Review notes: 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage CVT on loan for a week

[MetroMPG]

Yup, that was quite the article. I've never seen such a polarizing car!

[niky]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I have no idea what launch method they use. I've never tested the 0-60 of my Firefly, either.

Considering C&D uses the 1 foot rollout (timer ignores the first foot of travel), I figure most people will get something like 11.2 to 11.5 in the real world.

Launch for the Mirage with the manual is a clutch drop with some slip at 4k rpm. Not gentle, but given the low grip, it's not going to rip your drive axles out like it would on a Subie.

A more realistic scenario for drivers who don't like getting ticketed for smoking tires would be around 12 - 12.5 seconds.

[dirtydave]

I would test it for sure as I test all the cars and trucks I rent.

And it really does look like a nice car. I might buy one in a few years.

[Daox]

54.4 mpg in to work today. I tried doing P&G and it didn't really do amazing things... So, it looks like setting the cruise is the way to go to get good mileage in the car.

[Daox]

I can not figure out the ECO light. It is smarter than I. It isn't based off a single variable like the MAP sensor, engine load, or closed/open loop. It has to be a combination of at least a couple different things because I can not nail it down. My guess would be it has to do with engine load and ignition timing.

[Daox]

I tamed down the speed a few mph today. Used cruise practically the whole way, 53.9 in today. I think using the cruise control holds the RPMs lower than just using the pedal.

[MetroMPG]

Any way to confirm that in a test? (Cruise RPM).

If it's true, that would encourage a lot of owners to get on the cruise button swap project.

[Daox]

I don't know how I would test it really. Its just gleaned from watching how the car behaves. I could probably get a video of how it behaves. But, basically when you begin accelerating with the CVT, it kicks the rpms up. As soon as it sees that you're not pushing the pedal further down (requesting more acceleration), the rpms drop down (and I would assume it opens the throttle further, its hard to see on the SG as it happens fairly quick). If you don't have a steady foot, the rpms will stay higher more often as it seeks to figure out what the driver really wants. With the cruise control, it is free to maintain speed however it wishes, and this definitely seems to keep rpms lower from my limited experience with the car.

[ijames]

What's the sticker price on the Mirage? Looks very nice, I'll definitely keep it in mind when I need new transportation.

[Daox]

It starts at $13,000 plus destination fee. Thats for the 5 speed manual. I think the cheapest CVT is another thousand or so.