Test drove a 2015 Mirage (update: bought it ... 5-speed manual)

[Daox]

Very nice. I can't wait till I get to drive a stick version of the Mirage.

[user removed]

I've had the block heater (first I ever owned) on for 2 hours so far this morning. I can feel the difference between the top and bottom radiator hoses so it's thermosiphoning the heat through the cooling system and the block heater is not heating the coolant directly.

Best time to the cold light going off was .2 mile, versus a mile or better depending on ambient temps.

I also love the installation process, a ring of high temp silicone around the mating point and stick it in the hole. I don't even need an extension cord to get it plugged in.

regards
mech

[user removed]

Short ride today, total 3.9 miles with a lunch stop in the middle. 44 degrees and rainy but not real bad. 48.5 mpg. I could have done a lot better if the 8 traffic lights had not been terrible. Plus I thought I was engine off but it did not die and idled for about .5 mile. A few better breaks and 55 mpg would have been fairly easy.That's where the block heater shines, 40 mpg after .3 mile from a "cold start" with the block heater.

The funny thing is when I got home, after a few minutes I checked the top and bottom radiator hoses and the bottom was cold, as before, while the top was just slightly more hot than when I unplugged the block heater, before starting the car intially.

regards
mech

[user removed]

Today 44 degrees when I left the house for the dentist (27 miles each way). MPG readings are updated every 30 seconds by factory instrumentation.

10mpg top of my driveway (1st reading), 20mpg (2nd), then 40 mpg (3rd)at the end of my neighborhood .3 mile from home. On the first pulse to about 50 mph it dropped to 30 mpg, then after that glide it hit 45mpg, 1.5 miles from start up. Next EOC was 52 mpg, then 60mpg just before I got on the Interstate. I got to the dentists office at almost exactly 60 mpg after averaging 55 mph for almost 20 miles (limit dropped from 65 to 55 due to construction), idots still going 80 even with $500 posted fines and a jersey wall all the way down the left side pinching the left lane into the right a couple of feet.

I've decided to condense the two words dumb @$$ into one work "dumus", getting old and lazy I guess, no dumus shortage today.

Left the dentist, drove to newport news to a consignment shop then back roads to the Interstate and back home, reading 59.6 mpg when I pulled into the garage (coasted in going backwards) to within inches of the wall so I can plug in the block heater without any extension cord. I leave it in reverse (ign on) so I get the back up lights to help me see.

Topped the tank off, day 15, so far 11 gallons and 630 miles indicated, more like 640 with keyed off time included.

I'm hoping with the WAI and block heater I can get my average back above 55 mpg.

#13 on the gas cars list, another Mirage driver is around #6.

regards
mech

[user removed]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

Thanks! I have been looking at either one of these or a new gen civic (turbo), but I think I'll wait until the manual version of the turbo civic comes out and make a decision then.

I would seriously look for a used Mirage, but it shortens the warranty. Let someone else take the depreciation hit. Rent one to see how it works for you and your driving environment.

regards
mech

[roosterk0031]

Local Dealer in Cedar Rapids Iowa has 5 speed at 12,600, about 200 miles away IL dealers are advertizing under 10 on cars.com, 2 under 9k are these prices even real?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8975/overview/

I can't see buying used if these are real. A few more months and I'll be ready to junk the Stratus, move the Cobalt down to my 16 yo and I get a Mirage.

[user removed]

Lots of dealers drop off the transportation charge on their quoted prices, then add them on at the last possible moment. They tossed another $1300 after I repeatedly told them I wanted the "out the door price" and it cost them the sale. The price I paid for mine would be $11k.

regards
mech

[Daox]

Those prices are real. I almost nabbed a 2014 ES (higher trim) with 50k miles on it for $6500 last weekend! Alas, someone got there first.

This morning I got a craigslist alert for a 2014 CVT with 10k miles on it for $9k.

The depreciation is pretty bad on these cars, but that is perfect for anyone looking to buy used. There really haven't been any big issues with the Mirages aside from the rear axle assembly sometimes being out of alignment as Old Mech has mentioned.

I'm looking forward to adding one to my stable as soon as I find another good deal.

[user removed]

Ran the block heater until the top radiator hose was warm to the touch today, drove 13 miles round trip. 61.4 mpg. 44 degrees outside when I left the house.

regards
mech

[user removed]

This month is looking good. I just filled my tank with the last of my 5.5 gallon jugs. The odometer is reading 935 miles so far on 16.5 gallons of fuel. This tank should last me until the 9th of March, when I calculate the mpg on the final fuel fill on that day. A rough calculation is 56.66 mpg right now. After today"s refill the range to empty was at 500 miles so it was pretty much filled to the brim.

Last month was 52.89 mpg, so you can see the effects of the WAI and block heater. 8 more days until the 9th and the final monthly tally.

regards
mech