Hey Guys,
Was a frequent poster a long time ago. Had a 97 TE 3.0L 5 Spd. Since moved on and forgot about the forum, until just recently when we decided to downsize from a rarely used D22 Navara to something a little more practical.

After much discussion, we settled on a 380 and a budget of $6000 firm.
I've narrowed it down to 3 (maybe 4) possible contenders.

They are, in no particular order;
-2006 Series II VRX $7990
Silver, auto, leather, 90XXXkm,
LINK (http://www.johnmurrayautos.com.au/all-stock/view/2006_Mitsubishi_380_DB_Series_II_VR-X_Silver_5_Speed_Auto_Sports_Mode_Sedan/10700256/)

-2007 (unsure series) VRX $6500
Red, auto, leather, 95XXXkm
LINK (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/maddington/cars-vans-utes/2007-mitsubishi-380-motivated-seller/1103113900)

-2007 GT $6400
Silver, auto, leather, 135XXXkm
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mount-pleasant/cars-vans-utes/2007-mitsubishi-380-gt-sedan/1099334642

I'd be inclined to go for either the series 3 GT, despite the higher mileage (but make sure it has full maintenance history). The price is certainly right.

Molten Red seems to more susceptible to fade/clear issues (or at least more noticeable when it does happen), and in the silver VRX you miss out on fruit like bluetooth, body coloured/chrome bump strips, memory seating for the driver (IIRC, someone correct me if I'm wrong), nicer dash plastics, and reverse parking sensors.

If those aspects aren't important (eg, you're replacing the radio, etc), or the GT doesn't have full history, then I'd spend the extra coin and go for the lower mileage silver VRX.

Those 380s are bloody good buying.

Only thing with the first two is that it's probably unlikely that the major service has been done, which is due every 5 years/~100,000km. Depending how frequently the GT has been driven it could be approaching the major service again too.

The red VR-X is series II. The series III got a fancier surround on the bottom of the front bumper and abandoned the boot lip spoiler for a full size one.

VR-X vs GT isn't a massive difference. The GT you've linked to would have bluetooth, 10 way electric driver's seat (vs 6 in the VR-X), electric passenger's seat, a better stereo (still no subwoofer though), black marble interior highlights (vs grey in the VR-X) and those chrome stripes down the doors on the outside.

I'd probably look at condition/service history/what needs a service next and buy from there.

As above,

All are about the same car to be honest.

The GT is most likely the best of the 3 with the few minor things they got however one thing with the series 3 GT is they lost the carbon dash cluster

Personally however I like the Molten one over the 2 silver ones

I want one now . . .

I want one now . . .

At the current prices for them you won't regret it. I know my 380 has aged more gracefully than my old 3rd gen which makes them an even more compelling buy.

Had a quick look at the silver one and test drove the red one this afternoon. Both aren't without their paint defects. The silver one had some form of scratch or scuff on every panel. Though the dealer claimed there was 'hardly a mark on it'. It also has the 90mm galant intake. Engine was very clean. Even for 90XXXkm and he claimed one owner with full log book servicing. The interior was relatively spotless though.

The red one I wasnt very impressed with. For a claimed 95XXXkm, it didnt drive all that nice. Steering shimmies, possible noisy wheel bearing and paint failure on the lip spoiler. It also had a few defects in the cabin as well. Fading on the leather, couple of splits and the chrome was peeling off the gear lever surround.

I'll go back on friday and test drive the silver vrx and investigate it a bit more. Unfortunately the GT owners arent around this weekend and dont seem to be in too much of rush to sell.

There are a couple more around that could be negotiated into our price range. Gold seems to be a popular colour on these cars.

Hopefully i'll be able to update you guys soon on what i bought as the new owners of my Navara are picking it up tomorrow afternoon.

:)

I think the only certainty in long term ownership for paint longevity is getting a white one. One thing to consider if you don't want to have to respray one day. It seems to be the only local colour that lasted.

But that might be a bit boring.....

I drove my wife's 380 series 2 GT for the first time in ages. I forgot how solid and rattle free they are. Feels better than our 2014 Santa Fe.

Drove a white LX today. Was a much nicer car to drive than the red VRX. Solid, smooth and quiet. Only downside is that the timing belt snapped and it either has a reco engine fitted or the original engine has be recod.
Silver, gold and blue VRX to test tomorrow with a decision to be made shortly after that.

Drove a white LX today. Was a much nicer car to drive than the red VRX. Solid, smooth and quiet. Only downside is that the timing belt snapped and it either has a reco engine fitted or the original engine has be recod.
Silver, gold and blue VRX to test tomorrow with a decision to be made shortly after that.

I always liked LS and LX models for their beige interior, especially in Vision, like this one (http://www.carsguide.com.au/cars-for-sale/D_4296323/used-2005-MITSUBISHI-380-LX-DB--Other-Sedan-in-.html?searchKey=cg_s.5b1bfaac7b3431f3ba775c12a2022 e92#/pos0). A Vision 380 LX, or a Storm GTL, would be my ideal 380.

If it has receipts for the reco, and everything that needed to be replaced had been - or it was replaced with a lower mileage motor with a fresh belt and tensioner - it wouldn't be an entirely bad thing.

If it has receipts for the reco, and everything that needed to be replaced had been - or it was replaced with a lower mileage motor with a fresh belt and tensioner - it wouldn't be an entirely bad thing.

It would be good - no second guessing if the belt has been done as most need to do with second hand Magnas & 380s.

. . . . fancy a white 380 myself . . . . wife's older CH Lancer in white still has pristine paint after 12 years. Even her 2012 CJ Lancer in silver is starting to show its age paint wise.

How'd you go mate?