Hello all,

I have been looking at 380`s recently and in the very near future,hope to upgrade to a VRX model,but i am having a hard time working out wether to get the auto or manual (Yep,i will test drive them both soon!),can any owners or test pilots give me some thoughts on what they like about both,coming from a 1997 manual V6 camry that has a very agricultural shifting manual trans,i can pretty much say i prefer manual evertime as i get somewhat bored sitting there twiddling my thumbs and i enjoy the control the manual trans gives to a vehicle,the only real reason the camry box was tiring is due to its notchy shift and the 1mz-fe`s lack of low down torque which made the car a chore to get off the line when laiden etc.
So what i am reall asking is,what is the 380 like with a manual trans as far a flexibilty goes etc?

Also one last question about the 380,what is the wind and cabin noise like at highway type speeds,my camry has significant wind rush around the windows and mirrors that was extremly annoying to me and is nearly the sole reason i may get rid of her as it has been a ripper car (short of the fact i just WANT a 380!!!:)

Ok.... The 380 in manual is meant to be slightly quicker than the auto, despite the manufacturers claims. BUT, the automatic gearbox is one of the best in the business (most likely 2nd behind Fords 6-speeder) and has tiptronic unlike your Camry, so if you were board you could experiment with that.

Wind noise.... from what I have heard wind noise in the 380 is significantly reduced from the 3rd Gen Magna so I'd expect that'd be quiter then the Camry going by your description (we own a Verada which is fairly quiet, even at highway speeds, unless of course you open the sunroof).

Good luck getting your 380VRX :cool:

Having driven I'd have to say dozens of 380's (work for Europcar rentals) I can certainly vouch for them. In terms of wind noise, and road noise for that matter, there is no doubt a significant improvement, particularly the latter, over the 3rd gen Magna. In fact having driven a VE Berlina a few months ago, I can say that surprisingly the 380, even in base ES form, is a quieter drive overall.

As good as the 5sp auto is, it still has a tendency to second-guess when I plan to down-change (though you can basically fix that in tiptronic mode). I've only driven a manual VRX on 2 occasions, but what an amazing difference the manual makes! It gave the engine a notable increase in flexibility, right across the rev range; perfectly calibrated, and you'd almost swear there's a few more kilowatts on tap. Of course you'll no doubt tell the differences when you drive'em yourself.

Personally I'd still pick the auto coz I do most of my driving in high-density traffic - makes life easier. Besides you still get the tiptronic mode when you're feeling frisky (when I drive an auto 380 I almost ALWAYS have it in manual mode - it's awesome!):D

have you taken an Aurion sx6 for a drive? they cost a little more (around 40k driveaway) however (in my opinion) the sx6 will kick the vrx's butt through every corner, across every bump, and off from the line...

i know that the 380 is a good car, just this is so much better. you wont really get a better new car for the money.

[/imo] :P

Ok.... The 380 in manual is meant to be slightly quicker than the auto, despite the manufacturers claims.

what are you talking about? The manufacturer has always maintained that the manual is quicker. Its about 0.4 seconds difference from memory.


have you taken an Aurion sx6 for a drive? they cost a little more (around 40k driveaway) however (in my opinion) the sx6 will kick the vrx's butt through every corner, across every bump, and off from the line...

i know that the 380 is a good car, just this is so much better. you wont really get a better new car for the money.
[/imo] :P
aaand it might actually hold its value! But still, they are auto only :doubt:
IMO a manual 380 would have to be a more rewarding car to drive. But indeed, i do hate autos.

Steevo, how about a manual 380SX? Best value for money 380 I reckon :)

I haven't driven the Aurion SX6 (from $38,500+orc's), but it looks good, apart from the disappointing similarities with the Camry (after all it is little more than a "Camry V6" with a nose job). I might see if I can test drive one next week some time. Unfortunately we won't be getting any at Europcar (nor Camry's, but that's not such a bad thing).

However, given Wheels mag gave the Sportivo ZR6 (from $42,500+orc's) just a half-star rating better than the 380VRX (from $36,990+orc's), I reckon the 380 will hold it's own against the SX6, especially when they say the 380 has better steering and better suspension, which is more lively around corners than the Aurion Sportivo (can't recall their exact wording).

Appreciate all the responses fellas,

I did have a bit of a gander at the Aurion but the higher price and less torquey engine IMO (if it anything like my V6 Camry,while being deciptively quick,need to be keep in the upper rev range to make good usable power),this point alone has steered me more towards a used 380

It also sounds like MMAL have sorted the NVH bloody well in the 380,there is nothing like a nice quiet cabin when crusing down the highway,as long as the car doesnt have any bloody rattles inside or they will drive you round the bend!

I still think i will go the manaul version (yep i will look at the sx model),but i will have to drive both to convince me

Ta
Steve

Some dealers have VRX's in manual with leather and sunroof with fairly low km and they are like a touch under $30k most of em are SI.. unless you wanted to go new of course though :)

As the first owner to post a reply to you I've done about 12K in mine and find the auto extremely good. It has ratios very similiar to 5 speed manual cars of 10 years ago so you find when using tiptronic all the advantages of gearing responsiveness but the smoothness of auto shifting. I tend to use the tiptronic a lot when I want responsiveness but will concede it is slower than a manual.
Keep in mind that the manual is quoted by Mitsu as more thirsty than the auto.

On noise at speed; I live 30 mins south of Brisbane Airport where I work and commute on the Gateway Arterial at 100kph. At that speed the 380VRX is quieter than the 97 KE Verada I used to own which had sound deadening materials sprayed on to the underbody.
I've also given the 380 a sustained high speed run well north of Brisbane at over 150kph for over an hour. It sits on around 2500rpm and is very stable at that speed to the point where you can reef the steering hard in both directions as though on a slalom without the car dynamics getting ugly (wallowing). In fact it feels the ride and handling are best suited for this speed range. Pity about the speed limit. Noise was still very muted and no whistles.

I seriously doubt the Aurion would handle better than the 380VRX or GT. It is the best FWD handling car I have driven and have had the opportunity of sitting on the **** of a few RWD cars that have notable handling without any major effort through some twisties where I live - Audi A4, XR6, Jap spec Skyline to name some.

I've had one serious run with an Aurion SX6 but the driver came from behind on a rolling start, so had a speed advantage before I opened the throttle. It was inconclusive as he buttoned off shortly after passing me. I don't believe I would have been able to match him anyway, it was more that I wanted an indication of how much faster accelerating the Aurion was.
There are plenty of cars faster but this is still a mid 15s car and the combination of usable power, low down torque and handling make the 380 a very satisfying and enjoyable package.

I have this car on a novated lease but will be changing that to private finance as I am well satisfied with the car and will keep it into the long term.

Thanks for your little ownership review Knotched, a good read.

Good to hear that the 380 is a good handler even at 150km/h and sits at 2,500RPM and that it was still quiet!

About the handling, I beleive you are spot on, as VeradaBoy said, the current issue of Wheels commends the 380VRX for its handling and one of the major sour points of the Aurio SX6 is its handling and suspension.

Good to see you plan on keeping the car! Hopefully one of these years I to can own a 380.

Oh.. on a side note, the Audi A4 is a FWD, not RWD. Only the RS4 and S4 are AWD along with any Audi A4 Quattro. No Audi's are RWD, they are all FWD or AWD.

Oh.. on a side note, the Audi A4 is a FWD, not RWD. Only the RS4 and S4 are AWD along with any Audi A4 Quattro. No Audi's are RWD, they are all FWD or AWD.

I stand corrected.... you are right.

Its interesting cos my Dad was actually talking to me the other day about which new car to choose when his work lease runs out on his TW VRX soon. He gets sold on cars pretty easily by little things (chose a TJ Sports a few years ago simply because of its stereo). A mate of his at work has an Aurion and he really liked the leather it had.

I had a look on the manufacturers websites, but can someone confirm that leather seats is standard on all 380 VRX models? I think it is.
Anyways looks like the choice is going to be between a VRX and the $1000 more expensive Aurion Prodigy, leaning more towards the Aurion because of assumed better resale (valuable to his work).

Leather seats are standard on all SII 380VRX models.

You'd also want to remind him that the Aurion Prodigy does not have standard leather. Without wanting to sound biased, the sports leather seats in the VRX/GT are the best I've ever tried out - for both comfort and support, and surprisingly destroy the rubbish seats in the VE SV6.

*Edit - yay 600th post! :dancin:

You'd also want to remind him that the Aurion Prodigy does not have standard leather. Without wanting to sound biased, the sports leather seats in the VRX/GT are the best I've ever tried out - for both comfort and support, and surprisingly destroy the rubbish seats in the VE SV6.

*Edit - yay 600th post! :dancin:
according to the Toyota Australia website the Prodigy has leather as standard. I will mention that the 380 leather seats are decent, he hasnt been able to sample a 380 with leather yet, but he will be test driving both (and the VE) when the time comes.
Its in my interests because I get to drive his work cars quite a bit. Im wanting him to upgrade to something a bit less bland than his Silver TW VRX :P (albeit still definetely a nice car)

according to the Toyota Australia website the Prodigy has leather as standard. I will mention that the 380 leather seats are decent, he hasnt been able to sample a 380 with leather yet, but he will be test driving both (and the VE) when the time comes.
Its in my interests because I get to drive his work cars quite a bit. Im wanting him to upgrade to something a bit less bland than his Silver TW VRX :P (albeit still definetely a nice car)
**** it does have standard leather, I must been thinking of the mid-specced Camry Ateva which has the same seats but in velour.

If he's gonna get a VE then get the HSV E-Series Senator. That thing is sex on wheels, and only $30k dearer!:P

As the first owner to post a reply to you I've done about 12K in mine and find the auto extremely good. It has ratios very similiar to 5 speed manual cars of 10 years ago so you find when using tiptronic all the advantages of gearing responsiveness but the smoothness of auto shifting. I tend to use the tiptronic a lot when I want responsiveness but will concede it is slower than a manual.
Keep in mind that the manual is quoted by Mitsu as more thirsty than the auto.

On noise at speed; I live 30 mins south of Brisbane Airport where I work and commute on the Gateway Arterial at 100kph. At that speed the 380VRX is quieter than the 97 KE Verada I used to own which had sound deadening materials sprayed on to the underbody.
I've also given the 380 a sustained high speed run well north of Brisbane at over 150kph for over an hour. It sits on around 2500rpm and is very stable at that speed to the point where you can reef the steering hard in both directions as though on a slalom without the car dynamics getting ugly (wallowing). In fact it feels the ride and handling are best suited for this speed range. Pity about the speed limit. Noise was still very muted and no whistles.

I seriously doubt the Aurion would handle better than the 380VRX or GT. It is the best FWD handling car I have driven and have had the opportunity of sitting on the **** of a few RWD cars that have notable handling without any major effort through some twisties where I live - Audi A4, XR6, Jap spec Skyline to name some.

I've had one serious run with an Aurion SX6 but the driver came from behind on a rolling start, so had a speed advantage before I opened the throttle. It was inconclusive as he buttoned off shortly after passing me. I don't believe I would have been able to match him anyway, it was more that I wanted an indication of how much faster accelerating the Aurion was.
There are plenty of cars faster but this is still a mid 15s car and the combination of usable power, low down torque and handling make the 380 a very satisfying and enjoyable package.

I have this car on a novated lease but will be changing that to private finance as I am well satisfied with the car and will keep it into the long term.


What he said!!!! :)

Good review mate. And whatever wheels says.......I still love the interior of my VRX, I think its classy and so do all my aquaintances.

Good review mate. And whatever wheels says.......I still love the interior of my VRX, I think its classy and so do all my aquaintances.

Yeah I don't know why sooo many people bag the 380's interior. I think it is fine. Only cheapish bit is the lower centre console where the cup holders are... other then that it looks good. I personally think the 380's dash looks better then the Aurions other than the intrument cluster & lower centre console. I also think it looks better then the VE Commodores interior (particuarly Omega and Berlina) until you start hitting the Calais and upwards.


Without wanting to sound biased, the sports leather seats in the VRX/GT are the best I've ever tried out - for both comfort and support, and surprisingly destroy the rubbish seats in the VE SV6.

*Edit - yay 600th post!

Yeah the seats in the VRX/GT are very supportive and have very good side bolsters to hold you in place extremely well. They are also very comfortable. Speaking of the VE seats, what the hell did they do to there seats? I was in a VE Omega the other week (government car) and it seems that they have NO side support. That use to be one of the decent things about the Commodore that it always had somewhat decent side support on the front seats. Seriously, the seats are absolute crap, they don't have much side support for your back and lower side bolsters are non-existant. The seats are seriously flat as, which if I was to buy a brand new car which I'd have to live with -would piss me off-.

P.S. > Congrats on your 600th post!

This is probably way off topic but I was following a brand spankers Aurion Presara (top model) home from work tonight for a little while and these are something else! When I'm driving along and see a nice car, I kind of just start studying aspects of it until it turns off someplace - its lines, how it sits on the road and what she looks like cruising along - and I have to say, the Aurion Presara is one nice looking piece of kit. For a what is becoming a mainstream style these days (Maxima, Camry, USA Accord, Granduer etc), the Aurion's styling is well resolved in my opinion, save the front headlights which stick out awkwardly. Much better than the Camry that's for sure which kind of looks to me like it's caving in on at both ends.

Having said that, I still like the 380 VRX's styling because it's unique, sporty and well proprotioned.:D

This is probably way off topic but I was following a brand spankers Aurion Presara (top model) home from work tonight for a little while and these are something else! When I'm driving along and see a nice car, I kind of just start studying aspects of it until it turns off someplace - its lines, how it sits on the road and what she looks like cruising along - and I have to say, the Aurion Presara is one nice looking piece of kit. For a what is becoming a mainstream style these days (Maxima, Camry, USA Accord, Granduer etc), the Aurion's styling is well resolved in my opinion, save the front headlights which stick out awkwardly. Much better than the Camry that's for sure which kind of looks to me like it's caving in on at both ends.

Having said that, I still like the 380 VRX's styling because it's unique, sporty and well proprotioned.:D

It's funny how these threads always go off topic. Anyway I can't resist it either. I agree with you; I really like the Aurion styling particularly as it is different and fresh, the same reason I like the 380VRX/GT styling (not the front of the ES tho).

This is probably way off topic but I was following a brand spankers Aurion Presara (top model) home from work tonight for a little while and these are something else! When I'm driving along and see a nice car, I kind of just start studying aspects of it until it turns off someplace - its lines, how it sits on the road and what she looks like cruising along - and I have to say, the Aurion Presara is one nice looking piece of kit. For a what is becoming a mainstream style these days (Maxima, Camry, USA Accord, Granduer etc), the Aurion's styling is well resolved in my opinion, save the front headlights which stick out awkwardly. Much better than the Camry that's for sure which kind of looks to me like it's caving in on at both ends.

Having said that, I still like the 380 VRX's styling because it's unique, sporty and well proprotioned.:D

For a car with a rrp of $50K, the Presara has everything. I saw it in the showroom and was impressed by the extras - keyless smart entry, engine start/stop push button, front sensors, reversing camera, sat navig, electric sunroof, leather, self-levelling HID lights and washers, rain sensing wipers, driver 8-way/front passenger 6-way electric seats, ext mirrors dip on reverse, and even a power sunshade for the rear windshield!

They sure are loaded. Alot of those features have filtered down from the Lexus models, such as the rear shade you mentioned. When you get that much car in the 380 and Aurion for your money, I can't see any substantial reason for buying a VE, V8 models excepted.