Faults:

Door fabric separated.

Paint lost all gloss within about the first year.

Transmission solenoid wiring plug recently started, causing shift issues. Must be bad connection because I can pull the plug and re-seat it to fix. Took pulling the pan and checking solenoids to figure it out, but has happened less than 5 times in 2 years.

General Comments:

Have done every bolt-on upgrade I care to do, which has made driving even more enjoyable.

Added floor and door insulation to quiet the road noise. It has helped, but above 70 it still can be noisy.

Faults:

Catalytic converter- expensive if you get it done right. After market is soldered on lasts about a year for about $200 and OEM is bolted on should be lifetime. Manufacturer/dealer price 560+tax and installation $60 = 620+tax. Also had the front struts replaced for about $300 for KYB struts.

General Comments:

Road noise can be excessive above 60 mph. Great handling though.

Faults:

The inner tie rod ends were sloppy, the A/C compressor bearing squeaked, I think the problem there is the proximity of the compressor to the wheel well, it takes on water from the wheel in the rain, the exhaust manifold cracked, tried to find a used one and most were cracked as well. One of the hyd lifters didn't like to pump up, especially when cold. Replaced the original timing belt and front brakes at 94K, the motor is very easy to work on. lots of room, simple.

General Comments:

The gas mileage and A/C were the best, 38 mpg and even in 100 heat the A/C was ICE COLD, the front seats were very comfortable, and had good lumbar support, something I needed with a bad back. Handled pretty well despite the lack of sway bars. Huge trunk. Has decent power if you get the rpms up some.

Faults:

So far I had my rear oxygen sensor replaced and need the front sensor replaced.

Each headlight has been replaced once.

The battery has been replaced once. So nothing major just yet.

The cloth interior faded a bit from the sun, instead of dark gray is has a hint of blue.

Lights have gone out on my automatic transmission console.

General Comments:

This car struggles to go uphill so you need to get a good speed going when you know a steep hill is approaching.

This car has been so dependable, it is my second Mirage.

Gas mileage is great, and drives great in the snow, too.

Space is tight and there's no leg room in the back seat (in a 2-door).

Faults:

Shocks need replacing, rotors warped, lost my front wheel splash guards on separate occasions (one in accident, the other in snow), dome light does not always come on when doors are opened, hood hinges rusted tight and one brook (my fault for not oiling), causing the other to begin to break, had hinges replaced for around $65.00.

General Comments:

This car is my baby. I was stupid one night and tried a 90 degree right turn at about 35-40 mph (hey, it was a banked turn, gimme a break) and went into a corn field. The soil was rock hard because it was February in Wisconsin and I broke my front right tie rod and some other stuff (right control arm, windshield washer reservoir) but the car came out of it generally in good condition. This car can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. The bumper sustained a massive blow, and you can't even tell unless you look closely (tiny crack).

I also love the way this car handles, and how original it looks. It looks kind of like a civic (yawn) but then at second glance you see the mean front fascia, and you are intrigued. The back end is also highly original. I love the taillights. I have also noticed it looks exactly like the foreign Lancer GLI (circa 1995). This car is the shiznite when you put some rims, a kit, and tint the windows.