1997-2002 Mitsubishi Mirage: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
2002 Mitsubishi Mirage
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1997-2002 Mitsubishi Mirage ▼
- Price Range: $1,000 - $2,700
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1997-2002 Mitsubishi Mirage and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Price
- Visibility
- Fuel economy
Cons
- Rear-seat room (coupes)
- Acceleration (DE)
Vehicle Highlights
In addition to redesigning its front-drive subcompact for 1997, Mitsubishi revived the 4-door model. Unlike the prior generation, too, the Mirage now stood alone instead of having a near-clone available from Chrysler Corporation dealers. Both the notchback 2-door coupe and the revived 4-door sedan came in base DE ("Deluxe") and upscale LS trim. Sedans rode a wheelbase 3 inches longer than the coupes, creating more rear-seat space. DE models held a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produced 92 horsepower. A 1.8-liter four, rated at 113 horsepower, went under LS hoods. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard and a 4-speed automatic optional.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Mitsubishi Mirage LS sedan Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 36 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1997-2002 Mitsubishi Mirage. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1997-2002 Mitsubishi Mirage.
Year to Year Changes
1998 Mitsubishi Mirage:
Except for the addition of a heavy-duty starter and battery, little was new for 1998.
1999 Mitsubishi Mirage:
Minor revisions to the rear end gave Mitsubishi's subcompact coupe and sedan a slightly different look for '99. White-faced gauges and a tachometer went into the LS coupe.
2000 Mitsubishi Mirage:
Antilock brakes no longer were available, but DE models added some standard equipment, including air conditioning, power windows, and power locks. A CD player was newly standard. DE models also switched to 14-inch wheels and gained a tilt steering column. LS sedans now included a power sunroof and alloy wheels, which had previously cost extra.
2001 Mitsubishi Mirage:
No significant changes were made for 2001.
2002 Mitsubishi Mirage:
There were no significant changes for 2002. Mirage continued to be sold to rental fleets with no changes in 2003. It was replaced in public sales with the new Lancer.
Our road test for the 1997-2002 Mitsubishi Mirage includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1997-2002 Mitsubishi Mirage and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1997-2002 Mitsubishi Mirage is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Unusually easy to drive, the latest Mirage scores well in a number of areas. Bonuses include a comfortable driving position, no-nonsense dashboard and sensibly placed controls, commanding visibility all around, and competitive passenger and cargo space. The only exception is the coupe's back seat, which is too small for adults to occupy comfortably. Ride, handling, and braking all rank as acceptable, but not outstanding. A Mirage corners nimbly and predictably, with front-drive security. Ride comfort is good, and quite nice indeed on the highway. But the experience can begin to get choppy when rolling through broken surfaces and freeway expansion joints. On coarse pavement too, tire noise gets to be a problem. Wind rush is not excessive at highway speeds. On the negative side, engine noise remains relatively strong. Acceleration isn't so lively, except with the bigger engine and manual transmission. The new automatic transmission is a lot smoother in operation and more responsive than the old one, but because models with the smaller engine lack sufficient power, we'd avoid automatic. In fact, we'd avoid the smaller engine entirely, due to its minimal gusto. An LS coupe with the bigger engine averaged 30.9 mpg in mostly highway driving. An LS sedan with automatic achieved 26 mpg in a mix of city and highway operation. As expected, it's considerably easier to get into a 4-door than a 2-door, and the sedan offers more usable rear passenger space. Even so, leg and foot room out back are necessarily tight when sitting behind a tall front-seater. All models have a reasonably sized trunk with a flat floor. The LS coupe adds the extra versatility of a split folding backseat (which was available as an option package for sedans).
Value for the Money
Mirage is definitely worth a test drive if you're shopping in the Civic/Corolla neighborhood and wouldn't mind saving a few dollars.
Mirage is definitely worth a test drive if you're shopping in the Civic/Corolla neighborhood and wouldn't mind saving a few dollars.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Mitsubishi Mirage LS sedan Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 36 |
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.
Spark plugs:
Spark plugs tend to foul if the vehicle is driven only short distances in cold weather. (1997-98)
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 | $560 |
| Alternator | $430 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,020 |
| Brakes | $330 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $440 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,230 |
| Exhaust System | $230 |
| Radiator | $360 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $715 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $210 |
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 |
|
|
|||
| 2002 | |||
| Mirage coupe | $2,800-3,600 | $2,100-2,700 | $600-800 |
| 2001 | |||
| Mirage DE, ES | $2,400-3,200 | $1,700-2,300 | $500-600 |
| Mirage LS | $2,700-3,400 | $2,000-2,600 | $600-700 |
| 2000 | |||
| Mirage DE | $2,100-2,800 | $1,500-2,000 | $400-500 |
| Mirage LS | $2,400-3,100 | $1,700-2,200 | $500-600 |
| 1999 | |||
| Mirage DE | $1,900-2,500 | $1,300-1,700 | $300-400 |
| Mirage LS | $2,200-2,800 | $1,600-2,000 | $400-500 |
| 1998 | |||
| Mirage DE | $1,700-2,100 | $1,100-1,400 | $300 |
| Mirage LS | $1,900-2,300 | $1,300-1,600 | $300-400 |
| 1997 | |||
| Mirage DE | $1,500-1,900 | $1,000-1,200 | $200 |
| Mirage LS | $1,700-2,100 | $1,100-1,400 | $300 |
|
|
|||
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. | 95.1 | 98.4 |
| Overall Length, in. | 168.1 | 173.6 |
| Overall Width, in. | 66.5 | 66.5 |
| Overall Height, in. | 51.4 | 52.6 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2127 | 2227 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 11.5 | 11.5 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 13.2 | 13.2 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.6 | 39.8 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 43.0 | 43.0 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 35.8 | 37.4 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 31.1 | 33.5 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Mirages came with a choice of two engines and two transmissions. A 1.5-liter overhead-cam 4-cylinder, rated at 92 horsepower, went into DE models. The Mirage LS used a 1.8-liter engine, which produced 113 horsepower. Either engine could have a 5-speed manual transmission or optional 4-speed automatic.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I4 | 1.5 / 90 | 92 | 93 | 5-speed manual: 33/40 4-speed automatic: 29/36 |
5-speed manual: 34.1 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc I4 | 1.8 / 112 | 113 | 116 | 5-speed manual: 28/37 4-speed automatic: 26/33 |
5-speed manual: 30.9 4-speed automatic: 26 |
|
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
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.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 1997-2002 Mitsubishi Mirage directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1998:
Poorly manufactured vacuum-check valve in hose between intake manifold and brake-vacuum booster.
1999-02:
Bilingual English/Spanish removable airbag warning labels on dashboard and sunvisor do meet size requirements.
1999-2001:
The bolt securing the crankshaft pulley can loosen. If the pulley falls off the vehicle, there will be a loss of power-steering assist.
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