Gekko
08-01-2006, 10:03 PM
I went to a local dealership today and saw the 380. Looked at a VRX, a LX and a GT. The VRX was white (the worst colour for a sporty car, IMO), but the GT was black and looked amazing! I think it makes the Falcon and Commodore look dated. While some people don't like the rear, I love the squared off back and tail lights. It looks like a car that's been designed for this decade, not the late 90's.
Interior was a mixture of good and bad. The dash and seating seemed quite different from the BA Falcon and Commodore. I got the impression that I was more boxed in by the dash, whereas the Falcon and the TL Magna feel a little roomier. I loved the interior fitout overall, but there was something about it that looked a little bit cheaper than an equivalent Falcon. A very competent car, but the cost cutting in some areas detracts from what could have been an absolute killer.
Didn't get a chance to drive it, because I was on my way to another appointment. However, by the amount of people standing around on a Sunday afternoon waiting to talk to a salesperson, I get the feeling there is a lot of interest.
My personal feeling? From first impressions, I think it is a very competent car and deserves success. It is definitely better dollar for dollar than a Falcon or a Commodore.
I think the VRX and LX are very well priced. I think the base model is overpriced (why wouldn't you pay an extra $4k and get the VRX?)
I think any problems are not with the car, but with Mitsubishi's image. Mitsubishi cars (rightly or wrongly) seem to have built up an image of being stodgy, underpowered, and smoky (remember all those smoky Colts and Magnas?) I think Mitsubishi has a great car, now it just needs to work bloody hard to get rid of those perceptions.
Anyway, that's my two cents, for what it's worth.
Interior was a mixture of good and bad. The dash and seating seemed quite different from the BA Falcon and Commodore. I got the impression that I was more boxed in by the dash, whereas the Falcon and the TL Magna feel a little roomier. I loved the interior fitout overall, but there was something about it that looked a little bit cheaper than an equivalent Falcon. A very competent car, but the cost cutting in some areas detracts from what could have been an absolute killer.
Didn't get a chance to drive it, because I was on my way to another appointment. However, by the amount of people standing around on a Sunday afternoon waiting to talk to a salesperson, I get the feeling there is a lot of interest.
My personal feeling? From first impressions, I think it is a very competent car and deserves success. It is definitely better dollar for dollar than a Falcon or a Commodore.
I think the VRX and LX are very well priced. I think the base model is overpriced (why wouldn't you pay an extra $4k and get the VRX?)
I think any problems are not with the car, but with Mitsubishi's image. Mitsubishi cars (rightly or wrongly) seem to have built up an image of being stodgy, underpowered, and smoky (remember all those smoky Colts and Magnas?) I think Mitsubishi has a great car, now it just needs to work bloody hard to get rid of those perceptions.
Anyway, that's my two cents, for what it's worth.