Faults:
The only things I see are.
Water pump at 137000 miles.
Paint is starting to fade at 135000 miles.
Once or twice battery cable came loose.
Normal tires and brakes (front brakes only!)
Oil leaks a little started about 145000 miles.
Consumes 1 quart of oil every 3000 miles.
General Comments:
Hello people, I am Gilbert from California USA.
YES YOU HEARD ME RIGHT... Mitsubishi KNOWS how to make a car! This is a "J" car. Why I say "J" car?? It's cause it's one of those cars that has a letter "J" for the first letter on it's VIN number. Now for these cars, I have heard that these are definitely from Japan. Cause American OR import name, If the first letter is NOT a "J", it's not made in Japan. I try avoiding buying used cars that don't have a "J" as the first letter. This is cause for me, Japanese cars HAVE BEEN PROVEN to me to be FAR better quality than american made cars.
As far as I'm concerned, Mitsubishi are GOOD cars. They are well made and lots of quality.
My 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage is as good of quality as a Toyota or Honda, BUT they are as BORING in style as a mid 90's Ford Contours or Ford Tempo.
I had replace my dud 1994 Ford Escort which died at 133k miles. What I really like about my 97 Mitsubishi IS THE QUALITY!!!
This 97 Mitsubishi Mirage has gone 65000 miles since I bought it. I had NEVER NEVER had major problems! No engine, or transmission issues whatsoever!!!
I NEVER even had any problems (EVER) with passing the smog inspections every other year, NEVER had "Check Engine" lights.
The only biggest problem was the water pump! THAT'S IT! So far anyway.
What's funny here, is that I BEAT UP my car too! I drive it HARD! "pedal to metal" 3/4 of the time! I use this car for my job of a delivery driver. 250 miles a day!!! Yes 250 a day!!!
I may "beat up" my car, but I DO still keep up all oil changes etc. I replaced transmission fluid once only.
As of now, my car loses or consumes a little oil, I do see a small puddle of oil on the floor.
I do notice that my car stresses a little on the SUPER hot days. That's about all the issues I'm having with my Mirage.
So overall quality is A1!!!
What I DON'T like my 97 Mirage, the ride is very choppy. This is a BORING style of car. It's TOO typical and everyday looking.
27th Feb 2008, 18:07
This is an update about my 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage. (If any one of you can hear me! Very few of you, I suppose, have one of these cars; very, very few!)
Well anyway, the update: as of 2-27-08, my Mirage has a total of 173,400 miles. The transmission failed on me! The solenoid on it is gone, causing the trans to not be able to shift to third and fourth gear! My car still runs AND DRIVES, but I only have 1st and 2nd gear, and have reverse too. The mechanic tells me, that to replace those solenoids, the trans needs to be removed (overhauled basically). So might as well say, I need a new trans, at a cost of $1200. Another option I have is to obtain a good used trans for around $300-$400, and have it installed for $300. Right now, I am still deciding if it's worth it or not, OR whether I want to fix it, or to buy a different car I like better.
Also, my car has a major oil leak. I think it's just the oil pressure sending unit. Those are the only things of main concern. But also the front brakes need a complete overhaul and rebuild calipers, because rubber parts are falling apart, and new rotor.
This is everything I know. So far, I can comment that this car is just alright, BUT I know for sure, it's WAY better than the Ford I owned before!