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View Full Version : How the 380 stacks up 7 years on



steve_bunkle
26-08-2012, 06:21 PM
We have recently acquired a Hyundai i40 tourer diesel as our main family car. We have a 2007 380 GT as our second car. I thought it would be interested to comment on how the 380 stacks up to a new design. Remember these are just my opinions after driving both and obviously one is a large capacity petrol and the diesel is very small (1.7l).

1) price and equipment. About the same in terms of RRP (our i40 is the premium variant, I guess the equivalent of the GT). 380 would have been discounted more. In terms of equipment, the i40 wins hands down but then that is the story with new models - more equipment each year for much the same price. Clearly buying second hand the 380 is great value.

2) engine. i40 1.7l common rail turbocharged diesel with particulate filter. 100kw and 320nm. 380 175kw (nearly 180 with galant intake) and 343nm. Amazing torque for capacity in the diesel. Also quite smooth but the 380 is still overall the smoother reving engine (as expected).

3) performance. 380 wins hands down. 0-100 low 8s in the GT, about 10.5 in the i40. Ability to hold highway speeds very similar, the GT will often downchange to 4th on steeper hills, the i40 to 5th. Overtaking in the 380s favour, but the i40 not as slow as you would expect - rolling acceleration is surprising.

4) economy. 380 - we get about 12l/100km around town, mid 8s on highway. i40 about 7l/100km around town, 5 on the highway (verified). i40 wins here

5) running costs. 380 wins hands down. The design is relatively simple, cheaper to fix and second parts are available. Second hand engines also cost effective. Servicing can be done at home. i40 has the potential to cost a lot down the track. Turbos, injector pumps, particulate filters. Servicing more expensive, even at home.

6) build quality. Exterior and and paint about even. 380s interior not as well put together.

7) steering, ride and handling. 380 has more feel and is overall a better steering car. The i40 is great compared to old Hyundai designs but there is still work to do. Ride is similar but the i40 has less front suspension travel for the bigger bumps. Handling again in the 380s favour. Less under steer, less body roll. One of the 380s strong points.

8) refinement and comfort. i40 the winner. Quieter, better insulated (not by a lot). I can also get a more comfy position in the i40 as the steering has reach adjustment as well. Again not a lot in it and I would be happy to drive long distances in either car. Hyundai have made great strides in this area. Heated and air conditioned seats also help.

9) space. Similar room in the front although right foot can catch in the footwell in the i40. i40 has more rear legroom but a narrower back seat. Obviously can't fairly compare a wagon to a sedan in terms of luggage space.

10) safety. i40 five stars, 9 airbags, stability control. A 2011 380 would have likely had similar specs but clearly the i40 wins here.

11) headlights. i40 premium has HIDs but the 380s lights are still a lot better! That is an Aussie car thing I think - great headlights.

Just a few thoughts. As you can see, with back to back driving, the 380 still performs very well against newer designs! A second generation 380 would have been a fantastic car! I still love ours but usually reach for the i40s keys for longer trips knowing we can get down to 5l per 100kms.

Steve

steve_bunkle
26-08-2012, 07:36 PM
Warranty issues?

Well our i40 goes in tomorrow as the adaptive headlights are faulty and one of the rear doors is out of alignment (from the factory). The 380 had a faulty climate control from new and a faulty wheel bearing at 35000km All up about even I guess!

Steve

Mecha-wombat
26-08-2012, 08:40 PM
Nice write up Steve.

mike481050
27-08-2012, 06:54 AM
Purchased i40 premium sedan 4 weeks ago.

Agree with a lot of your opinions. I40 is quieter, more refined, better driving position, more features, better stereo, outstanding fuel economy, great performance (particularly overtaking on the highway) and is as roomy as the 380. Price $43000 drive away no trade.

While the 380 still feels up to date compared to a commodore, camry or falcon the Hyundai feels and is a generation newer vehicle.

Use it to tow my 1300 kg boat and am astounded at how unstressed it feels towing. Uses 11 liters per 100 towing while the 380 uses 18 liters per 100 in the same situation. The turbo diesel is a revalation.

$150 cheaper to register and $200 cheaper to insure.


Puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

Cheers

Mike

sid
27-08-2012, 10:56 AM
While the 380 still feels up to date compared to a commodore, camry or falcon the Hyundai feels and is a generation newer vehicle.


I felt the same thing when I got my 380. I also looked at a 2009 VE series 2 SV6 ( I liked it because it was green :P). But the 380's build quality inside and features were a lot nicer, and to be honest, and a few people shoot me, but I'm not a fan of the Commodores handling.

You can't really compare the registration and insurance though. You're comparing a 3.8L V6 to a 1.7L 4cyl. They price drops instantly because you've got 2 cylinders, a friend of mine had a VW Bora 5 cylinder and had to pay the same registration as a 6cylinder.

Insurance will be cheaper because a) they are still making the car b) parts will still be available for a while.

pxanthia
27-08-2012, 11:50 AM
This will be an interesting ride in 7 years time :)

( some 380's will still have some drivetrain warranty left...LOL)

steve_bunkle
27-08-2012, 01:58 PM
This will be an interesting ride in 7 years time :)

( some 380's will still have some drivetrain warranty left...LOL)

Agree, the i40 has everything that opens and shuts. Could be expensive down the track although I have 6 years warranty on it (five years are factory). Modern diesels can cost a fortune if something major goes wrong. The Hyundai particulate filters apparently give little trouble.

Rego in NSW is based on weight. 380 and i40 similar weight so same price. Insurance for us about the same.

For us it is about having something a bit different and is a great family long distance tourer. Mind you the 380 is as well.

Steve

Knotched
30-08-2012, 07:03 AM
Great thread, Steve.

My car has now covered 192 000km. This is mostly hwy driving with regular 8.6 - 8.9L/100km. Engine uses no oil (meaning no top ups) between 10000km changes - and the colour is still burnt caramel and transparent just before the change. Keep in mind my car has been dynoed in its earlier life around 40-50 times (first Chip Torque Exede for an auto) as well as a day or two at the track. It will still shadow a current XR6, SIDI Commodore and Aurion but the SIDI SV6 is out of its league now.
Transmission is still good and interior excellent. No rattles except for the damn sunglasses holder and this after a solid rear ender last year. I won't be changing it over until 2014 when I have plans for a major step up.
Our other car is a Chyrsler Neon which is near the end of its life bothe engine and interior wise at 160 000km. We'll be replacing this shortly with a small capacity
4WD so very interested re the diesel comparison. Looking at Tiguan/Koleos/Forrester.

Blue 380
30-08-2012, 12:28 PM
Great thread, Steve.

My car has now covered 192 000km. This is mostly hwy driving with regular 8.6 - 8.9L/100km. Engine uses no oil (meaning no top ups) between 10000km changes - and the colour is still burnt caramel and transparent just before the change. Keep in mind my car has been dynoed in its earlier life around 40-50 times (first Chip Torque Exede for an auto) as well as a day or two at the track. It will still shadow a current XR6, SIDI Commodore and Aurion but the SIDI SV6 is out of its league now.
Transmission is still good and interior excellent. No rattles except for the damn sunglasses holder and this after a solid rear ender last year. I won't be changing it over until 2014 when I have plans for a major step up.
Our other car is a Chyrsler Neon which is near the end of its life bothe engine and interior wise at 160 000km. We'll be replacing this shortly with a small capacity
4WD so very interested re the diesel comparison. Looking at Tiguan/Koleos/Forrester.
Good to hear your car is still going strong after so many Kms Rich!! Mine has only done 62000 Kms and all of that has been 100% trouble free and enjoyable motoring. Recently is was getting significantly louder and deeper (which was nice) but also very sluggish, felt about the same as when I first bought it. I had a quick look in the muffler and could see a piece of metal blocking it and what looked like a grey wig stuffed in there. I started pulling it out with a coat hanger to realize it was the fiberglass packing which indicated the muffler had rusted out internally and collapsed after 5 years of constant stop start motoring resulting in it constantly having moisture inside it. Another Berklee fitted has made it significantly quieter but also a lot, lot more responsive so don't listen to anyone that tells you the 380 restriction is all in the cats in the manifold, the rear muffler also chokes it up. Anyway, I couldn't be happier with mine after all these years and have no plans or reason to get rid of it, should last me for a lot of years to come.

Foozrcool
30-08-2012, 12:35 PM
Well looky looky they're all coming out of the woodwork now lol

As said above, the 380 is a great car & mine has now done about 50,000 KM supercharged on stock internals & still going strong ......... I have no plans for selling it either ........

Elfensin
01-09-2012, 01:56 AM
Great thread, Steve.

We'll be replacing this shortly with a small capacity
4WD so very interested re the diesel comparison. Looking at Tiguan/Koleos/Forrester.

Get a Mazda CX-5 2.2DT. Much better than what you mentioned.

Dave
01-09-2012, 07:19 AM
Get a Mazda CX-5 2.2DT. Much better than what you mentioned.

The same diesel CX5 that is having horrendous oil problems which mazda refuse to see as a problem? Having to take your brand new car back to the dealer every 2000km because the oil level increases, no thanks!