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Mitsubish Mirage; Not as well built as a Metro
Topic Started: Dec 14 2015, 09:46 PM (5,517 Views)
Freeman
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The Family Man

cwatkin
Jan 6 2016, 05:56 PM
That is true. Belts are not the end of the world but lots of people neglect them until they break and then blame the car for the engine being trash.

Conor
Yup. A gal my wife works for didn't know you had to CHANGE THE OIL in a car. Two years later, she got a new car because her POS didn't run anymore. :smackface
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gamefoo21
2 Swifts n a Turbo Sprint

cwatkin
Jan 6 2016, 02:14 PM
I understand that most timing chain driven engines ARE interference. I guess the thinking is that the odds of it breaking are so small compared to a belt that this normally isn't a concern. I understand that chains can and do wear out. Some of this can be from neglect while some is just lots of use and miles. Either way, the odds of it being an issue is a lot less than with a belt. Also, chains typically get loud before they go.

Conor
Lots of chain guides fail without warning.

It's true chains can and usually get noisy as they stretch. I'm looking at GM 2.2 engines, they like to blow chains around 300,000km, seems some get noisy, others just lock up.

I have a 99 Sunfire that's clicking, it's either a lifter or the chain tensioner giving up. It's a very expensive job to swap that chain. There's a tensioner delete chain/gears set for it.

I agree though a lack of maintenance will kill anything. Though I will admit that usually when it's time to change the belt it's time to change your coolant, change the tensioner, idlers, water pump, thermostat, and crank/cam seals. That's also why so many groan, because maintenance gets done and those costs aren't small.
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Freeman
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The Family Man

Yeah, but that's every 100,000 miles or so, right? That's like 5-10 years. If you can't invest the couple thousand or the weekend of your time, you'll see what happens when you neglect something you rely on.
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Cobrajet25
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TurboEF
Jan 8 2016, 06:51 AM
Yeah, but that's every 100,000 miles or so, right? That's like 5-10 years. If you can't invest the couple thousand or the weekend of your time, you'll see what happens when you neglect something you rely on.
:gp

Name me ONE motor you don't have to do anything to for more than 100,000 miles. I'll take a chain to a belt any day.

If I have to replace the timing chain set on my Mirage at 95k, I will. Oh, wait...actually MITSUBISHI will. Because the car has a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

I was surprised to learn that this warranty covers the half shaft axles as well. One guy on the Mirage forum had a clicking CV joint at about 60,000 miles. Mitsubishi replaced it no questions asked.
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Freeman
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The Family Man

It is also 10 years isn't it? I was looking at new Fits, Civic Si's, VW Golfs, etc (most new 5 door hatches). They were all 3-5 years and 36k to 50k warranties. No one except Mitsubishi had a 10 year, 100k mile, warranty. That's impressive and one major reason I had started to consider the Mirage above the competition. Even if it is a complete POS (I'm saying IF, not that it IS), it has a good warranty. That's why I shop at Harbor Freight and use Autozone axles. They aren't the best, but you can't beat lifetime ownership warranties.

People complain about water pumps, but are OK with the price of tires?
Edited by Freeman, Jan 8 2016, 08:23 AM.
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Old Man


Cobrajet25
Jan 8 2016, 07:50 AM
Name me ONE motor you don't have to do anything to for more than 100,000 miles.
My 2001 Ford Ranger pickup has around 120K miles on it--haven't touched the engine with a wrench.

My 2007 Ford Focus is nearing 100K miles--haven't touched the engine with a wrench.
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cwatkin


I didn't realize that the GM 2.2 also had issues with the timing chains. We had a 1996 S-10 with one of these when I was growing up and it was like flogging a dead mule. It was the most underpowered and gutless vehicle money could buy. I have no doubt I would leave it in the dust drag racing it in a Geo! It was a 5 speed manual too. I understand the automatics were even worse!

I know a guy with one in a 1998 Sonoma and it seems a tad peppier than the 1996. I understand a few improvements were made in those two years in terms of power, etc. Even just a few more HP in this engine makes a big difference. He has like 500,000 miles on it (all highway) and has never opened the engine. It has needed a couple clutches in this time and uses a little oil but he drives it like 60 miles to and from work each day without any concerns.

Now the Chrysler 2.7L is one that is one where the chains also let go. This is an engine where you ask the question "What isn't a weakness?" I will say they run and drive well when they run but once they have issues, you might as well scrap the entire car.

Either way, the Mirage is going to get serious consideration on my part when the time comes. I used to think of Mitsubishi as another Chrysler in terms of reliability (the two were married for a while) but it sounds like they have really stepped it up, even on this econo car.

Conor
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Freeman
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The Family Man

Old Man
Jan 8 2016, 09:16 AM
Cobrajet25
Jan 8 2016, 07:50 AM
Name me ONE motor you don't have to do anything to for more than 100,000 miles.
My 2001 Ford Ranger pickup has around 120K miles on it--haven't touched the engine with a wrench.

My 2007 Ford Focus is nearing 100K miles--haven't touched the engine with a wrench.
:D I'm sure the factory manual calls for some maintenance around the 100k mark, that was the point. I know plenty of people that run cars a lot and don't mess with the motors. My step father put 170k on his Titan in 5-6 years and never did anything to the engine aside from oil changes (as far as I know). It did develop a knock right at 170k, but he drove that thing a lot for his job. He might have replaced a few things here and there, but it was never down for more than a quick afternoon. So I wouldn't say it was anything more than plugs, wires, dist. cap, or something like that. Maybe a starter or alternator. But he never tore into the thing.
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Cobrajet25
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TurboEF
Jan 8 2016, 12:07 PM
Old Man
Jan 8 2016, 09:16 AM
Cobrajet25
Jan 8 2016, 07:50 AM
Name me ONE motor you don't have to do anything to for more than 100,000 miles.
My 2001 Ford Ranger pickup has around 120K miles on it--haven't touched the engine with a wrench.

My 2007 Ford Focus is nearing 100K miles--haven't touched the engine with a wrench.
:D I'm sure the factory manual calls for some maintenance around the 100k mark, that was the point. I know plenty of people that run cars a lot and don't mess with the motors. My step father put 170k on his Titan in 5-6 years and never did anything to the engine aside from oil changes (as far as I know). It did develop a knock right at 170k, but he drove that thing a lot for his job. He might have replaced a few things here and there, but it was never down for more than a quick afternoon. So I wouldn't say it was anything more than plugs, wires, dist. cap, or something like that. Maybe a starter or alternator. But he never tore into the thing.
:gp

Exactly. I was talking about the recommended service intervals in the owner's manual. Normally, it will say something like 'Inspect/replace timing chain' or something like that.
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Cobrajet25
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cwatkin
Jan 6 2016, 11:51 AM
That is true! Economy cars tend often be neglected. Look at some of the Metros you see out there and some of us own. Mine are both beatup and the other two I got were bought with the intention of using them for parts only.

It would be nice to get one and just change the oil from day one and not have to worry about buying one that went most of its life without an oil change.

I guess 2017 will be the last year without all the stupid backup cameras and such so if I want one, I had better make a move by then.

Conor
It has just been pointed out that the base model '17 Mirage will have MANUAL climate controls. No automatic climate control on this version, though the upper models will still have it. And AC will still be standard.

I suspect the new base model...now called the 'ES', for some reason...may be a little cheaper than the current base model (called the 'DE'), since they seem to be de-contenting it a little bit.

Mitsubishi sells a de-contented Mirage in Canada for about US$7600 (CDN$9998). If they could do that here, I don't think they'd be able to build them fast enough!
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mt999999
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Self-Declared "Genious"

Cobrajet25
Jan 12 2016, 12:35 AM
cwatkin
Jan 6 2016, 11:51 AM
That is true! Economy cars tend often be neglected. Look at some of the Metros you see out there and some of us own. Mine are both beatup and the other two I got were bought with the intention of using them for parts only.

It would be nice to get one and just change the oil from day one and not have to worry about buying one that went most of its life without an oil change.

I guess 2017 will be the last year without all the stupid backup cameras and such so if I want one, I had better make a move by then.

Conor
It has just been pointed out that the base model '17 Mirage will have MANUAL climate controls. No automatic climate control on this version, though the upper models will still have it. And AC will still be standard.

I suspect the new base model...now called the 'ES', for some reason...may be a little cheaper than the current base model (called the 'DE'), since they seem to be de-contenting it a little bit.

Mitsubishi sells a de-contented Mirage in Canada for about US$7600 (CDN$9998). If they could do that here, I don't think they'd be able to build them fast enough!
I wish they sold the basic no-power or A/C option here for 10k; I'd surely consider getting one at that point. The main reason that I don't like the Mirage is that it has way TOO MANY features like power windows that I don't care for. Until then, Metro for me! :D
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Freeman
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The Family Man

I love AC. The rest I can really live without. A basic single DIN radio is nice too. The rest can be mechanical for me.
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mt999999
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Self-Declared "Genious"

TurboEF
Jan 12 2016, 06:34 AM
I love AC. The rest I can really live without. A basic single DIN radio is nice too. The rest can be mechanical for me.
In Florida, A/C is pretty necessary. Up here, not as much. You should be much better off without if after you move!
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Hanuman
"The Almighty Grounds Cleaner"

How does the engines torque curve compare to the metro engine?

Does it have much low end torque or is it most mid and high rpm?
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Daox
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[ *  *  *  * ]
The torque curve is pretty flat and falls off after 5500 rpm.

http://mirageforum.com/forum/showthread.php/3600-Post-your-Mirage-dyno-chart!

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Edited by Daox, Jan 12 2016, 03:04 PM.
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