Hello,
I am looking at buying a 2002 Mirage (standard 1.5L).I was looking for any user opinions from people who have ownedthe same model.I'm not really a car expert and have no idea with thehistory of these vehicles (or any vehicles for that matter) i.e. do they have any mechanical issues or common problems accross the board?It's the right price for me at the moment and has low milage.

Also, if I was going to buy a decent set of rims for it, what size do i go for and does anyoneknow ofa cheap rim supplier in Brisbane, Australia?

Thanks a lot.

 

If you don't know the history of the mirage, let me be the first to enlighten you. USDM LANCER'S DADDY! The Mirage was introduced to the US market in the late 80's as a small economical car. They originally had a turbo charged model from the factory during the second generation, that went away as years passed and fuel efficeincy and cheaper construction costs became more of the focus. Overseas, the Mirage (a.k.a. Lancer) has always had it's hand in the performance cookie jar. These were the original Evo's, with the newer body styling of the current IX not available until the Evo VII. The were all powered by the infamous 4g63t, AWD, and were the stuff that Rally & Road racer's dreams were built on. Overseas markets also had available to them the Lancer GSR, which offered a 4g93t (1.8L turbo charged DOHC) motor as well as AWD, and were the essence of the word "economical pocket rocket."

If you've got the 4g15, you've kinda got the short end of the stick when it comes to performance though. There's not much aftermarket support for our cars here, so much of the stuff that you'll see on Mirage tuner's cars are either borrowed from other vehicles or custom built for the specific car.

If you're looking for rims, you've got a 4x100 bolt pattern, and I wouldn't go any larger than 16" on it. I've got 17" on mine, but between the added mass of the wheels and the grip of the performance tires, I have trouble breaking them loose in 2nd gear. When I had my 15's, I'd smoke 2nd gear all the way up to about 5k rpm. I'm turbo charged by the way, so don't expect to get more than a little chirp out of your motor at this point in time.

As far as problems go........they're known to have touchy coil packs, but I've never had to replace mine. Motors are known to start in with valve noise after about 85-95k miles. That can be remedied by simply changing the viscosity of your oil and adding some engine conditioner. Apart from that, they're incredibly reliable and inexpensive to operarte. OEM replacment parts (brake pads, rotors, shocks, etc) are pretty cheap, so repair costs are usually pretty low compared to most vehicles as well.

 

I had a 1999 Mitsubishi Mirade DE Coupe (white) I spent about $1,500 to make it faster with
Fujita F5 short ram intake (SRI), Brembo rotors and pads, 14 inch gun metal alloy wheels (you can buy those at Pep Boys for 200 a pair) and Vibrant Muffler with Silencer (used Silencer because SRI is already loud) and some Aluminum like sheets for the hood, firewall and flooring to reduce noise and heat. And a Dual Car Stereo w/250 watts double face plate and NGK Spark Plug wires and sparks plugs.

I almost put 200 hp on the Mirage... It was a descent car but I have to let it go because I wanted a 2008 Lancer. The guy who bought my Mirage will never be disappointed with what I tuned in the car.

Buy the car it is worth it just Check the Under drive pulleys it needs adjustment and ask the dealer if they already fix that pulleys. I won't tell you what with the pulleys you might get freak out.

good luck

 

By the way there is no Pep Boys in Australia
but buy your Performance partson this site Horsepowerfreak.com

buy the 4G18 but not sure if they have 2 door but mine was 4G15 engine about 98 horsepower but for a small car like the Mirage it is fast. Buy the PBR break pads they are made in Australia i think

 

Sorry dude, but I'm gonna have to wave the [sm=bs.gif]flag on you there. You realize that the only acutal performance mod you listed that would give you an sort of gain was the SRI, which is good for maybe 2whp? My N/A rage has a custom cold air intake, 2.25" catback and a gutted catalytic converter and I'll bet it won't put down 100whp. As for my turbo rage, I can give you the full list of mods, but the long and short of it is that I'm running a t3 super 60 at 9 pounds of boost and I'd bet an entire year's wages that I'm not putting down more than 180whp, and that's being extremely optomistic. If you're claiming 200hp, I'd like to see the build sheet, dyno chart and your 1/4 mile slips please.

If you're in Aussie land, you've got a bit of an easier time. RPW is based out of Australia, get a thier 4-1 header (or extractors as they call them), test pipe, full catback exhaust, p&p'd intake manifold, bigger throttle body, 310cc injectors and a fuel pressure regulator, and you've got a pretty potent little 4 banger. You'll still only see maybe 115-120whp, but if you play your cards right with the suspension and tranny, you'll have a pretty good set up, especially if you're into autocross.

 

I forgot tomention the HKS cat back exhaust without the muffler insteadI putVibrant it was cheaper plus with an orthodox pulleys brand andgeneric Headers.

Did not put The bottle I heard putting iton stock engine is dangerous it might blow the engine
What else I can say I race a Corvette from Rhode Island to Boston. the guy was only a car away in front of me. Even though he was faster I was already satisfied with the mods I put in my car.

It means I can beat smaller cars with my Specs. I

RPW is Australia they told me Lancer 08 parts is not yet available but soon when the Lancer comes out in Down Under.

 

1.) HKS does not make a catback for ANY generation of Mirage, and your muffler doesn't make all that much a difference. Even if, by some miracle, you had HKS custom build you a catback, the most you'd see is 5-7hp.
2.) You are retarted if you think that a set of underdrive pulleys will net you more than 1 or two hp. By the way, can I get a link to the web site so I can order some? Cuz I'm pretty sure that it's Unorthodox Racing, and I wasn't able to find anything for the 4g15 there. Maybe you can help.
3.) Generic headers? You did say Mirage DE......which means you've got a 4g15......which means the only company that makes a HEADER (since it's an I4, there will only be one needed, or have you done some wild mod to require more than one?) is RPW.

And beat smaller cars with your specs? WTF are you planning on racing, go karts? You do realize that you're running a 1.5L right? There are very few vehicles on the road with a smaller motor than that. And running nitrous......dangerous? Only if you're stupid with it. 55-65hp jets are fine, anything larger on stock internals is asking for trouble though.

So, again I say, BUILD SHEET, DYNO PRINT OUT, AND QUARTER MILE TIME SLIPS. If you claims some outrageous number like 200hp out of a N/A 4g15, expect people to ask questions. Not everyone here is a moron, so don't try to BS your way through this forum.

 

Excuse meI did't bad mouth anyone here You need to respect people you don't know
try this web site http://www.horsepowerfreak.comor racing performance works from Australia

Tell RPW that they don't make parts for my Mirage especailly Hyundai? and see what will they tell you after asking that question

Probably they will tellyou are A Real Moron wanna be know everything about cars....

Ask those guys over thereHow do they make their Mirage faster not just another critic of your own desire of imagination that you know everything in life especially with cars.

That's what I had in my car Believe it or not. If you don't believe me that is your problem pendeho!
If you Have the money like ME!!!You can Do or Can have those parts with special order or fabrication. I

How do you KNOW those parts are doesn't make any differenceinstalling them on my car.
Ask the people who make them and they will tell you that you are another Moron.

Why did they make it if it doesn't really make my car faster?

How long did you research those parts of my Mirage?

And by the way Driving an Evo doesn't really make you Faster than a Mirage?

You have to buy a $32,000 car just to beat a 1999 Mirage De Coupe.

THAT IS SO PATHETIC!!!!!


they might explain it to you what they have for the Mirage.
Who said people are moron. Don't start These conflicting Words for a wanna be tuner.

Because all Tuner respect each other in how the modify their cars and you learn from other tuner the technic of tuning a car not

 

Oh by the way Moron... Ask Jimenez on horsepowerfreak.com about his 300 hp 1.8 Mirage

if those parts he installed really works? probably he might give tips for NOT BE SO NAIVE.

show me the Dyno Print out that so pathetic.

 

By the way Lil Evo no hard feelings. I was just defending my side.

Check this web site http://www.mirageforums.netask anybody if they can make a 200 whp 4g15 engine on a 1999 Mitsu Mirade De Coupe