Background: Is this Mirage real, or imagined?
Mitsubishi's good looking, entry-level Mirage may be one of the more overlooked cars in the subcompact category. Honda's long- standing Civic and Toyota's compact Corolla have larger followings and bigger advertising budgets when compared to the decently- equipped, front-wheel-drive Mirage, which debuted in the United States during the 1985 model year. The current third-generation Mirage last received a major facelift in the 1997 model year.
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America was established in 1982 by Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Motors Corp. to distribute vehicles in the United States. Mitsubishi operates one assembly facility in the U.S. in Normal, Ill., two hours south of Chicagoland. While the Mirage is not assembled in Normal (it's imported from a Japan-based facility), the Eclipse mid-size coupe and Galant sedan are assembled on Illinois soil. The all-new, stylish, 2001 Eclipse Spyder also gets assembled at the central Illinois plant.
The industry buzz the last couple of weeks involves yet another automotive merger, this time involving Mitsubishi hooking up with DaimlerChrysler, in effect creating the third-largest auto conglomerate behind only General Motors and Ford. A decision may be made before month's end.
Safety features: All 2000-model-year Mirage editions include driver and front air bags standard in addition to: side-impact door beams, child protection rear-door locks and front and rear crumple zones. Keyless remote entry and a security alarm system come optional. Anti-lock brakes, traction control and side air bags are not available.
Trim levels and Price: Mirage includes to trim levels: DE and LS. Both are available in two-door coupe or four-door sedan varieties. Mitsubishi provided the Daily Herald with a red, four- door, five-speed manual DE sedan with manufacturer's suggest retail price of $13,987. After adding in the premium option package, featuring cruise control, power exterior mirrors and map lights, the bottom line read $14,822 including a $425 destination charge.
The Mirage DE coupe, which includes a few less standard features, also includes a lower starting price, checking in at $11, 757. The most opulent Mirage, the LS sedan, checks in at $16,947. By comparison, the lowest-priced Honda Civic starts at $10,750 while a compact Toyota Corolla costs $12,418. Toyota's all-new subcompact Echo base coupe includes a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $9,995. Keep in mind a Mirage includes a few more standard features than Echo or Civic.
Engine: Our DE sedan featured a 16-valve, in-line, four- cylinder, 1.8-liter engine delivering 113 horsepower and featuring multi-port fuel injection. During the week-long test drive, the engine, mated with a five-speed manual transmission, provided decent pick up from a standing start while squeezing every mile per gallon out of a gallon of gasoline. This engine is standard in LS sedans and coupes, also.
The DE coupe includes a slightly less powerful 1.5 liter, 12- valve engine delivering 92 horsepower. This is the first year Mitsubishi offers the more powerful 1.8-liter engine in a DE model. Last year, the DE sedan exclusively offered the smaller 92- horsepower engine.
Standard equipment: Five-speed manual transmission comes standard in every DE Mirage, but is not offered in uplevel LS where four-speed automatic transmission is offered. Automatic transmission remains optional in DE.
All things considered, the entry-level DE sedan comes decently equipped with an array of standard equipment including: air conditioning, power windows and locks, compact disc player, rear window defogger, rack and pinion steering, tinted glass and adjustable steering column. The uplevel LS includes all DE equipment while adding cruse control and power sideview mirrors as standard fare. These two items are available in DE for an extra charge. Air conditioning and compact disc players come optional in DE coupes.
Optional in both trim levels are a engine heater, roof rack, mudguards and sunroof. Up-level LS coupes include an optional sport package with rear spoiler and 14-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.
Interior: Gauges and dials are smartly laid out and within easy visual and grabbing range of the driver. The mostly analog instrument panel includes a central speedometer flanked by a tachometer on the left and fuel and temperature gauges to the right.
Headlights monitor from the turn signal stalk (Mirage does not include daytime running lights) while front windshield wipers operate from a right-hand side steering column stalk. Optional cruise control activates from a rectangular right-side steering- wheel appendage.
The black dashboard featured a ventilation system operated by three easy-to-grab dials. Below the climate control sat the stereo system with smallish preset buttons. A digital clock, separate from the radio frequency, sat high on the dash just right of a circular, red hazard button. Below the stereo are two beverage holders which retract out of the dashboard's front facade.
Between the front bucket seats rests the parking brake and a nice area for storing loose change and knickknacks. To the rear is a flip-top storage bin for holding even more stuff. The glove box is decent size for a subcompact sedan.
Exterior: Mirage stands apart from Asian subcompact counterparts with its more sporty exterior nuances. Our DE sedan included the premium package option with body-colored dual side view mirrors and body-colored, flush-mounted door handles. All trim levels include a retractable, 45-degree radio antenna than manually slides in and out of the driver's side A pillar. The square, locking fuel tank with tethered gas cap is positioned on the right rear quarter panel.
The small, unassuming front grille includes Mitsubishi's three- diamond logo amidst black horizontal strips. Turn signal lights wrap around from the front to the side fenders.
Fourteen-inch all season tires come standard. Outside color choices include black, white, silver, beige, Phoenix Red, Cambridge Red, New Zealand Green and Royal Blue.
Seating comfort: Cloth seating comes standard. Head and leg room is decent even for six footers in front bucket seats. In back, riders under 6'2" will have good headroom while leg room remains adequate for a subcompact. Drivers have good views in all directions with minimal blind spots. Although Mitsubishi promotes the subcompact Mirage as a five seater, two adults fit most comfortably in back
The rear seat back includes a 60/40 split for carting larger items. Also featured is a fold-down arm rest.
Trunk: Mirage stores its temporary spare tire and jack under the flat floor. Cubic feet stands at 11.5, slightly smaller than 2000 model year rivals Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Plymouth Neon. The folding rear seats also opens up transporting options.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 98.4 inches
Length: 173.6 inches
Height: 53.5 inches
Width: 66.5 inches
Curb weight: 2,437 pounds
Fuel economy: Mated with five-speed manual transmission, Mirage churns out exceptional gas mileage figures. Expect 28 miles per gallon in city traveling and 37 m.p.g on the highway. Four-speed automatic editions register 26 m.p.g. city and 33 m.p.g. highway. The fuel tank holds 12.4 gallons of unleaded, 87-octane regular fuel.
Final thoughts: Considering air conditioning power windows and compact disc players are included in the DX sedan's $13,989 starting price, Mirage offers decent value for the dollar. During the week-long test drive the subcompact with its ergonomically- appealing interior provided excellent gas mileage. The five-speed manual transmission shifted smoothly with elegant ease. Drivers and passengers may find wind noise and road feedback at high speeds a bit more noticeable in Mirage than in Toyota's Corolla or Honda's Civic.
Even though Mirage received a complete redesign in the 1997 model year, the overall feel continues to be solid for 2000. Toyota, Mitsubishi's biggest Japanese rival, introduced a new subcompact rival of its own last fall, the all-new Echo.
With Echo in the fold and Korean competitors including Hyundai, Kia and Daewoo offering lower-priced entry-level selections, Mirage's biggest concern could very well be getting lost in the subcompact shuffle. |