Mrfixit (02-18-2019)
Mrfixit (02-18-2019)
If you're getting an automatic I would also go for the SE model. The extra $1500 gets you a fancier radio, fog lights, armrest (I think?), Alloy wheels, the smart key which I really like, nicer trim, electronic climate control, and since you're buying a 2018 you also get a seat height adjustment and cruise control the 2018 ES doesn't have. Worth it, in my opinion.
-Karl B. 2015 Mirage DE CVT Utility Machine (and lots of other cars)
I always hear people who talk about their car years or months after buying it say things like, "I love my car, but I wish I had spent the extra $____ and gotten the one that had ________."
I honestly rarely hear them say, "I love my car, but I wish I had saved the $____ and gotten the cheap one."
Do what is right for you, but since you are buying a long-term new car just remember it's not only about what you need now, but what you might need in the future.
I wouldn't avoid the cvt like the plague but like many cvts or automatics they just aren't as reliable and cheap to maintain as a 5speed. If you keep the fluid and filters changed regularly it might last longer than anyone here.
I think the longest lasting so far has been 300k kms/186k miles. 2 out of three failures I saw had a thrust washer fail on the input shaft contaminating the rest of the cvt, it might have been repairable but it'd be cheaper to just replace it with a used one.
The third problem I saw was a car with about 80k kms making noise, the dealer replaced it after demanding all the service records for the car. Took a few weeks for them to even decide whether they were going to honor their warranty. That is a bit of a turn off for me for the company altogether.
Other than the cvt problems I haven't seen any real problems with these things. No real common problems that most people who take care of their stuff should run into. Crash parts are expensive, but don't crash and you'll be fine.
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View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)
Maybe the Mirage CVT has an easier life being in a 2000 pound car?
In other vehicles, I think I would avoid a CVT like the plague. I know 2 different people with Jatco CVTs (both well under 100k miles) that are starting to have early signs of problems. One is in a Subaru and the other a Nissan. Both are still under warranty...but if they weren't these are both $5K repairs waiting to happen.
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)
Yeah low weight and low power=low stress on parts. I mentioned before we had a 14' spark here, it went through 2-3 cvt's all under warranty. The dealer did a horrible job putting it together to make matters worse, we sold the car before warranty ran up and replaced it with a mirage.
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View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)
Top_Fuel (02-19-2019)
$9000 Mirages in the past were most likely the ES manuals, not CVT. Just comparing MSRP of the 2018 Mirage ES models shows a CVT adds $1200 to the price of the car ($13,395 vs. $14,595).
The biggest jump in price is not a going up a trim level. The biggest jump in price is adding a CVT to the ES trim level, & that carries over to everything else. I wouldn't overlook that I guess.
The Mirage with a manual transmission seems to be bullet proof, & I think the manual is a hoot to drive. I am about 10 years older than you, & I drive a 2017 ES (manual). During the summer months, I average about 47 mpg/tank (45-50 range). During the winter months (Wisconsin), I would say it drops to an average of about 42 mpg/tank (40-45 range). Cold weather & driving through snow makes all cars drop in mpg.
All manual transmissions have a different feel to them. Now that I am use to my Mirage as my daily driver, my Subaru manual seems a little awkward at first when I use it. I don't think you test drive a Mirage & go "WOW" this is an awesome little car. Instead you own/drive the Mirage for a bit, and then it hits you! This is an awesome little car for the money.
Adding a lot of stuff to a cheap economy car is more of a turn off for me, but I may not be the norm on this. I don’t mind steel wheels. I could care less about push button start, fog lights, heated seats, & automatic climate control. I actually prefer the simple manual climate controls.
My last true economy car before my Mirage DID NOT have - A/C, power windows, power locks, remote key entry, 4-doors (only had 2 side doors), 14” tires (only had 12” tires), passenger side mirror, air bags (had horrible automatic seat belts), traction/stability control, ABS brakes, rear window defroster, rear window wiper, split folding rear seats, hubcaps, etc…. & it was only 63 horsepower. My 2017 Mirage ES (manual) has all those items & then some.
You couldn't add anything to a Mirage that would make me give up the manual transmission. As far as I am concerned, the manual transmission trumps EVERYTHING else offered on a Mirage. Thus, you wouldn't find me paying $1000-1200 extra for a CVT.
Window sticker for my 2017 Mirage ES (manual) was $14,220. Purchase price was $9299 ($10,153.73 OTD). Wisconsin buyer purchasing a Mirage from a Minnesota dealership.
Last edited by Mark; 02-20-2019 at 05:10 AM.
MetroMPG (02-20-2019)
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View my fuel log 2018 Mirage SE 1.2 automatic: 33.6 mpg (US) ... 14.3 km/L ... 7.0 L/100 km ... 40.4 mpg (Imp)