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Mitsubish Mirage; Not as well built as a Metro
Topic Started: Dec 14 2015, 09:46 PM (5,519 Views)
aaronvincent
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Mr Mojo Risin'

I will tell you the tale of my dislike for Nissan, everyone else grab some :popcorn It's a long one.

In 2009 my now ex needed a new car, of all the hideous piles she could have chosen from she picks a 2009 Nissan Rogue AWD. To skip a lot of nonsense our relationship ended in 2013 and by then the little crossover had 64000 miles on it. By that time the car suffered from a broken rear hatch handle, both rear power windows not working, leaking fluid from the differential, failure of the AWD system, loss of 3 hubcaps, cloudy headlights, paint chipping on the hood, radio failure and a rather annoying shake at idle. That is not all of the problems but you get the idea, that car cost me a lot of cashies for the amount of issues it had. It wasn't mistreated either, it just sucked.

A girl I know has a 2010 Versa hatchback that feels like it's going to shake itself apart at speeds over 60 mph. It barely has 50000 miles on it and is missing all the hubcaps and has those faded headlights/paint and leaks oil. I take a look at it from time to time because she does not know anything about cars (it is maintained by her husband who is my friend and he complains endlessly about it).

At work we have several 2008 Nissan Titan pickups that come in for routine service and they all leak fluid at the axles/under the engine. I've replaced the differentials on at least 3 of them by now. They also ALL have the cloudy headlights and peeling paint. They are light delivery trucks too, not hard working vehicles by any means.

Fast forward to 2015 and I take my Grand Canyon vacation in the Versa shitbox with my new spouse and a similar pattern begins to appear. You can bet that I was not interested in buying that vehicle or any other made by nissan.

They all seemed to leak fluid at the axels, they all seem to have differential issues (if equipped), they all seem to have serious paint problems and headlight clouding and that's where I stop short. I'll keep my Toyotas because I have little faith the new Versa will be any better than the garbage they've been producing for the last decade.
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cwatkin


I always had thought Nissan was a pretty good car. One of my friends who used to buy CHRYSLERS switched to Nissans and I guess everything is relative. They seem to be a much better car than Chryslers from his experiences. No engines or transmissions have come apart on him while going down the road which can't be said for his Chrysler products.

Anyway, I think the dealbreaker for me on the Versa would be gas mileage only in the 30's, even on the 5 speed. A small cheap car like this should be able to do better, especially when the 30 year old design of the Metro is able to do this. I agree that it is funny that we are trashing on other cars on a forum dedicated to Metros. I don't mind crank windows and the like. It is just fewer things to break although it is funny that is one thing that DOES break more often on the Metro.

I will make a point to drive the 100 miles to one of the Mitsubishi dealers around for sure. It seems this has kinda been unofficially classified as the modern Metro by all those who own them on this forum. I will have also make a point to drive a Kia Rio and Forte first as that dealer is in town before heading out. The 6 speed manual kinda seems neat although I understand that the 6th gear is no taller than 5th in a 5 speed which kinda sucks. I guess all 6 speeds are this way from what I have been told.

I agree that the mileage out of a Versa should be better. I mean there are Camry hybrids and such getting 40+ mpg.

Conor
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Car Nut
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Yikes, glad I didn't pursue the Versa Note. Nice looking car, I thought, but just not enough in the mpg dept. Also, they wanted too much for a nicely equipped one. The Mirage seems to be a much better value.
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cwatkin


Also, a couple more questions about the Mirage. It seems the reliability is pretty good from the experiences are here. How is it to work on?

1. Basic services like oil changes and coolant flush.
2. Getting the battery out. I hate cars where you have to remove a wheel to swap the battery.
3. Stuff after the long term like water pump, etc.
4. Is this engine belt or chain driven? If belt, how hard is it to change?

Conor
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cwatkin


It looks like there is a forum for these too.

http://mirageforum.com/forum/forum.php?s=f13452f88761640e95734db04ebc793e

Conor
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Cobrajet25
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cwatkin
Dec 18 2015, 07:59 PM
Also, a couple more questions about the Mirage. It seems the reliability is pretty good from the experiences are here. How is it to work on?

1. Basic services like oil changes and coolant flush.
2. Getting the battery out. I hate cars where you have to remove a wheel to swap the battery.
3. Stuff after the long term like water pump, etc.
4. Is this engine belt or chain driven? If belt, how hard is it to change?

Conor
1) Oil filter is on the front of the motor, but the cooling fan is in the way a bit. Easy to get to from the bottom, a little trickier from the top because of the fan. One of my favorite features...one of those 'little things' I like about this car...is there is a small spout underneath the filter. Instead of oil oozing down the side of your block when you remove the filter, it runs down this little spout and into your catch container. It's genius, and all cars should have this!!

2) Battery is right up front, and on top (see pic). Held down by the standard battery clamp. Should only be a few minutes to remove, but I haven't needed to. Odd thing is that it isn't the maintenance-free type we all know today. It's old skool...with the little removable caps!

3) Water pump is driven off of the serpentine belt, and should be as easy to remove as a Metro's. It is also right under the alternator, which should also be easy to remove. With the Metro the water pump is on the back (firewall) side of the motor. It's on the front (radiator) side with the Mirage. Looks like about six little bolts hold it on, and there are no hoses to remove. The thermostat is right behind the water pump in a separate housing.

4) Timing chain. Take the oil filler cap off and you can see the top of it. Should last, well...forever.

This motor should be really, really, REEAAALLLY easy to work on. All that is on the back of the motor is the exhaust manifold. Everything else is right up front. In the pics you can see the tiny little Mikuni throttle body, and all of the sensors. Remove the big black intake box on top of the engine (couple bolts) and all of your plugs and coils are right there.

Posted Image
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Car Nut
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cwatkin
Dec 18 2015, 08:08 PM
It looks like there is a forum for these too.

http://mirageforum.com/forum/forum.php?s=f13452f88761640e95734db04ebc793e

Conor
Yep. Several of us are already members over there. Good helpful info there too. Just like here.
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mt999999
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Self-Declared "Genious"

Cobrajet25
Dec 18 2015, 03:32 AM
mt999999
Dec 18 2015, 02:59 AM
The consensus here seems to be that people don't like the cheaper style of the Versa... on a Metro forum... the irony! :lol

The cheapness and basic features were my favorite part of the car! Not to mention, a newer fairly room sedan, 5 speed, with high 30's MPG. You'll never find that (at this price point), unless you shell out a few thousand more for a Mirage (or find another NOS barn-find Metro... :lol )
The Mirage really isn't 'a few thousand more'. My girlfriend's was $11,800...brand new. Deals can be had on both that make them about $12,000-ish. The factory rebate on the Mirage is $1500 right now. I don't see any rebates or factory incentives on the Versa right now.

MSRP on the base Mirage is $13,800, MSRP on the base Versa is $12,800. But, IMHO, you actually get more with the Mirage (auto climate control, power windows, etc).

Again, I don't dislike the Versa. Nissan sells a lot of them for a reason. But this is a forum dedicated to 20-year-old 3-cylinder economy hatchbacks...there's no reason a NEW 3-cylinder economy hatchback shouldn't raise a few eyebrows here. :lol

Did you drive the Mirage?

Edit: I did a little research, and Nissan has a LOT of problems with 'piston slap' on that 1.6 motor.

I have not driven the Mirage, and have no clue where the nearest dealer is. However, I would like to drive it. I don't dislike the Mirage, but I am not a fan of new-style hatchbacks. I prefer the look of sedans, even though they have less function. Call me weird, but the auto-climate control and auto windows are the exact thing that annoy me with the Mirage and newer cars... I am very loyal to basic 20 year old economy car styling! Even the bluetooth controls (standard like A/C on all new Versa models) on the steering wheel drive me bonkers! :lol

Edit: I haven't heard of the piston slap issues, but I'll have to look that up.
Edited by mt999999, Dec 19 2015, 03:42 PM.
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cwatkin


What is causing the piston slap in the Nissans? Sloppy machining?

Anyway, I will definitely give the Mirage consideration when the time comes.

Conor
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Freeman
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The Family Man

I read timing chain and I'm impressed. My Fit has a timing chain. I'm glad to see they have left the timing belt in the past. With that said, I've never had an issue with a timing belt. I actually replace them regularly (as per spec).
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cwatkin


Yes, I think it is good that they are leaving the belts behind myself. Many perfectly good engines have been junked because of belts. Some are interference while others are not. If you can pick up a busted belt engine on certain cars before the crusher, you can get a great deal.

I think part of this is more and more engines are becoming interference for fuel economy and emissions. Many chain driven engines have been interference for years but you hardly ever hear about it because they last so long.

Conor

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cwatkin


Another question I have been meaning to ask about the Mirage relates to GROUND CLEARANCE! How is the ground clearance on these compared to the Metro? I do lots of work in out of the way places on bumpy roads and gravel roads. Also, the roads around here just aren't that great in general. Lots of cars scrap bottom but the Metro is pretty good about not doing this.

This is also a major factor for me.

Conor
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CaptainMetro
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TurboEF
Dec 21 2015, 06:40 AM
I read timing chain and I'm impressed. My Fit has a timing chain. I'm glad to see they have left the timing belt in the past. With that said, I've never had an issue with a timing belt. I actually replace them regularly (as per spec).
What MPG are you getting in your Fit?
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Cobrajet25
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cwatkin
Dec 21 2015, 07:29 PM
Another question I have been meaning to ask about the Mirage relates to GROUND CLEARANCE! How is the ground clearance on these compared to the Metro? I do lots of work in out of the way places on bumpy roads and gravel roads. Also, the roads around here just aren't that great in general. Lots of cars scrap bottom but the Metro is pretty good about not doing this.

This is also a major factor for me.

Conor
The suspension is pretty soft on the Mirage...a blessing and a curse. It handles bumps really well, but can bottom out. I rarely bottom it out unless I go up a steep driveway or over a large speed bump too fast. Worst I have done is scuff the underside of the front bumper.

They don't sit very high off of the ground, especially in the front. If ground clearance is a priority, I'd definitely make sure to check to make sure it will work for you before you sign any paperwork. :thumb
Edited by Cobrajet25, Dec 22 2015, 03:20 AM.
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Freeman
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The Family Man

CaptainMetro
Dec 22 2015, 01:52 AM
TurboEF
Dec 21 2015, 06:40 AM
I read timing chain and I'm impressed. My Fit has a timing chain. I'm glad to see they have left the timing belt in the past. With that said, I've never had an issue with a timing belt. I actually replace them regularly (as per spec).
What MPG are you getting in your Fit?
Pretty close to 35 mpg city and 40 mpg highway now. I've started getting more comfortable shifting earlier and keeping the RPMs lower while cruising. The engine doesn't bog and chug at 1,500 RPM, so I'm still experimenting.


As for ground clearance: I've seen a couple Mirages and they seem to be very similarly equipped to most 5 door hatches these days (ride height wise). Soft springs aside, I doubt you'll have many problems simply going over speed bumps and the likes. The bumpy roads would require you to slow down most likely. I can't imagine it being unbearable though.
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