Not yet owner

[7milesout]

If she likes SUVs and GTOs, she will love the Mirage, hatch or G3.

If she says she doesn't like Mirages, then just say, "you're wrong, you LOVE the Mirage." And then she'll say ok. Sometimes you just gotta learn'em.

[Grumpy Bear]

If she likes SUVs and GTOs, she will love the Mirage, hatch or G3.

If she says she doesn't like Mirages, then just say, "you're wrong, you LOVE the Mirage." And then she'll say ok. Sometimes you just gotta learn'em.

The vehicle being replaced is a GMC Terrain SLE-2. It has been a nightmare GDI/Oil Control/Gremlins in the control circuit vehicle. After looking in the under $30K US SUV market for something without a CVT, turbo or GDI and a water pump outside the crankcase or not on a list of lawsuits for oil control the pickings are ZERO. World is going to a throw away business model. Even Mitsubishi is throwing away the Mirage.

The Versa checks all the boxes, but the wife can't drive a stick.

The Mirage seems to be the last vehicle standing that check the MOST boxes and has a pretty proven durability record even with the CVT if well maintained and adult driven. Two boxes I check off.

[7milesout]

The Versa checks all the boxes, but the wife can't drive a stick.

Just tell her that she can, and she'll say, "Ohhh, ok." That'll learn her.

[Mark]

The vehicle being replaced is a GMC Terrain SLE-2. It has been a nightmare GDI/Oil Control/Gremlins in the control circuit vehicle. After looking in the under $30K US SUV market for something without a CVT, turbo or GDI and a water pump outside the crankcase or not on a list of lawsuits for oil control the pickings are ZERO. World is going to a throw away business model. Even Mitsubishi is throwing away the Mirage.

The Versa checks all the boxes, but the wife can't drive a stick.

The Mirage seems to be the last vehicle standing that check the MOST boxes and has a pretty proven durability record even with the CVT if well maintained and adult driven. Two boxes I check off.

I don't envy anyone buying a new vehicle these days. Older vehicles with proven power trains of the past will most likely outlast anything new today.

If I had to replace my 2011 Forester 2.5X manual today, I would most likely buy a used Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V (under 100,000 miles) for under $12,000. I might end up with something older than I already have.

This one would interest me - 2002 Toyota RAV4 (33,289 miles) for under $9,000.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/6...-83dc79367c73/

It would be my first automatic, but low mileage manuals are hard come by these days. Plus it has CD & cassette player!!!! I could pull out my shoe boxes full of cassette tapes & relive memories from the past!

Honda's older 2.4L power train was a good one, too! Today's 1.5L is a huge downgrade in my mind.

I couldn't justify throwing money at a new vehicle given how they are currently built & unproven. The only reason I own a Mirage is because they were selling for under $10,000 OTB brand new at the time.

[Grumpy Bear]

I don't envy anyone buying a new vehicle these days. Older vehicles with proven power trains of the past will most likely outlast anything new today.

If I had to replace my 2011 Forester 2.5X manual today, I would most likely buy a used Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V (under 100,000 miles) for under $12,000. I might end up with something older than I already have.

This one would interest me - 2002 Toyota RAV4 (33,289 miles) for under $9,000.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/6...-83dc79367c73/

It would be my first automatic, but low mileage manuals are hard come by these days. Plus it has CD & cassette player!!!! I could pull out my shoe boxes full of cassette tapes & relive memories from the past!

Honda's older 2.4L power train was a good one, too! Today's 1.5L is a huge downgrade in my mind.

I couldn't justify throwing money at a new vehicle given how they are currently built & unproven. The only reason I own a Mirage is because they were selling for under $10,000 OTB brand new at the time.

Mirage is the simplest motor construction I can find and seems the members here are getting very good life miles from them in spite of the miserable 0W20 oils they are feed. Sometimes and stone axe is indeed the answer.

[Mark]

Mirage is the simplest motor construction I can find and seems the members here are getting very good life miles from them in spite of the miserable 0W20 oils they are feed. Sometimes and stone axe is indeed the answer.

The Mirage is simple & seems quite durable. There's no argument from me on that. My criticism is similar to your criticism of the auto industry. I don't care for the direction the auto industry has taken. I prefer the vehicles offered 20 years ago (especially the Toyota, Scion, & Honda models) over the ones offered today. I would try to avoid turbo engines & CVTs, but that's becoming extremely hard to do with the newer models.

My previous post was based on replacing my Forester, or going back to living with one vehicle instead of two. Another main reason for owning my Mirage is to delay having to do that.

Years ago, there was always something on the market that kept a guy dreaming/wanting. I may have changed over time, but there's really very little that impresses me these days.

As far as new goes, the following Toyota models have a decent starting price (MSRP) -
Corolla = $22,050
Corolla Hybrid = $23,500 53/46 MPG
Corolla Hatchback = $23,505
Corolla Cross = $23,860

But the question remains - can they be found for that price? I've heard Toyoto lots are full of expensive pickup trucks.

You still need to settle for a CVT, but hopefully Toyota is more durable than others.

If the entry level has A/C, cruise control, & a radio, I could care less about paying extra for anything else.

I would still be happier with something used for half that price, & it most likely wouldn't have a CVT. I don't see myself buying new again in my lifetime unless something changes.

I don't mean to high jack your thread. I'm just thinking out loud.

I hope you find the right Mirage or G4, and that it wins your wife over.

Have you driven a Mirage?

[Grumpy Bear]

The Mirage is simple & seems quite durable. There's no argument from me on that. My criticism is similar to your criticism of the auto industry. I don't care for the direction the auto industry has taken. I prefer the vehicles offered 20 years ago (especially the Toyota, Scion, & Honda models) over the ones offered today. I would try to avoid turbo engines & CVTs, but that's becoming extremely hard to do with the newer models.

My previous post was based on replacing my Forester, or going back to living with one vehicle instead of two. Another main reason for owning my Mirage is to delay having to do that.

Years ago, there was always something on the market that kept a guy dreaming/wanting. I may have changed over time, but there's really very little that impresses me these days.

As far as new goes, the following Toyota models have a decent starting price (MSRP) -
Corolla = $22,050
Corolla Hybrid = $23,500 53/46 MPG
Corolla Hatchback = $23,505
Corolla Cross = $23,860

But the question remains - can they be found for that price? I've heard Toyoto lots are full of expensive pickup trucks.

You still need to settle for a CVT, but hopefully Toyota is more durable than others.

If the entry level has A/C, cruise control, & a radio, I could care less about paying extra for anything else.

I would still be happier with something used for half that price, & it most likely wouldn't have a CVT. I don't see myself buying new again in my lifetime unless something changes.

I don't mean to high jack your thread. I'm just thinking out loud.

I hope you find the right Mirage or G4, and that it wins your wife over.

Have you driven a Mirage?

No, no, I have not driven one. But I did own a Scion iA that I loved yet traded for my pickup. It too has been fine. Guess I should. Don't even know if I fit in one.

We agree on much about the industry. Yes indeed. Finding a model 'as advertised' ($$$$) is difficult indeed. Honesty isn't part of the experience.

I had a string of three Honda Civics. First one was likely the best engineered car I ever owned, and it went downhill from there. Last wasn't much better than a Chevy. Okay, that's a bit harsh. But it wasn't what I had come to expect from them. Owned a Toyota Paseo. Oil eating sluggard but what a Billy Goat in the mountains.

Power is not a 'thing' for me. It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. LOL. I'm going to talk to a local dealer in the AM that has three. Perhaps I'll like one of them.

On used. Classics, yes. Transportation, not so much. In my day when people looked out for the next guy and told the truth used was less of a gamble. Most guys took some pride in their maintenance. People today couldn't tell you the difference between a sparkplug and a fireplug and look out only for #1. The first 20 minutes a motor is run is huge. Most are beat them like a pup before they have 20 miles on them. (test drivers). New is even a gamble. They don't even use break in oils anymore.

[7milesout]

I personally think you'll love a Mirage. I hear it does pretty good in the snowy slop. The skinny tires cut through it (I suppose). I've got a 380 hp Lexus, and find the 78 hp (5-speed) to have PLENTY of acceleration!