The Small Car Stereotype: You're poor, have bad credit, or in a bad place

[Subcompact Culture]

The Ace of Base:2019 Mitsubishi Mirage story on TheTruthAboutCars.com inspired me to write this piece: Cheap, small cars so often have this stigma behind them. You must be poor, have bad credit, or be in some "bad place" to want to buy one, such as the Mirage. I disagree, and wrote a blog post about it if you'd like to check it out.

http://www.subcompactculture.com/201...ad-credit.html

Anyway, I've long disliked the idea that you must have to buy a car like a Mirage. You couldn't possibly have wanted it.

[dspace9]

I read the same review. Also that Mitsubishi the brand is the "mediocre credit" dealership. Hey you know what, back in 2014 when I bought my Mirage, my credit wasn't that great. They gave me a 7 year loan at 2.99%.

Not sure Chevy dealer would have given me a new car at that rate.

I'm not ashamed of it, and I love the fuel economy. I hate the size, in the context of roads with too many trucks and terrible drivers. Other than that, I don't care. The Mirage is way better looking that most cars, but most people don't notice. I saw at the dealer today a 2 tone painted blue/black Mirage. Sharp! Screw the critics and classist fascist *******s

[Eggman]

I saw at the dealer today a 2 tone painted blue/black Mirage. Sharp!

Where are the pictures of this two-tone Mirage??

[dspace9]

Where are the pictures of this two-tone Mirage??

I will take pictures of the two-tone Mirage when I'm back at the dealer next week.

It's a "Limited Edition" so you get a black spoiler and roof, and then inside there is red stitching on the steering wheel, the gear shift etc. Plus sweet 15'' rims that are black as well.

I have spent many hours at the dealer the past few weeks. My Mirage has a small leak around the gas cap (or gas filler), and the dealer accidentally forgot to order a new gas cap. So back to the dealer again next week.

[Eggman]

I have spent many hours at the dealer the past few weeks. My Mirage has a small leak around the gas cap (or gas filler), and the dealer accidentally forgot to order a new gas cap. So back to the dealer again next week.

I'm thinking your problem lies somewhere other than the gas cap. Looking forward to seeing what fixes it.

[dspace9]

I'm thinking your problem lies somewhere other than the gas cap. Looking forward to seeing what fixes it.

I think there is a chance it's the fuel filler itself. I don't get why the dealer doesn't just replace the whole shebang. They replace 1 thing at a time, in order of cheapness.

3 visits to the dealer for 1 fuel cap? Aren't those universal? we're talking about like 3-4 + hours of driving, and waiting, each Friday. I told the dealer that Mitsubishi Mirage ownership is like a part-time job!

[Wallythacker]

It's like saying you had to buy a Corvette because your p**ker is so small there's nothing manly about you.

I'm like you, I live well, in a nice part of Niagara Falls, have a few nice things and as I wrote in a different post, I can find much better and more interesting things to do with my money than watch it evaporate in depreciation on a $50,000 vehicle.

ETA: And I really wanted to buy a Mirage after renting every subcompact, compact, and mid-size car for at least a full weekend and driving >1000kms. I thank Enterprise for their $30 deal with unlimited mileage.

The Mirage won, hands down in all of the categories that mattered to me.

[dspace9]

Yea Wallythacker I could be driving a better car. I can't see why I would put money into something that depreciates 40% in 2 years, to real estate or the stock market that appreciates 100% in 10 years. So I drive my car $12, 495 + outrageous taxes and mysterious dealer fees, good enough for my commute.

I'm not spending more than I have to to drive to work haha.

As well I want to say my Mirage has been in service at the dealer 3 weeks in a row, and it's from a leaking gas cap. Talk about the run around the dealer has given me. I get free detailing next week apparently.

[Wallythacker]

As well I want to say my Mirage has been in service at the dealer 3 weeks in a row, and it's from a leaking gas cap. Talk about the run around the dealer has given me. I get free detailing next week apparently.

I've been following your code issue. Here's hoping they fix it for good. And free detailing is awesome. Around here it's about $140 to detail a Mirage sized car.

That's another thing that scuppers the "we're poor Mirage owners" argument. For the most part our little cars are kept looking really good because we have a pride in ownership.

[fc321]

@Subcompact Culture, thanks. That was a great blog post and also I read you comments on TAC website also.

I agree with you. I myself have a 750 credit score and bought the car for $9000 financed but paid the entire loan off within a year. And now I just have barebones insurance on it for $50 per month.

I like this car because it is a very "low profile" car that does not attract the attention of thieves or vandals. There is a few times I left over $7000 worth of cash in the glove box and of course nobody would be "none the wiser".

Since I work as a landlord and collect rents. When I go to collect the rents I would hate to show up in a Mercedes or something that makes the tenants think I am a hot-shot. I also dont want to attract girls that only want my money.

So I live far below my means in a lower class neighborhood with not much fancy stuff. I am a minimalist and prefer putting my money to work in the stock market. I already have owned fancy cars and have gotten it out of my system. Even when I have surpassed 2 million dollars of personal income I still would keep driving the mirage until the wheels fall off.

As Buddha teaches: "Practice contentment and you will live a life of joy"