2001 Mitsubishi Mirage DE from North America - Comments

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I bought this car just to drive on a vacation last year. I averaged 40 mpg ranging from 32 @ 85-90 mph to 45 @ 65-70 mpg. I changed to 15 k miles synthetic oil (along with 45 psi tire pressure and a new air filter) and got 44-47 mpg on a 5,000 mile vacation this summer. I went to San Diego (800 miles round trip) this week-end and spent $60 for gas. AMAZING!

I have owned many Dodge Colts (same car as Mirage) and switched to Mirage after Dodge quite making the Colt. Everyone of them has been extremely reliable and great on gas, all capable of 40 mpg + (with the exception of an 88 Colt that got 35) and the repairs were so few that the only one I can remember was an AC switch.

I was looking at an 01 Civic at the same time as this Mirage. The Civic had almost 3x as many miles on it and they were asking twice as much. The real deciding factor was comfort. The Mirage is not a luxury car, but the seat sure felt like it after testing out the Civic, it's seat was like a rock.

I am very happy with everything about this car except that it is so basic, nothing to get excited about. That's probably why I feel that they are the best kept economy secret out there.

As mentioned, I bought this car to take on vacation and then I was going to sell it. I ended up selling my other car and pick-up to keep this. While I still yearn for my (previous) Mark VIII (comfort and 300 hp Cobra alum eng) driving this car thousands of miles on trips w/o worrying about future repairs and not having $3+ gas bother me makes it very hard to give up.

I agree entirely. I've a DE myself, and it's nothing but a great, dependable, solid little car. Right now, doing mostly city driving, I'm getting 37 mpg. I can't wait to see what it'll get when I have to go out to Nashville later on this year.

This was my original post. I still have the Mirage. It's slow, basic and boring, but will get 45 mpg all day long @70mph and with 130k all I've done is brakes, tune-ups, tires. I hypermiled on one of my trips and got 52 and 53 mpg, but my wife couldn't take the speed up and coast routine :) I never thought I would keep this car this long, but can't afford to get rid of it. I now commute 65+ miles each way so I need the economy and dependability. I also deliver pizzas on the weekend and drive it hard. I average 38 mpg mixed driving.

I just looked at a blk/blk 2006 Cobalt SS LT. I can get it cheap and am very very tempted. It's fast, sporty and still rated up to 34 mpg. I know I would love it, but the first time it broke down (or I get pulled over) I'd be kicking myself.