Why I bought a Mirage (SpaceStar)

[foama]

Why did I buy a Mirage? Here in Europe it seemed to be the best offer, and this is why.

What I wanted:
A four door car.
Most important, it should have a low cost of ownership and a low buying price!
The luggage compartment should take at least the luggage for two persons for two weeks vacation.
It should take me to and from the office daily, a half hour ride each way.
It should take me plus my wife (and maybe mom in law) plus luggage to some place about 800km away, a full day's trip on the highway plus a few dirt roads.


The most expensive car considered was a Chevy Spark. Price tag here starts at €8900 (currently US$ 12.043). It consumes 5.0L/100km and has a really little luggage compartment of 170L. The engine is rated at 68PS (hp) and gets the Spark going up to a top speed of 154kmh.


The second most expensive car considered was the Suzuki Alto. Price tag here in Germany starts at €7999 (US$ 10.824). It consumes combined 4.7L/100km and has a tiny luggage compartment of 129L size. Makes me wonder if a crate of soda has any chance of fitting in. Otherwise a nice car. The engine is rated at 68PS (hp) as gets it moving up to 155kmh.


The least expensive considered was the Dacia Sandero. Price tag here starts around €6630 (US$8971).
It consumes 5.8L/100km, which is way too much for me. The luggage compartment has a perfect size-rating of 320L. The Sandero is quite roomy, really too wide for me. The engine is rated at 75PS, and is good for a max speed of 161kmh.


The Mirage price tag currently starts at €6999 (US$ 9.458). This is for the very basic 1.0L MT model, without A/C, without radio, without even a luggage compartment cover, no roof spoiler, etc. The luggage compartment is rated at 235L. Not very much, but much bigger than in the Spark or Alto, and just about big enough for me. The engine is rated at 71PS, and Mirage's top speed is officially 172kmh.
This much higher top speed is accomplished with engine-power comparable to the Spark and the Alto. Since it goes so much faster with the same power, it will be much more economical at high speed. Since most of my driving is on the highway at speeds around 120-130kmh, the fuel savings will be substantial.



It seemed to me the Mirage was the best choice for me.
Foama