US: Just In: Small, underpowered 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage (ConsumerReports.org)

[grsupercity]

Consumer reports is a joke. They even gave the new Outlander a bad review and that is a very nice suv for the money.

[RedDE5Spd]

Wow, CR seems to have a grudge. I like mine and I couldn't buy anything with close to the fuel economy plus a 10 yr/120k bumper to bumper warranty for the money in my local used car market; I tried for several weeks.

I didn't see where they made any valid comparisons between the Mirage and another car, to allow complaints on the Mirage. Yeah, it is built cheaply; that's why they base at $13k. And about Mitsubishi being loose on credit, not my experience at all; a local CU financed me rather than Mitsubishi's financing with a good rate to boot.

[Zxit]

There purpose is clear to me...

Suzuki, Consumer Reports Settle Case

http://articles.latimes.com/2004/jul...ess/fi-suzuki9

Isuzu Suit Against Consumer Reports Goes to Jury

http://articles.latimes.com/2000/apr/01/news/mn-14875

Do you see a trend here?

I do.

Consumer Union is.

Keep the Faith.

-Zxit

[Canoehead]

I don't get it. I don't own a Mirage. It is top of my list currently for my next car, and this is based on all sorts of research that I am trying to make objective and fair. I have a vested interest in the best car for me - that's all. I have no vested interest in Mitsubishi, or any other car company, or anything related - I only want the most affordable, reliable, safe, basic transportation. I don't understand why racing performance is an issue, and I don't get why a car that can do 180km/h is "underpowered" (with speed limits here, it is overpowered by that measure).

[grsupercity]

Your going to find that there are fair reviews, and biased reviews on the interwebs

[Mitsuman]

I used to call Consumer Reports 'Clodsumer Retorts' because I once owned a 1999 Kia Sephia and a 2001 Kia Sportage 4X4 and Clodsumer Retorts thrashed the Kia brand up and down (and of course, as Kia's have improved, so have their reports) but I actually loved both of my Kia's. I would one day buy another Kia, but, I've got ta tell y'all, I really don't see myself straying from Mitsubishi when I buy my next rig. I currently own, drive, and enjoy a beautiful 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS. I have 115,513 miles on the odometer.

The Lancer GTS is running like a champ and sound as a pound, and, to be totally honest, I see only good in the new Mitsubishi Mirage. In fact, I have seen pics on the net of a fictional Mitsubishi Evo Mirage and if they built that car, in all of it's miniature delight, I will come. With money. Really!

When I got the feedback that the new Mitsubishi Mirage's shifter in the 5-speed model shifts seamlessly and easily, I perked my ears up even more. Here's the deal, guys. I love getting good gas mileage. The fact that this thing doesn't have a beautiful, glistening interior means about as much to me as getting the latest Miley Smyrus CD. Mitsubishi is spot on with this new sub-subcompact and it is a light car that gets great gas mileage and offers a standard transmission 5-speed stick version. The looks of the car remind me of the late 80's Ford Festiva (built for Ford by Kia Motors) or the late 80's Chevy Sprint. Which is not a bad thing, it's a good thing. Don't even bother with Clodsumer Retorts, they're not worth the cyberspace they are currently taking up.

[festiboi]

I don't get it. I don't own a Mirage. It is top of my list currently for my next car, and this is based on all sorts of research that I am trying to make objective and fair. I have a vested interest in the best car for me - that's all. I have no vested interest in Mitsubishi, or any other car company, or anything related - I only want the most affordable, reliable, safe, basic transportation. I don't understand why racing performance is an issue, and I don't get why a car that can do 180km/h is "underpowered" (with speed limits here, it is overpowered by that measure).

Well said Canoehead. I used to work for Edmunds for a while, and the toughest part about the job was being unbiased. You have put aside your grudges against a particular brand or country of origin and look at each car individually, focusing on its intended purpose and how successful the designers and engineers were at accomplishing it. You also have to place yourself in the shoes of a consumer who would buy that car. Each car has its good and bad points, and it's important not to dwell too much on either of them.

Like you, I don't own a Mirage and don't have any loyalty to Mitsubishi (in fact, I've mostly owned Fords and haven't particularly liked Japanese cars). But for what it is, the Mirage is a sweet car at a good price. It's equipped with features, such as automatic climate control and the smart key (ES), that aren't available on the competition and it's roomy enough and extremely fuel efficient. Sure it doesn't handle like a Ferrari and the Ford Fiesta has it beat there, but the Mirage is indeed roomier inside and a more pleasant place to spend time. Add in a low base price and the warranty, it's an excellent deal for anybody who is cash-strapped, or just wants a simple, efficient, and dare I say, funky, set of wheels to scoot around in.

Comparing it to a Tut-tut is ridiculous and reflects how spoiled these reviewers have gotten. There have been plenty of worse vehicles that have graced our roads, and from someone who has driven some shockers, the Mirage is more than decent

[MetroMPG]

I used to work for Edmunds for a while

Let's hear that story!

[festiboi]

I was a Live Advice Specialist for them; basically giving car buying advice, suggestions, and tips on the right car and how to get a good deal to Edmunds readers. Fantastic job and awesome company to work for. But it was tough sometimes, especially for me as a small car fanatic, to have any interest, for example, in large eight-seat SUVs and to know the differences between them all, but it was part of the job. Still, I got to see all of the test cars and long-term vehicles downstairs in the parking garage and was surrounded by cars all day, everyday at work. I left them on good terms (may go back someday) and still in constant contact with the staff. I asked them the other day when they are testing the Mirage (aside from the test done in the UK), but no word yet. Since Edmunds has had multiple long-term Lancer, Outlander, and Outlander Sport long-term vehicles over the years, I'm pressing them to get a Mirage. That may be a tough request in image-conscious Los Angeles!

[RedDE5Spd]

I don't get it. I don't own a Mirage. It is top of my list currently for my next car, and this is based on all sorts of research that I am trying to make objective and fair. I have a vested interest in the best car for me - that's all. I have no vested interest in Mitsubishi, or any other car company, or anything related - I only want the most affordable, reliable, safe, basic transportation. I don't understand why racing performance is an issue, and I don't get why a car that can do 180km/h is "underpowered" (with speed limits here, it is overpowered by that measure).

I own a Mirage, and this is exactly how I came to the decision to buy it. I didn't come across the poor reviews until recently and I am surprised by it.