Just because the Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the most affordable vehicles in the market, doesn’t mean you can’t drive it for a long time.

This little car can be one that lasts you a long time, even in the harsh winters, rough summer heat, and through daily driving. Recently, a couple in Minnesota showed us what this little car can do when it’s cared for the right way.

Many Miles of Smiles

When you simply need a small car that can get you where you need to go, there’s nothing wrong with selecting one of the most affordable vehicles on the market. Currently, a Mirage will cost less than $20,000 to start and in 2014 it cost even less. This is when the couple in Minnesota purchased their Mirage hatchback and got ready to start the drive in a car that fits their lifestyle perfectly.

This Mitsubishi Mirage Did Something Special

While faced with the harsh winters of the north and the rough roads that can be the result, the little Mitsubishi Mirage was driven for many miles over the course of six years. During this time, Janice and Jerry Huot, owners of the Mirage, clocked 414,000 miles. The car has been named Purple Won and it is a car that was used for many different activities while on the road.

A Recognized Courier Vehicle in the Area

Jerry Huot works as a courier in the area, which means he had to drive this little Mirage for a lot of miles all year long. Through winter storms, on icy roads, and when the rain hit, he was out taking packages and items from one place to another in this hatchback. The car was also depended on to haul mulch and rocks home to be placed in the yard for the couple. When the car was parked, it stayed outside, which means it was always at the mercy of the elements.

Maintenance is Key in Many Ways

Hearing that a cheap small car makes it to over 400,000 miles might make you think the owners did something special to force longevity on a relatively inexpensive vehicle. That’s not the case. The couple only ever got the regular maintenance done. The starter motor and wheel bearings had to be replaced twice during the life of this car, but otherwise, it hasn’t faced any major repair issues.

A Great Tool for Mitsubishi

The local dealer where the Huots purchased their Mitsubishi Mirage heard about the mileage and reached out to them to see if it could be used for advertising purposes at the dealership. In exchange for giving up the car that has 414,000 miles on the odometer and is in perfect condition, the Huots were offered a brand new 2020 version of the Mirage.

The couple is now driving around in the 2020 version of the car they love and the dealership uses the original model as part of their marketing. The Huots probably never thought their little purchase in 2014 would turn into such a big deal only a few years later.