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

[user removed]

At 64 years I find myself rapidly loosing the urge to keep an old car running, but right now the Sentra needs a $10 (OE) front crank oil seal and 1 hour labor to basically be ready to go anywhere. Even with the leaking seal, it did 6k miles with the oil level dropping only half way down the safe range marking on the dipstick on synthetic oil. Allowing the front seal leak to continue jeopardizes the life expectancy of other underhood components.

I have a big project in the garage that must be finished. Towing the trailer with the Sentra is no problem, maybe not so with the Mirage with the 10-100 warranty that could be denied.

I can buy the Mirage with cash, insurance will be close to the same without collision, and I can forget about car repairs for a decade when I will be closing in on 75.

Some more research shows the $1250 cash applies to a 2015 while that climbs to $2000 on a left over 2014 model, and the car on their showroom was made May 2014. I also own a Suzuki motor cycle which may mean another $250. Combined I might be able to get a 2014 for $11k versus the 2015 for $12k. That's $3-4k less than the average new purchase price here of $15.6k. Best price used within 200 miles is 10k.

To rationalize the fuel savings as cost effective is ludicrous. Even if I could average twice the mpg (75mpg) it would only save me $37 of Aprils fuel cost.

Bottom line for me is making life less complicated and right now it is a very close call.
The Sentra dumps a tranny, it goes for scrap, but it could run on another 100k miles without any real major repairs.

We'll see. I paid $7k for my CRX 1.5 new in 1984, drove it 50k miles and sold it for $5k. $2k for 50 k miles ain't bad averaging 44 mpg.

regards
mech

[user removed]

Originally Posted by MobilOne

I think that this is a form of "spring fever" that folks get that is called "new car fever".

"Let's see, if I sell my x and y and z, I have it almost paid for."

This is why one should NEVER drive a new car!

buy x for 300 sell it for 1250
buy y for 650 sell it for 1200
buy z for 250 sell if for 1500

$2950 in my pocket, drop the bike ins to offset some depreciation.

regards
mech

[Xist]

Does it have a timing chain?

[Hersbird]

I swore off buying anything else new but admit to looking still. Sometimes it just makes more sense to buy new when the used versions are too close to the same price, or when they give great warranties but to only the original buyer. Dodge for a few years was doing unlimited mileage, lots of loopholes, but still, what would that be worth 10-20 years from now? With inflation probably more then the whole car cost if you are talking a base, entry level model.

[MPGomatic]

A new car for $12K is amazing. That said, I would go for the 1.0L EcoBoost Fiesta over the Mirage, despite the rather significant jump in price. Gotta wonder how big the depreciation hit will be in the first year for both of these little critters.

I've spent a couple of hours in a CVT Mirage and a week in the manual Fiesta. I didn't knock out a Mirage review, but my gut says this might be a solid little car with some aftermarket tweaks.

If you can, drive the Mirage and 1.0L Fiesta back-to-back. The Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent are worth a look, as well.

[MetroMPG]

The Fiesta will definitely be more entertaining to a traditional "enthusiast". The Mirage is roomier inside and will spank the Ford's MPG, without the niggling concern of turbo longevity. I haven't driven a 1.0t Fiesta, but would love to.

Depreciation: the Mirage is already confirmed as having higher than average % depreciation: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...eap-30783.html. Good news if you like to wait & buy used cars, bad news if you buy new but don't keep your cars for a long time.

Timing chain: yes

Towing: I would. Curtis makes a receiver for it.

[user removed]

Bought it.

It is a timing chain, belts are getting rare and valve train wreckers even rarer (interference engines).

Total out the door was $12,871, a little higher than I wanted to pay but isn't it always.

I got complicated early, as it always does.The sales rep acted like there was no $2k factory incentive and did not mention that they were adding $810 and $489 after the price was supposed to be everything but dmv fees.

Pop bought a 65 Chrysler at the same dealership 50 years ago. After repeatedly asking them, "I need the out the door price, except for the dmv fees" they wait until the last 5 minutes after hours then load on an extra $1300 and they lost the sale.

I get on the internet and find one in Fredericksburg, listed at $10,774, so I call them and tell them I will be in town tomorrow and want to buy it, cash, no trade.

$13300. Why the added $2500, "oh it's all explained on the website". "Too much, I'll pass", my response.

The they tell me about a 2014 model left over new, that I can get for $12.871 OTD. The salesman will give me a loaner, deliver the car when they get it (2 hours each way).
I have credit union checks for $12.8 and the $71 in cash. The deal happens around lunch tomorrow, May 9th. Pop turned 94 today, he was born Mother's Day 1921.

I'll drive the identical manual tranny loaner home tomorrow, if they don't get the car tonight, which is what I would do, if I was in their shoes.

regards
mech

[user removed]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

The Fiesta will definitely be more entertaining to a traditional "enthusiast". The Mirage is roomier inside and will spank the Ford's MPG, without the niggling concern of turbo longevity. I haven't driven a 1.0t Fiesta, but would love to.

Depreciation: the Mirage is already confirmed as having higher than average % depreciation: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...eap-30783.html. Good news if you like to wait & buy used cars, bad news if you buy new but don't keep your cars for a long time.

Timing chain: yes

Towing: I would. Curtis makes a receiver for it.

The Curtis hitch receiver will probably be my first mod.

I liked my Fiesta, but would prefer made in Thailand over Mexico.

I think I'm finished with bikes, since even 50 MPG average makes the 75 mpg bike not worth the injury risk potential. Number 4 in gas cars is a Mirage with all the last almost 3 decades of design improvements.

I might keep the 65 Honda 50, since it requires no insurance and at 137 pounds, I could haul it with the Mirage, when only the wife and I are riding.

3dplane has set a high bar with his 65.3 mpg Mirage.

regards
mech

[MetroMPG]

Interesting!

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

they wait until the last 5 minutes after hours then load on an extra $1300

Unfortunately that's a common story, and not limited to Mitsu dealers.

Looking forward to your reports on the car.

[MetroMPG]

PS: happy birthday to Pops.