Hello from The Netherlands!

[vintzend]

To quote Obi Wan: "Hello there!",

I'm Vincent and I am from The Netherlands. I hope I'll be forgiven for my not always award winning English grammar skills. As many will know, in Europe we call the Mirage the "Space Star". Even though Mirage sounds much cooler to me..., I'll stick to the latter.

Currently I drive a 2018 Space Star, which is my second car. Prior to that, I drove a first generation and very bare version of the Kia Picanto (I bought it in 2009, it was from 2004 IIRC). I was involved in a car crash in early 2018 unfortunately (somebody hit my car from the back, when I had to stop for a red traffic light) and my Kia was considered total loss. When I asked my car dealer to look for a used Picanto with automatic transmission, at a certain max price as a replacement, their sales manager said "for only a little bit more, you can drive a new car, should I send you a flyer?".

...and that's how I was introduced to the Mirage/Space Star. In the end I chose the "Connect Pro 1.2 CVT" trim level (our trim levels are completely different than those in the US I believe). It has a 80 hp motor, cruise control, built-in navigation system with Android Auto in "White Pearl" color. And for the first time I had air-conditioning in my car :-) I was SO happy with this car.

Some people I know said they don't like my car and I could have spend my money much better, by buying a second hand car, but I simply love and loved it. It's so practical and reliable. And it has so many features (rain/light sensors...). I had not expected I'd ever buy a car new, but Mitsubishi made it possible. A relative was so impressed, he bought one new as well and enjoyed it for a few years.

Mitsubishi recently announced its plans to leave the European car market completely, but later made a U turn and decided to stay in at least some European countries, including my country. They are expected to sell rebadged Renault cars, instead of selling their own models here. It's also generally believed the Space Star will be discontinued in Europe as part of those business developments.

When I got a nice offer for my 2018 Space Star, I realized I had two options with my budget, if I would buy a car "new" again: either I could chose a relatively simpler car again, but this time with more optional accessories (and still save some money), or choose a bare trim level of a technically better car.

Given how happy I already am with my Space Star, and that I love having features , the fact that I actually LOVE the front of the new 2020 makeover (compared to my 2018 one) and it will be gone from sale forever soon, I chose the Space Star again, but now the max trim level and some additional options (spoiler and skirts at all sides) and this time I chose metallic red as color.

As they don't keep this version of the Space Star on stock, I'll have to wait at least 6 months to get it shipped from the factory to Europe (I'm expecting delays because of the chip shortage and other sad things happening in the world).

So I'll have to wait a bit. Hope this introduction was not too long! It's very nice to see a place where this car is really loved :-)

Kind regards, Vincent