Shocks need replacing, rotors warped, lost my front wheel splash guards on separate occasions (one in accident, the other in snow), dome light does not always come on when doors are opened, hood hinges rusted tight and one brook (my fault for not oiling), causing the other to begin to break, had hinges replaced for around $65.00.
This car is my baby. I was stupid one night and tried a 90 degree right turn at about 35-40 mph (hey, it was a banked turn, gimme a break) and went into a corn field. The soil was rock hard because it was February in Wisconsin and I broke my front right tie rod and some other stuff (right control arm, windshield washer reservoir) but the car came out of it generally in good condition. This car can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. The bumper sustained a massive blow, and you can't even tell unless you look closely (tiny crack).
I also love the way this car handles, and how original it looks. It looks kind of like a civic (yawn) but then at second glance you see the mean front fascia, and you are intrigued. The back end is also highly original. I love the taillights. I have also noticed it looks exactly like the foreign Lancer GLI (circa 1995). This car is the shiznite when you put some rims, a kit, and tint the windows.
The 2000 Mirage you are describing is a 1.8 liter SOHC 16 valve, not a DOHC. There was no dual cam motor available in this car that year.
This car was OK, but I had a transmission problems at 80K miles. As I drove the car lurched between 2nd and 3rd gear. (it was an automatic. Interesting enough the problem fixed its self.
I have a 2000 DE (1.8) as well, and I have the transmission shift problem between 2nd and 3rd gear, but I would describe is as a mushy shift. The rpms climb as if there were no load, then it will shift. Under half to full throttle it shifts cleanly, but at a higher RPM.
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