1997 Mitsubishi Mirage LS review from North America
"This car does not get the credit that it deserves!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Center console can snap in and out.
Wind can be felt coming from the E-Brake area.
Mechanically, I haven't had any problems. I just kept up with the normal maintenance, and it runs perfectly.
General comments?
For an economy car, the Mirage is fun to drive.
This car handles exceptionally. Somehow I managed to keep up with a BMW Z3 while racing on a windy road. Obviously he left me in the dust on the straightaways.
It accelerates nicely, I drive on the highway often and I have no problems merging into traffic or passing other cars. It holds its own against a honda civic.
A power sunroof/moonroof is a great addition to the car. The controls are simple, and easy to access. and when it slides back, it is inside the roof compartment instead of sliding above the roof like some other sunroofs I have seen.
The seats still haven't become noticeably worn, even after being driven almost 100,000 miles, and the cushions haven't flattened out yet.
The Mirage isn't very spacious in the interior, It is comfortable in the front seats after you slide the seats back a little bit. As for the back seats, your friends may question why they even bothered to put 4 doors on the car. Do not attempt to seat 5 people in the car. The added weight makes the car sluggish, and it will remind you why this is called an "economy car".
Overall, the Mirage is a great buy. I've heard many people say that it will easily last more than 200,000 miles if you take care of it. If Mitsubishi had promoted it better, it might have been more popular than the civic. I have driven both and have seen how they both wear, the Mirage is a much MUCH better buy than a civic.
Recommended reviews
| Mitsubishi KNOWS how to make a car (The J car) |
|
| Cheap, reliable, economic |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1997 |
| Year of manufacture | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8L SOHC Sedan Automatic |
| Performance marks | 4 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 5 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 4 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 1 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 4 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 48000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 96000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 18th March, 2005 |