Used 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M) Consumer Reviews
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Perfect for those who just wanna get there CHEAP!
Speed-Timer, Lacey, WA, 10/23/2015
updated 01/06/2021
Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M)
94 of 95 people found this review helpful
I LOVE this car. I have had it for ten months and have put nearly 25k miles on it, so I now feel as though I am in a position to comment on it here. I bought the Mirage mostly for the same reason people bought VW Beetles back in the '60s or Chevy Chevettes in the '70s. Not for performance or handling, not for comfort or style. But for economy. The comparison of the Mirage to the original Beetle or the Chevette is not an unwarranted one. Adjusted for inflation, the Mirage, the Beetle, and the Chevette cost about the same amount. In 1970, the Bug was about $2000; in 1976 the Chevette was near $2,800...both of which would be right around $12,000 today. Though I don't think the VW or the Chevy came with automatic climate control and power windows as standard equipment...in fact, they weren't even OPTIONS! The average transaction amount for a new car nowadays is somewhere north of $35,000, so if a person is spending less than half of that they can expect to leave a few things "on the table". This is not a fault with the car, but rather just COMMON SENSE! Is the car a bit noisy? Yes. Does it handle well? Not really. Does it accelerate like a rocketship? Nope. Many other reviewers lament these facts (unfairly), but the Mirage simply isn't designed for any of that. Though the one thing it IS designed for it does very well. It is cheap to buy, cheap to insure, and VERY, VERY cheap to run. Most critics of the Mirage simply expect too much for the car's incredibly low price point. My 5-speed ES model was a shade over $14,000. Could I have bought a 37k-mile 2011 Corolla with that money? Sure. But I wanted a new car with a warranty and without a previous owner's cigarette burns and dog smell on the seats. And I didn't want the Corolla's 30-ish mpg, either. Over the 25k miles I have driven, I have averaged about 48 mpg...that is not an exaggeration! Driven correctly, these cars are almost unbelievably thrifty. Creature comforts are in line with a 21st century car...even an economy car. Fog lights, passive "F.A.S.T. key" ignition, nice stereo, Bluetooth, alloy wheels, automatic climate control, power everything, etc, etc. I have had ZERO problems with the Mirage, and all it has needed is oil changes. Not everyone wants or needs the classic "A-to-B" car anymore, and there are those among us who feel that we, as a species, should have evolved well beyond such humble cars by now. But for those of us that DO still just want to get there without having a $600-a-month car payment, I really can't recommend the Mirage highly enough. As an economy car in a bad economy, it truly has no equal. ***Original poster here. Just an update on the Mirage. It has been outstanding! The car has needed nothing but oil changes, a set of front brake pads, and a set of tires over the 35,000 miles I have driven it. Still averaging around 48 mpg.*** ***Original poster again. Another update on my 2015 Mirage, which I have now owned for almost two years. I just rolled over 50,000 miles, and the car is as solid and trouble-free as the day I bought it. No repairs of any kind have been needed, just oil changes. Still averaging right around 48 mpg. Would I buy it again? YOU BET!*** ***Original poster. Nearing 80,000 miles over my three years of ownership, and the Mirage continues to impress. Still getting around 48 mpg, and all the car has ever needed is brake pads, tires, oil changes, and bulbs. If you want inexpensive, simple, reliable, and efficient...like I did...the Mirage is a great bet. I would buy another one in a heartbeat, and that really is the best compliment any driver can give a car. ***Original poster. Just under 100,000 miles now, and the mileage has dropped off a bit. Used to be 45 to 55 mpg (averaging 48), now 40 to 50 mpg (averaging 44). I am not surprised by this at all as it is simply due to mileage and normal wear (plus larger, non-LRR tires). Mileage may improve a bit after I do the 100k mile service on the car. Engine now consumes a small amount of oil between changes. I wore out the driver's seat and had to replace it. The Mirage has been absurdly reliable, and still has only required 'consumables'. No leaks, no squeaks, no smoke, no rattles, no problems. Not even so much as a "check engine" light. Starts EVERY time. This vehicle has redefined automotive reliability for me! I fully expect to get another 100,000 miles out of it. ***Original poster again. The car now has 165,000 miles and is still going strong. Other than a broken clutch cable at 113,000 miles it has needed nothing other than maintenance. The Mirage is one of the most reliable cars on the market.
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Best for Buck
SuperTechie, Arlington Heights, IL, 07/27/2015
updated 01/31/2017
Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
In the 10K class of new cars (only looking at stick, as with small engines all other trannies have bad performance), I have looked at: 1. Chevy Volt. Totally rejected due to Onstar and the inability to truly disable it even when unsubscribed. No spying is desired. 2. Nissan Versa. Off the line performance sucks bad, even though it has a bigger engine. It seems like they have detuned it so that you can't peel out. I wouldn't want to cross 4 lanes with this one. Car is most comfortable but feels heavy and gets bad MPG. 3. Mitsubishi Mirage. Best bang for buck. Great acceleration for size of engine/MPG with stick. Seats could be a little more comfortable, but not bad. I bought the base version as I did not want the proximity key/push button start that comes with the upgraded versions, since so many of the proximity keys have been hacked. It would have been nice to have the alloy wheels and cruise, but I feel much safer not having the proximity key.
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2015 Mitsubishi Mirage for sale near you
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- DE 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $3,9998 mi away
- DE 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $10,595140 mi away
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FANTASTIC CAR! FITS MY REQUIREMENTS PERFECTLY!
Dean Saxon, Manchester, KY, 05/10/2016
updated 11/17/2017
Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M)
18 of 21 people found this review helpful
Being a recently retired automotive professional, I did a lot of research to get the biggest bang for my buck on a brand new car. I had quite a bit of experience on automotive reliability (42 years in auto parts sales). I knew Mitsubishi was second to none in that category. I wanted a vehicle that would let me enjoy life on a budget, yet be comfortable and meet my driving needs. That's what led me to the Mitsubishi Mirage. I'm saving lots of money every time I travel, whether I'm zipping to town or on a trip. I purchased an ES model with 5 speed manual. I traveled to Albany Ga. to get the exact one I had in mind. The dealer there made me feel like family and far exceeded my expectations. This was the second brand new car I ever purchased. The first when I was 18 years old, now this one at age 66. I have found the quality and reliability to be exceptional. The clutch is smooth and effortless. Transmission shifter has a close positive gate. As for handling, It may seem a little awkward to start, but no two vehicles drive exactly alike. With a little experience, if you can modify your behavior, you may just fall in love with the Mirage's steering and suspension. Some have criticized the noisy engine. On mine, you can only hear the exhaust lightly howling when accelerating out onto the highway. ( Personally, I like that) When coming to a stop, sometimes I feel like the engine has stopped running (It's that smooth and quiet). Fit and function of controls are very conveniently located and easy to use. The comfort level of the seats seem better to me on the ES model, as they are slightly softer with premium materials, and the drivers seat also adjusts up and down to conform to the drivers height. The interior is exceptionally roomy and close to that of many midsize cars of today. I think the power level of the engine is sufficient. Living in the Appalachian mountain area of extreme North Georgia, I have no problem climbing hills or passing other vehicles, but I do know how to use that 5 speed transmission when doing so. If you are capable of doing any of your own service work, both major and general components that may need attention at some time are fairly simple and easily accessible. No professional reviewers address that. I understand the professional reviewer's comments on this car. Who else gets to drive and evaluate every car on the market. What's right for you may not be right for the next person. After almost 2 years of ownership I have absolutely no complaints. I'm still lovin' mine! Gas mileage is unbelievable!
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You bet I would buy it again.....
Linda B., Greensboro, NC, 07/19/2017
Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
It is my opinion that the manual transmission is much better than the CVT. My 5 speed has great acceleration which seems to be a complaint with the CVT owners. I have had the car for 17 months and been to the mountains of Tenn. and up to the Adirondack Mountains of New York twice with 2 adults and 3 children and a big load of luggage with no problems what so ever with acceleration, mountain climbing or handling. When using the air conditioner you do lose some power but it really is not a problem even with the mountain driving. The car gets about 35 miles per gallon around town and about 48 miles per gallon on a trip. When using the air conditioner, those numbers drop by a couple MPG. The noise level with the windows up is no greater than in any other car I have ever driven. I love my car and have had absolutely no problems with it what so ever.
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Great little car
Marko, Coweta, OK, 06/30/2018
updated 07/02/2021
Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have owned a Mirage for more than a year. After owning two lemons (an '06 Dodge Dakota and a '13 Ford Focus) my Mirage has been a great, reliable transport. It has gotten some negative press for being "cheap" or feeling like a 1990s subcompact, but that's its charm! Anyway, it does NOT have 1990s tech inside. It's got Bluetooth, power windows, keyless entry and start, cruise, aux jack, USB jack, A/C, all the stuff you need...It's much-lauded gas mileage is very true: I get high-40s mpg with my manual without trying very hard. (My commute is about 75% highway.) I would highly recommend the manual version (if you can find it)...it's fun to whip the 1,996-pound car around corners, and you can park this little beast anywhere. It FEELS like 1994 when you drive her, and who doesn't want to re-live 1994 in this day and age? It's acceleration is a bit sluggish, but that is to be expected in a 74-hp car. But I regularly pass vehicles on the highway without much trouble, and man are some of those drivers pissed!...I have no criticisms of this car beyond it NOT being a Volkswagen Golf GTI. I would, though, criticize Mitsubishi for trying to move a new Mirage at 15K or more. This little tinpot needs to be at a base-Nissan Versa price point or below. It is the best value for your money. Which brings me to another frequent comment: while inexpensive, this is not a car for poor people. It is a car for subcompact enthusiasts. I am not poor. *UPDATE* I have since turned my Mirage in for a newer Hyundai Accent. The Accent is a very good car, but I do miss the Mirage. There was nothing wrong with it; I just decided to swap a car with 80K miles that blew around on the highway for another with 6K miles that didn't. And that is one of only two criticisms I have for the Mirage: that it's unsteady in inclement weather on long commutes, and it's stick/clutch has an odd feel. (Regular Car Reviews didn't like it either.) I didn't notice the manual feel until I tried other ones, and while I was driving the Mirage, I was used to it and had no complaints. But both are subjective issues with nothing mechanically unsound. As for missing the car, I definitely do. It is a very enjoyable ride around corners and zipping through local streets. The Accent feels stately compared to it. Would I buy a Mirage again? Yes...but only the manual version. If it's an automatic, then yes it probably veers into "poor person's car" territory. A manual puts it into the subcompact hall of fame.
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