The Mirage is a "buy with your head, not with your heart" type of car. Too bad.

[MetroMPG]

Image: postmemes

It seems like the reasons given for getting a Mirage are consistently rational -- there's little emotion involved in this car. That's not good.

E.G. andrew2080 signed up to ask questions about Mirage vs. Micra. He liked the Mirage and people gave him solid reasons for getting one. But his wife liked the Micra: it's "cute"! Guess which car they went for?

In Canada, the Micra is definitely perceived as cuter (heart!) and more fun (heart!). They even cleverly market it to the "male heart" (sorry, sexist) by launching a Micra spec racing series. Despite similar pricing, the Micra is outselling the Mirage almost 4 to 1.

On the other hand, I can only think of one person who bought a Mirage strictly for reasons of the heart -- she saw the plasma purple (pink!) and said, "I must buy that car!"


Thread: I think I just had the first MirageForum meet!


The changes to the 2017 Mirage address some of the "heart" issues of the current car. Hopefully they help.

[Cobrajet]

I am not in love with the styling of the Mirage, but the styling on the Micra has a PT Cruiser vibe that I just don't care for at all. I used to think the Micra was a better looking car, but I really don't anymore.

[cyclopathic]

I wouldn't go to call Mirage an ugly car, but it is a blunt and not really attractive. Still lightyears better than 2016 Prius.

"Pretty" sells, for sure. When Hyundai redesigned Sonata in 2009 sales went up by 64%.

[Cobrajet]

I wouldn't go to call Mirage an ugly car, but it is a blunt and not really attractive. Still lightyears better than 2016 Prius.

"Pretty" sells, for sure. When Hyundai redesigned Sonata in 2009 sales went up by 64%.

The '16 Civic is uglier. Look at this fat beast!

[Car Nut]

The '16 Civic is uglier. Look at this fat beast!

It has kinda grown a little bit. Looks kinda like a Sonata.

[MetroMPG]

Agreed: 2016 Prius styling screams "go buy a Volt" to me.

It's so hard to debate subjectivity like styling. But the sales numbers are harder to dismiss.

Also: it's funny how perception of styling changes over time. I was dead set against the styling of the Mirage when it came out. But now I will sheepishly admit I actually prefer it over the 2017 facelift. That may be because I've come to take on an "underdog/runt of the litter" protectiveness over the car. Meaning, maybe now I love it because it's ugly.

[Car Nut]

Agreed: 2016 Prius styling screams "go buy a Volt" to me.

It's so hard to debate subjectivity like styling. But the sales numbers are harder to dismiss.

Also: it's funny how perception of styling changes over time. I was dead set against the styling of the Mirage when it came out. But now I will sheepishly admit I actually prefer it over the 2017 facelift. That may be because I've come to take on an "underdog/runt of the litter" protectiveness over the car. Meaning, maybe now I love it because it's ugly.

I totally understand where you're coming from. Cobrajet kept mentioning them over at geometroforum.com. and.... I kept saying I thought they were "butt ugly". Well, it has grown on me, but I'll probably still wait on the 17 model, unless a killer deal comes along for a 15 ES.

[cyclopathic]

Agreed: 2016 Prius styling screams "go buy a Volt" to me.

It's so hard to debate subjectivity like styling. But the sales numbers are harder to dismiss.

Also: it's funny how perception of styling changes over time. I was dead set against the styling of the Mirage when it came out. But now I will sheepishly admit I actually prefer it over the 2017 facelift. That may be because I've come to take on an "underdog/runt of the litter" protectiveness over the car. Meaning, maybe now I love it because it's ugly.

IMHO Ioniq is gonna make a dent on 2016 Prius, and mostly due to styling (though Hyundai may undercut price too).

With respect to 2017 Mirage facelift, 2015 mail slot was fine, they just needed to retro headlights to make it look more like Fiat 500.

[Mirage_Sydney]

A bit of both (head and heart) for me.

My 7-year-old daughter actually loves the mirage, she wants the plasma purple one when she is old enough to drive.

And I have happy memories of the Mirage I bought new 16 years ago, which is my favourite out of all the cars I've owned (I've owned about 12 cars over the years).

But head comes into it as well. I love the practicality and economy and the purchase price was unbeatable.

[Daox]

I will miss the mail slot.