Wheels Mag: Mitsubishi 380 driven!!!

[watto]

For those outside Australia, the 380 is the new model from Mitsubishi being released to replace the old, tired and ugly Magna. It's their Aussie family car, similar to the US Galant.

EDIT: Outputs are 175kW (235hp) and 343Nm (253lb ft)

http://img301.imageshack.**/img301/5186/untitled05wy.th.jpg http://img301.imageshack.**/img301/2498/untitled19xx.th.jpg http://img377.imageshack.**/img377/1079/untitled22rx.th.jpg http://img377.imageshack.**/img377/5900/untitled39da.th.jpg http://img377.imageshack.**/img377/5716/untitled47aq.th.jpg
http://img377.imageshack.**/img377/8599/untitled55fe.th.jpg http://img377.imageshack.**/img377/2083/untitled61pe.th.jpg http://img377.imageshack.**/img377/6734/untitled71yx.th.jpg http://img376.imageshack.**/img376/2269/untitled82es.th.jpg http://img376.imageshack.**/img376/6767/untitled98hy.th.jpg

 

[fbc]

The new issue's out today?!?! But it's only Tuesday... off to the newsagents for me then

 

[watto]

Maybe not... I have a subscription, got it yesterday

 

[fbc]

I used to have one - but got sick of the posties bending and generally stuffing the mag up getting it into the mailbox

 

[SL65]

Mitsubishi 380 - Its just a car with nothing special about it. Boring, uninspired design and a really 90's look to the interior Bring on the VE Commodore I say!!

Thanks for the article Watto

 

[watto]

I used to have one - but got sick of the posties bending and generally stuffing the mag up getting it into the mailbox

My posties aren't that bad, they curl it up instead of bending it so thats ok.

Mitsubishi 380 - Its just a car with nothing special about it. Boring, uninspired design and a really 90's look to the interior Bring on the VE Commodore I say!!

I have to disagree with you there mate. I like the exterior looks, better than the VZ IMHO. The interior is a bit dreary in the base but in the LS/LX it looks quite nice, once again, better than the VZ.

I can't wait for a compo with the 380/Commo/Falcon/Camry.

 

[SL65]

I used to have one - but got sick of the posties bending and generally stuffing the mag up getting it into the mailbox

My posties aren't that bad, they curl it up instead of bending it so thats ok.

Mitsubishi 380 - Its just a car with nothing special about it. Boring, uninspired design and a really 90's look to the interior Bring on the VE Commodore I say!!

I have to disagree with you there mate. I like the exterior looks, better than the VZ IMHO. The interior is a bit dreary in the base but in the LS/LX it looks quite nice, once again, better than the VZ.

I can't wait for a compo with the 380/Commo/Falcon/Camry.

Well the VZ is the last in Holdens design direction from 1998-2005. The VE is entirely new and we have a fair idea of what its gonna look like and I like it more.
The 380 shares a similar front end to the outgoing Magna which is now very dated IMO. The rear looks ok-ish but only in VRX form. Overall, the styling doesnt stir the blood for me like a Holden or Ford does. I know these types of cars are just boxes on wheels but still...more thought into styling could have been used.
Mechanically though, it appears to be quite good and those ads on TV about their quality is convincing. It would make a good company car or taxi I think.

 

[Janus]

It is meant to be good....but still just an average Australian car. I mean all of the "top of the line" Australian models (the Calais, Ghia and now the 380 GT) are good cars for being Australian produced, but still don't stack up with European rivals...until you get down to pricing.

I know somebody who has driven the 380 (they have been giving fleet buyers test drives for the last couple of weeks in an attempt to fill out the order books quickly) and he said that is was surprisingly good. That said though the interior still lacks the little touches and toys that are pretty common in even lower end European vehicles. Still he has placed an order for a couple of dozen, if for no other reason, to support the local economy.

I'm very interested in driving it myself to see if the claims they have been making are true, but I can tell you now it will take one hell of a package to sway me from the Holden lion.

It also comes down to the "X" factor. I mean when I get the order form for our government cars (either Holden, Ford or Mitsubishi) I don't even consider the Mitsubishi. I choose Holden over Ford or Mitsubishi because it just feels different when you drive them. It feels....stronger, powerful, a more aggressive package...or I'm just strange. It just seems to have more "cred" if you say you drive a Holden Calais over a Ford Ghia or Mitsubishi 380.

 

[watto]

It just seems to have more "cred" if you say you drive a Holden Calais over a Ford Ghia or Mitsubishi 380.

Perhaps not more "cred" but the Calais certainly looks better than the Fairmont and (now) GT. The soft body kit, lowered suspension etc makes it a nicer looking package but overall, it's the driving experience and perhaps this is what Mitsubishi are trying to achieve?

 

[flyingfridge]

I like it, I think that's a really nice looking piece of kit. It should cane the Camry, unfortunately stupid people buy the damn thing because it's a Toyota (personnally that turns me away even more[oh nothing against the MR2 either fbc, the only Toyota I'll give credit to]). But still, personnally I'd have the VE Commodore. To be truly honest, and obviously I can only go by looks alone at this point, but I'd have the 380 over the BA/BF Falcon...

 

[fbc]

[oh nothing against the MR2 either fbc, the only Toyota I'll give credit to]

Hahaha - don't worry, I look at the whitegoods Toyota make now and shake my head (though the Supra deserves some respect too)

And hey, you haven't updated the GT4 M3 CSL challenge with my latest time...

 

[flyingfridge]

Sorry, updated now. Had a big weekend. Work kept me busy with the Grand Final and all...

 

[astroboymoto]

interesting... :? maybe not in a good way.

tho I think the only truly interesting Aussie built car is that Marcos GT2 8)

 

[jayjaya29]

Is this the same thing as the Galant in the US?

 

[chaos386]

^Nope.

 

[jayjaya29]

But it looks exactly the same. :?

 

[watto]

Mitsu took the basic shape and wheelbase of the car from the Galant but it's completely built in Australia. I believe they tweaked a few outside things, improved suspension and the interior and a few other things...

 

[Ultra_Kool_Dude]

What's a postie?

 

[fbc]

What's a postie?

Postman.

Crazy Awzzies

 

[bartboy9891]

Mitsu took the basic shape and wheelbase of the car from the Galant but it's completely built in Australia. I believe they tweaked a few outside things, improved suspension and the interior and a few other things...

those sound like minor things, is it basically the same car?