The Rage :: 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (Garage entry) (2017-11-29 11:44:43)
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The Rage :: 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (Garage entry) (2017-11-29 11:44:43)
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Just one pic right now (it's not great). I just picked up the side sill extensions and will get some lowering springs here, too.
I can wholeheartedly say that the jump from 165/65/14 Dunlop Enesaves to 195/50/15 Yokohama S.Drives is the single-handled most dramatic change in wheel/tire performance I've ever felt in nearly 25 years of driving. It totally transformed the car. Can't wait to get springs on it!
Looks nice too!
Nice Dude! Now get the sills on!
Do I detect a Micra parked ahead of you?
Yeah, it's a Yaris. I do wish we got the Micra in the States, however.
I'm waiting for the weather to warm up a bit before doing the sills, as I want the plastic adhesive film to adhere well.
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Got a couple of better pics of the MB Revolt wheels and Yokohama S.Drives (195/50/15). Hope to do something about the wheel gap soon. It's absolutely incredible the difference a more high-performance tire makes on these little cars. I'd go as far as to say I've never owned a car in which tires made such a huge difference in performance.
If you're reading this and wondering what your first upgrade to your Mirage should be, it should be wider, stickier tires.
I totally agree. I have 205/50/15 tires and it's crazy how much better the car feels! Feels much more 'grounded' and the car doesn't 'shift' weight as much during turns too.
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Added genuine Side Sill Extensions for The Rage! Love the look.
Nice. Is it also lowered a bit vs. the previous picture, or just the camera angle?
Just the angle. I have a set of Eibachs on their way from the UK. Notice some rubbing at stock height with 195s and +38 offset (15x6.5 wheels). We'll see what happens with the Eibachs.
Where did you get the Eibachs? And, what did they cost you shipped?
If I get a set, it would most likely be Eibachs or H&R. I've used Eibach multiple times in the past and really liked them though.
I got them through a connection at Eibach (I work in the automotive aftermarket).
I'm hoping to get the springs on this weekend. I had Eibachs one other time on a Nissan Sentra. They were the Sportlines on KYB AGX shocks. They were a bit low for the Sentra; I'm sure the Pro Kits will be great on the Mirage, however. Small drop, shouldn't be too stiff. I'll be sure to post up pics.
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Just installed the Eibach Pro Kit on The Rage this weekend. Very easy to install. Took me 2.5 hours including removing the wheels and jacking up the car four times.
Took it for a shakedown run last night, and it helps so incredibly much. Now I just wish the darn thing had about 30 more hp! Regardless, it's a hoot to drive. Just ordered Doax's sway bar to cap it off.
How's it drive? I'd say if Mitsubishi decided to offer a Mirage Sport, it'd drive just like this. Not terribly low, not too firm, but just right. The highway ride is still very compliant. Now to get an alignment.
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Threw the stock wheels/tires back on and added a set of Mooneyes-style discs! I kind of like the look. Fuel economy went up a lot vs. the 195/50/15 tires on the way to work. I'm thinking 185/60/14 would probably be a good compromise setup, or perhaps 175/55/15.
So, what is next on the list for your Mirage? I'm assuming you're pretty happy with the handling at this point?
So, I sold the 15x6.5 +38 wheels and 195/50/15 Yokohama S.Drive tires. However, I just bought a set of lightweight 5Zigen wheels from Japan (15x5, +45) and they will likely be shod with 175/55/15 Federal Formoza AZ01 tires.
After that, not sure. Probably just drive it and enjoy it!
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New year, new wheels/tires! I imported a set of 5Zigen Pro Racer GN+ from Japan. These are 15x5 +45—a kei car fitment—but they fit very well on the Mirage. I wrapped them with Nankang AS-II tires. I just got them put on, so sorry about the not-so-awesome pic. I'll get more once the weather improves. I'll also give my impressions of the tires. So far, I love the look and there is, of course, zero rubbing.
Looks great to me!
Did you ever give feedback on your current suspension setup? I know you're running Eibach springs which you said you liked. I don't recall if you ever really gave feedback on the Eibachs plus the Daox rear sway bar? I'm considering Eibachs, and I am already running my rear sway bar. So, I'd love to hear how you like the combo.
Moon eyes were my favourite style you've done so far. (And that mpg bonus!) But of course you knew I'd say that. :-D
I haven't yet—good point.
The Eibachs are stiffer than stock, but still quite soft with the OE springs. The ride is very good. With your swaybar, it provides a sporty ride—probably what the Mirage GT should handle like if it were truly sportier than the ES/LS. Pair it with sticker tires, and it's quite fun without being punishing. You do, of course, lose some suspension travel with the lowered springs, so it's not uncommon to hut the bumpstops from time to time, especially with a passenger.
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Now with 100% more fog lamps.
Nothing new since last update (other than the fog lamps). Did my third oil change as I'm at about 14,700 miles. NAPA now offers a 0W20, FYI (made by Valvoline), and it's a great deal. Full synthetic is $3.49 a quart!
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NO_7...wordInput=0w20
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Made my own intake. K&N filter, a couple of silicone couplers, and some ABS pipe from the hardware store.
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Probably the most current pic of the car. It's currently at the dealer getting a few little warranty bits done.
Well, TPMS light was on, so they should fix that (they said they were going to try to get approval for new sensors), seat bottom has a divot in the back (right my my tailbone), driver's side door makes a whistling noise above 35 mph. It's not just a little wind noise, it's a loud whistling. Also, the glovebox rattles. Because of the COVID-19 thing, it appears stuff is moving extra slow at Roger Kehdi Mitsubishi in Tigard. It's been there over a week. Last week, they said they hoped to have it done by today (4/1). Hopefully that wasn't an April Fool's joke. That being said, I have other cars I can drive.
Just wanted to drop you a note and thank you for posting all your experiences with your Mirage. Your car and articles/blog entries are the first search result when you Google "Mirage side sill extensions". It really helped me out a lot when it came to deciding whether or not I would get them myself! There really aren't any other good pictures with them installed.
I'm surprised more people don't get them. They really tidy up the look of the car - makes it look finished!
Let’s hope that was a joke! I called their service dept a few months ago and wasn’t impressed. I ended up scheduling service with Gladstone Mitsubishi and they were fine. Neither one are convenient for me with either one being over a 500 mile round trip but Gladstone would commit to getting the car done the same day.
Oh, I'll never take the car back to Roger Khedi. Horrible experience. They had the car for over a month for a belt and TPMS sensor. They also told me they wouldn't warranty the TPMS sensor, I said fine: DON'T FIX IT -- I don't want to pay dealer price for it. Yeah, COVID-19 was just underway, shipping, parts availability, yadda, yadda, yadda. But over a month? I finally called Mitsubishi Customer Service and they opened a case regadring why the heck it was taking so long (I could get a replacement belt myself from MitsubishiPartsWarehouse in like 3 days). The next day they said the car was done. FINALLY.
I went to go pick it up and they were explaining what was going on and they tried to charge me the $130 or whatever for the TPMS sensor. I told them that I said NOT TO FIX IT! They said that it was a safety issue and it had to be fixed, but said they'd eat the cost.
I'll be going back to Gladstone if I need service again. I've gotten parts from them for years and they're fine. I'm not a huge fan of their sales tactics, but I'm not looking for a brand-new car.
The Mirage is the only Mitsubishi vehicle I plan on owning, because of their dealership network. I would not feel comfortable going to my local Mitsubishi dealership, & the one that I would trust is about a 400 mile round trip for me.
A month to change a belt is not going to win over future customers. That's poor management.
I'm sure you could have found someone who could have only taken 2-3 weeks to change the belt. It's not that hard :D
The belt was squealing and it was going into the shop for the TPMS light, so since I still have warranty left, I figured I'd let them take care of it. If it wasn't under warranty, I'd do it myself. Honestly, I thought they'd just tighten it; I wasn't expecting a new belt.