Whilst I find the 380 ES a little plain to look at, the GT or the VRX stops me in my tracks which got me thinking, maybe an ES model could look great with the GT or VRX headlights, tail lights and spoiler with window tint and 17" after market wheels, but I imagine this would cost that much that it would not be viable.

For starters the tail lights and spoiler would have to be together being designed as a unit, and secondly the head lights look the same as those expensive ones which look so good on the Magna VRX, and last but not least I'm assuming that the Gt and VRX models are lower and also most probably incorporate a body kit as well.

It's just that they (base ES models) are quite cheap at the Govt Auctions now and I just got back from the shopping centre after 'eye balling' a lovely dark blue 380 GT so much that the poor woman sitting in it (who looked to be in her 60's) probably thinks that younger blokes like me want to get her into the 'cot', so to speak, it's probably made her day, but hell her car looked nice.:cool:

I've looked into the same thing and found that yes it's hellishly expensive, as i recall the headlights were $180 each, the tail lights were $250 each plus about $350 labour, then trown in the rims and tires which would be around $1200 depending on the rim brand and tire, then the spoiler colour matching and attachment.....best guess would be something in the order of $3500

If you havent bought yet why not just buy a VRX or a GT, they can be had for around the low-mid $20k with low kms.

But in saying that I dont know what your budget is, or , what they are selling for at the auctions.

p.s. the 5yr wty is transferrable the 10 isnt unless you buy ex-mitsu fleet (which are expensive)

TJ Sports bought a 380 Platinum not too long ago. This car has the ES taillights and he was able to replace them with VRX lights, then added the lip spoiler. Can't find the thread, but he'll be the best bloke to ask. Can't remember it being too expensive though.

Hi,
I went to a Mitsubishi spare parts branch to ask this exact question. I forgot the EXACT price, but it was about one grand (supply only) for VRX/GT headlights, taillights and the rear spoiler. On top of that, you need to paint the spoiler to match your car and fit all the items - or get someone else to do it all for more money.
We did have a thread all on this, but it's probably been archived now.
And as you said, you will not have the body kit of the VRX/GT (infact it is on every model now except base one) - but do as I did and get a dark color (black in my case); then the lack of body kit is much harder to detect.
I concluded changing the lights to be a waste of money for something only cosmetic with no real advantage. Up to you, but for less than half that you will have the mods we have already discussed. But if you still want all the VRX/GT running gear (lights, body kits, rims, suspension, etc), look for a second hand S1 or 2... depending on your budget.

TJ Sports bought a 380 Platinum not too long ago. This car has the ES taillights and he was able to replace them with VRX lights, then added the lip spoiler. Can't find the thread, but he'll be the best bloke to ask. Can't remember it being too expensive though.

I found the old thread, by searching my own stuff. It is:
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?p=679946#post679946

Thanks for the replies guys, you are all a great help, since you don't see many 380's with 17" after market wheels around are there any photos of 380 Es models with the after market wheels and window tint etc so I can see what they look like? If I went for the Es model (which I can pick up for around 15K from the Gov auctions in S.A.) it would be good to see how they look when done up a bit.

I think purchasing a GT or VRX may be out of my budget.

Thanks for the replies guys, you are all a great help, since you don't see many 380's with 17" after market wheels around. Are there any photos of 380 Es models with the after market wheels and window tint etc so I can see what they look like? If I went for the Es model (which I can pick up for around 15K from the Gov auctions in S.A.) it would be good to see how they look when done up a bit.

I think purchasing a GT or VRX may be out of my budget.

That's what we're all here to, to help or be helped, as there aren't many modified 380s out there (even just with aftermarket rims!)
Knotched has 19s on his, and a few others have 18s - so you can check the various profile pictures here.
I don't think there are any ES 380s here. But what you could do, is go to General/Photoshop Arena section, post a pic of your car and ask them to chop it up any way you want. The are some very clever people there, and they love working wonders on people's photos. Check it out.
I wouldn't worry that the VRX and GT are out of your budget; they were out of mine too. No matter what trimmings and extras they have, they still have the exact some motor and gearbox... and don't forget the base model is the faster than a GT! Just get the ES, follow our mods, and you will have more power than a VRX & GT.

Thanks for the replies guys, you are all a great help, since you don't see many 380's with 17" after market wheels around are there any photos of 380 Es models with the after market wheels and window tint etc so I can see what they look like? If I went for the Es model (which I can pick up for around 15K from the Gov auctions in S.A.) it would be good to see how they look when done up a bit.

I think purchasing a GT or VRX may be out of my budget.

heres a pic but it ain't pretty its not an es but u get the idea (link coutesy of asylum)
http://www.speedywheels.com.au/images/showroom/mitsubishi-380-lite7-gold.jpg

and heres mine on 19s

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/244/platinumwq8.jpg

yep im the guy that did the vrx lights and spoiler. pretty easy to do but the headlights require dropping the front buper a little.

I have the Base Model 2005, Though now I run on Knotched's old GT Rims. I do like the the black headlights but my wife likes the silver:doubt: .
After following a 380 with the GT/VRX tail lights I'll pass, those indicators are too hard for other motorists to see.
But an aftermarket Spoiler I'd get, but I would change the balance on the hinges, so a bit more thought will be required.
I would just love to drop her some. 8)

Thanks for the replies guys, you are all a great help, since you don't see many 380's with 17" after market wheels around are there any photos of 380 Es models with the after market wheels and window tint etc so I can see what they look like? If I went for the Es model (which I can pick up for around 15K from the Gov auctions in S.A.) it would be good to see how they look when done up a bit.

I think purchasing a GT or VRX may be out of my budget.


Have sent through some pics to you. standard ES with what you are looking for 17' Tint ect

Scott

Nice photos, the wheels look good :D
I don't know much about 380's at all being a Holden driver but I have a few questions:

1/ What is the difference between series 1 and 2?

2/The base model seems to get climate air, does it have a display showing outside temp?
If not can a screen from a higher model be fitted and function properly? I love the cars with climate air which tell you the outside temp as well as inside (gimmicky I know, but useful)

3/ What size wheels can you put on them as far as width goes? I like 17"X 8" because the tyres aren't too expensive and the wheels are not as dear either.

4/ Being a RWD owner how do the 380 go in the wet (ie booting it through a roundabout) obviously not good driving practice but I'm referring to the FWD behaviour in the wet with loss of traction whilst steering through a corner (I had a Pulsar ET Turbo years ago and it went all over the road if you lost traction it was downright dangerous, bearing in mind I have driven RWD cars all my life so it's probably me rather than the car)

5/ I plan to LPG whatever car I get next but probably gas injection rather than venturi (Taxi)
How are these 380's with LPG (valves/valve seals etc) ?

Last question shouldn't I have either performed a search myself properly before posting these questions:nuts: or even better started a new thread titled "Questions about the 380":shock:

2) I don't think so as you would need all the senors to go with it, I'm just presuming that as mitsu would'nt add the sensors if they weren't going to be used

3) 17"s on a 380 will look like 14"s....Hell even TJ Sports' 19"s look like 18"s!

4) Guess that mght depend on if the traction is on or off, Only guessing if its off you'd be hitting that pole dead in front of your. You'd understeer like mad in any FWD car in the rain.

...I have a few questions:

[I]1/ What is the difference between series 1 and 2?
As far as I know, nothing. I think they changed some models and prices, etc.

2/The base model seems to get climate air, does it have a display showing outside temp?
If not can a screen from a higher model be fitted and function properly? I love the cars with climate air which tell you the outside temp as well as inside (gimmicky I know, but useful)
All models have climate control, as opposed to regular air-con, but to my knowledge the base model (now called ES) does not have that TFT display; therefore your base model will not have the temperatures. I doubt it would be easily and cheaply fitted; better just get the higher model if you really want that display.

3/ What size wheels can you put on them as far as width goes? I like 17"X 8" because the tyres aren't too expensive and the wheels are not as dear either.
As TUFFTR said, 17s on a 380 will look very small. 380s owners on this forum have fitted 19s (which would be 19x8) - though 20s would fit just as simply. And any rim will still look smaller than it actually is, unless you lower the car substancially too. Sad but true.

4/ Being a RWD owner how do the 380 go in the wet (ie booting it through a roundabout) obviously not good driving practice but I'm referring to the FWD behaviour in the wet with loss of traction whilst steering through a corner (I had a Pulsar ET Turbo years ago and it went all over the road if you lost traction it was downright dangerous, bearing in mind I have driven RWD cars all my life so it's probably me rather than the car)
I don't have the traction control on mine, but I have found being a FWD control is always better than RWD (in the wet) - but maybe that's just me.

5/ I plan to LPG whatever car I get next but probably gas injection rather than venturi (Taxi)
How are these 380's with LPG (valves/valve seals etc) ?
Don't know about LPG, though I know the 380 engine is LPG compatible. Maybe somebody else has made the conversion already, who can answer this better.

3/ What size wheels can you put on them as far as width goes? I like 17"X 8" because the tyres aren't too expensive and the wheels are not as dear either.:

It comes std with 17" in the GT/VRX models


4/ Being a RWD owner how do the 380 go in the wet (ie booting it through a roundabout) obviously not good driving practice but I'm referring to the FWD behaviour in the wet with loss of traction whilst steering through a corner (I had a Pulsar ET Turbo years ago and it went all over the road if you lost traction it was downright dangerous, bearing in mind I have driven RWD cars all my life so it's probably me rather than the car).:

Better than most FWD drive due to an inherently balanced and stiffer chassis. I have also driven a turbo Pulsar years ago and there is no comparison; FWD cars have come a long way since then. In normal driving you won't know the difference.
The 380, in particular, can be oversteered into a corner with very high entry speed in a similiar way to a RWD. Difference is you don't get power oversteer on the corner exit.
Not many FWD that I know can do this.

Question 5

LPG, Dug around archived threads
http://www.aussiemagna.com//forums/showthread.php?t=52626

LPG auto gas aus
http://www.lpgautogas.com.au/index.cfm?action=News&unq=115&Type=R.

3/ What size wheels can you put on them as far as width goes? I like 17"X 8" because the tyres aren't too expensive and the wheels are not as dear either.


I think you will regret putting 17" aftermarket wheels on a 380. I put 18's on mine & I am still regretting not going 19's. If money is an issue, save up a bit more until you can afford bigger wheels. You dont want to be in a situation where you spend over a $1000 for 17's, not like them because they look too small & then have to sell them & spend more cash on bigger wheels. (I know because thats pretty much where I'm at now with 18's).

Agree with Blue 380. I had 10 mins to select tyres at dealer. Went up to 17's from std 16.
wish i went the 19's. Place both std and mags together and the 17s are lower.
When tyres are due i am looking at going 19 then
Save a bit more mate

Thanks guys for the helpful info and tips on wheel sizes:)