Mitsubishi 380 - Opinions on reliability, economy etc.

[AU Mont]

Finally some of these 380's have finally dropped in price as there mega long warranties are nearing the end. Everyone that owns one swears by the cars, they seem like a bit of a black sheep like the AU.......... it intrigues me

Does anyone know much about them, how reliable they are, fuel consumption, fit 'n finish etc.? Ive only sat in one that had cloth seats and the seat felt like supa amart foam.

However the VRX has leather seats so might be a bit more supportive? Really just looking for opinions so i can go further with it, or possibly just head back to the idea of saving for a FG XT 6 speed which is taking longer than i have patience for.

[AndyXR6T]

I know it's not the same, but i owned a TL magna VRX (last of the magnas before they renamed to 380) and it was a great car. Get onto AMC (Australian magna club) website and do some research on there. Plenty of info and you will be very surprised how good these cars are. Plenty of bolt on mods now too which is a plus ;)

[Yellow_Festiva]

Someone here has an avatar pic with a Terry and a 380 don't they?? JC or something like that?

Found it ;)

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11329227

[Windsor220]

As far as reliability goes they are fine. They still seem to be lasting ok and no major problems. Just the window regulators keep dying and the suspension gets a bit noisy needs days.

Fit and finish is average. Was never a strong point with them.

[GREGL]

These things are very underated, we have a LE? which has been a company car for the last 5 years . It now has just turned over 300,000 ks and no dramas apart from the aformentioned window regulators.Was serviced by dealer until warranty Ks reached and ever since by a small mechanical shop. Average cost around 200 bucks .
This thing still drives as tight as a drum but looks like crap . Flogged over central Qld roads for most of its life as a reps car ( 3 different drivers based in Brisbane ) and no ones killed it yet. Due back from panelbeaters this week and back on duty. The current user much prefers it to the pool car 1 tonner with half the Ks on it .
Tis a pity Mitsubishi had/have in my opinion unflattering appearance because there relaibility and build quality have been amongst the best in the market niche their cars were aimed at.

[The Yeti]

Driving one ATM and HATE IT

It's poor on fuel economy under powered poorly balanced in the chassis, uncomfortable do drive, the stero sux and the road noice is deffining

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by GREGL

window regulators

been mentioned twice now.

how bad is this problem, how often do they go, and are new regulators easy to come by............. the $200 is that including labour to fix?

[markb]

Underrated car.

I used to own one 4 months ago an SXDBII and it was a really good car and I really regret trading it on a mazda3 of all things(oh how I miss a decent engine and gearbox).

Good - good performance, handled well, comfy and IMO the stereo was pretty good.

My average economy was 11-11.5l/100 city and 7-8 on the highway.

Window regulators ARE a problem but they are about 30mins and $120 to replace so while annoying when it happens (had to replace one) it's not the end of the world.

My previous cars are AU, AUIIXR8 Ute, BA XR6, BAXR8 so I have a few falcons to compare it to.

[minheim]

I replaced my AU with a 380 SX series 3 just over 3.5 years ago. In that time i have only had 2 warranty claims a window regulator and rear vision mirror. The regulator issue apparently is limited to a batch of orginals items).
I found it a great improvement over the AU in terms of power, handling, braking comfort and economy (then again it was 7 years newer than my AU). It had 40k on the clock when I bought it (with 5 years of factory warranty thrown in) and has now just clicked over to 88K. Just had it's 90K service. That was a dear one as the timing belt was due for a change (5yrs or 100K). I also finally had to change the front discs; much better than what the AU achieved. The five speed auto is very smooth but fluid changes are important for it. If buying look for a good service history and check timing belt replacement has been done. For a FWD torque steer is well controlled. While they have traction control you can't get ESC or curtain airbags.

The SX is akin to the XR6 in terms of fitout. I can't compare it to an equivilent age falcon but it was a big improvement over the AU which was a reliable and comfortable car (had it new from 2000). My daughter has had a mirage and lancer in the period from 2003 and has had zero warranty claims so we have found mitsubishis very reliable and our dealer is a very good.

[AU Mont]

im keen to check out a VRX limited edition, and a GT model both with around 120,000km's.

How much was the timing belt service?

The prices arent still down to what i think theyre worth though........ i mean the tech in them is pretty basic, and they didnt have much of a life before production stopped. Also i reckon they would be a hard car to sell. But im not afraid to lowball

[minheim]

Timing belt was $242 and labour $128 (dealer pricing). 90K and 105k services are major ones with fliuds and other pieces due for replacement. Minor services are fairly cheap. service intervals are 12mths or 15K.

[RobVee]

the aussie built mitsubishi v6 cars are top notch in my opinion. 380 is a solid unit for sure. but even have a look at the 2003-2005 magna. a bit cheaper and a real quiet acheiver of a car my mrs has one and it is cool..according to the press at the time it looked odd, however personally i like the styling and they go great, excellent reliability and very frugal too. the only problem we have had with it since purchase in 2006 is battery running out on the remote to open the doors

[AU Mont]

yeah i dont mind the earlier ones, the Verada got a bit scabby as it got older though, and were a lump with 150kw & 1700kg

the 380 is something i may consider if i can get one in the right model, the condition for the right price with the right km's.......... asking too much ? lol

[ute83]

Look for an sx or vrx as a minnimum. Both are the sports models. I have an sx with 220000 km and its great. They handle great have nice power with a very nice transmission. The paint quality aint flash but the colours are real nice. They have everything you really need and mine has been reliable.

[Mechan1k]

My Mother had a TJII Magna VRX ... and that was a hell of a great car ... manual with sunroof as well.

Handled pretty well ... and torque steer was well controlled as well.
She never had an issue with it either.

[madwag]

Although im a Ford guy i secretly enjoy mitsubishis work too.

I used to own a 93 verada and that was a solid car and you can tell Mitsubishi really put their mind to building a well thought out and tough car. It aged extremely well not a spot of rust at all.

My mate is a member on the AMC forum and drives a magna wagon, and his dad has a 380 VRX with the leather as you said.

I have never driven it my self but they have had it since new and it still looks great in my opinion and is very reliable.

Aussie tough with Japanese precision as i see it.

[mik]

a typical Aussie car, basically well made under rated and poo pooed by many.

[Nova 8]

Great cars, you'll definitely be happy if you purchase one. Generally people who bash em have never driven one or are just ignorant. Same goes for Magna, Mitsubishi know how to make a good car.

[T4ME]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

Driving one ATM and HATE IT

It's poor on fuel economy under powered poorly balanced in the chassis, uncomfortable do drive, the stero sux and the road noice is deffining

Is your 380 round and yellow?

[2011G6E]

I've driven quite a few rentals out here...and being rentals and still going strong tells you they must be OK at the hands of a normal driver...

They're comfortable, pretty well equipped, quiet, plenty of go...not really sure why they didn't take off.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by mik

a typical Aussie car, basically well made under rated and poo pooed by many.

it definitely suffered at the hands of the auto media. a lady at work has one, is reluctant to upgrade/trade-up. the same woman who snorted at my AU.

[johnsmith]

If a good turning circle is important to you forget it, otherwise thought it was a nice refined car.

[poppa smurf]

very good car......yes the regulators do go and the timing belt is an issue at service time but reliable as the sun, comfortable, economical and quiet

[AU Mont]

i wonder how many spares are floating around in wreckers yard, or how supported the 380 is by aftermarket manufacturers, even dealers genuine parts?

they seem like a good bargain, minus a couple k off carsales prices, but theres still the uncertainty of owning car which barely existed here

[poppa smurf]

heaps of spares......and good mechanics who love the mitsi's to put them in

[madwag]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

i wonder how many spares are floating around in wreckers yard, or how supported the 380 is by aftermarket manufacturers, even dealers genuine parts?

they seem like a good bargain, minus a couple k off carsales prices, but theres still the uncertainty of owning car which barely existed here

If your needing spares, get on the magna forum and there are people like mits-fix who cater for this market.

http://www.mitsfix.com/

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by T4ME

Is your 380 round and yellow?

should be LOL but its black

O yea its had regulators replaced as well

[AU Mont]

thanks guys for all the opinions, the pattern on the googlewebs seems to be the same here.......... nice solid car that shouldve been more successful

[The Yeti]

Make sure your taking the reviews from people that have actualy driven these things more than once and dont consider them a magna for a moment, the magna wasnt a bad car and definatly fits in to the good solid honast car catagory, I dont beleive the 380 does

O yea I forgot the bad turning circle, its either the Mitsubishi 380 or a Bus for what has the worst circle, I suspect the 380 is worse

all said and done I disliked my BA but I HATE this 380, mechanicaly aside from the regulators and a noisy rear wheel bearing its been fine (So it has that over the BA), its just not a nice car IMHO

[AU Mont]

might have to start a poll soon, tossing up between a couple cars @ 11-12k atm

yes i will test drive them, but obviously a 5 min drive isnt the same as owning the thing a long period of time, and seeing its flaws