1993-1996 Mitsubishi Mirage: Full Review
Updated: 12/17/09
1996 Mitsubishi Mirage
View the Photo Gallery
View the Photo Gallery
1993-1996 Mitsubishi Mirage ▼
- Price Range: $600 - $1,200
Reviews & Ratings
Pricing
Explore
Specifications & Safety
Related to Mitsubishi Mirage
Related Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1993-1996 Mitsubishi Mirage and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Fuel economy
- Maneuverability
Cons
- Acceleration (automatic)
- Noise
- Rear-seat room
Vehicle Highlights
Noticeably larger in most dimensions than earlier Mirages, the new model for 1993 weighed 120 pounds less. A 4-door notchback sedan went on sale again, but a new 2-door notchback coupe replaced the prior hatchback. Both the coupe and the sedan came in three trim levels: base S, midrange ES, and top-line LS. Coupes and the 4-door S used a single-cam 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, rated at 92 horsepower. ES and LS 4-doors got a new 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, making 113 horsepower. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard, with 4-speed automatic optional for ES and LS 4-doors. Other models (except for the S coupe, which was stick-shift only) could get a 3-speed automatic transmission as an option. Antilock braking was available on the LS 4-door only. No airbag was installed. Eagle dealers sold a similar car as the Summit. Dodge and Plymouth dealers called their version the Colt.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4-door automatic Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 3 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 35 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1993-1996 Mitsubishi Mirage. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1993-1996 Mitsubishi Mirage.
Year to Year Changes
1994 Mitsubishi Mirage:
A driver-side airbag went into 1994 Mirages, but the optional antilock brakes were deleted. A motorized shoulder belt remained on the passenger side, but no longer was installed on the driver's side of the front seat. LS coupes now were equipped with the 1.8-liter engine, like the ES and LS sedans. The LS sedan now came only with automatic transmission.
1995 Mitsubishi Mirage:
A passenger-side airbag joined the driver's airbag, eliminating motorized shoulder belts completely. The S coupe gained color-keyed bumpers, while the LS got 14-inch alloy wheels (formerly 13-inch). Both models got a new center console with a covered storage bin.
1996 Mitsubishi Mirage:
Mitsubishi's subcompact coupe changed little, except for a little less standard equipment in the base S model. Mirage was redesigned as a 1997 model.
Our road test for the 1993-1996 Mitsubishi Mirage includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1993-1996 Mitsubishi Mirage and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1993-1996 Mitsubishi Mirage is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Acceleration is lackluster with the basic 1.5-liter engine and either transmission. On the other hand, a Mirage with the 1.8-liter engine and 5-speed manual moves more than adequately--though it cannot be called snappy. An automatic transmission saps a lot of the verve from that engine, too. Fuel economy is good with any powertrain setup. We averaged 31.4 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving with a 1.8-liter Mirage. Interior design is pleasant, but seating arrangements clearly favor front-seat occupants. The backseat is too crowded for adults to be comfortable. Still, Mirages have an impressive list of plus points, starting with a good ride on most surfaces, and simple instruments and controls. You also get nimble and predictable handling, but only if the car has power steering. Manual steering demands too much muscle for easy parking. The large trunk has a bumper-level opening for easy loading.
Value for the Money
In short, Mirage ranks as a good small car, but hardly a great one. An ES or LS 4-door with the bigger engine does a good job, but it's not appreciably better than most rivals.
In short, Mirage ranks as a good small car, but hardly a great one. An ES or LS 4-door with the bigger engine does a good job, but it's not appreciably better than most rivals.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4-door automatic Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 3 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 35 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Mitsubishi Mirage includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Mitsubishi Mirage .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Climate control:
Interior temperature-control knob rotates but does not change the temperature due to a defective heater-control lever. (1995)
Engine misfire:
Automatic-transmission models may vibrate at idle due to the radiator being installed incorrectly. (1993-94)
Fuel pump:
The vehicle is sensitive to fuel starvation caused by a clogged in-tank filter. (1993-95)
Hard starting:
The engine may not start when the transmission is in park or neutral or may start when in drive due to the park/neutral switch being out of adjustment. (1993-94)
Horn:
The horn(s) may be too high- or low-pitched or not sound at all. (1993)
Vehicle noise:
Popping or squeaking from the front is caused by the springs vibrating in their seats. (1993-94)
Vehicle shake:
Vehicle vibration at idle may result if radiator brackets are not installed properly. (1993-94)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $845 |
| Alternator | $300 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $975 |
| Brakes | $310 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $435 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,120 |
| Exhaust System | $215 |
| Radiator | $455 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $680 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $180 |
Our price chart for this generation Mitsubishi Mirage details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1996 | |||
| Mirage coupe | $1,300-1,600 | $800-1,000 | $200 |
| Mirage sedan | $1,400-1,800 | $900-1,200 | $200 |
| 1995 | |||
| Mirage coupe | $1,200-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| Mirage sedan | $1,300-1,600 | $800-1,000 | $200 |
| 1994 | |||
| Mirage coupe | $1,100-1,400 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| Mirage sedan | $1,200-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1993 | |||
| Mirage coupe | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
| Mirage sedan | $1,100-1,400 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Mitsubishi Mirage include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door coupe | 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 96.1 | 98.4 |
| Overall Length, in. | 171.1 | 172.2 |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.5 | 66.5 |
| Overall Height, in. | 51.6 | 52.2 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2085 | 2195 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 10.7 | 10.5 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 13.2 | 13.2 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.6 | 39.2 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.9 | 42.9 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.4 | 37.2 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 31.1 | 33.5 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Early Mirage coupes and the S 4-door held a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. A bigger (1.8-liter) 4-cylinder, making 113 horsepower, went into the ES and LS 4-doors. Five-speed manual shift was standard on all, with either a 3-speed or 4-speed automatic optional, depending on model. In 1994, the LS coupe got the larger engine, and the LS sedan came only with automatic. A year later, as sedans dropped away, the S coupe came only with manual shift and the 1.5-liter engine, while the LS, with its 1.8-liter engine, could have either manual shift or the 4-speed automatic (3-speed automatics were dropped). For its final season in this form, the S coupe could be equipped with an optional 3-speed automatic.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I4 | 1.5 / 90 | 92 | 93 | 5-speed manual: 32/39 3-speed automatic: 28/32 |
5-speed manual: -- 3-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc I4 | 1.8 / 112 | 113 | 116 | 5-speed manual: 26/33 4-speed automatic: 26/33 |
5-speed manual: 33.1 4-speed automatic: 24.3 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Mitsubishi Mirage include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1993 Mirage |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 3 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1993-1996 Mitsubishi Mirage directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1993 sold in Caribbean:
Shoulder-belt anchorage could remain at A-pillar when door was closed.
1993:
Automatic-seatbelt system may fail to operate correctly during crash.
1993:
Due to cable abrasion, shoulder belt may become stuck.
Car Buying Resources
Search
Local Listings
Buying a
Used Car?
Used Car?
Start your research
with a CARFAX® Report
with a CARFAX® Report
No VIN Available?
Order a CARFAX®
Report Package
Report Package
