Well this is very interesting.
Automotive News is a serious source of auto info -- not a typical enthusiast rag or blog site. In this piece, writer RICHARD TRUETT talks about the car's "polarizing" reception in the US, as well as his own impressions from driving the CVT version.
He opens with quite the statement:
If the Mirage is one of the strangest cars he's ever driven, he's led a sad and boring automotive life. Hopefully (for his sake) what he meant to say is it's one of the most unusual cars on sale in North America right now. I'd agree with that.The Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the strangest cars I have ever driven -- and it’s one of the most polarizing new models of 2014.
He says in a very matter of fact way what he likes about the car, what's wrong with it, and why it wouldn't cost Mitsubishi much to "fix" it.
- "hated" the engine at first... until he discovered how responsive it was at cruising speeds, and how little gas it burns (no trouble beating the EPA ratings in "normal" driving)
- contrary to negative opinions from Consumer Reports and the New York Times, he says "merging and passing are not issues"
- not particularly impressed with the CVT (seemed to be complaining about idle-neutral re-engaging gear from rest); would recommend the 5-speed
- Mitsubishi needs to recalibrate the suspension ... "could dramatically improve the Mirage" ... "The car wallows around corners as if the tires were made of marshmallows"
Overall?
It's worth reading the full article: http://www.autonews.com/article/2014...e-a-good-valueThe Mirage asks the driver to forgo some refinement for a low price. I think that is a legitimate trade-off.