Not very happy with my new Mirage purchase. (Mostly the ride quality)

[cyclopathic]

Doesnt the body roll make the car "more exciting" when taking the curves? Like a rollercoaster ride?

I havent had any trouble with the curves myself at the slower speeds that I tend to drive

1) The short answer is no.

2) No offence but curves and mountains isn't something you want by compare Florida and West Virginia. Come to think potholes too.

[25Plus]

For me, it´s a love-hate relationship, too.

I don´t like the motor sound, but I´m coasting most of the time, so it´s OK. Rolling in first gear the car often starts to jump like a kangaroo (in particular when it´s raining). The power delivery is very bad in my opinion in the first three gears, so I drive very smooth and slow. But driving on snow the traction control works like it has been designed for a rally car, not braking the tires but cutting fuel injection when slip gets too high.

The ventilation is not very good in my opinion, but with the power windows in the rear and air dehumidifier it works for me. I needed a couple of weeks to get used to the seats, but then it was OK. After 30000 km the driver seat buckles a little bit and gets dents. This wouldn´t be a problem, but in my Daihatsu with 265000 km the seat looks better and I only weigh 60 kg.

The ride characteristics are not good with the standard springs, but with the Eibach Pro-Kit body roll is reduced significant and handling is perfectly neutral. I like to go fast around corners. Last week a VW Passat passed me on a highway exit. I didn´t like to counter and just rolled out, watching the scene. The tires of the VW cried so loud you could hear it for hundreds of meters and the car has visibly been at the limit. I could have driven easily 10 km/h faster than the VW if I wanted to - without any noise of the tires.

But over all after 10 months the concept of the car really works for me. The cheapest car on the market (regarding equipment) with top of the class safety features and NCAP ratings, by far the lowest weight and best aerodynamics delivers a fuel consumption of only 3.5 l/100 km and the car really decelerates in this stressful world.

Overall the car could be really better in so many details (even compared to my 2004 Daihatsu Cuore), but all cars I drove last year to make a decision for my next car (VW Polo, Audi A1, Toyota Yaris Hybrid) had a lot of little annoyances, too, costing 7000 € more with comparable equipment and similar or even higher fuel consumption.

I hope the Space Star will last 250000 km, too. But I´m optimistic it will. I didn´t hear about problems with the small Mitsubishi motors so far, though a lot of cars (including the Smart Fortwo 451 ) are driving around.

[itsonme]

"Doesnt the body roll make the car "more exciting" when taking the curves? Like a rollercoaster ride?"

IMO no, not at all. It irritates me that a new car would have to be modified to make it more suitable for US roadways. Where I live if you just follow the speed limit that is exactly what it feels like, like you are on a roller coaster.

Because of the suspension on the Mirage, I am not happy with this car at all. I realize it can be modified. But, at the risk of the warranty. That seems wrong to me.

[itsonme]

"The ride characteristics are not good with the standard springs"

That is an understatement if I ever heard one.

Just my opinion. I also know I would never consider this car for a first time driver (especially one of my kids) for the above mentioned reasons.

[cyclopathic]

"Doesnt the body roll make the car "more exciting" when taking the curves? Like a rollercoaster ride?"

IMO no, not at all. It irritates me that a new car would have to be modified to make it more suitable for US roadways. Where I live if you just follow the speed limit that is exactly what it feels like, like you are on a roller coaster.

Because of the suspension on the Mirage, I am not happy with this car at all. I realize it can be modified. But, at the risk of the warranty. That seems wrong to me.

To Mitsubishi defence I do not know a car in this class which would have satisfactory suspension setup from the factory. Maybe rebadged Mazda2 (Scion iA) or to lesser degree Honda Fit? or Fiesta ST. I couldn't drive any Toyota Yaris based products without modifying. Yeah less body roll, but horrendous understeer is as dangerous, never the less. "Driving with the speed limit" is also misnomer because many roads in WV just have 55mph secondary road limit, and if they have been in MD or VA, or even PA they would have 30mph posted without any doubt for sure.

But I am with you it is really annoying that getting a car handle isn't even on radar for most US mfg.

[Cobrajet]

The Mirage is a city car, and as a city car the suspension is perfect. Most city cars have suspension that is tuned for the highway, and the ride in town is bone-jarring. As a result, some city cars can be adequately re-purposed as high-speed, long-distance freeway commuters.

Others can't be. With all due respect, it's starting to sound like you just picked the wrong tool for the job you want to do.

[cyclopathic]

And despite the body roll in some aspects Mirage is actually better than other cars in this class suspension-wise. Car is well balanced and ESP is actually pretty good. I had driven it in nasty ice storm and it would allow some wheelspeen and help not stop you from going. At least body roll and slippery tires are easy to fix. ESP and bad understeer? not so much.

[poorman1]

Esp?...

[inuvik]

Esp?...

Traction & skid control

[fc321]

@itsonme,

I really empathize with your situation. When I test-drove mine the dealer would not allow me to drive it on the motorway (even though the expressway (motorway) was only 2 miles from the dealership).

And if I had the opportunity to drive it on the motorway I would have been able to see the car perform on curves at high speed (the offramp of the motorway).

So there is definately a level of risk that is impossible to mitigate when buying any new car (and especially this one since you cannot rent it anywhere). And now that there is no longer a 48 hour "cooling off period" that you can return the car for a refund. [Thank you very much ACLU for that....basterds].

Unfortunately you are in a tight position now. I hope you can work thru your troubles and enjoy the car because to sell it would just incur a tremendous financial loss (and I assume your principal reason for buying the car was to save money).

Yes those evil car dealerships have got us all "bent over the barrel" in one way or another. Sort of like the casinos in Las Vegas will always have an upper hand over you when you enter.

I wish you luck my friend, and hope you can love the car in spite of its imperfections. Like a dog from a shelter that is mostly good but occasionally pees the floor, chews a shoe or climbs on the sofa