Hi all,

Haven't been on here for yonks - been waiting for my Ebay business to sell before I looked to buy a 380. In all honesty - it was just too painful to be on Aussiemagna - I had just about given up hope of selling the business; but now it's lookin' to be close to a done deal!

Big question - and I know there'll be variations in answers - but here goes. I'm looking to buy a 5 Speed manual 380 on LPG (rare but available); can anyone give me some ballpark figures on comparative economy? Most of my driving is on country roads at 100 K's, with brief periods at 70 k in a small country town. I try to watch my speeds, so as not to attract the lawmakers!

I drive fair distances each day to work - so I guess I'm hoping that consumption might go close to that of a larger four? LPG here at the moment is 66.9 CPL?

Cheers

Steve

While not a 380, my TJ 4sp gets 10.5l/100 on hwy and 15l/100 in the city (av 38km/h) so at lpg price of 67cpl the petrol equivalent (@132cpl) would be 5.3l/100 and 7.6l/100.... soooo worth the conversion

Actually the 380's are not known for good fuel economy at all. It probably was one of their biggest downfalls. They use more than a VZ commonbore but a bit less than the Failcon. Their city economy is pretty bad around 13L/100km but they're fairly frugal on the highway averaging around the 10-11L/100km mark.

The manual 380's actually have higher fuel usage than the auto's due to their gearing, especially on the highway. From memory, travelling at 100kms/hour, the manual 380's were as high as 2400rpm vs the 2100rpm for the 5sp auto's.

The lpg systems fitted to the 380's are all sequential injected systems and would probably only use around 10-15% more than on petrol. So you'd expect around 11.5-12L/100km on lpg which would cost you around $8/100km.

All the best finding a man 380 lpg. Incredibly rare. Only seen about 10 on carsales in my life!

To be honest, if fuel economy on the highway for a large car, is what you're hunting then maybe venturing into the dark territory of a Falcon might be the way to go. They actually use quite little fuel for their size and power. Expect under 9L/100km on a highway run.

I have auto GT on LPG. Over last couple of years trips to Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne have averaged 11.3 l/100 (LPG)

Around Sydney - lots of short trips as I am close to CBD - it is more like 18 l/100

Mine is the factory approved Sequent system

They use more than a VZ commonbore but a bit less than the Failcon. Their city economy is pretty bad around 13L/100km but they're fairly frugal on the highway averaging around the 10-11L/100km mark.

Agreed that city economy isn't great, but I have no idea where you plucked those numbers for highway consumption from. I usually hover in the mid 8s on the highway, but when I first bought the car I did see high 7s (even with a passenger + luggage).

I was talking to another 380 driver this morning and he said if the conditions are favourable, he averages 7.7l/100km for highway driving.

Agreed that city economy isn't great, but I have no idea where you plucked those numbers for highway consumption from. I usually hover in the mid 8s on the highway, but when I first bought the car I did see high 7s (even with a passenger + luggage).

I was talking to another 380 driver this morning and he said if the conditions are favourable, he averages 7.7l/100km for highway driving.

Scientifically recorded every fill - have a spread sheet going back 30 000 km

Are you talking about LPG or petrol - remember LPG is less energy dense that petrol so expect about 10 to 205 more depending on the (unregulated) butane to propane proportions which vary from fill to fill.

On the highway I use GPS to sit on the speed limit using cruise control

Scientifically recorded every fill - have a spread sheet going back 30 000 km

Are you talking about LPG or petrol
I was referring to Magna PIs post only, which was referring to petrol consumption.

Your fuel consumption is what I'd expect from a LPG 380.

While not a 380, my TJ 4sp gets 10.5l/100 on hwy and 15l/100 in the city (av 38km/h) so at lpg price of 67cpl the petrol equivalent (@132cpl) would be 5.3l/100 and 7.6l/100.... soooo worth the conversion

Thanks ash!

Steve

All the best finding a man 380 lpg. Incredibly rare. Only seen about 10 on carsales in my life!

Thanks P.I - actually there's a manual that I'm watching now - but it may not be as critical now that it be a manual, considering all of the good 380 transmission feedback I've read on here and taking the better fuel economy of the auto into account? Heck - thinkin' on it - I'm still just as old an old fart - so an auto can suit me just fine!

But LPG autos can actually be harder to find - the dopey Keyword search tool on Carsales almost does not work - just sends you 380's regardless of fuel type. :tired:

Steve

Agreed that city economy isn't great, but I have no idea where you plucked those numbers for highway consumption from. I usually hover in the mid 8s on the highway, but when I first bought the car I did see high 7s (even with a passenger + luggage).

I was talking to another 380 driver this morning and he said if the conditions are favourable, he averages 7.7l/100km for highway driving.

I was quoting from someone I know who owns a 380 (Now an AMC member after I recommended them to come here) and based on the kms he gets out of a tank on a highway run, that's how much I worked out their fuel usage to be. Not the most accurate way because he may not have run tank-to-tank empty.


Thanks P.I - actually there's a manual that I'm watching now - but it may not be as critical now that it be a manual, considering all of the good 380 transmission feedback I've read on here and taking the better fuel economy of the auto into account? Heck - thinkin' on it - I'm still just as old an old fart - so an auto can suit me just fine!

But LPG autos can actually be harder to find - the dopey Keyword search tool on Carsales almost does not work - just sends you 380's regardless of fuel type. :tired:

Steve

I'm a manual driver at heart myself. Can't seem to find much joy in auto's. However, unusually, in the 380, auto's use fuel than the manual. I believe this is because of the manual models being focused more for performance than economy.
The 5sp auto's in the 380 are superb in all aspects and are not (yet?) known to have any inherent issues like those fitted to the magna's. Smooth, punchy and tight shifts. Lots of praise from all reviews and owners. Tiptronic mode means you can somewhat fill the void for manual.

The reason you're having troubles finding a real LPG 380 is because many 380's on carsales have "LPG Compatible" option listed in the feature sections. Originally when the 380 engines could not be fitted with LPG systems and in the Series 2 revision, Mitsubishi offered options for either a Sequential factory fitted LPG system at a price tag of $4000 or a "LPG compatible" engine at $800 that could be converted to lpg if the owner chose to in the future. This comes up in the keyword search function in carsales.
You would be more sucessful in using one of the following keywords: "LPG - Electronic Sequential MPI " so try "Mitsubishi 380 Sequential LPG". See how that goes.

You would be more sucessful in using one of the following keywords: "LPG - Electronic Sequential MPI " so try "Mitsubishi 380 Sequential LPG". See how that goes.

Thanks P.I

Not having much joy with that either I'm afraid? Never mind - I won't be in a hurry, I guess one will turn up sooner or later. I do have a manual candidate available - but its through a dealer and I believe they're asking a bit much.

I took a 2 Litre Lancer (a considered alternative for economy reasons) for a test drive today - and though it was in mint condition, it's absolutely disappointing compared to our TJ; so a 380 test drive will be a must do, as soon as I can.

Steve

Thanks P.I

Not having much joy with that either I'm afraid? Never mind - I won't be in a hurry, I guess one will turn up sooner or later. I do have a manual candidate available - but its through a dealer and I believe they're asking a bit much.

I took a 2 Litre Lancer (a considered alternative for economy reasons) for a test drive today - and though it was in mint condition, it's absolutely disappointing compared to our TJ; so a 380 test drive will be a must do, as soon as I can.

Steve

Well then that means either a) there are currently no other LPG 380's available to buy on carsales AND/OR b) a seller hasn't filled out the ad properly.

The CJ base model lancer is a good car, but it is quite a bit different in drive & feel to the $600million investment that was the 380's. I've felt the interior of the Lancer CJ ESand they felt quite cheap. Made to a cost and I believe the driving experience relects that.
Compare apples with apples :)
380 would compete with the BF Failcon, Toy-yoda Cumry/Aurion or VE Dunnydore. Unless you need a large car like the 380, don't look over some of the medium sized cars like the Mazda 6 or Honda Accord Euro (amazing car!) or even early 2000's VeeDub Bora's.

Well then that means either a) there are currently no other LPG 380's available to buy on carsales AND/OR b) a seller hasn't filled out the ad properly.

Yeah - I had seen a couple of the LPG compatible type ads, (thanks for the heads up) - but nothing apart from 2 x manuals at this point and one of those the best by far. If it sticks around long enough and they will negotiate, might end up being mine! :hmm:

Yeah - I had seen a couple of the LPG compatible type ads, (thanks for the heads up) - but nothing apart from 2 x manuals at this point and one of those the best by far. If it sticks around long enough and they will negotiate, might end up being mine! :hmm:

Considering how small of the market is for the 380's, let alone the manual versions, you might find yourself in a very good bargaining condition. The 380s in auto form were not very popular with the buying republic, and much less so with those who were seeking after a 'performance' based large car. Large car + fwd + no more engine power than base model = a less than attractive proposition.

Aren't LPG compatible engines identified with a certain code on the VIN plate?

Might open up your options Steve if you were willing to install a kit yourself.

I know on Magnas and am assuming this is the case for 380s but LPG compatable motors had LPG stamped on the heads. These were fitted to models Advance and Above i think from memory. I can grab a picture to show you the location if needed

Aren't LPG compatible engines identified with a certain code on the VIN plate?

Might open up your options Steve if you were willing to install a kit yourself.

Instaling it yourself is one thing, getting it certified and passed by a lpg installer is anouther. 380's must have sequential systems which are not easy to install and many installers would be very reluctant to certify someone elses work with such a complex system. Mixer system - maybe, Injected - almost completely impossible.

Made to a cost and I believe the driving experience relects that. 380 would compete with the BF Failcon, Toy-yoda Cumry/Aurion or VE Dunnydore. Unless you need a large car like the 380, don't look over some of the medium sized cars like the Mazda 6 or Honda Accord Euro (amazing car!) or even early 2000's VeeDub Bora's.

Thanks again P.I

I'll take a look at the Mazda & especially the Honda - a bit sus on the Vee-Wee's though; heard some weird stories about transmission issues. Gotta say though, that driving my wife's TJ at times has spoiled me; it is just so smoooth and effortless - totally eats up the kilometres on a big hike too!

Steve

Aren't LPG compatible engines identified with a certain code on the VIN plate? Might open up your options Steve if you were willing to install a kit yourself.

Thanks Red. To be honest - I have even considered a low km TW; and then getting it retrofitted with gas. As long as the pricing of that model makes it feasible.

Steve

Thanks Red. To be honest - I have even considered a low km TW; and then getting it retrofitted with gas. As long as the pricing of that model makes it feasible.

Steve

Found this one: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mitsubishi-Magna-2005/SSE-AD-2188318/?Cr=2

It's actually 1/2 the price of the dealers manual LPG 380; which is only one year newer (and has about 40,000 kms less on it)? Haven't found out yet whether the TW has had the belt done - if not I would not be paying him $6,000.

Steve

Instaling it yourself is one thing, getting it certified and passed by a lpg installer is anouther. 380's must have sequential systems which are not easy to install and many installers would be very reluctant to certify someone elses work with such a complex system. Mixer system - maybe, Injected - almost completely impossible.
Sorry, I should clarify - I didn't mean actually physically installing it yourself, I meant arranging to get a system fitted yourself by a professional after purchase.

Nothing wrong with a 3rd gen but if your budget extends to a 380 I reckon it's worth the extra. Drive both and see what you think?

Found this one: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mitsubishi-Magna-2005/SSE-AD-2188318/?Cr=2

It's actually 1/2 the price of the dealers manual LPG 380; which is only one year newer (and has about 40,000 kms less on it)? Haven't found out yet whether the TW has had the belt done - if not I would not be paying him $6,000.

Steve

Phoned the guy today - this one sounded really sus!

My inbuilt scam-radar was beepin' it's head off - very similar accent to the guys that were operating near Tullamarine a while back and appeared to be selling cars from their homes (with a touch of speedo winding too). I started asking a couple of questions and he could not get off the phone fast enough. :eek2:

Steve

The CJ base model lancer is a good car, but it is quite a bit different in drive & feel to the $600million investment that was the 380's. I've felt the interior of the Lancer CJ ESand they felt quite cheap. Made to a cost and I believe the driving experience relects that.

Compare apples with apples :) 380 would compete with the BF Failcon, Toy-yoda Cumry/Aurion or VE Dunnydore. Unless you need a large car like the 380, don't look over some of the medium sized cars like the Mazda 6 or Honda Accord Euro (amazing car!) or even early 2000's VeeDub Bora's.

I totally agree with you on the Lancer P.I - the Lancer I took for a drive was super low Km's (14,000) and fully optioned; yet it felt cheap - and was very noisy (engine & trans, as well as road noise). It put me off totally!

Had a quick look at the Honda Euro's - they do look good; in fact good enough to get me thinking....

BUT - thinking long term - I like the idea of the longevity of a big six; I mean I'm 54 now and our last car has lasted 17 years and it may be that this one will need to do that too! Stories I've heard on here with V6 Magnas doing 300,000 or 400,000 km are really encouraging! :happy:

So - I have some decisions to make; but first off, need to get the Ebay business cleared.

Steve

Nothing wrong with a 3rd gen but if your budget extends to a 380 I reckon it's worth the extra. Drive both and see what you think?

Thanks Red - will do. Can't wait!

Steve