I have always wanted to write a general "blurb" about my experiences driving my Mirage, after almost 7 years now. I'm at month 78 of my 84 month payment plan. Almost done with car payments finally in short.
Overall, my 2014 Mirage ES base hatchback manual has been a pretty reliable commuter car. Love the gas mileage. And when I am in any bind on the road, I tell myself, "when you think you should be in third gear, go into second gear." The car has always complied, and is quite the piece of tech when you stand back a second and look at the Mirage as a modern car. I know that sounds cheesy. Only the odd time I think like that.
I haven't had a lot of issues with my car really. Evap leak around 100,000 km's; replaced my starter. Regular oil changes obviously, nothing fancy, just the regular motoroil they have at Ford.
Fuel economy has been the same since day 1 with my Mirage. 5.0 L/100 km's I'd say. Very good. I'm at 140,500 km's on the OD.
Usually I just drive pretty easy and simple with my little car. I honestly find it entertaining to drive. But I think people probably laugh here in truck country. I like my Mirage, it is honest. I like my thunder grey paint, even though there are some dents and scratches now. Mostly in the hatchback area, inside and out. Overall kinda cheap plastic, comes with dash rattles from the factory. But for an economy car, has held up very well, cars should come with paint sticks and next new car I get I will get 2 paint sticks. In case one dries up. My 2014 Mirage drives no better or worse than the used 2006 Audi A4 I test drove right before my Mirage.
Mirage's Pros: fuel economy, comfortable ride, has more pep than they say in most popular reviews.
To me the Mirage is way better than the reviews. Lol. A 2020 Lambo Urus wouldn't deal with snow blindness any better than my Mirage. The 3 cylinder is loud, so if you like that sort of thing, the Mirage is your cup of tea.
I think it's useful to know gear shifts, but overall kinda annoying, and diesel sounding, but sporting also. In general, you get tired of the econo box thing after almost 7 years. Or 17 years. Or if I'm not getting lucky... the next 27 years lol.
I would rather have a 2020 yellow Mercedes AWD turbo CVT (sorry Dirk). Probably partly because of the Mirage Forum member itschad, who went Mercedes after he sold his Mirage. He thought the Mirage was uncomfortable, and as I get older than 30 and now 38.. the Mirage isn't that comfy... and it is like 2 inches from the ground. For under $40 grand, a new yellow Mercedes station wagon can look like more money than it costs, makes good sense relative to the cost of new cars generally nowadays; and, like any good jewelry, looks more expensive than it is. A new yellow Mercedes A class hatch has everything I want, but the manual tranny. But I thought Chad would go for a Rover.
Cons: Mitsubishi Corporation and their sketchy dealership network. Cool they made airplanes, and they are Japan's premier brand.. You can see the difference quality makes, after years and years, inside and out, with a Mirage and you're parked next to some other cars, not naming names but some Fords at the Ford dealer.
But all Jaguars look good too, and I wouldn't trust a single one of their dealers in North America and Canada. And these days they must be closing shop and hurting. I see a lot of closed shops these days.