starting to see 2014 Mirages under $5k
 

I get e-mail alerts for used Mirages. Lately I've seen a couple of examples with higher km's showing up for under $5k, eg:

$4999 CAD - top spec 5-speed with higher km

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1489936766

(Ad links are probably outdated by now.)

$3988 CAD - base model with CVT - high kms (128k km = 80k mi.)

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1489939062

(That's $2995 US at current exchange rates.)

Incredibly, these would still have the balance of the 10 year 160k km / 100k mile powertrain warranty too.

But these are outliers. Sub-$5k pricing is not the norm yet (unless they're salvage/repaired cars). $5-7k range is more common for 2014's with normal miles.

One of these days one will pop up that's in a "why the heck not?" price range and I'll probably get it.

They're starting to get closer to my price, too. :thumbup:

And just a reminder for anyone mulling this over...

I know I come off like a broken record, but don't get the CVT if top fuel economy is your thing.

Despite the CVT's higher EPA rating, the 5-speed will outperform it in the real world... by a small margin in the hands of a simply competent driver, and by a huge margin in the hands of a motivated hypermiler.

Motto:

"THINK for yourself...and...SHIFT for yourself" ...just be sure you're having 'ecomodder' thoughts (wink,wink)!

Yes.

Unlike the Jalopnik article yesterday that advised people to use manual gear selection as a method of reminding yourself not to speed.

IE: "Leave it in 3rd gear as a useful way to remind yourself to stay under 50 mph!"

:P

I've never driven a CVT, but I don't think I'd like it.

I was prepared to hate it until I tried it. I appreciate the logic programmed into a fuel-saving CVT like the Mirage's, or my old 2004 Prius for example.

I also like the low, low engine RPM once up to speed. Makes for quiet, laid-back cruising.

Of course, I'd still always buy a manual, given the choice.

But considering the vast majority of buyers choose automatics in their transportation appliances, I support the idea of efficient CVT's for the mass fleet.

Oh god, why!

That's the opposite of how I had to drive my GTO. The longer I spent in a lower gear, the higher the possibility of me going fast enough to get a ticket. If I was ever doing 50 in 3rd, it was because I was quickly on my way to 90. Cruising in 6th, I still had power to pass, but not enough to really tempt me to get on the go pedal.:D

Canadians must hate the Mirage. The only one under $5k near me is a '15 with 130k miles (:eek:) and a CVT.

Ha - good point. I don't think I've driven a car that powerful and/or tempting in a long time.

Keep in mind the writer was Torchinsky, whose personal car is a classic VW Beetle. He's never on his way to 90 from 50!