I sort of like the Mirage as is. I especially like the powertrain of the 5-speed manual.
One wish list item - The old 1988-93 Ford Festiva hatchbacks (designed by Mazda, made by KIA, sold by Ford) had rear seats that folded up (not just down). You could literally fold the rear seats up (sort of a double flip), & the back of the front seats would keep the rear seats compressed together. A large flat cargo area was left underneath. It made the cargo area much more useable when the rear seats were rolled up. You could even flip them the other way & create a flat rear seat. For a very cheap, small car, it had awesome cargo space (because of the rear seat design).
I actually found a very short clip of what of I am describing. Wish the lighting was better so you could see inside the car better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFvoStEvIxM
The rear seats on a Mirage hatchback (that just flip down) are quite lame by comparison.
I understand the logic of that but I have no experience of this. Anyway, when I buy a car I try not to drive it into things
Personally I prefer that ledge/shelf as it's useful for placing things like mobile phones etc, okay, it won't take a weeks worth of groceries but handy non the less.
Looks like I've got some distance to go then. However, I was out with my grandchildren last week when I did get my keys out of my pocket, put them in the cupholder and forgot them. Upon alighting from Mitzi it would not lock via the door button, checked all the doors and still wouldn't lock. Confused and eyeballing the kids I just couldn't quite fathom. Then I went in my pocket for my keyfob that wasn't there then I realised it was still in the car. What a useful feature.
I've noticed this too, had it on one or two other cars as well. When a driving instructor I learnt the thing to do if it would not engage reverse gear or even 1st gear is to put it into any gear and move forward just a tad then it'll get over its coyness and get into gear.
As regards to the steering vagueness I have previously stated that a Roman Chariot had better steering. Now after four months I don't find it a problem.
dspace9 (08-27-2019)