Hi all,

I've just sold my TH and am in the market for a replacement family car. I am limiting myself to $14k and for that coin you simply cannot go past the 380's! 05/06, still in new car warranty and a nice 5 speed auto. Where I am struggling though is deciding an what package type to look for. I've driven a SII SX and really liked it, it had everything I need and want (besides Stability Control). Does anyone have a link to some sort of matrix of the different variants and what they were all equipped with?

Keen to hear your thoughts on the different model and what would be best bang for buck within my price range.

Cheers,

Dan

Hi Dan,

I found this a really good read. Hope it helps.

http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_105236/title_Mitsubishis-AllNew-Sporty-380-Sedan-Launched/newsarticle.html

Nice find Feff, thanks!

If you choose the Sx, then no matter what year it is, the engine is LPG compatible.

If its a VRX or Gt then it needs to be a series 3 to be LPG compatible.

In any model, any year, there is nothing to beware of in terms of manufacturing quality.

They are all first rate, just look for lowest mileage, and usual second hand car cautions.


Sunroof is great, the SX has a single Cdsound system that is not as good as the six stacker in other models...so that's a consideration.

Thanks Blackstar, maybe you gyus can help me out here. There is an '05 LS that is about an hours drive away for $13,900 (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=7838010&__Qpb=true&Cr=1&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32 |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294964597% 204294964376%204294932807&SearchAction=N&silo=1011&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=13&__sid=123516794237) list price with 45,000kms and a '05 VRX in QLD for $13,500 (http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Used-Cars/Small-Medium-Family-Prestige-Cars/AdNumber=TP003034491?BackToResult=true&AdOnTop=) list price with 75,000kms. The VRX would obviously cost me allot more as I'd pay someone to look at it and fly up to Brisbane + petrol etc.

Thoughts on those two choices?

[/QUOTE]
Sunroof is great, the SX has a single Cdsound system that is not as good as the six stacker in other models...so that's a consideration.[/QUOTE]

I think Series 3 SX has 6 stacker standard.

Good point about the LPG Blackstar.

Series 2 SX also has the 6 disc mp3 stacker

The only thing the SX doesnt have compared to the VRX is:

VRX has tinted headlights
VRX has a spoiler

Everything else is pretty much identical. The SX also has the same sports suspension as the VRX.

EDIT: Also I would save up the little bit extra to get the VRX (Because they look better than a LS and SX :))

Wow, you've been on AMC for 4 years and made only 24 posts?!
But seriously, of those two options I'd go for the LS. Apart from the VRX cosmetic bits that may look better, its all the same car underneath, and that LS has lower mileage. And you can always upgrade to the VRX exterior bits if you really want to.

Showing obvious bias here, but I recommend a manual if you can find one. Especially a manual VRX with leather & sun roof.

Manuals are rare as hen's teeth, especially a VRX with leather & sun roof, and they seem to be holding their prices or even increasing compared to autos.

Get in now before the prices rise even further.

I reckon there is a strong chance that after say five years from now the depreciation on a used manual will be a lot less than that on an equivalent auto, simply due to rarity & demand.

If you check out CarsGuide or CarPoint or similar you will generally find a ratio of something around 100 autos for every manual. At the moment CarPoint is showing 12 manuals out of 647 and CarsGuide is showing one (count 'em one!) manual out of 509.

But of course if you don't like manual and you much prefer auto then ignore everything I said.

KJ.

As much as I would have to agree the Manual would be nice. But after driving the 380 with the sports shift it is awesome. Mind you it is the only car I've driven with the Sports shift though.

At the end of the day though purchase the vehicle with the most bang for buck and the budget.

Hey mang, here is another comparison.

SX Series 2, LS and ES (http://redbook.com.au/used-cars/compare.aspx?ST=_361965_Item&__Qpb=true&Cr=12&R=87257&__Ns=p_Make_String|0||p_ClassificationType_String| 0||p_Family_String|0||p_Year_String|1||p_SequenceN um_Int32|0&__N=2994%204294949495%204294842993%204294965618&silo=1300&ncclist=87257,87174,87173&seot=1&CT=Item&MST=10&__Nne=15&trecs=19&__sid=124C5E9F5F87)

Perhaps try to find go for an SX if you can stretch the budget because they do look have a more appealing front/rear end styling treatment and come with sports seats. But an LS would otherwise be a good choice. No ESP but the 380s are known to handle very confidently.

I reckon there is a strong chance that after say five years from now the depreciation on a used manual will be a lot less than that on an equivalent auto, simply due to rarity & demand.
KJ.

In another 5 years these things will be worth around a couple of grand so what you are saying you should grab at least a couple hundred more for your manual.

I actually am looking at a new car to replace the 380 but with the prices as low as they are at the moment i will be flat out getting anymore than 11 grand for it. Trade in was 7 grand about 9 months ago on a 40 grand car.

Showing obvious bias here, but I recommend a manual if you can find one. Especially a manual VRX with leather & sun roof.

Manuals are rare as hen's teeth, especially a VRX with leather & sun roof, and they seem to be holding their prices or even increasing compared to autos.

Get in now before the prices rise even further.

I reckon there is a strong chance that after say five years from now the depreciation on a used manual will be a lot less than that on an equivalent auto, simply due to rarity & demand.

If you check out CarsGuide or CarPoint or similar you will generally find a ratio of something around 100 autos for every manual. At the moment CarPoint is showing 12 manuals out of 647 and CarsGuide is showing one (count 'em one!) manual out of 509.

But of course if you don't like manual and you much prefer auto then ignore everything I said.

KJ.

Yea I just did a search of CarSales. Of 60 380's in Australia, 4 are manual...

I'm in the market too. I thought looking for a manual Magna was bad enough. Manual 380's are ridiculously rare! :neutral:

Wow, you've been on AMC for 4 years and made only 24 posts?!


hehe yeah, I only come on here when I want something :lurk:

Thanks for all your input, I might check out that LS. The front does look nice with the chrome bits.

hehe yeah, I only come on here when I want something :lurk:

Thanks for all your input, I might check out that LS. The front does look nice with the chrome bits.

Are you considering an LPG conversion sometime down the track?

SX is the better choice

SX is the better choice

there is no series 1 sx:nuts:

Are you considering an LPG conversion sometime down the track?

Yes maybe in the future. I've found an '06 LX at an auction house and the est. price is right in my price range :)

Yes maybe in the future. I've found an '06 LX at an auction house and the est. price is right in my price range :)
Does the LX have the LPG compatible engine? If you want to be certain and cant physically site the engine (looking at how many holes drilled near the O2 sensor- let us know if need more help on that) get the VIN number and call MMAL hotline and ask them.

Thanks Feff, though to be honest I don't think it would be a show stopper for me.

Thanks Feff, though to be honest I don't think it would be a show stopper for me.
Well thats good that you are clear on it now. Im sure you will be very happy with whatever you end up with.:happy::mits:

Thanks again for your awesome help, I am yet to sit down and read that article, I have skimmed it and it is definitely thorough! I edited it and PDF'd it for anyone else interested in printing it, available here (http://www.megafileupload.com/en/file/152283/380-pdf.html).

Thanks again for your awesome help, I am yet to sit down and read that article, I have skimmed it and it is definitely thorough! I edited it and PDF'd it for anyone else interested in printing it, available here (http://www.megafileupload.com/en/file/152283/380-pdf.html).
Thats excellent! Thanks for that. I copied all the info to excel. All over the place...

Yeah all text underlined was a nightmare, I couldn't deal with it lol

Does the LX have the sports suspension?

there is no series 1 sx:nuts:

when did I say get a S1 SX LOL

LS comes with the standard SOFT suspension where as the SX VRX and GT have the firmer Sports suspension

LS comes with the standard SOFT suspension where as the SX VRX and GT have the firmer Sports suspension

Thought so, because the intended market at the time for the LS would of prefered a softer suspension setup?

Interesting, I might try to get down to Sydney this weekend and test drive the LX and SX. I've driven an SX and really liked the suspension, it will be interesting to compare the two.

If you get an LS for cheap enough you could always upgrade the suspension to some Koni adjustables or sim

If the LS has factory optioned 17's it will have the sports suspension fitted. The easiest way to see if this car has that suspension option is look for the strut brace.

Its funny people say the manual 380's are sought after. I had a manual 380 with sunroof and low KMs on carsales for almost 12 months.....I recieved 4 emails and 2 phone calls........I was fairly negotiable on price too.....But this isnt a forsale forum is it.... and we are keeping it now. Love it!

Another good reason to get a 380 is that they Supercharge so well.

Under $20k and you have an awesome sleeper bullet.

Another good reason to get a 380 is that they Supercharge so well.

Under $20k and you have an awesome sleeper bullet.

Same could be said about alot of 4 door sedans, you sink 20k into most cars and you could end up with some real bullets.

Another bonus of the 380's is that most are still under factory warranty, which is always a bonus.

(first post, so be nice to the new guy ok?) :)

Does anyone actually make a complete supercharger kit for the 380? I've had a look at TMR's web page and there's no sign. Anywhere else I can go?

(first post, so be nice to the new guy ok?) :)

Does anyone actually make a complete supercharger kit for the 380? I've had a look at TMR's web page and there's no sign. Anywhere else I can go?

either ring TMR (i found their website to be useless.)
or try sprintex, as they made the charger that TMR fit.
other than that i think at one point Raptor (one of the sponsors) was looking at adapting their Magna blower to fit though i dont think anything happened in the end as the demand wasnt there, though if you asked im sure theyd work something out for you.

Interesting, I might try to get down to Sydney this weekend and test drive the LX and SX. I've driven an SX and really liked the suspension, it will be interesting to compare the two.

Tell us how you go!

I reckon you could get a SX within your budget

I'm test driving a Series 1 manual VRX today :ninja:

Same could be said about alot of 4 door sedans, you sink 20k into most cars and you could end up with some real bullets.

Another bonus of the 380's is that most are still under factory warranty, which is always a bonus.


Not talking about sinking an extra $20k into a car, I am talking about a total cost of $20k INCLUDING the car....LOL

Tell us how you go!

I reckon you could get a SX within your budget

Didn't actually get to test drive any, however I did go to the auction yard where they are auctioning off some ex-government 380's - ex-cop cars. There are four there, two white SX's (07 & 08, 08 on dual fuel), a blue SX and a black LX (nice! :)). The two white SX's have slotted discs all round and are fairly average condition inside. The Blue one is in average condition externally however the missus likes the colour the most :P Unfortunately the Blue SX does not have slotted discs, no big deal.
The black LX is beautiful, however I think this will be out of my price range.

I've registered to bid so we'll see what happens on the day :)

Cheers,

Dan

Didn't actually get to test drive any, however I did go to the auction yard where they are auctioning off some ex-government 380's - ex-cop cars. There are four there, two white SX's (07 & 08, 08 on dual fuel), a blue SX and a black LX (nice! :)). The two white SX's have slotted discs all round and are fairly average condition inside. The Blue one is in average condition externally however the missus likes the colour the most :P Unfortunately the Blue SX does not have slotted discs, no big deal.
The black LX is beautiful, however I think this will be out of my price range.

I've registered to bid so we'll see what happens on the day :)

Cheers,

Dan

Good luck with the purchase, let us know how you go.

I forgot to mention that MMAL are covering the 380 for 6yrs warranty now rather than 5

I forgot to mention that MMAL are covering the 380 for 6yrs warranty now rather than 5
Is that only if you purchased the car new or does that apply to everyone who has a 380 now?

:stoopid:

I am interested to know as well.

I called MMAL hotline.

Apparently mine is only the 5 years.

I did a google search on it.

"MMAL says it plans to expand its dealer network of over 200 sites across Australia, providing full parts, warranty and service support for all Mitsubishi products including the 380. They also confirmed that past and future private buyers of new 380’s will be provided with a one year extension of their standard factory warranty, taking the warranty period to six years."

I dont know why it does not apply to all cars (only some).

The above tells me that because it says 'past and future private buyers of new 380's' the extended warranty should apply to all cars, even those purchased second hand (unlike the drivetrain warranty that ends with the original purchaser).

I'm not satisfied. Going to keep digging.... Anyone else, please feel free to grab a shovel..

I assume that ex-police cars are excluded from warranty, can anyone confirm this?

380 experts, by looking at this picture can you tell what variant it is? It's listed as an ES but it has alloys and fog lamps?
http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/private/6685042.jpg

looks like SIII es

Series three got the better front end

the rims are the giveaway

good colour I should buy this one for the mrs and drop a set of 17' GT rims on it BTW found a set only 160 on ebay

Yeah thats what it's listed as, I thought the ES was the base model w/o alloys etc.

es came with either 16'alloys or steelies

I forgot to mention that MMAL are covering the 380 for 6yrs warranty now rather than 5
I got a letter from MMAL over a year ago (I think) saying this, that because my car was bought new I'd get an extra 1 year warranty. I confirmed this with a friend, who bought his second-hand, and he did not recieve this letter.
If it has been extended/altered recently, I don't know.

Not going to make the auctions tomorrow :( Next time gadget!

that sucks can you remotely bid via the interwebz?

I could but I'd rather be there in person, there'll be more :)

If you come to a meet I can take you for a spin in the GT

Is that only if you purchased the car new or does that apply to everyone who has a 380 now?

And have they raised the KM's the warranty is available for to compensate for the increase in year?

Yeah thats what it's listed as, I thought the ES was the base model w/o alloys etc.

The series 3 picked up the 16 inch alloys, SX front, driving lights and traction control too from memory. Really good package for the $$$.

I have finally bought a 380! After trying to find and buy a second hand car in decent condition at a reasonable price, I can now understand why people prefer to buy new!! Very happy with it, beautiful car to drive!
Link to members rides thread. (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1175193&postcount=40)

Congrats

Very Nice, colour suits the 380 well.

We've just bought a red Series 3 VRX (pictures to follow after numberplate change.....you'll see why)

Ours is 18 months old and looks like it just drove off the showroom floor...more later :)

I have finally bought a 380!

Looove that colour!!!