I call it my Baby Beast – my 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage. It’s a small – really small – hatchback. I bought it about a year ago for a couple reasons. First, it was a one-year old car with less than 13,000 miles (meaning it had a ton of warranty remaining) and second, I bought this like-new car for about 12 grand. When I factored in that my 2004 Jeep Liberty would cost about $2,500 to get back into full form, it was a no brainer.
Granted, with a Briggs and Stratton-type engine that would more befit a souped-up lawn mower, my Baby Beast does not have a lot of power. It goes from 0 to 60 in about two days, but it cruises on the Interstate at a robust 70 miles per hour along with the best of them.
At the time, I didn’t buy my car because of the gas mileage, but now, when I pass by gas stations with California-like prices, I really love my little car. On a recent trip, I got 45 mpg. Even around town, in stop-and-go traffic, I get at least 34 mpg.
The little fellow only holds about 7 gallons (brimming full) but when I’m filling up at about $30 and the SUVs beside me are topping out at $90 a tank, I really, really love my car.
I am confident that when this mess in Iran is over, gas prices will return to some degree of affordability. In the meantime, I am delighted to be the proud owner of my Baby Beast.
