One of the most affordable models in the North American market, the Mitsubishi Space Star (or Mirage as it is known in the USA) is far from being profiled as the typical candidate to reach high mileages, taking into account its dimensions and city character.
However, as if to prove that appearances can be deceiving, the Mitsubishi Space Star we are talking about today managed to accumulate 414 520 miles (667 105 kilometers) in just six years. Bought new by a couple from the state of Minnesota, the Huot, this one was chosen due to its low consumption and was purchased to replace a… Cadillac!
Up to 7000 miles (about 11,000 kilometers) the car was mostly used by Janice Huot. However, with the arrival of winter in 2015 (in Minnesota it snows a lot), she chose to buy a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport with all-wheel drive (“our” ASX) and the small Space Star ended up being used by her husband, Jerry Huot, daily at work.
Well maintained but no frills
Given that Jerry Huot's job is to deliver samples from various doctors' offices to labs across Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis, it's no wonder the tiny Mitsubishi Space Star has since started accumulating miles “as if not there was tomorrow”.
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According to Jerry, the Japanese citizen never refused to work and even served to transport stones and fertilizer to the couple's garden. Despite having always received maintenance and overhauls "on time", it cannot be said that the Space Star has been "pampered", not even having the right to sleep in the garage, not even during the demanding Minnesota winter!
Scheduled maintenance seems to have worked, as unscheduled repairs had to be carried out on only two occasions. The first came around 150,000 miles (close to 241,000 kilometers) and consisted of replacing a wheel bearing and the other was replacing the starter motor between 200,000 and 300,000 miles (between 321 thousand and the 482,000 kilometers).
Best of all, since the Huots had adhered to a scheduled maintenance plan and extended warranty, both repairs were made under this warranty.
Already have a replacement
With the personalized license plate “PRPL WON” (it reads “Purple Won”, in a clear allusion to its eye-catching painting), the small Space Star has meanwhile been replaced by… another Space Star! The most curious thing is that, judging by Jerry Huot's words, such was not even part of the plans.
According to this account, the Space Star “kilometre eater” was eventually sold after Jerry took it to the dealership for routine maintenance and the space owner realized its high mileage.
The Huot alongside their new Space Star.
Aware of the potential for promotion that a simple city dweller with so many accumulated kilometers has, the stand owner decided to propose the purchase of Space Star and also ensured that the Huot would buy a new copy at a particularly attractive price.