Well I've been stuffin around with my cars lately and ended up buying a ***** for on sale from the auctions. (I'm too ashamed to tell what it is ).

Anyway I've got enough cash and going to salary sacrifice and lease a car for the next 3 years.

So back to Mitsubishi and the 380 this time after many Magnas. Have a SX Series III or a VR-X Series III in mind which way would you go. The SX I can get at $13500 (cheaper at auction if one comes up) or the VR-X for about $15900 (Auction - I don't think I've seen one yet)

Opinions please ... oh and if you have seen a nice one give us a yell.

Mate, nice choice

I was looking for a car for over a year. Had the TE going fine, wasnt in a hurry.

Took everything for a drive, facloon, commondoor, accord euro, maxima.

couldnt find anything that could compete for the money,

I bought my 2005 GT for $14.5k havent looked back since.

just be patient if ya got the time, something cheap will come up!

Edit: there was a nice GT at hunter holden, dark grey, not sure on price tho. Thats where i got mine they dont mind a haggle

Get a GT with leather and sunroof...preferably a series 3.

then if thats not an option...get the VRX

then if thats not an option get the Platinum

Dont get an SX...they usually arent much cheaper....

It really depends how much you value interior trim. All the cars have virtually the same performance. that said I don't think id pay more than $11 000 for a SX.

I figure if you aren't going to do up the sound system or anything than get the VR-X.
$2K for a touch of luxury ain't that bad.

Hmmm ... what I do need is the sports suspension. This car will be used on country roads and so needs to be able to handle the twisty windy bits and dirt. Bit worried the 17's on the VR-X might be a problem. But love the look and attitude of the VR-X.
What are the interior diferences between the SX and VR-X ?

just remember the 380 has a bit more sidewall when running 17s than a magna would. i cant imagine you'd have any problems in the country with the 17s.

Hmmm ... what I do need is the sports suspension. This car will be used on country roads and so needs to be able to handle the twisty windy bits and dirt. Bit worried the 17's on the VR-X might be a problem. But love the look and attitude of the VR-X.
What are the interior diferences between the SX and VR-X ?

almost no difference at all. And all models come with 17's unless you get yourself an ES with 16's. As blackstar said just get the best one for the price you have in mind, not much separating all the 380's spec wise anyway as every model came with climate control and full electrics.

What are the interior diferences between the SX and VR-X ?

With Series II SX / VRX, the interior trim is basically identical. With Series III, the VRX had the embroided logo on the seats and had a blue / black theme. Series III SX was the same as Series II SX/VRX as far as I know. All other bits are the same - stereo, gauge cluster, etc.

Hmmm ... what I do need is the sports suspension. This car will be used on country roads and so needs to be able to handle the twisty windy bits and dirt. Bit worried the 17's on the VR-X might be a problem. But love the look and attitude of the VR-X.
What are the interior diferences between the SX and VR-X ?

haha I just looked it up... I thought the SX didnt have the "high tech TFT screen".

turns out its there. *doh* which means the only difference I can find now is the illuminated vanity mirror and leather seats. O_O

Sure makes my above comment redundant.

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au/media/62332/mit2281_380_seriesiii_bro_v2_new.pdf

said research :P

Get a GT with leather and sunroof...preferably a series 3.

then if thats not an option...get the VRX

then if thats not an option get the Platinum

Dont get an SX...they usually arent much cheaper....


The Series II Platinum was built on the SX platform, the Series III Platinum was built on the ES platform. Therefore the Series III Platinum’s lack the multifunction screen, the better SX / VRX / GT style rear bar and the 6 disk MP3 stacker.
Therefore Series II Platinum is better than Series II SX, but
Series III SX is better than series III Platinum.

Looking around on carsales for 380 GT the price variance for a 2005 varies between 14k and 22k!!
There are only about 20 listed nationwide. Could become a collectors item?? LOL

Looking around on carsales for 380 GT the price variance for a 2005 varies between 14k and 22k!!
There are only about 20 listed nationwide. Could become a collectors item?? LOL

Just checked CarSales, 28 GTs and 16 manuals (out of 566 total).

Wonder which is more likely to become a collector's item?

The Series II Platinum was built on the SX platform, the Series III Platinum was built on the ES platform. Therefore the Series III Platinum’s lack the multifunction screen, the better SX / VRX / GT style rear bar and the 6 disk MP3 stacker.
Therefore Series II Platinum is better than Series II SX, but
Series III SX is better than series III Platinum.


My business owns every model of series 3 380.

Platinum S3 has leather, the sunroof, the rear parking sensors.

As for the sound system,think positive.... it has the 2 din kit ready for an upgrade by removing the stock, in mine it has the AVN6000 sat nav.

Pretty well appointed, better than the SX me thinks.

Just checked CarSales, 28 GTs and 16 manuals (out of 566 total).

Wonder which is more likely to become a collector's item?

Now search for series 3 GT with leather and sunroof.........

Only the 1.....$24990

They are the true collectors item me thinks.

My business owns every model of series 3 380.

Platinum S3 has leather, the sunroof, the rear parking sensors.

As for the sound system,think positive.... it has the 2 din kit ready for an upgrade by removing the stock, in mine it has the AVN6000 sat nav.

Pretty well appointed, better than the SX me thinks.

Hi Blackstar,

The leather treatment was on the very last of the Series III 380 Platinum’s along with the GT Wheels. The Series III Platinum as released is based on the ES spec with the basic ES flat non side bolstered seats.

For reference purposes below are two links to Series III platinum cars with the basic ES interior. Presently some of the leather fitted Platinum’s are listed on Carpoint available for sale and yes that config is a good option.

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=9308611&__Ntt=platinum&__Qpb=true&__Dx=mode matchany&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Price_Decimal|1|| pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=platinum&__N=834 1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294964376 4294964597&__Ntx=mode matchallpartial&seot=1&__Ntk=CarAll&silo=1011&Cr=7&__Nne=15&trecs=58&__D=platinum&__sid=126759885187

http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=9316733&__Ntt=platinum&__Qpb=true&__Dx=mode matchany&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Price_Decimal|1|| pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=platinum&__N=834 1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294964376 4294964597&__Ntx=mode matchallpartial&seot=1&__Ntk=CarAll&silo=1011&Cr=14&__Nne=15&trecs=58&__D=platinum&__sid=126759885187

Also note this link from to a CarAdivce (http://www.caradvice.com.au/8132/mitsubishi-release-380-platinum-edition/) News item that shows a Series III 380 with the 6 spoke Series I VRX wheels and silver headlights and the article makes no mention of leather. This is different to your Series III Platinum spec that will have the Series III GT polished wheels and VRX black surround head lights.

Hi Blackstar,

The leather treatment was on the very last of the Series III 380 Platinum’s along with the GT Wheels. The Series III Platinum as released is based on the ES spec with the basic ES flat non side bolstered seats.




That explains it then, all the ones I looked at (and eventually purchased 2 platinums) all had leather and sunroof, but of course VIN numbers 30xxx which was near the end.
Maybe they were just running their parts inventories down as much as they could in the last batch?

That explains it then, all the ones I looked at (and eventually purchased 2 platinums) all had leather and sunroof, but of course VIN numbers 30xxx which was near the end.
Maybe they were just running their parts inventories down as much as they could in the last batch?

Yes running down the parts inventories has always been my hypothesis on these leather spec Platinum cars, as the last ten down the line inclusive of car 32044 appear to have all been this spec. When you think about it the 380 with such limited volumes per special build are amongst the rarest cars produced in the last 10 years. I think another rare option is GTL in Electro blue, not many of these exist.

With Series II SX / VRX, the interior trim is basically identical.

Um... VRX Series II has leather interior. Pretty sure SX does not?

This GTL looks like a bargain:

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?Cr=0&R=9267759&keywords=&trecs=9&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__sid=1283703172D2&__Nne=15&__Qpb=true&seot=1&__N=1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294964376 4294964597 4294900471&silo=1011

Only 31,007k and going for $19,560 'drive away no more to pay'.

Not the rare Electro blue, but seems to have all the fruit including leather & sunroof.

Not real sure about the leather though, the seats look like leather in the pics but no mention in the specs.

Biggest problem is that it's in the NT (but doesn't say exactly where in the NT).

This GTL looks like a bargain:

Not real sure about the leather though, the seats look like leather in the pics but no mention in the specs.



It must be leather, GTL all had cream leather from the factory.

Trim - Cloth

can't be right- on a GTL with leather wheel, gearknob and handbrake lever?

This GTL looks like a bargain:

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?Cr=0&R=9267759&keywords=&trecs=9&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__sid=1283703172D2&__Nne=15&__Qpb=true&seot=1&__N=1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294964376 4294964597 4294900471&silo=1011

Only 31,007k and going for $19,560 'drive away no more to pay'.

Not the rare Electro blue, but seems to have all the fruit including leather & sunroof.

Not real sure about the leather though, the seats look like leather in the pics but no mention in the specs.

Biggest problem is that it's in the NT (but doesn't say exactly where in the NT).

We have a GTL in our fleet.

they are the full bottle.....everything including white leather, sunroof,bluetooth etc etc.

that is a fantastic price.........



only one problem...its in NT....:)

Yes running down the parts inventories has always been my hypothesis on these leather spec Platinum cars, as the last ten down the line inclusive of car 32044 appear to have all been this spec. When you think about it the 380 with such limited volumes per special build are amongst the rarest cars produced in the last 10 years. I think another rare option is GTL in Electro blue, not many of these exist.


I am looking at 32034 over my shoulder, must have been made on the LAST day?

Oh...I bought our Silver GTL the very day they announced the closure of Tonsley.....:)

There is the TMR380 still for sale in Mildura. Was on sale for $51995 or there abouts. Price has dropped. Blackstar, are you interested?

We have a GTL in our fleet.

they are the full bottle.....everything including white leather, sunroof,bluetooth etc etc.

that is a fantastic price.........

only one problem...its in NT....:)

So why don't you find out where it is, hop on a plane (or two), and add it to your fleet?

There is the TMR380 still for sale in Mildura. Was on sale for $51995 or there abouts. Price has dropped. Blackstar, are you interested?


The Mildura one is still $58k.....

So why don't you find out where it is, hop on a plane (or two), and add it to your fleet?



am looking for one with a zillion kilometres on it, preferably damaged at the front....or some such...

Target price is about $2-3K...only need the floor out of it...dont need the motor or transmission....just the floor as a template....:happy:

The Mildura one is still $58k.....

I was up there last week. Was advertised in the local paper and they had a special on.

I was up there last week. Was advertised in the local paper and they had a special on.


$51k drive away is a damn good price...mind you mine only owes me $24k now with GST refund and two years notional depreciation.

$51k drive away is a damn good price...mind you mine only owes me $24k now with GST refund and two years notional depreciation.

Its been sitting in the showroom that long, they would have to take less... They treat it more like a trophy..

Well back to the original subject matter ... put a deposit on 2007 Series III VR-X Molten Red with leather ... though I could easily have gone with the cloth trim.
Won't be getting near it for another week .... so I'll just twiddle my thumbs then.

Its been sitting in the showroom that long, they would have to take less... They treat it more like a trophy..


Know exactly what you mean...when I was buying one of my 380's at southern motors the sales man lured me to the showroom which has a TMR380 in it, him not knowing tghat we drove there in one...it was all polished up and sparkling.

He started waffling on about this and that and my 17 year old started correcting him about the boost and Nm torque...

We asked him if he has ever driven it (knowing it has 12.00 k's on the speedo...LOL

We took him for a spin, or should I say my son (on "L" plates drove and took him for a spin).

I reckon we made his day.....

Well back to the original subject matter ... put a deposit on 2007 Series III VR-X Molten Red with leather ... though I could easily have gone with the cloth trim.
Won't be getting near it for another week .... so I'll just twiddle my thumbs then.



You will love the way the Molten red sparkles in the sun.....it's my favorite colour and my daily drive......Nice work!

Hey is anyone interested in a 2005 series 1 VR-X in Manual, 31000kms in molten red. It's posted in the for sale section:)

Molten is the pick of the colours IMO
then Electro Blue
then Storm Grey