Autospeed don't like the 380, and I respect autospeed. Time to find out for myself I think.

Link:
http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2779/article.html

Just another Ford biased review.

Why compare the 380 with the Territory? They're totally different classes of vehicle.

He doesn't really say the car is bad, just that it's nothing new (as in a revamped magna).
I've never driven, sat in, or carefully looked over a 380 so i cant judge.

Was the writer of that article on drugs????

He mentioned at least half a dozen things wrong with the territory ("reputation for being thirsty. And, in the RWD-only form of the test car, not even the ability to convincingly rough it."...."the steering at straight-ahead isn’t as good as a typical sedan".... "the Territory does have more initial body lean when cornering".... "a build quality that is so-so"), yet the only thing he comments positively on is storeage space, passenger space, and value for money (not that it can be compared to the 380 in the value for money area...... they're in completely different classes) - but it's still a better car (or SUV if the writer is given any credibility :nuts: ) than the 380.

And as far as his evaluation of the 380 is concerned...... (I read "great headlights", "fantastic brakes", "showed the depth of its chasis design and development" when driven hard, "the engine performs very well") - in his critism of the car, he doesn't even compare it to the Territory...... he compares it to the commodore and falcon, but then turns around and comments that it's fuel effieciency isn't as good as a Honda Accord V6 (no ****!!).

I'm sorry - but I'm not a soccer mum, and it feels to me like the article was written specifically for soccer mums (something I'm pretty sure the author even refers to).

yeh he seemed to contradict himself a little, and in regards to fuel economy, the engine is a big 3.8L and still gets under 10l/100kms, thats pretty damn good.

Go back and read the article again.

It's all about market space.

The Territory fits into it nicely, so regardless of whether it's a brilliant car or not, it is the best car in that niche (or indeed the only car in its market).

The 380 on the other hand, while good in isolation, doesn't stand out amongst its peers. And that is the point.

Maybe this is a bit off topic, but just about every 380 comparo I've read (magazine and internet) ends up with a Mitsu bashing barage from the pro Ford camp. For once, why won't reviewers see the sense in building a family oriented sedan, that also appeals to the sporty crowd and has the specs to back it up. A car doesn't need a turbo to make it successful, but, then again, how would a turbo 380 hold up in a review against an XR6T?

Maybe this is a bit off topic, but just about every 380 comparo I've read (magazine and internet) ends up with a Mitsu bashing barage from the pro Ford camp. For once, why won't reviewers see the sense in building a family oriented sedan, that also appeals to the sporty crowd and has the specs to back it up. A car doesn't need a turbo to make it successful, but, then again, how would a turbo 380 hold up in a review against an XR6T?

Well its not a Ford is it.......... so even if it out handled, out performed, and was better value than an equivelant Ford, it would get bagged because it's a FWD, it only has tilt adjustable steering, and doesn't have split fold rear seats.

Autospeed has to be one of the worst places to read reviews on cars that has ever existed.

Rule Number 1 of assessing road tests - disregard anything that ONLY uses manufacturer's handout pictures. Amateurs!

Rule Number 1 of assessing road tests - disregard anything that ONLY uses manufacturer's handout pictures. Amateurs!

its reviews like this that make me question wether not theyve actually driven it, rather than just combining and rehashing what theyve read themselves...

That wasn't a review it was a winge about nothing...
as the proud co-owner of an Accord V6 I very much doubt it uses less fuel than the 380...I am lucky to get under 10L per 100kms...in the city it is more like 12L+...it's a 3.0 so needs much more revs to get going than the torquey 3.8 in the 380..also the weight is about the same...anyway back to reality

one of most unprofessional review with pointless comparison and subjective pov that people dont care about. dont waste time reading it. nuf said

i sound just like the guy mitsu is targeting, might have to get one now!!

It never ceases to amaze me how many people take personal offence when a motoring journalist slams their favourite car.

So Julian Edgar doesn't like the 380. Boohoo. :roll:

Interesting to read this article. Just last week I drove the Territory from Brisbane Airport out past Toowoomba and back. A couple of days later I drove a 380 on the same route.

Fuel consumption for the Territory was about 11.5l/100km - not bad for what it is. The 380 returned about 8.5l/100km - and that included a bit of spirited driving. Yes the air was on. If only my Verada could do that sort of economy.

The 380 (base model) had me wanting to find those pieces of road they talk about in the advertising, but that will have to wait for another time. I can say though, that the ride and control over undulating country roads was very very impressive. Yes, even more so than the Territory.

Most people should find a suitable driving position in the 380 within seconds of climbing in - despite the lack of reach adjustment for the steering. Seating and driving position is far superior to Gen 3 Magna/Verada IMHO. The Territory is comfortable and has all the adjustments you can think of except for the one which puts the steering wheel in front of you. Yes, in typical Ford fashion, the steering wheel is offset, something that bugged me the more if drove it.

The dash design on both cars as far as I’m concerned follows the current trend and both are quite pleasing.

Anyway, they are some of my thoughts.

Can’t wait til the next opportunity to rent a 380.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people take personal offence when a motoring journalist slams their favourite car.

So Julian Edgar doesn't like the 380. Boohoo. :roll:

I think the issue is more that he's bagging it non-sensically - meaning we don't believe he's actually DRIVEN it based on what he's written - so that's an offence to professionalism.

I disagree with all of the above. It is a discussion piece on the saleability of a car more than the quantative quality. Wait for the review tomorrow (9 minutes) and you will note he has indeed driven the car. As for being one of the worst places for reviews he has previously championed the quality and how underated the magna sports/awd/vrx are. He is completly true in saying that the 380 shows nothing really new apart from bosch engine management. All in all this reiterates how the 380 is somewhat of a disappointment.

I disagree with all of the above. It is a discussion piece on the saleability of a car more than the quantative quality. Wait for the review tomorrow (9 minutes) and you will note he has indeed driven the car. As for being one of the worst places for reviews he has previously championed the quality and how underated the magna sports/awd/vrx are. He is completly true in saying that the 380 shows nothing really new apart from bosch engine management. All in all this reiterates how the 380 is somewhat of a disappointment.:stoopid:

Also, that article was nothing more than Julian's weekly rant about whatever catches his eye in the motoring world. It wasn't a review, and it certainly wasn't a comparisson between the Territory and the 380 except in the terms greenmatt talks about.

People should be careful not to confuse "I disagree with the author's opinion" with "The quality of content is poor", too.

Autospeed has to be one of the worst places to read reviews on cars that has ever existed.

bingo! When a budding young car journo cant get a job with an established car mag because he/she cant write an article without bringing their own personal prejedices to the table and, in this journo's case, the ability to write an article with a clear point (can anyone work out the point of this article?) then they go and get a job for a website like autospeed. Seriously if you base your opinions of cars based on these clowns then your a fool. And i am not just having my little outburst based on this article, they have proven time and time again that they lack any ability or credibility. Most articles they publish contradicts an article they posted a couple of months ago.. simply no credibility

(can anyone work out the point of this article?)Worked it out, and posted it in my first reply to this thread.

Worked it out, and posted it in my first reply to this thread.

i know what your saying, but this bloke is just a techno geek, he is basing his opinions purely on the fact that on the face of it, the 380 isn't chockers full of new technology. Well neither was the VT commodore, yet it went on to become the most successfull family car australia has ever seen, so how can this bloke possibly say that the 380 doesn't fit into the market cos of a lack of technology? and the big thing he did saying what kind of person who buys a 380 would be, well thats just subjective journilism in the highest order and im surprised the autospeed editor let it be published.

Gotta ask yourself, how come motor, wheels, all the major newspapers and the combined motoring clubs who awarded it the best large car award all said the 380 was a great car, but this one bloke thinks it doesnt fit into the market....

its just another pointless internet article. Theres a reason why people in the motoring journilism industry s****** when someone introduces themselfs as an internet journo....

i know what your saying, but this bloke is just a techno geek, he is basing his opinions purely on the fact that on the face of it, the 380 isn't chockers full of new technology. Well neither was the VT commodore, yet it went on to become the most successfull family car australia has ever seen, so how can this bloke possibly say that the 380 doesn't fit into the market cos of a lack of technology? and the big thing he did saying what kind of person who buys a 380 would be, well thats just subjective journilism in the highest order and im surprised the autospeed editor let it be published. I appreciate your point of view, however I think it is precisely because he is so candid that I enjoy the magazine. You always know where you stand with Autospeed because they're up front about their criteria and they do put a personal slant on the review so you know it's not just quotes from the marketing division.

Remember, he's not really saying the 380 is intrinsically a bad car (he might wait until the full review to do that lol). Just that it's not a stand-out revolution.

You're right about his views on the target audience. I think he's right with his assessment too lol however to be fair you'd have to hold that same view of buyers of the XR6T, SV8, SS, HSV and FPV cars, or indeed any 'performance' family car (with the exception of his FWD comment), because lets face it, only 5% of drivers will ever be in a position to drive them in the way they were made to be driven.


Gotta ask yourself, how come motor, wheels, all the major newspapers and the combined motoring clubs who awarded it the best large car award all said the 380 was a great car, but this one bloke thinks it doesnt fit into the market....Gotta ask yourself too how come motor, wheels, and whoever else never give scathing reviews of new cars. Autospeed did a damning review of the MY02 WRX STi because had massive turbo lag and its off-boost performance was shocking. Subaru haven't given then a demo car since. I bet no print journalists are willing to take that risk.


its just another pointless internet article. Theres a reason why people in the motoring journilism industry s****** when someone introduces themselfs as an internet journo....
Some times that's warranted.. other times it's just professional snobbery.

Gotta ask yourself too how come motor, wheels, and whoever else never give scathing reviews of new cars. Autospeed did a damning review of the MY02 WRX STi because had massive turbo lag and its off-boost performance was shocking. Subaru haven't given then a demo car since. I bet no print journalists are willing to take that risk.

i distinctly remember both motor and wheels bagging the MY02 WRX STi for the exact same reasons, they also complained that the ride was overly firm and the car was a very poor day to day proposition. They also bagged the hell out of the alloytec V6 in the VZ commodores and constantly bag the gearbox's. I can think of alot of occasions where motor and wheels bag major car companies, but because they have such a high "prestige" they can afford to do this and get away with it without car companies not presenting with cars for the simple reason that the car companies NEED their cars reviewed by the likes of wheels and motor

wow an actual intellectual debate, here on amc!
It's amazing lol!
I agree with both of you, i think you guys are arguing the same thing, just from a different perspective, which is cool.

i distinctly remember both motor and wheels bagging the MY02 WRX STi for the exact same reasons, they also complained that the ride was overly firm and the car was a very poor day to day proposition. They also bagged the hell out of the alloytec V6 in the VZ commodores and constantly bag the gearbox's. I can think of alot of occasions where motor and wheels bag major car companies, but because they have such a high "prestige" they can afford to do this and get away with it without car companies not presenting with cars for the simple reason that the car companies NEED their cars reviewed by the likes of wheels and motortouche! lol

Oh well, at the end of the day, I enjoy Autospeed and you don't and I guess that's about the end of it, yeah? :P

Updated link:

http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2787/article.html

This may put Julian Edgar's comments in his 'Driving Emotion' article into context.
He does give the 380 qualified praise. His reasoning does seem justified.

Whether or not we are in favour of the 380, it will not do Mitsubishi Australia nor it's employees any good if we don't put our money where our opinions are. I would hazzard to guess that most members of this forum are not in a demographic where they will be purchasing any new vehicle, let alone a 380 anytime soon- so will not be doing sales figures for Mitsubishi any good. Thats what they need- and with a paltry 950 sales in the last month even their low anticipated figure of 2500 per month isn't looking too good.

Don't think I'm anti-Mitsubishi: our Alera LS has been a fantastic vehicle: bought when 18months old in 2000, now with 140k under its belt- it still feels near new but for the apparently untraceable/ unfixable 'Mitsubishi knock' in the front right occasionally. Apart from it regular servicing and tyres it hasn't cost anything. I'd love to update and we'd certainly 'consider' a 380: however with a new house and young family, priorities have to change- so I won't be doing Mitsubishi any good either.

There's my first post/ rant, (have been looking and gaining assistance for a long while now, though, thanks :) ). Hope I didn't bore too many.

How about a 'review' from one of the 380 owners that have now put a few k on their pride and joy- perhaps the ACT VRX owner?

nevenkab is right. As much as we love the 380, it's nothing new. Really. Cos MMAL were given a beer budget to build a champagne car. They built a nice South Aussie Cabernet Sauvignon. :)

Feann Torr gets my vote for good reviewing style, of any car. His 380GT story from Nov. last year.

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/mitsubishi-380-gt-review.htm

I agree with autospeed and Canberra VRX there is nothing wrong with the car, its just not that outstanding.

i say shut up about how good or how crap the 380 is, how good or how crap the jurno is, and just let it play out and see what happens

That review was a complete joke, as is the reviewer, pathetic!!!