Good car, expensive to fix
Oil leak - probably valve cover gasket when I got it.
Transmission bad at 151,000 miles ($1,000 to fix)
Was a really good car despite the oil leak. Too bad the transmission went bad, I was getting around 35 to 40 miles per gallon.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 2nd February, 2009
Unreliable - Costly to Fix
Oil Rings/Seals. The at about 85,000km, it started to burn oil. I spent about $2,000NZD (including Cambelt) fixing it (no parts in NZ, so took a while, and was expensive (compared to the price of the car $7G) ). About 30km later it started to burn oil again.
Electric Windows didn't go up straight, then broke driver side when up and down by it's self.
Passenger Seat doesn't lock into place and move backward and forward.
Rust. Along the back Window on the roof.
Air Con belt came loose.
I got the car because it was a Mivec (to keep up with Hondas), extremely quick and fun. Handled well (for a FWD). Rev happy 8,250rpm and listen to it scream.
I was disappointed I was told Mivec had Recaro, my one didn't.
Go through front tyres like crazy, but it's how you drive it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 13th January, 2006
Very good handling not much cash.
Clutch pump went, only cost $30 no big deal.
Great car, handles great!
This model comes with momo wheel and gear knob, also with same Recaro bucket seats from the lancer GSR, very sporty!
They revs never end (OK actually at 8000).
Power all the way through, seriously quick for a n/a car.
Great sound system.
Screams at high revs, GREAT!!!
All-round sporty car.
Very cheap to buy and run.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th February, 2005
Love it and would buy it back
When I first bought the car, the temperature gauge in the car didn't work. That was under warranty, and it was fixed for free.
The year after I had the car, a known defect popped up. The key would get stuck in the ignition! You could turn your car off/on/drive it, but couldn't get the key out. Again, it was a known issue, and was fixed for free.
After that I had many carefree years. I serviced it regularly, and it ran like a charm.
The AC was the last thing in 2000. Had the whole thing rebuilt at cost/discount, as the dealer was to wait to get my permission to look at AC (it's an internal/labor cost issue), and the mechanic screwed up. Good for me! Ended up saving me 300-500 dollars.
Had an axel that almost blew on me prior to driving it to shop. Was it the age of the car that caused the axel to give way? I live in a pretty big city and it has terrible roads in town. I may have hit something finally. Not sure there. They fixed it several times (5) before finally fixing it correctly. It was a shop issue ultimately, not a Mirage issue.
I love this car and want it back!
I love this car and sold it to my brother, who still has it and is considering selling it to buy something else. It's still in excellent shape (almost cherry) and just runs very well.
I bought it used at approximately 300 miles, and drove it straight to FL for vacation. 13 hour trip and it sailed. I've taken several driving trips in the car and they all went very well. No problems.
Very comfortable car. I liked the seats and dash and could relax in the passenger side just as easily.
Not an easy car to get in/out of as it's very low to the ground. And if you're pregnant (I have two kids now), this was hard especially then. Something to consider.
The back seats were a little tight, but great for short trips with company in the back or for young children.
I liked the overall acceleration in town and loved it on the interstate. It would hug the road and really seemed to "like" 70-80 mph.
I never had problems with it until the end, and it was more a shop issue than anything.
I wouldn't have sold it to my brother had it not been a great car. I'm considering buying it back from him and using it as an "extra" car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 22nd September, 2004
Excellent Smart Looking, Economical Hot Hatch
Stepper Motor (idle control unit) - Problem when the car won't hold the idle (or stalls) or idles iratically. Seems to be a constant fault with many Mirage and Lancer Models. Easily resolved with a replacement refurbished stepper motor.
Drivers Window Motor - motor gave up. Replaced unit. No major issue.
Dealership was able to locate and resolve both problems within 1 day.
This version of the Mirage is the R-Spec one which has the same 1.6 litre engine as the Cyborg however without the MIVEC head.
The car has a Close ratio 5sp manual gearbox, which allows the car to rapidly accelerate.
This version of the Mirage comes with all the creature comforts - touch display Climate Control, Full electrics, central locking.
Classic interior design in Black with good quality plastics which seem to wear well.
Good comfortable sports-type seats.
Watch out for the plastic in the rear side windows as it gets UV Damage quickly if the car is outside and not protected.
This model has the face-lift bumper with the large factory fitted spot lights - which gives it a slightly more aggressive stance.
Suspension is very hard, but excellent and in keeping with the R-Spec styling.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 16th July, 2002
16th Aug 2008, 02:07
If you take it past 8,000 rpms all the time, it's bound to start burning oil, and since you say you burn through front tires, you must have revved it up all the time. Some mechanical sympathy helps cars last longer.