Considering a 300k mile Mirage for $2k - good idea? Alternatives?

[Eggman]

I think I've read that it's more popular in southern states? It'd be interesting to know for sure.

This is an interesting point. Years ago I noticed Japanese imports were more prevalent in the Southern States and attributed that to Northern auto unions. That was long ago - times have changed and domestics have cut producing autos for trucks & SUVs.

[Clessy]

Old topic by now but, maybe im a douche i'd low ball and see if they'd go for around $1300 instead. Worse case scenario though is a whole motor is $500 normally granted you need the know how to do it yourself to make that worthwhile cost wise.

[Dodge Aries K]

Yeah, this dude won't really negotiate. I talked to him about it again since I know someone who's kind of looking for something like this too... and he said he has $1700 offers he turned down lol. He thinks he can part it out for a bunch of money (says $500 per door? Yeah right dude... not going to happen) so he's pretty firm on his price. So good luck if anyone actually wants the thing. It's been for sale for 4 months or longer I think?

[Clessy]

Yeah, this dude won't really negotiate. I talked to him about it again since I know someone who's kind of looking for something like this too... and he said he has $1700 offers he turned down lol. He thinks he can part it out for a bunch of money (says $500 per door? Yeah right dude... not going to happen) so he's pretty firm on his price. So good luck if anyone actually wants the thing. It's been for sale for 4 months or longer I think?

These are the idiots who park a perfectly working car and then 30 years later its a solid piece of rust and they're still trying to get $1000 for it.

[Eggman]

This is a great bargaining idea! Might be worth the dolly rental, time, and fuel investment to go try out. Worse comes to worse I spend a day or two out in Erie area (where I've been meaning to explore a little bit) and get a mini-vacation out of it.

Hey penn_matte, any updates?

[penn_matte]

Hey penn_matte, any updates?

I decided to go for the Mirage in Delaware! I went and checked it out last Thursday and took it for a thirty minute test drive and checked it out for major rust issues and whatnot and it seemed fine. Turns out the woman was not the first owner and purchased it about 6k miles ago for her college age daughter who ended up transferring schools and wanted/needed something with AWD for the winter. Since she got it before the 120k mile service interval and she said she hadn't done anything but put new tires (14" Federals) on it since she bought it I offered $3250 to account for doing fluid changes and checking the valve clearances (which sounds like can probably be skipped?). She accepted, and we're planning on meeting up later this week to exchange money and the title. I'm hoping to line up a Maryland inspection on Tuesday morning and a MVA appointment down the street in Elkton in the afternoon and be all squared away at the end of the day.

It was definitely quieter and drove nicer than I expected, and I'm looking forward to some fuel sipping driving! I won't feel as restrained traveling places on a whim given how much cheaper travel will be, so even if it's just psychological gains at the moment (given the upfront costs will take a long time to fully recoup with fuel and maintenance costs) I think it's worth that peace of mind and freedom.

[penn_matte]

Also, looking at the door tag VIN sticker it was actually manufactured in March of 2014. The woman wasn't really a 'car' person and the receipt from her mechanic for the tires listed it as a 2015 so maybe that's what she based it off of (or maybe the dealer she bought it from claimed it was a '15?)?

[Mark]

Also, looking at the door tag VIN sticker it was actually manufactured in March of 2014. The woman wasn't really a 'car' person and the receipt from her mechanic for the tires listed it as a 2015 so maybe that's what she based it off of (or maybe the dealer she bought it from claimed it was a '15?)?

The easiest way to tell a 2014 from a 2015 at first glance is the antenna. The 2014 Mirage has the antenna mounted at the front of the roof. The 2015 (& above) have the antenna attached on the rear of the roof. The green Mirage at the top of this forum page is a 2014, because of the antenna location.

From looking at the pics alone, I would say your future Mirage is a 2014. The door tag seems to confirm that, too!

There's nothing wrong with the Federal tires. They should serve you well.

Congrats on the purchase! I hope the final transaction/pick up goes smoothly for you!

[Dirk Diggler]

Sounds like a good deal to me. Is it a manual or CVT?

[Fummins]

Maybe get a second opinion on the lifter noise or a compression test.. If it’s a knocker get the price lowered a little more? Lifters aren’t really adjustable. Download a service manual http://mmc-manuals.ru/Mitsubishi_Mirage/en