I was actually considering one...then they dropped the manual. They also haven't addressed the rear end alignment problem. If you don't know about that. Some come out of the factory with the rear end out of spec and you can't align it. So you blow through tires. Look it up, you'll easily find what I'm talking about. So you need to ask them when you buy one to check the alignment...
That’s very insightful, thanks for sharing! 🙂
That sounds like its come from the same people who copy and paste bogus hearsay scary car stories on nerdy forums. Subaru ring land failure etc, that sort of nonsense. I cant find anything online about what you mention. Nothing wrong with the Mirage.
@oddities-whatnot type into your Google search "mitsubishi mirage alignment issue". It will take you right to a link to the "mirage forum" link about the issue. It's right there in front of your face.
I owned a 2014 Mirage for many years.
It was great for what it was.
And being almost 6' 2" tall...I need good headroom.
This car has that to spare (and I like to sit upright).
It's a little crude around the edges.
But for cheap, comfortable 'enough' transportation?
I think it's a GREAT car.
Warning!
Check the brakes regularly.
It might be just my car.
But I went through rotors and drums like MAD.
☮
Buy a Mitsubishi if you care for reliability! They run forever if well taken care of 🙌
its ironic that i use to have a mirage g4 in 2017 and its CVT has had less problems than my current 2021 crosstrek base. I actually miss it
That is ironic and I’m sorry to hear that about your Crosstrek. ☹️
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Tomorrow is my crosstrek's last free oil change and I made a detailed list of all the issues I have had since Day 1. If they tell me any of those problems are "normal", i'm gonna flip my shit lol
Lol I hear you. 😬 You don’t pay for a new car to have used car problems.
@@LicPlate8VPL158 I have an '18 Crosstrek Limited; what are your issues?
Subaru's pretty terrible. My 14-year-old 4Runner has had less problems than my 9-year-old Forester... Well, the 4Runner hadn't really had any problems I ran into...
Been a passenger in it once, in the European 'Space Star' version. It's a completely adequate car shaped appliance, that does car things like driving around cities and short highway stints just fine in adequate comfort for about 2 hours at a time.
Sometimes, adequate is just perfect for your mobility needs.
That’s true! Thanks for watching! 🙂
At 17k, I personally think something more full featured like base model Corolla is better for those who can afford it the extra $. But for those on a (very) tight budget, it's nice to have the option.
Base model corolla is like $6,000 more
But it wasn’t long ago a Base Corolla was only 17k. 😢
Owned one. The bad is it is slow and is not that good on the interstate. Once you get over 60 keep two hands on that wheel. But in the city even with the cvt it is fast enough and gets around in tight spaces unlike anything else. The MPG is great. It is big on the inside (I am over six foot and it was comfortable for me) and fold down the back seats and there is more space then you think. The interior is hard and cheap plastic but might hold up better over time compared to some luxury interiors. It is generally cheap to maintain and reliable, but don't expect a Honda or a Toyota. If 90 percent of what you do is city driving and don't require luxury, it isn't a horrible choice. If a decent stereo matters to you and you are buying new, spring for a better stereo. It is a 90's car with updated safety features.
Great write up and information! Thanks for watching. 🙂
I like the look of the Mirage; but the loose steering, rollie suspension, and extreme lack of sound deadening is what keeping me away from buying one. The first gen Chevrolet Spark I rented years ago (I haven't driven the 2nd gen) rode with more confidence on the highway than the Mirage. The only issue I had with that gen Spark is the excessive road and wind noise. I wish GM didn't cancel the Spark, because i can't find that car in the Activ trim anywhere. Now my only choice is the Kia Rio (where's the BSM and LED taillights?) and the Hyundai Exter (I'm praying for Hyundai to bring it to NA). The Nissan Versa is nice with its ACC, but that car is slower than the Kia Rio/Hyundai Venue with the same horsepower, torque, and transmission.
There's a dude in my town uses one for delivery apps. Makes sense for that really.
That’s awesome! This is probably one of the best vehicles for that type of work. 🙂
I've borrowed one from a Mitsubishi dealer in Annecy, France. It was a very pleasant experience and despite it only has 78hp, I was having fun ! It's a light car after all and it made me want to downsize ! I own a 04 Corolla with a 2.0 116hp diesel engine. I'm interested in buying a '13 Volvo V40 for its look and comfort but I'm scared I'll be bored when driving it so I'm also looking at little cars as the '16 Aygo or this second facelift of the Mirage. Nothing is better than the feeling of a light car. When I passed my driving license in 2014, I bought a little 1996 high range Renault Clio with a 80hp petrol engine, and I've never had more fun than with this one.
Little cars sure are fun, lol. Thanks for watching and sharing your experiences! 🙂
The mirage has always been small and slow, always been a 4 cylinder until this though, and I think there was once a 6 cylinder in one of the markets itbwas sold in, but they've always been damn reliable, i had a 2003 (only sold with the 1.5 here in Australia) manual and it was amazingly cheap in fuel and thanks to a big tank for the size, it had amazing range, and nothing would ever kill it, still see heaps of the older ones here getting around
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing your experiences and what they’re like in Australia. 🙂
The model was a bigger car in the 80’s and 90’s.
I've always liked small cars and a car maker would have to really mess up for me to reject a small car. I've never driven a Mitsubishi of any size though. The modern Mirage has attracted a lot of negative reviews, I suspect unfairly. I'm just under 5'9 so very likely to feel comfortable, even in the smallest of cars. 'If I fits, I sits!'
The Mirage has SOUL
It definitely has a lot of personality, lol.
I would get one to commute to work, the only thing that would worry me the most is other crazy drivers especially in mammoth sized cars and trucks crushing me to death.
That’s a real concern, IIHS rated this vehicle a couple weeks ago to have had the highest percentage of deaths. 🤕
Quick math. You pay about $200 for every 10k borrowed. On an average loan, average rate. If you can get out the door for 20k. You pay $400. - $20 for every 1k you put down.
Put down $2,000 your payment would be $360. Don't forget maintenance gas and insurance. Now can you afford a new car. Do not ask the dealer. They will always tell you YES!
We’ll there you go, for only 95$ a week you can drive a new car that has a 100 year, I mean mile warranty! I’m really glad this little car still exists in the year 2023 in America lol. Now if only we also could get the Suzuki Jimny here. 🙂
I've said it several times and I'll say it again: You are much better off buying a decent 5-10 year old car than a brand new factory beater. You can have a Corolla or Civic secondhand for $16000. Even though it would be a few years old, it would be nicer inside, and far more reliable. Or get a secondhand Yaris or Fit, which are direct competitors to the Mirage, and again even though it's older it will most likely be a bit nicer and more reliable.
My thoughts exactly. A new base model Corolla is around $21k, for $16k u can get a used one like u said a couple years older & i take a Corolla over this thing any day
I have a 2007 Honda Fit. It was granny owned and had 60k miles on it when I bought it two years ago for $6000. It has 85k miles on it now. I will give it to my daughter when she starts to drive.
Yes but you’re not counting the fact that it’s more difficult to finance used cars. Most people in the market for something like this have low income and credit and their choices are a new Nissan, dodge, or this thing.
@joeyt6089 I'm not sure how true that usually is. I wasn't making much fresh out of high-school, yet I was able to finance a $17kOTD F150 that was 7 years old at the time. If vehicle age does play a factor in getting financing, I'm pretty sure it's more of an issue past 5 years old. Another reason I think this is because a lot of those "any credit" type dealers in my area mostly have cars 5-10 years old. If the car being new would help the low credit customers they're marketing towards, they'd probably be putting more newer cars 1-3 years old on the lot.
@imnitguy Those Fits are something. I saw a video on here where someone rolled 7 times in his fit, walked out with minimal scratches. My fiance had a 2010 Fit, crashed head on with an Explorer and she walked away with just a couple scars on her wrist from the airbag. Your daughter will be safe in that car.
I bought a Mirage for something light to tow behind my motorhome. It makes me smile every time I drive it, it's that much fun. I added XM when I bought it and the car is just enjoyable. My dealer gives a 20 year, 200,000 mile warranty on top of that. How can you beat that?
That sounds like an awesome set up! I’m glad you’re enjoying it so much. 🙂
I had a 2015..with no problems at all .great gas mileage and bigger inside than you think ..
We have a 2022 Mirage and we love it. I actually love it more than many other cars we tested. The camera on the rear is the only thing I wish they would improve. Ours came with a automatic breaking system which I do no see on yours. I will say, the manual version is soft shifting, but we got the CVT and it actually is good. The thing we found out is that flooring the accelerator pedal does not make it go faster, I found that letting off the gas and slowing re-engaging it helps it get up to speed faster as it keeps the CVT ratio aggressive. We also get 50 mpg highway and up to 42 mpg on the streets. Oh, and we sound proofed the ceiling and floor to fix the fact there was barely any sound protection and road noises were a problem like wind on the roof or the exhaust on higher speed and general wheel well sounds. So my review would only fault it on the rear camera bump and lack of sound dampening provided for all those flat panels. The crash test rating though is weird on this one, it got a 4 star because of the small overlap got 4 star, and it was given 4 stars because the "dash could contact the drivers knee." However, they have not retested it since 2014 version despite improvements obviously being made. Mitsubishi added a knee airbag and improved the side airbags to go all the way up into the window area which I would not have known if I did not sound proof the roof. In contrast, the Nissan Rogue got a 5 star rating, but that is because SUV's do not have to adhere to the safety standards of a smaller vehicle. The Nissan Rogue got a similar report on the moderate overlap while doing poor for rear restraints and dummy kinematics while also only getting a moderate for driver head protection in side impact and these were all rated great in the Mirage. The reason I brought up the rogue was because they use a similar engineering and materials for the internal cage which is a benefit of Mitsubishi being part of the Nissan Renault alliance.
Great write up, thanks for sharing! 🙂 I do know at least one viewer reported in the comments that they no longer sell this in Australia due to poor side impact testing. And I know here in North America some of the crash tests have been updated/modernized and not all our vehicles are scoring as well as they would have several years ago.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Both true, but I did make a point to compare with similar years. Right now, I think only Mazda passed in the small SUV category. But the safety rating in Australia was 34 out of 37. I honestly thought that Mitsubishi pulled out of Australia because of sales going down for the Mirage only selling 70,000 or something like that for the entire time there. I think that Kia had products that were outselling the Mirage over there. While writing this, I looked into it, apparently Mitsubishi declined to upgrade the Mirage for the new side impact law that focused on Trees and Poles because of dwindling sales. The way the mirage was built for Australia wasn't as robust as here as well, with many of the safety features here being omitted there or requiring additional costs.
That’s really good information, thanks for looking into it and sharing! 🙂 All I know is the Mirage was honestly a really fun little car to drive, that does well at what it was designed to do. But in modern time North America where way to many people drive lifted trucks and big SUVs it would be hard to feel comfortable with a family in a less than one ton weight car. IMO 🤷♂️
Well said about how to make progress with CVT. I had an Outback, flooring it gets you nowhere. A lot of people dont understand how to drive CVT but once you get used to it they are great.
I have a 2022 Mirage. I love this car. I got an SE model with heated leather seats and couldn't be happier. Super good gas mileage i am getting 40mpg on average highway at 70mph and about 36mpg in town.
That’s awesome, I’m glad you’re enjoying it! 🙂
A 2-door hatch would be cool, if they made that, I’d get one
They do but only in Japan. Unfortunately you cant get it here in the States!
As long it has cold ac iam good.
I bought a '23 Black Edition G4 6 months ago as a second car and I absolutely love it! Other than initial acceleration it can hold its own on the highway and very comfortable. I'm also 6'0 and got good headroom. Great car for no BS driving
I’m glad you’re loving it, sounds like a fun second car! 🙂
I root for small cheaper cars, things are easy to mantain, decently equipped nowadays, parts are everywhere. Not everyone needs a huge ass SUV or Crossover with a crap ton of useless tech
My wife and I needed a second car for commuting, and we got ourselves a 2023 Mirage hatchback at the beginning of last year.
We absolutely love it.
We don't care about heated seats or crazy sunroofs or huge tesla-style touchscreens. We needed a car that went from point A to point B, comfortably and cheaply, and the Mirage is perfect for that! Not to mention it's also a blast to drive, and can find a parking spot almost anywhere on account of it's tiny size. As someone who grew up in the passenger seat of an '04 Scion XB, the Mirage feels like a logical step forward for the subcompacts of that time.
The car's cheap, reliable, and fun. That's what we asked for, and it delivered on that, and more!
That’s awesome! I’m glad you guys found the right car for you. And the Mirage is in my opinion also one of the most fun to drive small cars.
Actually mine has heated seats which is a nice luxury
For the price, I’ll not say this is worst car lol... many people will love this car for its value and purpose. I know I would because I owned the previous model.
It just might be the right car for those in need with a tight budget! 🚗🚗🚗🚗
That’s for sure! It was honestly a pretty sweet car, it feels like how vehicles felt from 20 years ago. 🙂
Thanks to Biden, everyone is on a “tight budget”
Not even a tight budget.
Maybe for folks who are tired of these ridiculous car prices..
I drive a 2018 Hyundai i10 1.2 (in the UK) that is a little like this Mitsubishi in spirit. It is all the car I really need. Manufactured in Turkey.
Very nice! 🙂
When the Mirage was re-released in the US a few years ago, the $10k price tag made this make sense. But $16k? Why the hell would someone drop that in a Mirage?
Right? Might as well save up an additional $5k & get a Corolla base model, better car & will outlast this thing too
@@finalboss7956$5000 is a lot of money when you’re talking about a car under 20k. That’s a 30% increase. Mirage gets better mpg, smaller (which is what people in dense cities want, like myself) and numerous folks in the comments here are saying they have mirages that get driven hard with zero issues. Corollas are great cars but I’ll save the $5k and get better mpg with this all day long.
Its because US CAFE fuel economy rules absolutely murdered the subcompact category. The Mirage includes a $1400 EPA fee because tiny cars are supposed to get 49 combined MPG, and its $140 for each MPG it falls short. Its been this way since the government bailed out GM and Chrysler. We let the failed automakers write rules designed to keep cheap competitors out. The next round will raise the bar to 55mpg, adding another $840 fee to the Mirage, while barely affecting expensive larger cars.
@@emptyshirt wow. Typical government ruining everything. Yet we have huge pickups everywhere, as if promoting those is supposed to be any better. We should deregulate the segment so automakers can build small cars again.
@@AL-jb1mh I'm not saying they should be fast or luxurious, but I think 120 HP is a reasonable expectation.
I think if you have $16k to spend on a car you're better off buying a used car. Of course that raises the issue of reliability but that isn't a huge worry when you can buy a similarly priced corolla or civic.
The mirage is actually expensive in 2023, the fully loaded model is almost matching a Toyota Corolla or Mazda 3 base model
Kinda,
Not extremely closed depending on the trim level.
@@edgaryzen4925 in Canada the mirage gt is @24K an Toyota corrola base model is @26k
0 to 60 on the title for this car? Come on the demographics of who drives this does not care
I understand what you’re saying. But it’s adequacy to get up to speed in my area is a measurement that if for no one else I am interested to see, lol. Thanks for watching! 🙂
I have owned 2 Mirage's. The first a 2017 ES hatchback and currently a 2022 ES hatchback. Both have been excellent little cars. My 2017 went 89,000 miles without a single issue before I traded it in for the 2022. They are reliable, efficient cars. They are not fast, which is fine. I dont know why some people are obsessed with 0-60 times. It has been such a great commuter car and I would highly recommend one. This car will literally last forever with the proper car. I love the simplicity of this car as well.
That’s awesome! I’m glad you’ve had such a good experience with each one so far. I like understanding the performance of cars and what effects their performance, I know most people don’t care, lol. But where I do A LOT of highway driving it’s important to know how quickly you can pull onto a fast road and get up to speed, if for no other reason. Thanks for watching and I hope you have many happy miles out of your 22! 🙂
Interesting.
How come you traded in your 17 for 22’s? Curious to hear your decision.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 But why is 13 seconds bad for that? I remember 15 years ago, any vehicle that would do 0-60 in 8-11 seconds was considered fast. So I'd say 13 seconds is not that slow. Especially on freeways/interstates, where you usually have a decent amount of road before you even reach the part where you need to pull onto them.
I can only speak to my experiences. The acceleration time/safety seems to be relevant to the situation. 13s in its self isn’t bad, but when many other cars get up to speed much faster these days and overall road speeds have increased; the 13s although not horrible can at times be an issue. Some owners have also mentioned this in their area within these comments. Thanks for watching! 🙂
0 to 60 yeah I just worry about this thing getting on Socal freeways. If it can't do 80 mph no point in even looking at one.
Chrome parts on the front bumper are more expensive than the rest of the car 😜
I used to work for Mitsubishi in one European dealership, and we were asked to come to a presentation and give our thoughts on it before production... there were 50 dealers from all over Europe there and everyone hated it and we openly told them about it but they didn't care and went with it. Most dealerships choose not to import it 🤣
That’s really interesting! And something on the front of exterior would be more likely to be damaged anyways than say having a nicer dashboard or some other interior trim piece. Thanks for sharing your experience! 🙂
Do you know what they said about the Volkswagen Beetle back in the 1950's and 1960's? They said it was the worst car in America, that it was cheap and had no power and was too small. Americans bought millions of them... loved them... made them the most purchased car in world history.
We need more cheap small cars
Not big suvs and trucks
Something affordable
They'd sell a lot more little cars like this if US fuel economy standards weren't such incredible nonsense. Fuel economy standards are calculated based on the footprint of a car, and failing to meet standards results in a $140 fee per MPG. This means that a small car getting 26 MPG would have a larger fee than a midsize car that gets 25 MPG. Thats why CAFE rules don't prevent 16 MPG Hellcats from selling, and instead reduce national fuel consumption by keeping poor people off the roads.
This is also a good example of systemic racism, since historically poorer communities end up paying more of the CAFE penalties or simply can't afford transportation. Is that intentional?
I think more automakers need to look at this segment. With inflation and other factors many people simply can’t or are over extending themselves with out of sight cars and payments. Just think a year or so ago the CEO of Ford said we need more entry level vehicles. I thought at first maybe he was sincere but not anymore.
You can detach the headrest so you can fully fold the backseat. Its not a big deal.
I have owned 3 at this point. Most honest car you can buy. Bulletproof and easy to maintain and drive. Cost per mile is absolutely miniscule. The one thing I will say, is that the 5 speed manual version is VASTLY superior to the CVT from a smiles per mile standpoint. They really dropped the ball when they discontinued that option. They should have just made a super poverty spec version but that's not how the bean counters work.
This car in a 5 speed would be a hoot! How many miles did you put on each of your 3 examples? 🙂
I would consider buying it if it had a manual transmission but I’m not a buyer with the CVT. It looks super cute and fun though.
That would be sweet!
@OmarRodriguez-vl2tq I'd buy it in a heart beat & the 100k warranty, can't go wrong! I'm simple, so I'd be happy for that & am a mechanic, so anything less electrical is a + for me!
@OmarRodriguez-vl2tqnot true at all. They were same spec as now. I saw them regularly discounted for $10000, too. Powerful windows locks everything included. I would never drop $15000 on a new one, the big discount ls (and getting a manual model) made the most sense.
They all need manuals and turbochargers. It's a HOOT to scramble about. CVT let's it down the most. Styling still dowdy. I'd appreciate a new Lancer IF it was good looking like the last one, there is a manual and can get speed control with it, and is NOT another goddam SUV. Rest in Peace, Eclipse
You can't have a cheap, small footprint car that is fast. The CAFE penalties would be too great.
I went to take a look at one at the dealer in town, I had a 94 Metro for years when I was a teenager (like 2008) and it lasted a very long time and I loved it very much so I thought this might be the new car for me. Unfortunately that CVT automatic screams bloody murder on the freeway so it was a no go for me, and I was super confused to hear they don't offer a 5 speed manual because I think that would really have made me actually buy it. Ended up with a Toyota Camry LE instead
Yeah, it’s a bummer they recently dropped the manual option! Camrys are great, good choice. Thanks for watching. 🙂
loved this review! what backpack is that? really liking the style, Cheers!
Thank you! And the brand is Renwick. 🙂
I had a chance to either get a Mirage or the Lancer that I have now back in 2019 (the Lancer was 2 years out of production but there were unsold stock you could buy).
Both had models with CVTs and I figured that I wanted the extra power and space of the Lancer, and it looked better design wise. Also the '17 model year Lancers were being sold cheap by dealers, almost the same price of the Mirage back then.
To this day my '17 Lancer is still going and I drive it with some spirit with the paddle shift (manual mode) and it takes it very well. Fuel economy is around 28-33 mpg but the extra hp and torque was sooo worth it. Comfy on road trips too.
The Mirage needs atleast 100 hp and I'm sure that 3 cyl engine is capable of that hp but they won't obviously do that to ruin fuel economy. Instead I really think they should give paddle shift or some manual mode for the CVT on top versions of the Mirage. You can be ready to pass peeps on highways and accelerate out of corners without having the engine drop to idle everytime you let off the gas.
It sounds like you made the best choice, I’m glad you’re still enjoying the Lancer! 🙂
This thing is as fast as my 1998 Ford Escort sedan that I bought 5 years Used.
I actually loved everything about it, except how slow it was. But it was stylish, BASIC, transportation when I started my first _real_ job and needed a commuter vehicle. The Mirage at least has some nice extras. So not a full-on penalty box.
I see primarily three types of Buyers for it. One, those starting out in Life who need a commuter vehicle while in High School or starting out in the workforce. Two, those who made some mistakes in Life. They're living paycheck-to-paycheck. Have the type of low-paying job where they need to be at work or risk getting fired on the spot. Don't want the headaches of a used vehicle, so they buy a Mirage. And Mitsubishi dealers will happily bend over backwards to sell Mirages and get them off their lots as quickly as possible. Plus, greedy insurance companies tend to be somewhat reasonable with rates on these types of vehicles. Three, folks who are older and just done with the B.S. known as "Life." They're done. They don't care. Screw what others think of them. They have limited funds, need a car, and want to save money.
Sadly the Jatco CVT transmission in the Mirage is garage, and horrendously failure prone. Biggest con against this otherwise good choice for basic transportation. No one works on that trans. Replacement only when it fails. And the new one could fail again. Average cost of a new Jatco CVT is $4K. And that does NOT include the labor to install it.
Very good write up and very insightful, thanks for sharing and watching my video! 🙂
8:38 - Loved that "Holy cow" replay and the "100 year" warranty (11:52) you almost gave it! 🤣
Haha 🤣 I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’m trying to be more creative and let more of my personality out in the videos as quality improves more with practice. I honestly had way to much fun making this video, lol.
Great car, is nothing wrong with this car man. Is practical and fiabil. I will buy one.
It’s hard to hate on a honest car. It does everything that it needs to do for an entry eco car. Gotta love it!
Just add a nice set of rims, tint the windows and call it a day.
That does it! 😎
I drove one a while ago, such a blast to drive and you don’t feel the lack of power if you drive the manual version as opposed to the CVT, the little 3 cylinder makes a great noise when revved up. I considered buying one but I don’t really have a need for it, but they are great little cars, most people don’t really need more than this from a car
That’s true, a lot of people don’t need greater capacity than what this provides. Thanks for watching and sharing insight! 🙂
Keep it up fellas. I need these to be as cheap as possible in the used market.
I love basic transportation. My 2015 Juke S is as basic as you can get. But has a 1.6 turbo. 188 hp and 188 ft/pounds torque. 6 speed manual. Has AC and a kicking stereo. All that I need. I love it.
Thank you for reviewing a small affordable car that pretty much anyone can get.
Yeah the juke seems like an anomaly power wise
Turbo Jukes are super cool, I have a friend who owned one, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it! Thanks for watching, I love cars like this, haha 😅
I feel the same about my Turbo Soul. I always feel like I'm driving the fastest shoebox on the road 😂
"Worst" is relative. There's a reason why the average car price in Canada is over $66,000! People want soooo much in their new, massive tank sized SUVs or pickups. This on the other hand is what a car should be at its core: A vehicle to get from point A to B AND be fairly affordable, reliable, low on gas use, and a comfortable comuter vehicle. Simple, cheap and good enough. That's why the Mirage is probably my next car. I don't want no 12" touchscreen that just distracts from my driving. I don't want a car that can bankrupt me when it breaks down. I don't want to struggle finding parking in the city for my tank sized SUV.
Well said!
"MISSHUBISSHI.." :D
😂
Always same thing
Reviewers don’t like but owners like it
I honestly really liked it, I just wouldn’t be a buyer due to the poor safety ratings. But I’m glad it exists and wish more cars were simpler and affordable like this. 🤷♂️🙂
Looks pretty decent and fun to drive. 0-60 is bad but drive accordingly. I once had a 1985 Renault with 78 HP weighing about the same so I could easily live with this.👍
I think it would be a great car if you could buy it for a lot less than the sticker price. Seems like a very simple car which is great because it's less that can go wrong and with proper maintenance it will go forever. One area to look at is the wheel wells especially in the back.. just straigh bolts and very little if any rust proofing... Guarnteed to be rusting in as little as two midewest winters. The car will rust away before the engine dies more than likely.
YUP!
"Guarnteed to be rusting in as little as two midewest winters' Fluid film?
I have owned my 2002 Mitsubishi Mirage for over 2 years 4cylinder engine 5 speed manual Its got 222000 kilometres Never any trouble since i got it All highway driving i live in rural Victoria
That’s awesome, I’m glad it’s taking care of you! 🙂
I'm a delivery man for a medical company. I was going to buy one of these but snapped out of it and bought a used Toyota Corolla instead. And it was lowered-priced! Best decision ever.
Corollas are sweet! 😎
This is really the cheapest new car you can buy and I'm not referring to the sticker price. Mitsubishi is in a really deep hole and had to cheap out in production to save cost and survive. Back where I came from (where this car is produced), we call this "ampaw", which means full of air, or hollow like an empty soda can coz there's really not much car. There's literally air in places where you'd expect a structure to be. Base models come with no airbag, no abs, no rear window defogger, no 3rd brake light, and crank windows. I could not even imagine how this paased a 4 star ncap as this is literally the unsafest new car to buy in my country because it is "ampaw", the whole car is a crumple zone like an empty soda can so any accident ensure that the occupants turn into mush. A friend of mine hit one of this with his little Yamaha moped, and the Mirage was almost written off. Well, the Mitsubishi dealer wrote it off so they had to take it to an outside repair shop. The whole front end was ripped off. Hood, fenders bumper, radiator support, and crash support bar, while my friend only had to replace the mirrors on his moped. People are afraid to lean on this car as the fenders are so thin and soft that you could dent it just by touching it too hard with a heavy hand. It's crazy to think that just a while back, Mitsubishi used to make some really good cars, heck even the Mirage nameplate was used on a sporty 2 door coupe. Crazy how Mitsubishi had fallen to such lows, making such a crappy car that makes Chinese cars look not so bad when you compare them...
The only reason people buy these is for business. They use it for Grab or Uber. The only private owners of such cars are those who's option is either a scooter or this car as this is the only 4 wheel option they could afford. Unless the buy second hand of course.
The only positive thing about buying this car is it is reliable as any Mitsubishi should be. It keeps you dry in the rain ulike a scooter or motorcycle. And unlike a scooter or a motorcycle, you could take your whole family with you.
I really appreciate your write up and personal experiences with this platform! If you don’t mind me asking, what country do you live in? I love hearing the various names and personal experiences of this vehicle from people in different countries. 🙂
Nice review! I like really practical, cheap cars which this seems to be. The major issue I see is the price. This car should start at 14K at the most. I say this as an owner of a Nissan Versa Note, which is a very similar but slightly better car to this.
Thanks for watching! A lower price would be cool! Some viewers have said these were several thousand cheaper before the pandemic and had discounts bringing them to nearly 10-11k in some instances. 😬😎
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 It's true. Here in the Netherlands, before the pandemic, you could buy this car for anywhere between 9000-11000 euros. But right now, it starts at almost 17K. Crazy.
Fellow americans! I'll tell you a secret. You don't need 2 tonnes, 300hp cars to complete your everyday tasks.
The Mirage is a great car for your market. In Italy the vast majority of the cars sold are more or less as powerful and big as that, and we are one of the best car manufacturers in the world.
I'd really hope FIAT started selling the Panda in the US, I think you would appreciate it
Well said! Cars in the US are getting to bloated, especially for the interior space that some of them with body on frame or 4x4 systems offer. 🤷♂️🙂
Mishabeeshee
Lol 😂
Not too many affordable small car choices in the USA anymore. Pathetic. Honda should have kept the FIT here.
Isn’t that the truth!
The mirage G4 sedan is better
the backup camera placement is intentional because it is incident with the centerline of the driver's seat; providing a true view to the rear
Don't think this was mentioned in the video, but the Mirage gets the highest gas mileage of any non-hybrid gas engined car sold in the U.S. since 2014! Everything else is icing on the cake. And most owners easily beat the EPA results.
There is nothing like it on offer in the U.S.
That’s a very impressive title to hold! Thanks for sharing that bit of information. 🙂
I own a 2020 and this car has taken me back and forth from Texas to California many times without spending hundreds of dollars on gas. Not a luxury car by any means but it gets the job done.
That’s awesome, I’m glad it’s treating you well! I honestly had a lot of fun getting to drive this car.
After buying this car in emergency after my car broke down… its become my favorite car of all time! It handles well and is a great every day car. Sitting in traffic and going through the city is a lot less painful with a fuel efficient car.
I’m glad you’re enjoying it! This Mirage was so fun to drive lol.
I love little cars. I drive a Prius C. Alas, they don't import them to the US any more. I would consider getting a mirage.
Little cars are seriously fun. 2,000# feels like a go kart on public roads. Just don’t play bumper karts, other drivers won’t appreciate that… 😬
I wouldn’t mind having a 2 cars garage with a fully specced Mitsubishi Mirage and a base model 911 GT3 RS
That would be a sweet garage, lol. 🏎️
When you get a car this small you have to learn how to drive it different. Its not quick & you need to allow yourself more time to accelerate🤔
You’re absolutely right! These are definitely fun little cars. 🙂
"Worst car" is doing a lot of lifting there. Manufacturers don't make honest budget cars like this any more, since the margins aren't high enough to justify them. At least that's their excuse.
I do agree, I wish we had more vehicles like this. I just wish they were a tad bit safer. It’s hard to drive a small car in North America where way to many people drive big trucks/suvs.
yeah but I don't think budget cars need to be this cheap and small. even 16k seems a lot for this shell of a car lol.
Its everything you need in a suburbs to city car that takes an occasional longer distance trip, more of these in rush hour would make things much easier and cleaner.
Is it just me, or could homie for reals not say 'Mitsubishi Mirage'? I heard something like MitsSHubishi Miragsh I swear on, like, all the bibles. Like Cumberbatch not bein able to say 'penguin' on the penguin documentary. Hahahhahah. PingWings. Either way- full size presentation on a subcompact ride, my friend.😁👍
Lol 😂 😛 good reference to PingWings haha.
I'm broken. Couldn't stop thinkin it. 🤦♂️🤦♂️
“assembled in Thailand or the Philippines” I thought it was assembled inside a tree by elves.
Lol, I think you’re thinking of the Keebler cookies… 😆
I rented one a couple of years ago. I thought it was good. I remember the gas mileage was great.
Do you know how REFRESHING it is to see a brand new car under 20k?!
It’s sad they’re so few left! 😥
My daily is a 2010 Honda Accord 2.4L. About a month ago, I had a 2022 Mirage as a rental and to be honest, I loved it! I took it on a 300-mile round trip and was relatively comfortable the entire way. Best of all, for that entire trip, I only had to pay US$30 in gas!
That’s awesome to hear! 🙂