Welcome, bolo!
You're interested in the Mirage for all the right reasons. Lots of former & current Metro owners have done the same research as you, and came to the conclusion that the Mirage is its modern and worthy successor.
FYI:
Thread: Geo Metro roll call: did you own a 3 cyl car before Mirage? (Suzuki, Smart, etc)
I still have three and a half Metros. No Mirage yet, but it's just a matter of time.
Sounds like your driving environment/speeds are very similar to mine. When I had a base 2014 Mirage 5-speed loaner for a couple of weeks, I averaged 54 mpg US without even trying hard. And a good chunk of that was freeway driving at 60-65 mph which I don't usually do much (normally I'm on empty rural roads with a 50 mph posted limit). I just drove the speed limit, shifted to top gear ASAP, and avoided rushing into stops in sub/urban driving. If I'd applied more hypermiling techniques and a few ecomods to the car, 60+ MPG would have been easy. Note, this was in warm weather, no A/C. Winter numbers will of course be lower.
When I had a 2017 Mirage G4 CVT loaner, I averaged 50 mpg US over 2 weeks. I drove it more gently than the 2014 5-speed.
Also FYI:
Thread: Speed vs. mpg/mileage/fuel economy chart - Mirage 1.2L 5-spd and CVT
In April/March of 2016, there was a $3500 factory discount on remaining 2015 Mirages when the 2017 model came out. I would expect something similar next spring. Though as Cobrajet points out, finding a 5-speed with all the bells & whistles may be more challenging the longer you wait.
Keep us posted on your search! Have you driven one yet? Post your impressions when you do.
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View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 62.4 mpg (US) ... 26.5 km/L ... 3.8 L/100 km ... 74.9 mpg (Imp)
They are getting rid of the 5 speed transmission on the 2018 models? That is a shock to hear.
Although I myself would have bought a CVT if I could go back in time and do it again. Especially if you drive in the big city like me with the gridlock.
But I read a thread on this forum that said it would cost $1200 to replace the clutch on a 5-speed-manual and that made me very concerned. Because one of the main selling points for me on choosing the stickshift is that if I would have any transmission problems in the future (out of warranty I mean) that I would save big money compared to someone swapping out a bad CVT.
And lets be honest with ourselves: Buy the stick shift if you like driving stick shift. I mean thats the real #1 reason to go with the 5 speed. In reality the gas savings only equate to a few bucks compared to the CVT (We are not talking in the hundreds of dollars)
2015 Mirage DE 5 speed Manual - 30k miles
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 44.9 mpg (US) ... 19.1 km/L ... 5.2 L/100 km ... 53.9 mpg (Imp)
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)
fc321 (07-23-2017)
Wow! They are doing away with the manual transmission in 2018 SE models? That's important to know. Thanks!
I want a manual transmission because I like manual transmissions. I think I got a lot of performance out of my Geo Metro because it was a manual. It's not just because of fuel economy in my case.
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View my fuel log 2017 Mirage SE 1.2 manual: 45.4 mpg (US) ... 19.3 km/L ... 5.2 L/100 km ... 54.5 mpg (Imp)
fc321 (07-23-2017)
If you want a 5-speed in the SE I wouldn't wait too long. Not only are there not that many to begin with there won't be any replacements in the pipeline.
Here's one that I found
http://www.leskovar.com/new/Mitsubis...a3ad172e59.htm
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 automatic: 40.5 mpg (US) ... 17.2 km/L ... 5.8 L/100 km ... 48.6 mpg (Imp)
fc321 (07-23-2017)
There were a couple at a dealership down in Portland a few months ago, and I found this one in Renton. They have 8-9 Mirage SEs, and ONE is a manual. Tough car to find.
http://www.younkermitsubishi.com/sea...i/tp-mk43/p:3/
fc321 (07-23-2017)
Thanks. I've located a couple of 5-speed SEs, but I'm not in a position to buy right now. I had planned on buying at the end of the year. I don't want to finance. So maybe I'll just have to make do with an ES.
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View my fuel log 2017 Mirage SE 1.2 manual: 45.4 mpg (US) ... 19.3 km/L ... 5.2 L/100 km ... 54.5 mpg (Imp)