i just bought a used mitsu mirage car (49k miles) from a dealership, and i'm getting a very subtle noise from the engine. when it's under heavier load, like going up a steeper hill, i'll get a very quiet ticking from the engine. my girlfriend has the same model car i do, and her's doesn't do it. i've already driven over 350 miles and it hasn't gotten any worse. here's the question, what do you think it is? how much time do i have left with this engine? my last honda had a bad wrist pin in it, and that was louder than this.

 

Maybe the valves need adjusting??