Well yeah, that is true. I guess I haven't really fully given up on it. A Mirage is a helluva vehicle. I just happen to find one that I like. I'm negotiating with a dealer now. If I can get it low enough, I'm going to go ahead and do it.
Besides the fact that I worked as a design engineer, I'm a car guy. I know a valuable vehicle when I see it. One of the things that has sort of swayed me back on the prowl for one is ... what if Mitsubishi does like most other manufacturers and completely stop building vehicles with a manual transmission? Oh that would suck. So, if I can work out a good enough deal now, I'll go ahead and buy it. I'm certain I will keep it for 10 years, at least the length of the powertrain warranty.
I hope you guys appreciate your Mirages. I'm a big dude, I look (and smell) a lot like Shrek, like a middle linebacker. I played 1st year of college football (but got hurt) as a linebacker. That's been a few years back. I also roadraced sportbikes in WERA (#701). I don't say these things to brag. I say them to describe what I look like, what I'm built like, heck I am the kind of guy most would expect to make fun of a Mirage. However, I think the Mirage is one of the most badass cars on the road. Why? Because Mitsubishi went for simple, inexpensive, reliable and valuable. I think it hit its mark. And I have respect for that. Don't let haters sway your opinion based on a 3-tapper 78 hp engine. I say it's a "tapper" because with only 78 hp, it doesn't really bang ... it just kind of taps.
But tapping conserves fuel, so I'll take it.