2007 Mitsubishi 380 SX 3.8 litre V6 petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A truly unknown gem!

Faults:

Drivers power window failed.

Uses a tad bit of oil between services.. but that's to be expected.

General Comments:

What a car! Stepping from my VZ Commodore to this, I was expecting much of the same with a different badge on the bonnet. Of course the poor reception from the public did my opinion no good, but I decided to give the 380 a go purely on value, and I am extremely glad I did.

Mine being the Series 3 SX variant, means it gets all the suspension, tyre package and strut brace from the VRX, with a slightly more subtle body kit, in the very lovely Electro blue colour.

Inside it gets everything a GT does with the exception of a sunroof and leather.

The 3.8 sounds sweet as, and has plenty of power anywhere in the rev range (outpowers the VE SV6 I drove below 4000rpm, and it's easily as competent as the Aurion till 3500-4000rpm) and the 5 speed auto is quite a sweet thing, if not a bit docile on dropping down a few cogs... I have heard from various sources these motors actually produce 195kw or thereabouts, Mitsubishi only underestimate the power output so people don't think it's a fuel guzzler, feel free to comment on that, I'm keen on knowing as I have given my mates MANUAL VE SV6 ute a good run for its money.

Handling wise I am completely astounded by how it turns in as willingly, if not more so than my Commodore (which is fitted with FE2 suspension and wider tyres). Under steer is evident of course, but not like FWD cars of old, this ones a pearler in the corners. I recall Wheels magazine saying the rear end is even willing to step out if provoked enough, and I can confirm, yes, it will.

The quality of the whole car is undoubtedly Australian, but one of the finest examples, I think on par with that of the Aurion (which I believe aren't all that well put together for a Toyota).

Overall I am just so disappointed that this car isn't being built any more, if it had a Holden or Ford badge, it would have sold in massive numbers. Feel free to comment!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd May, 2009

3rd May 2009, 09:18

Just purchased a 11/2007 380 SX, loving it. I have gone through 3 tanks of fuel, all three over 600km and averaging abount 10 to 10.5 litres per 100 km with a good mix of driving.

14th Sep 2009, 05:42

Why do you think it is OK to use a bit of oil - I don't understand.

I have a 380 series III, and I think it is the best car I have ever driven - I just adore it, but it has just, from about 70,000km onwards started using about 1 L of oil per 7,500, and it is worrying me (I have just had the 82500 service). The Mitsubishi service agent doesn't seem to know why, and really aren't prepared to look at the problem, but I would like someone out there to try to explain why this is happening, and should I expect it to get worse???

Cheers.

Steve.

View 40 more comments

2006 Mitsubishi 380 DB Series II Platinum Edition 3.8 litre from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Good looking, but below par

Faults:

Have a piece a trim that constantly falls on my feet when driving after it has been replaced.

This vehicle is very thirsty. My TH Magna sedan gets 660km from a tank, whereas the 380 gets 430km.

Seat are uncomfortable.

General Comments:

Rather my TH Magna over this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th August, 2007

12th Aug 2007, 22:42

The thirst of a car depends a great deal on how it is driven. You should see at least 560km per tank once the engine has loosened up. Uncomfortable seats mean you either didn't test drive the car properly or your buttocks have changed significantly since. You give this car a poor rating and yet you don't actually give much information at all. Do you actually OWN the car, or did you rent one and flog the guts out if it for a few days (may explain the consumption)?

3rd Oct 2007, 04:21

Yeah I don't know if this is a very good review. My 380s fuel consumption is about on a par with my TJ Magna, which is about 560 odd depending on driving conditions, and I find my seats are superb. Have you been driving it long?

13th May 2008, 01:30

To the comment of 6th Aug 2007, 18:12

The magna has a larger fuel tank than the 380, how do you get 660 Km per tank of fuel, I only manage to get 450Km city driving.

15th Feb 2011, 04:52

I have a 2005 VRX and it is a beautiful car to drive.

The only fault has been the drivers window. I took it an auto electrician who said the 4 window switch was stuffed, so I went to the local Mitsi dealer who sold me one for $300. It didn't fix the problem and they wouldn't take it back, so I'm stuck with it (not happy). They ended up fixing it under warranty.

Pete Werribee, VIC.