Originally Posted by
Jim2029
I'm going Saturday to check out and maybe buy a 2019 Mirage 4g ES 5 speed.
I was wanting to know, does the 1.2L 3 cylinder engine this car has use a timing belt or chain?
If belt, spring tensioner or oil actuated?
If belt, how many miles is replacement recommend?
interference engine? (Valve hit piston if it breaks)
I'd do 20,000 miles a year easy just for work. plus that for fun. I'm getting it for the low cost, warranty, and fuel millage.
Timing chain.
It is a interference engine but with a double row timing chain you should never have to worry about it. We have one forum member that is approaching 300k miles with zero engine problems and he’s still on the original clutch. The engines in these cars are rock solid. With the 5 speed you’ll easily exceed the EPA estimate. Many members with the 5 speed average well over 50mpg in day to day driving. If you want basic, reliable, inexpensive transportation it’s tough to beat the Mirage. If you’re looking for a ton of bells and whistles and electronic nonsense then the Mirage isn’t for you. The Mirage is shipped worldwide to a lot of developing countries and you can actually maintain it yourself. I like to think of the Mirage as the type of subcompact all Japanese manufacturers used to make but somehow forgot that not everyone wants or needs to spend $25-40k+ for a car.
__________________________________________
View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 automatic: 40.5 mpg (US) ... 17.2 km/L ... 5.8 L/100 km ... 48.6 mpg (Imp)