Yup. I could do it better, but only by cutting the air gaps on the bottom 12, or better yet, cutting the mitered angle on the upper 36. Hell no. It just needs to stay put. All of my neighbours have just stacked em.
Wait til I clean em up and do the detail grind on the mortar (concave cavities is the plan, if I get the energy to do it)
All in all, $50, an hours work including digging and leveling gravel, I'm pretty damned stoked. Similar pits at local stores go for $399 out of fireproof fiber stone, still would have had to prep the location.
__________________________________________
View my fuel log 2018 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 43.5 mpg (US) ... 18.5 km/L ... 5.4 L/100 km ... 52.2 mpg (Imp)
__________________________________________
View my fuel log 2018 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 43.5 mpg (US) ... 18.5 km/L ... 5.4 L/100 km ... 52.2 mpg (Imp)
__________________________________________
View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 42.2 mpg (US) ... 17.9 km/L ... 5.6 L/100 km ... 50.7 mpg (Imp)
At the rate I put on KMs, I have enough Metros & Fireflies in stock to last a few more decades!
You're right on which way I'm leaning, though. Obviously I prefer a more efficient engine, but it should still be entertaining in the twisties, and the Micra beats the Mirage hands down in the steering feel & suspension. If only Mitsu had taken a page from Nissan's approach, they could have avoided a LOT of the negativity in Mirage reviews.
__________________________________________
View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 62.4 mpg (US) ... 26.5 km/L ... 3.8 L/100 km ... 74.9 mpg (Imp)
__________________________________________
View my fuel log 2018 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 43.5 mpg (US) ... 18.5 km/L ... 5.4 L/100 km ... 52.2 mpg (Imp)
I really don't mind the Mirage as is. In my case it's a daily driver, & I have something else for large loads. The Mirage does what I want it to do quite well.
It seems like the two cars (Mirage/Micra) were built for two different outcomes.
Hypothetical - A Mirage powetrain (engine/manual transmission) added to a Micra frame/body) may be an appealing combination. Adding a Micra powertrain to a Mirage frame/body, however, wouldn't interest me in the least.
Affordable, reliable, & economical are important factors to me. If handling & ride were improved without sacrificing the other factors, that would be great. A Mirage powertrain in a Micra may be that?
The Micra seems to be a solid, well designed small car. Its mpg would be a deal breaker for me. If a small car isn't giving me a great mpg rating, I would rather drive something larger & more substantial. It comes down to what's important to you I guess?
Last edited by Mark; 07-24-2019 at 04:35 PM.
Actually, outside of the western hemisphere, the same Micra that we get in Canada was sold with a choice of two 1.2L 3-cylinder engines, one naturally aspirated, the other supercharged.
It's just on this side of the pond we get the race car Micra with the giant 1.6L engine . (There is actually a factory-supported Micra race series in Canada).
__________________________________________
View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 62.4 mpg (US) ... 26.5 km/L ... 3.8 L/100 km ... 74.9 mpg (Imp)