Couple complete 414,000 miles in a Mitsubishi Mirage

Not all heroes wear capes. Some, like Jerry and Janice Huot, drive a purple Mitsubishi Mirage. And when I say ‘drive’, I mean really drive.

Like, 414,000 miles. In. A. Mirage.

I’m not sure what’s more impressive: the fact that the Mirage has wanted for nothing other than wheel bearings and a starter motor, or the fact that Mr and Mrs Huot could live with a Mirage for so long. Either way, it’s an impressive achievement.

Jump Out of the Cadillac

It’s also likely to be the first time anyone has part-exchanged a Cadillac for a Mitsubishi Mirage. “We went to White Bear Mitsubishi looking to trade in my Cadillac for something with better fuel economy,” said Janice.

“Right in the middle of the showroom was this little purple Mirage that got 44mpg. I’d had an Outlander Sport and Montero Sport before and loved them, so it seemed like a good choice. We drove the Mirage home that day, right off the showroom floor.”

The reference to White Bear explains why there’s a… er… white bear in the driver’s seat of the purple Mirage. You’d be forgiven if you thought your eyes were playing tricks on you – it’s been an odd year.

Far from being a pampered car, the couple used the Mirage “to haul rocks and mulch” for their yard, while Jerry used it for his courier business. All weathers and all conditions, “the Mirage never missed a beat”, said Jerry.

Let’s Put Some Miles on the Mirage

If this isn’t a strong argument against short-term PCP contracts and the UK’s obsession with ditching cars after a few years, I don’t know what is. We need more stories of longevity, dependability and good maintenance. Makes a change from nonsense about autonomous vehicles, soft-touch plastics and infotainment screens.

It’s certainly changed my perception of the Mitsubishi Mirage. Yesterday, I’d have ranked it below a Soviet bus station, Ann Widdecombe or a DFS store as things I’d rather spend time in. Now, I want nothing more than to fly to Minnesota, buy the Huots a Bootleg Cocktail, and give the big white bear a socially distanced high five.

Jerry and Janice had no plans to cut short their Mirage’s epic tale of dependability. It’s all thanks to Richard Herod III – a dealer principal with a great name – who said he could get the Huots “a great deal on a new 2020 Mirage”.

“Oh, I love it! It’s really similar to the old one, but it’s got HID headlights and fog lights, which are good for us living out on a dead end road on the north side of the lake in Lindstrom,” said Jerry.

“It’s really peppy and comfortable, and it’s got heated seats and a really nice stereo.”

The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage is proof that not all heroes wear capes, but some are prepared to pose alongside a guy in a bear costume.

Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you – the Mirage suddenly became cool and bears do poo in the woods. Hats off to you, Jerry and Janice.

Mile high club

• The 500,000-mile Lancia 2000 Sedan
• Extreme Bangernomics: Million mile Honda Accord
• This is what a 315,000-mile VW Beetle looks like