First Glimpse of the New Mitsubishi Mirage 2012

I went to SM city Cagayan de Oro together with my wife to see the Mitsubishi Mirage for the first time. We’ve been waiting for quite some time to check out the car. Before, our only source of information is through videos and pictures which we get from Google and Youtube. Based on the pictures you see on the internet, it will give you an impression of a very small car, but when you see the real thing, it’s a different story. 

I am 5'8" and I got no trouble at all in getting in and out of the car. The backseat is huge, even 3 passengers can sit comfortably without using the word “squeeze”. The leg room is so generous that you can even put a laptop bag together with your feet.  The head room is great, too!

If I mentioned that the back seat is comfortable, wait until you sit in the front seat! It’s ultimately comfortable. Sitting in the front feels like riding an expensive car. The quality of the plastics is awesome and the seats are pretty cool. The legroom is so great that you can squeeze a medium-sized backpack together with your feet.  

Let’s end the story of being a passenger and sit in the captain’s lazy-boy. Sitting in the driver’s seat doesn’t feel like sitting in a budget car. The steering wheel is wrapped with leather including the shift knob. The car has great visibility that you don’t need to get a back sensor. The clutch is so soft that I can describe it as feather like clutch, and it also has a foot rest.

 If you think that all were said, wait there’s more! The unit that we’ve checked is a GLS Manual transmission.

This model offers these features:

* Multi-media system/GPS

* Keyless operation - push start/stop button

* ABS and EBD

* Power steering

* 15-inch alloy wheels

* Power side mirrors

* Alarm

* Fog lamps

* Power windows

* Tonneau cover(hard top)

* Automatic air conditioner/climate control

* Spoiler with high-mount brake light

The price is at PHP 588,000 with 25k discount and free 15k worth of accessories if you pay the reservation fee of 10k, though the promo is only valid until October 31, 2012. It’s definitely a bang for the buck, knowing the price of the Toyota Vios base model is at PHP 584,000 and it’s still not the J model.

I talked with my SA which happens to be a friend and asked about the performance of this car, he said “hindi ko pa na subokang e maneho ito pero sabi nang kumuha ng kotse sa bodega, ang takbo daw ay parang mitsu ASX. Matulin talaga”. 

I don’t have any first-hand experience driving this car yet, but I’ll keep you posted when I do have one. I paid 10k for the reservation and expecting the unit to arrive 2^nd week of November. For those who are hunting for a new ride, better check out this car!