CAR LUST: The limited pleasures of the Dodge Mirada. “Like those other other flabby would-be performance cars, the Mirada had star potential that didn’t quite translate into reality.” I don’t even remember that one. Maybe this is why: “The Mirada’s biggest engine, the classic Mopar 5.9-liter V-8, produced a measly 185 horsepower and was only offered for one year. The mid-range engine, the 5.2-liter V-8, made only 120-130 horsepower, and the standard slant six put out only 90 horses. That’s a dismal level of output in virtually any context, but for a big, bulky faux-muscle car it was a travesty. ” I suppose with CAFE requirements going up, we should get used to it again . . . .