I have become obsessed with the new Mirage G4 SE. Every review of it has been (way) less than stellar. Does anyone own one and be willing to give a fair assessment? I don't even need a new car, but there is something about an underdog that always gets me, like my Yugo, 2CV, Gremlin, etc.
Mitsubishi Mirage
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Sorry, can't say anything about the new Mirage, but.......
The Citroen deux chevaux (2CV) is a very cool car in it's own odd, quirky way. Nearly 4 million were built over the 42 years of production (1948-'90). The largest of the 2 cylinder air cooled engines offered (later in the 2CV's production), was a massive 602cc's and produced a whopping 29 hp!
The Yugo on the other hand, was a P.O.S. in the truest meaning of the word. I remember wandering through a self-serve auto wrecking yard many years ago and was quite surprised to see a Yugo among all the other cars. As I recall it was only 2 or 3 years old and the odometer was showing just over 17K miles. This just confirmed everything I'd hear about them.
Here's a video of one that's surprisingly still running.
nickuk
Well-known member
Oh I don't know....
We owned a 2CV which we had to flee from whilst en route somewhere.....we opened an air vent (as it was feeling hot in the cabin) and fire came out towards us in the manner of a flame thrower.
When everything calmed down we inspected under the bonnet (hood) and discovered that the air vent ducts were made of a paper like substance - a mere spark from the engine had ignited the lot LOL.
We owned a 2CV which we had to flee from whilst en route somewhere.....we opened an air vent (as it was feeling hot in the cabin) and fire came out towards us in the manner of a flame thrower.
When everything calmed down we inspected under the bonnet (hood) and discovered that the air vent ducts were made of a paper like substance - a mere spark from the engine had ignited the lot LOL.
Yep, they could keep you warm in the winter!
Actually my Yugo was fun to drive, it even had factory (add on) AC. It was not without issues but still fun. The 2CV was great fun to drive. I used to get gas at very country store that had leaded high test. I'm pumping one day and the usual question was raised "Hey what's that thing, a VolksWagon?" "No, its a Citroen" "Citren? Ain't that a fruit?"
nickuk
Well-known member
Citren, ain't that a fruit?
....yes, and perhaps not by pure chance a LEMON!! Ha.
....yes, and perhaps not by pure chance a LEMON!! Ha.
Again, I had great luck with my Duck, sorry I sold it. The Gremlin not so much.
vacerator
Well-known member
Most Gremlins were
well, possessed, or junk.
Many came with free air though in about summer 1976 or '77.
As economy cars came onto the scene in Europe after WW 2, the VW, Fiat Cinco Cento (500), and the Citroen 2 CV or Due Chevau, were each air cooled.
Only the Beetle was in production longer then the 2 CV, and only in Mexico past 1990. The final Beetle was in 2004.
Citroen had perfected the 2 CV with it's inboard rear disc brakes, but not many other unique features. Those found their way into the DS 19, and 21. Touted as one of the most advanced and best cars of the 20th century, the DS series had hydro pneumatic suspension. The adjustable range of travel height was/is about 14 inches.
The SM, CX, and XM also had it, but no consecutive designs.
Times change, and things change. Andre Citroen park occupies the plot where his main plant in Paris was. The island where the large Renault plant was has also been redeveloped. Much faster than say the Packard complex in Detroit.
Say what you will about the French, they seem not to let much grass grow under their feet.
The same for the Japanese and other Asians. They know how to build entities which last. Mitsubishi has ventured in not only automobiles, but coal mining, electronics, and even canned Tuna. Yes, Three Diamonds tuna is/was Mitsubishi.
The Mirage (formerly Colt) came in many variants, including a Dodge Challenger, Plymouth Sapporo, and Arrow. It grew into the Galant, and Dodge G2000 for Canada.
Cars I no longer see in this region, along with the Diamond Star Motors trio, Eagle talon, Plymouth Laser, and first generation Eclipse.
Mitshushibi (lol) does offer two nice crossovers, and a new sporty version.
well, possessed, or junk.
Many came with free air though in about summer 1976 or '77.
As economy cars came onto the scene in Europe after WW 2, the VW, Fiat Cinco Cento (500), and the Citroen 2 CV or Due Chevau, were each air cooled.
Only the Beetle was in production longer then the 2 CV, and only in Mexico past 1990. The final Beetle was in 2004.
Citroen had perfected the 2 CV with it's inboard rear disc brakes, but not many other unique features. Those found their way into the DS 19, and 21. Touted as one of the most advanced and best cars of the 20th century, the DS series had hydro pneumatic suspension. The adjustable range of travel height was/is about 14 inches.
The SM, CX, and XM also had it, but no consecutive designs.
Times change, and things change. Andre Citroen park occupies the plot where his main plant in Paris was. The island where the large Renault plant was has also been redeveloped. Much faster than say the Packard complex in Detroit.
Say what you will about the French, they seem not to let much grass grow under their feet.
The same for the Japanese and other Asians. They know how to build entities which last. Mitsubishi has ventured in not only automobiles, but coal mining, electronics, and even canned Tuna. Yes, Three Diamonds tuna is/was Mitsubishi.
The Mirage (formerly Colt) came in many variants, including a Dodge Challenger, Plymouth Sapporo, and Arrow. It grew into the Galant, and Dodge G2000 for Canada.
Cars I no longer see in this region, along with the Diamond Star Motors trio, Eagle talon, Plymouth Laser, and first generation Eclipse.
Mitshushibi (lol) does offer two nice crossovers, and a new sporty version.
mitsubishi mirage
The current Mirage is just a dull, dull, dull car. It has nothing other than low price to recommend it.
My Mum had a previous generation Mirage, late 90s or early 2000s model. It was her last car - after a serious accident, her fault, she was diagnosed with dementia. It was very light and flimsy, my partner's Holden Barina, an Aussie re-badge of an Opel Corsa, was a much better handling and more solid car.
If you want an interesting tiny car, was the VW UP! sold in USA? They were sold here in AU briefly, but as they were only sold here with manual trans, they sold in tiny numbers and were soon discontinued. But we test drove one and I loved it, it had real character. (Though we eventually bought a Skoda Fabia wagon, a tiny wagon and a great car.)
The current Mirage is just a dull, dull, dull car. It has nothing other than low price to recommend it.
My Mum had a previous generation Mirage, late 90s or early 2000s model. It was her last car - after a serious accident, her fault, she was diagnosed with dementia. It was very light and flimsy, my partner's Holden Barina, an Aussie re-badge of an Opel Corsa, was a much better handling and more solid car.
If you want an interesting tiny car, was the VW UP! sold in USA? They were sold here in AU briefly, but as they were only sold here with manual trans, they sold in tiny numbers and were soon discontinued. But we test drove one and I loved it, it had real character. (Though we eventually bought a Skoda Fabia wagon, a tiny wagon and a great car.)
vacerator
Well-known member
No, the VW Up is not
for sale here. Our smallest VW's are the beetle and Jetta. We didn't even get the Polo. We do have the Honda Jazz, badged another name, and the Suzuki badged a Chevrolet Spark.
How about a Mini Cooper? The new Fiat 500? Ford Focus? That's still considered a compact car here, not a mid size.
Two decades ago, A Holden Commodore would have been a mid size here. By the time we Got the Pontiac G8, it was a full sized car.
Our 70's full size cars had wheel bases of 121 inches. They were huge. Australia had them for sale there. Ford Galaxie/LTD's, Pontiac Laurentian/Bonneville's.
for sale here. Our smallest VW's are the beetle and Jetta. We didn't even get the Polo. We do have the Honda Jazz, badged another name, and the Suzuki badged a Chevrolet Spark.
How about a Mini Cooper? The new Fiat 500? Ford Focus? That's still considered a compact car here, not a mid size.
Two decades ago, A Holden Commodore would have been a mid size here. By the time we Got the Pontiac G8, it was a full sized car.
Our 70's full size cars had wheel bases of 121 inches. They were huge. Australia had them for sale there. Ford Galaxie/LTD's, Pontiac Laurentian/Bonneville's.
Big American cars
There was always a small market for the big American cars here. Chev Impalas, Ford Galaxies and Dodge Phoenix were assembled here. Generally they were made here from CKD kits imported from Canada, as they got a tax concession if sourced from a Commonwealth country.
AMC Matadors were assembled here too, and also Hornet. They sold a tiny number of Javelins, not sure if they were fully imported or locally assembled. They were badged as Rambler, though, the AMC badge wasn't used here. They were assembled by Australian Motor Industries, who also assembled Triumph cars from UK and the first Aussie Toyotas. AMI eventually shed the other brands and became Toyota Australia.
By the early 1970s, Ford, Holden (GM) and Chrysler had luxury versions of their family sedans available, built on the station wagon floorpans to give a longer wheelbase and longer body. These were a better match for the local market and full size US cars were no longer officially imported, but specialist companies still imported some large US models, converted them to Right Hand drive and sold them at huge prices but in tiny numbers. I remember in the 70s the big cars were falling from favour and people called them "Yank Tanks." ("Yank" in AU is slang for any US American, North or South.)
That trade continues today, about 10 years ago a friend bought a Dodge Ram with manual trans, the world's noisiest Diesel engine, strange rear-opening rear doors and a canopy over the rear load space, it cost over $100K after shipping, conversion to RHD, and compliance to Aus design rules. I couldn't think of a less appealing vehicle. Each to their own.
back to sensible sized cars... Isn't the Ford Fiesta still sold in the US? They are a pretty good little car if you can get over the fussy styling and a dashboard so cluttered and ugly it makes your eyes bleed.
There was always a small market for the big American cars here. Chev Impalas, Ford Galaxies and Dodge Phoenix were assembled here. Generally they were made here from CKD kits imported from Canada, as they got a tax concession if sourced from a Commonwealth country.
AMC Matadors were assembled here too, and also Hornet. They sold a tiny number of Javelins, not sure if they were fully imported or locally assembled. They were badged as Rambler, though, the AMC badge wasn't used here. They were assembled by Australian Motor Industries, who also assembled Triumph cars from UK and the first Aussie Toyotas. AMI eventually shed the other brands and became Toyota Australia.
By the early 1970s, Ford, Holden (GM) and Chrysler had luxury versions of their family sedans available, built on the station wagon floorpans to give a longer wheelbase and longer body. These were a better match for the local market and full size US cars were no longer officially imported, but specialist companies still imported some large US models, converted them to Right Hand drive and sold them at huge prices but in tiny numbers. I remember in the 70s the big cars were falling from favour and people called them "Yank Tanks." ("Yank" in AU is slang for any US American, North or South.)
That trade continues today, about 10 years ago a friend bought a Dodge Ram with manual trans, the world's noisiest Diesel engine, strange rear-opening rear doors and a canopy over the rear load space, it cost over $100K after shipping, conversion to RHD, and compliance to Aus design rules. I couldn't think of a less appealing vehicle. Each to their own.
back to sensible sized cars... Isn't the Ford Fiesta still sold in the US? They are a pretty good little car if you can get over the fussy styling and a dashboard so cluttered and ugly it makes your eyes bleed.
vacerator
Well-known member
Yes,
I forgot about all the others you mentioned. AAM Matadors too. The Ford Fiesta has been discontinued for the States, also the Fusion (Mondeo) at least for now.
The Dream Cruise Ford spokesman said last week the Mustang is the only passenger car in the line up for now. So I guess the Focus is also going.
The Chinese Taurus is a version of the Mondeo/Fusion on the CD4 platform, so depending on gas prices going forward, it could be imported here.
I guess more Americans like crossovers and truck/suv's currently. The only sedans Chrysler offers now are the Dodge Charger and the 300c. I see a lot of Challengers.
Our kid works for Ford, so we test drove an Escape (Kuga), but my other half said it is too small, being 6'2"inches. So we opted for an Edge (also on CD4 platform) w/3.5 litre V6 awd. It is averaging about 19 m.pg. The 2019 model has an 8 speed automatic vs. a 6 speed, so may get a bit better economy.
We could have got an Explorer, but don't need a 7 seater, and it's even thirstier. I sat in a Flex, but you sit much lower, like in a station wagon. those two are built on the larger D4 platform adopted and tweaked from large Volvo's when Ford owned them.
We don't drive a whole lot currently, as I'm retired, and my spouse works from home. A car not fully warmed up is never good on gas. When I set the cruise on 65 p.p.h., the dash display says 26 instant mpg. Only have just over 1,600 miles on it since May 17th. I tool around town in an '07 Impala. It's actually good on gas. We've owned it since 2009, so a shopping trolley dent, etc. is no big deal.
The new one is a lease, so garage kept, and I keep it clean.
I forgot about all the others you mentioned. AAM Matadors too. The Ford Fiesta has been discontinued for the States, also the Fusion (Mondeo) at least for now.
The Dream Cruise Ford spokesman said last week the Mustang is the only passenger car in the line up for now. So I guess the Focus is also going.
The Chinese Taurus is a version of the Mondeo/Fusion on the CD4 platform, so depending on gas prices going forward, it could be imported here.
I guess more Americans like crossovers and truck/suv's currently. The only sedans Chrysler offers now are the Dodge Charger and the 300c. I see a lot of Challengers.
Our kid works for Ford, so we test drove an Escape (Kuga), but my other half said it is too small, being 6'2"inches. So we opted for an Edge (also on CD4 platform) w/3.5 litre V6 awd. It is averaging about 19 m.pg. The 2019 model has an 8 speed automatic vs. a 6 speed, so may get a bit better economy.
We could have got an Explorer, but don't need a 7 seater, and it's even thirstier. I sat in a Flex, but you sit much lower, like in a station wagon. those two are built on the larger D4 platform adopted and tweaked from large Volvo's when Ford owned them.
We don't drive a whole lot currently, as I'm retired, and my spouse works from home. A car not fully warmed up is never good on gas. When I set the cruise on 65 p.p.h., the dash display says 26 instant mpg. Only have just over 1,600 miles on it since May 17th. I tool around town in an '07 Impala. It's actually good on gas. We've owned it since 2009, so a shopping trolley dent, etc. is no big deal.
The new one is a lease, so garage kept, and I keep it clean.
The Focus 2018 and the Fiesta 2018 are still on Ford's website. I just had a look at them earlier this week.
https://www.ford.com
https://www.ford.com
Mitsubishi had a lot of great innovations over the years, but their quality has been suffering for a couple of decades. Personally, I'd stay away. If I was in the market for a small inexpensive car today, I'd look at Kia, a brand that has improved dramatically in recent years.
We had a '74 AMC Gremlin in the family. Bought it used for $600 and drove it for 7 years. I thought it was a neat little car, and it gave us no problems at all. With the 232 six and the 3-speed stick it moved out very well. It was not very good in snow however, due to lack of weight above the rear wheels. The Gremlins to avoid are the ones with the miserable 2-liter Audi / VW 4-cylinder engine.
We also had a '79 Ford Fiesta for a while. I thought of it as Ford's better Rabbit. The only problem it gave us was that when you pushed the cigarette lighter in, the wiring harness would smoke. I fixed that by simply removing the lighter. The 1.6 OHV Kent engine is no powerhouse, but it is bullet-proof.
We had a '74 AMC Gremlin in the family. Bought it used for $600 and drove it for 7 years. I thought it was a neat little car, and it gave us no problems at all. With the 232 six and the 3-speed stick it moved out very well. It was not very good in snow however, due to lack of weight above the rear wheels. The Gremlins to avoid are the ones with the miserable 2-liter Audi / VW 4-cylinder engine.
We also had a '79 Ford Fiesta for a while. I thought of it as Ford's better Rabbit. The only problem it gave us was that when you pushed the cigarette lighter in, the wiring harness would smoke. I fixed that by simply removing the lighter. The 1.6 OHV Kent engine is no powerhouse, but it is bullet-proof.
vacerator
Well-known member
Yes Louis,
and there may be a few 2018 models still in dealers inventories. June, July, and August are build out and changeover months for the current model year. The September production run will be 2019's. I think Wayne Michigan is retooling for the new Ranger mid size pick up. If it is released next winter or spring, it will be a 2020 model. Otherwise, the plant will be mothballed. Wixom Michigan wasn't any older, and closed at the end of the T-Bird and Lincoln LS model run. It's already demolished.
The Fiesta will remain in production in Mexico for there and export. The Focus also in Salarous, for Europe.
There was a sharp lightning blue Fusion sport in the showroom when we selected our Edge. My sister has leased four Fusions and has liked each one. She has a 4 cylinder ecoboost and gets great fuel economy.
and there may be a few 2018 models still in dealers inventories. June, July, and August are build out and changeover months for the current model year. The September production run will be 2019's. I think Wayne Michigan is retooling for the new Ranger mid size pick up. If it is released next winter or spring, it will be a 2020 model. Otherwise, the plant will be mothballed. Wixom Michigan wasn't any older, and closed at the end of the T-Bird and Lincoln LS model run. It's already demolished.
The Fiesta will remain in production in Mexico for there and export. The Focus also in Salarous, for Europe.
There was a sharp lightning blue Fusion sport in the showroom when we selected our Edge. My sister has leased four Fusions and has liked each one. She has a 4 cylinder ecoboost and gets great fuel economy.
You can still build en price the Fiesta and the Focus, so the production line must still be running.
AMC Gremlin w/ a 2-liter VW 4-cylinder engine???
Wow I never knew the Gremlin was offered with a VW sourced, carburated 2.0L 4 cylinder engine!
Looks like they were only offered as an option (never standard equipment) the last 2 years of production ('77-'78). Interesting side note: over the span of Gremlin production, 5 other engines, 3 - 6 cylinder (199, 232 & 258 cu in) and 2 V8's (304 & 401 cu in) were available, in addition to the German 4 cylinder!
Wow I never knew the Gremlin was offered with a VW sourced, carburated 2.0L 4 cylinder engine!
Looks like they were only offered as an option (never standard equipment) the last 2 years of production ('77-'78). Interesting side note: over the span of Gremlin production, 5 other engines, 3 - 6 cylinder (199, 232 & 258 cu in) and 2 V8's (304 & 401 cu in) were available, in addition to the German 4 cylinder!
Man114, thanks for the reply. Any suggestions about equipment or options? Do you have a sunroof?
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