I admire that Mitsubishi has released a car with minimal pigfat in the US market. 3-cyl, under 2000 lb curb weight with a manual (as G-d intended) transmission, in fact. Love the idea of a basic, simple econobox, along the lines of the 80s and early 90s hatchbacks, which doesn't pretend to be anything else.

Reviewers complain about lack of refinement. I say. Gimme some morra dat ENNN VEEEE AITCH! Noise, vibration, and harshness are what makes a car FUN!

Still 37 city 44 mpg highway. Not incredibly great -- I think I'd rather have a mazda2 or fiesta, which I suppose are both slightly more expensive. That said, I think itd be interesting to test drive a mirage for the heck of it.


Sent from an abacus

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Good enough, and I like the idea of a cheap, cheerful car.

It's a POS that makes a Honda Fit look like a limousine. It's been panned for sluggish acceleration and indifferent handling - traits which are undesirable in any vehicle, let alone one in which passenger safety is almost solely dependent on the ability to get the hell out of the way of larger vehicles. Move up a few notches, spend about $3k more, and get a Mazda 3, which is an actual car that offers 90% of the Mitsu's highway mpg, and can get out of its own way.

If you can't drive a 2000 lb car with ~75 hp safely, you should have your license burned in front of your eyes.

If you're not living in some eastern rabbit warren or old country city I can't think of a single reason to blow 13 grand on a piece of lethal junk like that. It's not as if the MPG's are even all that spectacular. And that with one cylinder less than my 30mpg 240D.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

I agree. Unfortunately, I can think of several people off the top of my head who fit this description.

Well, for $12,299 (base MSRP), you can have a much more entertaining piece of lethal junk. One more cylinder, 145 horsepower, and a curb weight of about 400 lbs. MPG and trunk space are less than stellar. I've been thinking about getting one. Suzuki Cycles - Product Lines - Cycles - Products - GSX-R750 - 2015 - GSXR750

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Because lethal junk is usually a hoot to drive. Think of early 90s Civic and Corolla hatchbacks. More fun to drive a slow car fast...

Probably not at entertaining as the Smart that I had as a rental (which was pretty fun once I got the hang of the odd gearbox -- apparently, best way to drive it is exactly like a manual sans clutch), but still likely to be amusing.

JMHO, but Mitsubishi will be the next marque to bail from the American market.

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'83 300D, 126K miles.

I have had such great service from my 87 mitsu Montero plow truck if I were to be in the market for a new car I'd try the Mitsu offerings.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Clearly the definition of "fun to drive" is one on which you and I will disagree...

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Being a manual transmission and being fun to drive are not necessarily connected. I think its a waste of time swooning after this little econo box just because its got a stick in it.

It will be a decent choice for some people, but sometimes a cheap, inexpensive, unrefined car is just a cheap inexpensive unrefined car and there are better options in the same class of vehicle.

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

I like cheap and unrefined. And yes, a manual transmission is a big part of being "fun to drive" for me.

I've driven a few small early 90s Japanese hatchbacks and they were a hoot to drive despite their lack of pigfat.

Mirage looks like an honest econobox that says "f u" to pretentions of style and luxury.

Hitting in a coyote with my prius has made me wary of little cars. So much damage I had to have it towed.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

The issue is not that it weighs 2,000 lbs. and has 75 hp; the issue is that it is an under-engineered POS that just happens to weigh 2,000 lbs. and have 75 hp.