One problem related to transmission not go into gear has been reported for the 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Vehicle has been to dealer 5 times for same problem. Transmission hard to shift when cold. Grinds between 1st and 2nd gear. Difficult or unable to engage 1st gear sometimes. Transmission makes rattling noise when in neutral. Dealer replaced transmission of first trip. Reduced rattle sound but increased shifting difficulty. Dealer replaced syncronizers and hub assembly on second trip. Grinding improved but shift diffculty still present. Have to start car in second or third gear sometimes. Cannot engage first gear. Third and fourth trip dealer found no noticable problem. Vehicle lost 5th gear approxamently 3 weeks after last visit to dealer for same problem. Vehicle was traveling approxamently 65 miles per hour when 5th gear disengaged and grinding noises immediately came from engine compartment. Vehicle rapidly slowed down and emergency lane change accross dense traffic was required. 3rd and 4th gears were still usable without problems or noise and vehicle was able to be limped to dealer. Vehicle is currently at dealer having problem inspected.