Hello people! I need your opinions on my most recent exploration.
I am considering one of the two Mitsubishi cars in the title. A local dealership lists a few new 2014 i-MiEV ES for slightly less than a new 2015 Mirage ES 5 speed. However, they are including all applicable rebates and not all of them would apply to me, like the military or loyalty rebates. Regardless, they are priced very similarly.
The i's range would be okay for my daily commutes and errands. I actually really like the styling and I've always wanted an electric ever since learning about the GM EV1. I am not worried about "range anxiety" as I fully understand the limits of current electric cars. I really like the idea of not having an internal combustion engine to fuel up and everything associated with an ICE. I think this low cost electric vehicle could save me a lot of money in the long term.
$10,658 - 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV ES
$00,000 - 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 5 SMT
After having watched many YouTube videos about the Mirage ES and i-MiEV ES, the differences become more apprent. The Mirage ES actually has more "tech" and creature comforts like Bluetooth, fast key push start ignition, and if I'm not mistaken cruise control which the i seems to lack.
I haven't driven the i yet but have scheduled a test drive for this weekend and I'm really excited to see what my first mass produced EV is like. Best of all, its a Mitsubishi! I have driven a 2014 Mirage DE CVT and a 2015 Mirage ES 5 SMT which I both enjoyed.
As for traveling long distances, I plan on keeping my 2001 Toyota Echo. Otherwise the i-MiEV would be purely a get-around-Chicago car for me. I've already spotted a public EV charger nearby. I have to check what level it is as a level 2 charger would require equipment installation at my folks home.
At this point, the Mirage just seems like a better choice even with its "dirty" ICE. It seems roomier (the i is actually a Japanese Kei car), more well equipped and can travel longer distances without constant route planning or worry. Gas stations are everywhere but EV chargers are a lot more common in Chicago these days than before the EVs started showing up a few years back.