Mitsubishi Mirage is, er, meh...

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by AJI

Apologies for dragging this thread from the deep again, I'd forgotten I'd posted here!

Not as dead as some threads

Since my first comment and video the things are multiplying near me. Either this means we are missing out on the new UK (or even just Scotland) best seller (unlikely) or a local garage with a loyal following is harvesting sales as fast as they can.

[MetroMPG]

I actually just happened to see some sales figures today: 843 Mirages sold in the U.K. in March. Mitsu sales are up 45%. (Part of the reason for that shocking increase is because the previous year's sales were so bad!)

You can see 1st quarter UK sales of all makes here (but note Mirage was only available for the last month of the quarter): Best Selling Cars – Matt's blog » UK January-March 2013: Discover the Top 328 best-sellers!

For comparison: VW sold 5,472 copies of the Up over the entire quarter. That would be the best seller among Mirage's direct competitors, yes?

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by AJI

There is some good news though, which it seems I neglected to mention before. The economy I got from it subsequently seems pretty similar to the EPA figures knocking around the internet - and I was making no specific effort to be economical. So I reckon it'll be one of those cars that most people find easy to get good mileage from.

That is interesting. Worth dredging up the thread.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

For comparison: VW sold 5,472 copies of the Up over the entire quarter. That would be the best seller among Mirage's direct competitors, yes?

No. I picked a few out of the list :

The "citybugs" (of which George is one) remain the most popular.
Citroen C1 4,668
Peugeot 107 6,307
Toyota Aygo 4,752
Total - 15,727

The VW Up! trio
SEAT Mii 1,141
Skoda Citigo 1,812
VW Up! 5,472
Total - 8,425

Ford Ka 6,069

Kia/Hyundai pair
Kia Picanto 5,110
Hyundai i10 5,969
Total - 11,079

Suzuki Alto 4,296
Nissan Pixo 492
Total 4788


Renault Twingo 317

Fiat Panda 2,453

Even the rough driving, impractical Suzuki Jimny sells 306 - almost half the Mirage figure.

Mitsubishi in the UK survive only on sales of the EVO models and some 4x4s - thats it. The Mirage is not a rescue model.

EDIT some more analysis - The Vauxhall Adam is a brand new model, already outselling the Mirage.

Vauxhall Adam 1,068

[MetroMPG]

Thanks muchly for that info!

[niky]

The Picanto is perhaps the most similar in size and load-out. Without incentives, the Mirage will have a hard time beating it, as it's a much more refined vehicle.

[kalifornia]

anyone know if the 1.2L engine has a timing belt or chain?

[niky]

Pretty sure it's chain-drive.

[MetroMPG]

Thanks, niky!

Confirmed by a Mirage owner:

It's belt-driven. Noticeably much more clattery at startup compared to our Daihatsu Charade's belt-driven three-banger too.

[Fat Charlie]

I just got a call from the local Mitsubishi shop, and when things were winding down I asked him about the Mirage. He says they're expecting them in next month.