Mitsubishi 380 - Opinions on reliability, economy etc.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by Nic85

It's more than one person, and all have dyno graphs etc to back it up. .

Post a dyno graph with before and after extractors results and I will apologize profusely..

[zilo]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

apparently already have a mandrel bent 2.5" exhaust?

http://www.rpw.com.au/shop/index.php...sk=view&id=202

Aumont, they have a happy dyno.

A stock 380 does not yield 145kw atw.
A stock 380 yields approx 130-135kw atw.

Just subtract 10kw+ atw from everything they say.

Also if you fit their extractors on their own the EPA will kill you for not having any cats whatsoever, they admit that they put sensor extenders to stop engine check lights showing the true state of the emmissions system.

[AU Mont]

not fussed, ive been researching these for a few days now and am keen, just thought that webpage had some interesting info thats all

[Nic85]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

apparently already have a mandrel bent 2.5" exhaust?

http://www.rpw.com.au/shop/index.php...sk=view&id=202

Believing what's written on the RPW site is a bit like believing what's written in the bible (no offense christians).

Things like: "Camshafts utlised factory "Ralliart Magna" specs, which were the 10% increased lift over the 6G75 Magna models."

First of all the spelling mistake, secondly there was no 6G75 Magna model. The 6G75 is the engine used in the 380. The Magna came with the 6G74.

"The Mitsubishi 380 has provided a very quite and effective system with there 2 1/2" mandrel bent factory system and large muffler design."

Quite? There? Terrible grammar for a "professional" workshop.

The stock exhaust size is about 2.4" in most places, tapering to 2.2" in some places, and it's press bent, not mandrel bent.

Do some research and see what sort of a name RPW have around the place.

[AU Mont]

lol no worries mate

not really looking to mod it apart from tint and servicing/maintenance if i get one

[flappist]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

lol no worries mate

not really looking to mod it apart from tint and servicing/maintenance if i get one

There are a couple of 380 forums run by a former AFF member. You may find any information you need there.

[Bare.Foot]

For the same price as an equivalent Falcon, why choose the Mitsu?

[dieseltrain79]

Funny how hundreds have posted on these Ford forums of gaining 20-35rwkw from upgrading exhausts on na 6 cyl falcons , but a Mitsubishi can't ? Double standards ;)

I drove a bf 2 and 380 and so did the wife and both preferred the 380 ( was the top of range compared to a ghia ) . But things changed ( kids ) and ended up with the Au .

No way would I have test driven a 380 myself . The wife insisted , and we all ( the smart men here ) , know what that means ;)

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by Bare.Foot

For the same price as an equivalent Falcon, why choose the Mitsu?

same price as in BF ?

If IRS cradle removal to fix bushes, dash out jobs to fix aircon and every other quality flaw wasnt so common, then i would consider another Ford.

If all goes to plan this week i may check out a VRX, spend $2000 on servicing & GPS media player, towbar and still have change.

[Nic85]

Originally Posted by Bare.Foot

For the same price as an equivalent Falcon, why choose the Mitsu?

Build quality, refinement, engine and gearbox superiority, quieter, less problems etc etc.

[genebaby]

Originally Posted by Bare.Foot

For the same price as an equivalent Falcon, why choose the Mitsu?

An equivalent Falcon is a BF and they are very under equipped compared to the 380. I looked and looked and all I could find were XR6's without premium sound and 4 speed autos.

EVERY 380 VR-X (and SX even) got the 6 stacker with colour screen, along with standard climate control (Falcon got that with FG) and power drivers seat and even a sunglass holder, which I had to painstakingly install in my XR8.

So for mine, which was just over a year old when I got it in late March 2009, it was almost half the new price and equivalent Falcon was not in the ball park.

I love my XR8, but yeah, the problems listed above are things I can do without on the family car.

[ZH For Me]

Originally Posted by Nic85

Believing what's written on the RPW site is a bit like believing what's written in the bible (no offense christians).

Things like: "Camshafts utlised factory "Ralliart Magna" specs, which were the 10% increased lift over the 6G75 Magna models."

First of all the spelling mistake, secondly there was no 6G75 Magna model. The 6G75 is the engine used in the 380. The Magna came with the 6G74.

"The Mitsubishi 380 has provided a very quite and effective system with there 2 1/2" mandrel bent factory system and large muffler design."

Quite? There? Terrible grammar for a "professional" workshop.

The stock exhaust size is about 2.4" in most places, tapering to 2.2" in some places, and it's press bent, not mandrel bent.

Do some research and see what sort of a name RPW have around the place.

You missed one; "Manuel 5 speed models were also still popular". I can only assume they're referring to a company called Manuel 5 Speed Models, that lives in the shadows of Manpower .

Honestly though, from what I've seen and heard of the 380's (No, I have never driven one, I will admit that right now), they're not half-bad cars at all. The styling, in my opinion, is a bit off-putting, but phenomenally reliable. I'd consider one if I was a bit more responsible than I am. I'm still caught up with driving V8s and bitching about the terrible fuel economy .

[TMC]

My mum bought an 07 one back in 09 and it's been a good reliable car that's great on fuel. It's one of the quieter cars around so I don't quite understand the comments from "The Yeti". He must have bought a bunky one with no rubber seals on the car or something. :|

Power was more than my Mum needed. You can get that front end smoking up easily if you want. 5 speed is good, and the interior is fine and comfortable. It's a pity Mitsubishi didn't have more success with it. More to do with market perceptions more than anything. Just like Ecoboost Falcon.

[zilo]

LOL at this thread.

Mitsu might still be making cars in Australia if the buying public gave them a chance back then with such positive comments by all.

A little bit of like what's happening to another great locally made product, the Falcon.

I'm sure in a few years time second hand buyers will be shaking their heads and saying why didn't they keep making these?

[zilo]

Originally Posted by dieseltrain79

Funny how hundreds have posted on these Ford forums of gaining 20-35rwkw from upgrading exhausts on na 6 cyl falcons , but a Mitsubishi can't ? Double standards ;)

The 380 ECU is locked and cannot be reflashed, any performance changes you make bring up engine check lights and engine limp home conditions.
That's the difference between getting extra gains from a Ford versus a 380. You need to spend big bucks on another ECU as well as exhaust changes.
Hope that clears it up mate.

[genebaby]

The 380 ECU hasn't been cracked so the interceptor chips are used to retune the engine like in the old days of Ford tuning. It's not big bucks, you don't have to pay someone 100k to crack the ECU for you and write you a program to tune with.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by genebaby

The 380 ECU hasn't been cracked so the interceptor chips are used to retune the engine like in the old days of Ford tuning. It's not big bucks, you don't have to pay someone 100k to crack the ECU for you and write you a program to tune with.

True...a 100k is really big bucks.

I've read that with dyno time, wire in and cost of say a ChipTorque ECU it's about a thousand bucks minimum which is big bucks for a lot of folks.
Sure adds to the 700 in extractor cost.

[genebaby]

It's much the same as for modding any car. Buy the new bits, get it tuned.

[AU Mont]

quick question.

what would you pay (keeping in mind your not a 380 fanatic) for a tidy series 2/3 380 SX with the sports seats & suspension etc with 110,000km and just had its timing belt service done?

[zilo]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

quick question.

what would you pay (keeping in mind your not a 380 fanatic) for a tidy series 2/3 380 SX with the sports seats & suspension etc with 110,000km and just had its timing belt service done?

11 -13k?


but I would always get the GT or if compromise needed the VRX.

sunroof,leather and see if you can find one with the factory Satnav unit.


http://www.caradvice.com.au/8800/200...es-iii-review/

see the red GT , it has the sat nav unit

This one XNB-825 in the review above I actually bought second hand when the factory shut down, it had 3000k's on it...$22k inc on road costs.
.

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by Ugg

11 -13k?


but I would always get the GT or if compromise needed the VRX.

sunroof,leather and see if you can find one with the factory Satnav unit.

only problem is alot 380's either getting long in the tooth km's wise, or trying to sell when the $1000+ service is due.

theres quite a few VR-X's with leather floating around, but they want 12-13k, so add on $1000 for the major service, then by the time i fit a towbar & fit a touchscreen GPS (to take away some of the revolting look of the dash) im looking at 14-15k which is priced too close to a low km 6 speed FG XT.

Im hoping to pick up a SX for 10k with the timing belt done. Gives me a little room to do a couple things and still have decent amount of change left over than if i had purchased a 6 speeder FG XT

[Nic85]

See if you can talk them down to what you want to spend, they can only say no. At the end of the day, IMO, the 380 is still gonna be a nicer car than an FG XT.

[dieseltrain79]

Yeah , they need an interceptor , but every Tom dick Harry spends over 1200 on flash tuners here too . Ford owners aren't the only ones modding cars , kinda a holier than thou thing going on .

Where there's cars , there's enthusiasts who wish to mod

[zilo]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

only problem is alot 380's either getting long in the tooth km's wise, or trying to sell when the $1000+ service is due.

I was in a cab the other day in Adelaide where they use them as taxis.
The 380 had 550k on the clock and not a single rattle in the cabin and still on the first transmission he told me.....oh yes, and on LPG.

So I don't think the engines are short on mileage potential.

[AU Mont]

thanks for the opinions & advice everyone, picked up a 07' VRX with black leather 90km's

due for its major service, got it for a good price, looks beautiful.

[blueoval]

I know of someone with a TJ magna AWD who fitted a sprintex s/c to it and is getting excellent power and improved economy. Absolutely loves the thing. Doesnt seem to have any major issues either.

[AU Mont]

Just got back from the caryard and havnt had a chance to clean or do anything with it yet but heres how it looks

[Mr Hardware]

Looks great AU Mont, nice colour too. I had one as a work car for a short bit (a metallic red VRX) and i loved it. What did you end up paying?

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Looks great AU Mont, nice colour too. I had one as a work car for a short bit (a metallic red VRX) and i loved it. What did you end up paying?

thanks yeah tis a nice colour, makes a big difference to the car imo

price, well google told me it was 16k a few months ago and went down over time to 13k . Before viewing i asked why it had been there so long, and he said he had no idea why as it was in great condition.

I took 11.5k with me as i didnt want to pay anymore for a car with such bad resale, and we struck a deal, driveaway price It drives perfect, body is great. Engine is clean, no leaks.

The test drive was interesting. Ive never driven a FWD car with more than 130kw before, so casually holding the wheel in one hand i jumped on the loud pedal from the lights to see if the gearbox shifted fine under stress........ and the steering wheel ripped out of my hand and nearly drove the car off the side of the road

Obviously I cant comment on reliability yet, but if you find a good one, you cannot beat it for the price & age in the large car segment. It doesnt really do anything much better or worse than a B-series, but i reckon its more interesting to look at

[SLO247]

Nice one mate.

I plan to buy one too, just a base model for a daily car. Unbeatable for the money.