Ciao! ModernistDinosaur here!

[ModernistDinosaur]

Hi all, I'm making a formal introduction after I posted about a curious used Mirage.

Long-story-short: my 2003 Golf TDI is aging. Although I've adored that car, life is such that I'm not going to be able to give it the geriatric care it so thoroughly deserves! As such, I've been trying to find a suitable replacement, which has been perplexing to say the least.

To me, car styling has been in a steep decline since the late 00s, so aesthetics are generally out for me. I've chosen to focus on: value, reliability, low cost-of-ownership, and general utilitarianism. I had been looking at Toyota (Scion) Yaris/iA, but finding one with a manual transmission has proven difficult.

In an unexpected turn, I've found myself considering a car I thought I never would: the Mitsubishi Mirage. Do I like the look of the car? Not really... But I like that it's small, inexpensive, and simple with a good track record!

Keeping my eyes open for the right one! Looking forward to bouncing ideas off of you guys!

[7milesout]

Do I like the look of the car? Not really... But I like that it's small, inexpensive, and simple with a good track record!

I'm kind of in the same boat. I do love my Mirage. But I don't think it is the sexiest car I've ever had. And, this weekend I saw a blue G4, and man, that sucker was sharp. I wanted a hatch because I have never had one before. I do like it. More than a sedan ... yes and no. I do think the G4 is better looking. But in all cases, I like the skinny tire look on these cars. The skinny tire look has really grown on me. I don't know why, but it has.

20 years ago, I wanted a VW Jetta 1.9L diesel, with a 5-speed manual. But it just wasn't in the cards. I worked for Toyota at that time and got a 2004 Corolla LE 5-speed instead. And saved a whole ton of money since I was a Toyota employee. That Corolla was bad ass, all the way up to the day my wife wadded it up. Seems like that happened in 2018 or 2019.

The Mirage is everything you surmise it to be. It is a cheap car, that is very valuable because it is very reliable, very cheap to own, the 5-speed models are even fun to drive.

[ModernistDinosaur]

What's up 7milesout? Good to e-meet!

My dad has a mk4 Jetta TDI! The ALH engine really is bulletproof! I love that you worked for Toyota, but wanted a VW. <3

Thanks for confirming my intuition! I think the Mirage will fit the bill nicely... It's hard to find "just a car" today!

[7milesout]

It's hard to find "just a car" today!

I know what you mean. For all I know, new fancy cars might read our minds and pop up a commercial related to our thoughts and annoy the living crap out of me. Like trying to watch a youtube video, commercial after commercial after commercial.

[Fummins]

I know what you mean. For all I know, new fancy cars might read our minds and pop up a commercial related to our thoughts and annoy the living crap out of me. Like trying to watch a youtube video, commercial after commercial after commercial.

Hey, those lubetube commercials are gonna buy me a couple cases of beer one of these days so they're not all bad lol

[defensivetackle99]

Like I had mentioned before. Blu 5 speed G4 = 7MO Edition!

Yeah more features = more things to break. I had understood this once I got a taste of it from my ex Accord. Hate sunroof.

If my G4 crashes today, I’ll probably go back to base G4 5 speed but it won’t be that easy.

[7milesout]

This is what Mark and I (and likely many others on here) suggest is the KING of MIRAGES.

It would appear that there's nothing wrong with this unit, except the price...

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/a...-615c6f3082f4/

5-speed
low miles
manual hvac
134a refrigerant
Heck, it probably cranks out 79 hp!

The king!

[ModernistDinosaur]

More fEaTuReS = more things to break.

"Good design is as little design as possible." —Dieter Rams

[7milesout]

The blue G4 I saw Saturday was badass. But I could tell it was new enough to NOT be a 5-speed.

[defensivetackle99]

The blue G4 I saw Saturday was badass. But I could tell it was new enough to NOT be a 5-speed.

I hear ya. The latest model year for the Bluey G4 with the 5 speed was 2021. It was my first choice to procure my ex G4 5 speed and I was too late.