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Old 01-30-2021, 12:27 PM   #1253 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
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Hedonic adaptation: I think I've kicked my beater habit

I realized recently that I may have kicked my $1500 beater habit.

My lifetime vehicular pattern has been buying "as-is" beaters that need some repairs, fixing them up, driving them for a year or so and then selling them "certified" (meaning with an Ontario mechanical inspection) to make a few dollars profit or break even.

It's been an entertaining way to experience many different cars, learn how to wrench, and basically drive for free.

But I think the supply of cheap used Mirages is spoiling me.

I can buy a "conventional" $1500 beater and put $1k of work in it... OR... I can just wait for a $2500 Mirage to come up that's a lot newer, likely needs no significant mechanical repairs or maintenance, and will be infinitely more reliable (and more efficient) than the net $2500 beater.

My guess is the Mirage will be cancelled in North America sometime in the next model year or two. So that means there's probably about a decade's worth of decent and cheap used Mirages to come.

After which I'll figure out Plan C.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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