800,000 kilometres on a well-loved Mitsubishi Mirage
In 2014, Peter Halbersma, a 67-year-old electronics technician from Ontario, bought a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage for its low price and fuel efficiency. With a $10,000 price tag and strong fuel economy, it seemed like a practical choice for someone who drives long distances. But he never expected the car to become part of his life story. Today, with more than 800,000 kilometres on the odometer, Halbersma’s Mirage has surpassed all expectations.
“When I first bought it, I thought the engine wouldn’t last more than 250,000 kms,” he says. Expecting the worst, he took some rather extreme precautions.” I bought spare engines and stored them in my basement, sealed in oil. I thought I’d need them sooner or later.’’
Now, 10 years later, the original 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine is still running strong. The spare engines sit untouched.
Halbersma drives 80,000 kilometres a year, using the Mirage for daily commutes between Toronto, Niagara Falls and Oakville. He credits regular maintenance for keeping the car going.
Now, 10 years later, the original 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine is still running strong. The spare engines sit untouched.
Halbersma drives 80,000 kilometres a year, using the Mirage for daily commutes between Toronto, Niagara Falls and Oakville. He credits regular maintenance for keeping the car going.
“I change the oil every 8,000 kilometres. I’ve only replaced the spark plugs twice,” he explains.
One decision in the early days of ownership also played a key role.
“When I first bought the car, the dealership didn’t have the original oil filter,” Halbersma says. “They gave me one for the Mitsubishi Lancer instead. The engine ran quieter with it, so I stuck with the Lancer filter. It improves oil flow, and I’ve used it ever since.”
That’s not to say his Mirage hasn’t seen its share of repairs. The manual transmission has been replaced a few times. But Halbersma, who knows his car inside and out, has learned to handle these repairs himself.
“The Mirage is simple to work on. I can replace parts without too much trouble,” he says.
The car has proven itself on tough Canadian roads. He uses it year-round, driving through harsh winter conditions without hesitation.
“It handles deep snow without any problems. I’ve even taken it on unplowed snowmobile trails to go fishing,” he says. “As long as it has good winter tires, it’s steady and dependable.”
One of Halbersma's most memorable journeys was a drive to Nova Scotia for a family emergency. Faced with the need to cover a long distance quickly, he chose his Mirage over flying. “I knew the car would get me there without an issue. It never lets me down on the road.”
With more than 800,000 kilometres on the original engine, many people ask Halbersma why he doesn’t upgrade to a new vehicle. His answer is straightforward. “I still get great fuel economy. I have spare engines in the basement. I know how to fix it myself, so why would I replace it?” he says.
His loyalty to the Mirage extends to his family. He bought his daughter a pink Mitsubishi Mirage, which she loves. When that car needs repairs, Halbersma steps in to resolve the issues, something he enjoys doing.
“It’s so easy to work on. My daughter even took the centre console apart one summer just to clean it and put it back together.”
The car’s mileage often surprises friends, mechanics and even Halbersma himself. “When people hear about the 800,000 kilometres, they don’t believe it.
They’re shocked,” he says. “Honestly, I’m shocked too. I didn’t expect it to last this long.”
With more than three quarters of a million kilometres behind him, Halbersma is loyal to the triple diamond brand.
“I would never buy another brand. “You couldn’t give me another car,” he says.
One decision in the early days of ownership also played a key role.
“When I first bought the car, the dealership didn’t have the original oil filter,” Halbersma says. “They gave me one for the Mitsubishi Lancer instead. The engine ran quieter with it, so I stuck with the Lancer filter. It improves oil flow, and I’ve used it ever since.”
That’s not to say his Mirage hasn’t seen its share of repairs. The manual transmission has been replaced a few times. But Halbersma, who knows his car inside and out, has learned to handle these repairs himself.
“The Mirage is simple to work on. I can replace parts without too much trouble,” he says.
The car has proven itself on tough Canadian roads. He uses it year-round, driving through harsh winter conditions without hesitation.
“It handles deep snow without any problems. I’ve even taken it on unplowed snowmobile trails to go fishing,” he says. “As long as it has good winter tires, it’s steady and dependable.”
One of Halbersma's most memorable journeys was a drive to Nova Scotia for a family emergency. Faced with the need to cover a long distance quickly, he chose his Mirage over flying. “I knew the car would get me there without an issue. It never lets me down on the road.”
With more than 800,000 kilometres on the original engine, many people ask Halbersma why he doesn’t upgrade to a new vehicle. His answer is straightforward. “I still get great fuel economy. I have spare engines in the basement. I know how to fix it myself, so why would I replace it?” he says.
His loyalty to the Mirage extends to his family. He bought his daughter a pink Mitsubishi Mirage, which she loves. When that car needs repairs, Halbersma steps in to resolve the issues, something he enjoys doing.
“It’s so easy to work on. My daughter even took the centre console apart one summer just to clean it and put it back together.”
The car’s mileage often surprises friends, mechanics and even Halbersma himself. “When people hear about the 800,000 kilometres, they don’t believe it.
They’re shocked,” he says. “Honestly, I’m shocked too. I didn’t expect it to last this long.”
With more than three quarters of a million kilometres behind him, Halbersma is loyal to the triple diamond brand.
“I would never buy another brand. “You couldn’t give me another car,” he says.
You might also like
MiOwners
Rallying around the Mitsubishi brand
As an Ontario rally car racer in the early 2000s, Ted Doig spent plenty of time on the dirt and gravel backcountry roads around the province
29 Aug 2024 3 minutes
MiOwners
9 year-long adventure with Mitsubishi Outlander
Embark on the epic 9-year journey of David and Maria in their 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander, conquering 275,000 kilometers of challenging terrain.
15 Feb 2024 3 minutes
MiOwners
Perfect blend of style, safety and value
Explore the spacious interior, advanced safety, and budget-friendly appeal of Mitsubishi Outlander through real owner stories.
01 Jul 2022 5 minutes