I drove a Mirage! Ask me anything!

"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
04/25/2016 at 14:46 • Filed to: mitsubishi mirage, mirage, ama

No, it wasn’t a bright neon color. It’s grey :( Cost under $12k out the door with all fees included and a CVT though, so whatever. It’s my sister’s and it’s everything I was hoping for. Put your foot down and nothing happens! Turn the wheel and the whole thing feels like it’s going to tip over! IT HAS A SPARE!!!

So for those of you who dig these tiny pieces of shit as much as I do, what do you want to know?

DISCUSSION (54)

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 14:49

Does it have power windows? A/C? Enough room in the back for someone with legs? Does it drift? Would it make a good rally car with AWD and 300 HP?

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 14:51

how easily can it be stripped down and turned into a race car?

Every Oppo needs to buy one so we can make our own Mirage racing series

Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/25/2016 at 14:51

Almost anything would make a good rally car with AWD & 300HP...

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/25/2016 at 14:51

The answer is yes to all of those! It oversteers on liftoff! There’s more than enough headroom for a roll cage, the back seat was more usabnle than it was in my old Mazda3 or Accord, and it NEEDS 300hp, a weight reduction, and AWD. Maybe an engine where the back seats live. Or a spec series. Spec Mirage! Seriously, it would be so much more fun to watch than Spec Miata.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion
04/25/2016 at 14:52

Reliant Robin.

I said AWD, not 4WD, so in this case, 3WD.

But you did say almost.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/25/2016 at 14:53

Or you could all move to Canada and we could dominate the Spec Nissan Micra league.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
04/25/2016 at 14:53

It’s already one! Slow car fast is always better than fast car fast.

In reality, very easily though I’m not sure what you’d pull. There’s hardly anything to it. There’s definitely room for a roll cage.

dogisbadob > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/25/2016 at 14:55

Too bad we don’t get the Micra down here. A brand new car for under 10k even with Canada’s higher prices and taxes. Nissan could sell it for like 8k in the US

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion
04/25/2016 at 14:55

Pretty sure the Chrysler 300 would disagree with you there.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/25/2016 at 14:56

Wait, that’s a thing? I’m moving to Canada!

dogisbadob > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 14:56

Is she sad that they don’t offer it in pink anymore? :p

Just too bad it’s not available with a sunroof. I hope the car proves to be reliable

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > dogisbadob
04/25/2016 at 14:57

I thought for sure it would be above $10k now because of our crappy dollar, but nope. Starts at $9,988. Which is like $7800 USD.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > dogisbadob
04/25/2016 at 14:57

She wanted a Plasma Purple one, but the only way to get it that cheap was to buy a leftover 2015, which left grey, grey,, more grey, black, and red.

Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/25/2016 at 14:58

And to that I respond with this:

(Albeit, I can’t tell if it’s asphalt or not. Looks like dirt though.)

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 14:58

Yup. Aren’t they adorable?

Kinja'd!!!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/25/2016 at 14:59

We need more shitbox racing.

dogisbadob > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/25/2016 at 15:00

Yeah, the Micra is quite handsome, easily the best-looking small car.

Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 15:00

I’d imagine it’d be like this, but with more forward motion and classier rims.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion
04/25/2016 at 15:01

I think that by “classier” you mean “bigger.” I want to see a rallydonk.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 15:02

AWD and a V8? That sounds like a fun time to me.

dogisbadob > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/25/2016 at 15:03

Nissan is really missing a lot of opportunity! They’d sell a shit ton of them at $7800! Even the extra charge for an automatic would still keep it under 10k US! And how awesome would a Nismo Micra be with 150-ish hp for $16k or so?

The Mirage and Spark are also overpriced; their base MSRP’s should start below 10k. The OP’s Mirage might be worth the actuial price paid if it’s a “fully loaded” model (in quotes because you can’t get a sunroof), but definitely NOT worth the MSRP.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > dogisbadob
04/25/2016 at 15:04

Can’t you get a Mirage for less than $10k anymore?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/25/2016 at 15:06

I can think of a few diesel-engined GMs that would like to have a word with you...

Kinja'd!!!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > dogisbadob
04/25/2016 at 15:14

They could try to sell it. Someone would need to buy it for it to constitute a sale though. Personally, I don’t see anyone buying one except as an alternative to Spec Miata. I mean, a prepped car’s going to run $7-8k so if Spec Micra is truly spec and only allows a roll cage and control tire, it will probably be cheaper since it’s new and more reliable.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/25/2016 at 15:15

Nope. MSRP’s 12ish for a stick.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 15:21

How does the 3pot sound being pushed hard?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
04/25/2016 at 15:25

Lobe-ey. It’s got a different pulse than I’m used to.

M54B30 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 15:36

Part of me wants to buy one because they’re advertised with manuals for ~$9900 in my area. That’s awesome for a 10/100k warranty on a car I’ll likely beat the living shit out of every day.

The other hand tells me it’s still a penalty box.

Dusty Ventures > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 15:40

How long until you cage it and rally it?

Kinja'd!!!

Steve in Manhattan > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 15:46

It’s a Japanese car, so build quality?

Mercedes Streeter > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 15:53

My smart (2nd gen) has a Mitsubishi 3B21 engine (similar in design to the Mirage’s 3A, which the 3A was also used in the first gen smart forfour). I like to describe as “like a tractor at low RPM, like a BMW at near redline”.

Mercedes Streeter > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 15:55

“Rallydonk”...why isn’t this a thing!?!?! These cars usually already have paintjobs with “sponsors” on them, why not make them race! xD

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 16:01

How does it compare to the Chevy Spark. Which is objectively worse? And which is subjectively "better"?

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion
04/25/2016 at 16:03

Kinja'd!!!

Idk, this thing would be pretty terrible with 300 HP.

Kinja'd!!!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
04/25/2016 at 16:06

A reliant robin just needs a REALLY wide front tire. Something like 5 feet across. Then it would be pretty stable!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 16:33

Did your sister pay for it with her own money?

And what did she compare it to?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion
04/25/2016 at 16:34

Like the Lincoln Navigator?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 16:45

Aww man. My local dealer could’ve hooked you up!

Kinja'd!!!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 17:30

Would you like it more with a Manual trans...?

Is it as poor a quality as everybody like to claim it is? (Because everybody I’ve talked to has said it may not be pretty, or fancy, but it’s fairly solidly built for a cheap little runabout!)

Tapas > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/25/2016 at 22:52

0-60 time? Does it roll over if you slam the door too hard? Do you fit in the trunk?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Tapas
04/26/2016 at 06:43

0-60 time? Umm... Loooong. It was fun flooring it, hearing the engine rev up and stay up, and see the speedometer barely move! It does roll a bit when you slam the door. It’s definitely sentient.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/26/2016 at 06:45

Maybe? Not really sure. There was something really satisfying about flooring it, hearing the engine stay at a constant high RPM and watching the speedometer barely nudge upwards. It feels solid. I think it’s the perfect cheap no-worries-for-ten-years-or-more beater.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Steve in Manhattan
04/26/2016 at 06:46

It only has a few miles on it, but it felt solid. It’s not fancy, but it has exactly what you need and it’s not pretending to be anything it’s not. It’s purely function.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
04/26/2016 at 06:47

Aww... How hard do you think it would be to trade the grey one for a purple one?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
04/26/2016 at 06:48

Holy shit, that has rimz! Manuel?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
04/26/2016 at 07:22

I haven’t driven a Spark, but I’m still sticking with the Mirage being subjectively better because of how much roll there was and how it felt like it could tip over. Could be because I’m used to driving stiff sports cars though and haven’t driven a proper shitbox in a while (driven plenty of less spartan economy cars like the Elantra, Sonata, Altima, Optima, Fiesta, Focus, etc, but they’re all way stiffer), but I wouldn’t take one to autoX even on the stock wheels without strapping a gopro to it to watch the rear-wheel movement in a parking lot first and maybe some outside shots to see how much roll is really going on. It felt like the seating position is lower than in other similarly sized cars I’ve sat in.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Dusty Ventures
04/26/2016 at 07:23

Depends on how long I can “borrow” it from my sister for. She could probably use a cage in hers anyway the way she drives.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
04/26/2016 at 07:24

Or you could modify one to put a wheel at both sides of the front. Might work.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > M54B30
04/26/2016 at 07:25

It’s a pentalty box you don’t have to worry about and costs less than alot of used cars!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/26/2016 at 07:33

CVT. Man this thing was fully loaded! Riding on 14s!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
04/26/2016 at 07:34

14s? My MR2 came with 14's stock! It’s basically a sports car!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/26/2016 at 10:48

No, that’s a terrible idea. What other car operates with two wheels in the back AND front. That is just silly to try that!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/26/2016 at 10:52

Yeah I find that the standard economy cars (like Elantra, Accent, Focus, Corolla, ect.) are not really shit boxes anymore. Sure, I wouldn’t buy one but I would gladly drive one for any sort of trip. Now things like the Spark and probably the Mirage too, are true shit boxes. I am wondering what either one would be like in a manual. The CVT in the Spark really bothered me lol.

M54B30 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/26/2016 at 12:04

Very true. I wonder how much would be necessary to make it all braaap braaap and make it looks like a rally car