FTO AUSTRALIA

Looking at going for a loan and buying a newer car (gonna give the fto to the missus) and was looking a mitsubishi 380. I haven't found and bad reviews on the so far, they are just not very popular and have a terrible resale price, which doesn't matter because I will drive it till it dies. Has anyone driven one, or know of someone who has got one? all I'm looking for is something new, reliable, comfortable, roomy, decent fuel economy and reasonable power. Was thinking about a sportivo SX6, but they are a fair bit more expensive and not as well equipped.

A mate has a 380 VRX and loves it. I was very much thinking of getting one for my new soon to be family (twins on the way) but it had 2 deal breakers for me, a 4 star safety rating (I wanted 5) and the boot wasn't quite big enough (ended up with a Mazda 6 wagon, twin prams are HUGE).

I realise that wanting a 5 star safety rated car and keeping the FTO is crazy, but hey, I am special .

Back on topic though, my mate couldn't recommend the 380 highly enough, the VRX is comfy, powerful, reliable and cheap to run.

Good luck!

Dras wrote: I was very much thinking of getting one for my new soon to be family (twins on the way)

Well a big congratulations .

aza013 wrote:

Dras wrote: I was very much thinking of getting one for my new soon to be family (twins on the way)

Well a big congratulations .

Thank you! I am very excited. 2 boys due in March.

Dras wrote:

aza013 wrote:

Dras wrote: I was very much thinking of getting one for my new soon to be family (twins on the way)

Well a big congratulations .

Thank you! I am very excited. 2 boys due in March.

Cheers for your help... Congrats on the twins! hope all goes well

Toddlers that listen to classical music have bright minds. Scientific studies have shown.
Sorry.

Congratulation Dras!

I swear I heard that these had heaps of problems

Join aussiemagna.com and they can help you out.
To be honest depending on what you want, maybe a Honda Accord Euro would be a good alternative, or a Mazda 6

Or a C Class Mercedes

Should get an FTO....

Astron_Boy wrote:Or a C Class Mercedes

W203 is not really known for reliability though, and the 202 is too old. I think for around the teens (presumably that is his budget) and Accord Euro is the best car.

btw, how is your C180? I have a C124 with the 2.2 M111 motor and it has a raspy sound. Just wondering if this is normal or there is something wrong with the exhaust? It happens after 4,000rpm.
Also is your 4 or 5 speed?

Kustom wrote:I swear I heard that these had heaps of problems

I can't find any complaints or issues about them what so ever...
found this on http://www.caradvice.com.au/363/mitsubi ... ning-cost/

"Mitsubishi are quick to point out that the running costs of the 380 are almost the same as Toyota’s glamour hybrid, The Prius. With the Mitsubishi 380 coming out to roughly 72.55 cents/ km compared to Toyota Prius’ 71.87 cents/km. Not bad for a Mitsubishi!"

spetz wrote:Join aussiemagna.com and they can help you out.
To be honest depending on what you want, maybe a Honda Accord Euro would be a good alternative, or a Mazda 6

Yeh I was thinking about signing up, not such a bad idea. Was looking at the honda accord euro's as well, they are a bit more pricey though.

spetz wrote:

Astron_Boy wrote:Or a C Class Mercedes

W203 is not really known for reliability though, and the 202 is too old. I think for around the teens (presumably that is his budget) and Accord Euro is the best car.

btw, how is your C180? I have a C124 with the 2.2 M111 motor and it has a raspy sound. Just wondering if this is normal or there is something wrong with the exhaust? It happens after 4,000rpm.
Also is your 4 or 5 speed?

hijack.

Mine also has a rasp, seems to be common, I do believe it's the rear muffler.
Whilst they are an old car, they are hella reliable.

The W203 doesn't really have many issues, and IMO, better build quality...
Mine's 4 speed as it's pre-facelift Elegance model.

Dare I say also, the resale value of the Merc will retain better than the 380... Given 3rd gen Magnas can be bought for 3K and C Class 202 still around 10K...

Also as the 380 was the flagship farewell car, parts in time may be harder to come by... don't quote me, not an owner.

I wouldn't recommend any European cars to anyone especially an old one as I am a European mechanic I know how much they cost to maintain what I tell people about old European vehicles is if you can't afford to buy a brand new one you defiantly can't afford an old one as they cost twice as much to maintain and everything is starting to break unless you know someone like me who can fix them cheap but in saying that I can fix a jap car for even cheaper lol

BUZZ_QWERTY,
Yes the Euro does cost a bit more, but it is a better car.
The 380 may be more powerful and smoother, but the Euro will be more economical, better handling, better resale, more fun, better looking etc.
A 2002 Verada is also really nice. You can get a GTV for about 7K with full leather, sunroof, sports suspension etc.


@Astron Boy,
My friend has a W203, it is the biggest hunk of junk ever. Every other week something breaks. It's interior has become rattly, it does not have a solid feel to it etc etc.
W203 looks good, and I hear the facelift is better but his C200K is horrible on all account.

In the end, they are all cars.
You get your good, you get your lemons.
Monday build to Wednesday build (that whole thing, etc)

Apart from cosmetic blemishes and someone not being smart when removing the interior seats in my car to trip of an error code, the 202 is full proof. 190000 on the clock and feels as tight as virgin.

I have read of a lot of issues on 380s, and Magnas, and FTOs, and C class cars, in the end, you do the research and you can get a decent one provided you don't rush in to things.

Personally, I'd recomend a car thats going to be: easy for parts, good on a resale (as I believe it would be a temp car for you...) economical, and something you like.

I wouldn't get a Honda, simply due to cost of parts over resale and build. Having said that, Mitsus are decently assembled but have terrible resale over the Honda.

In the end it all comes down to opinion, I picked a W202 back in 2006 and only got around to getting one now...

Spetz, a couple of my friends had w203s and no issues at all, brilliant car, not K's, but not a dramas at all, 1 guy has since purchased a w204, he has had all the C's so far, and love them.
Another friend who owned a Mercedes dealership to this day drives his gen 1 CLS, and it hasnt skipped a beat despite many reported issues of those thing, and it now has a healthy 150000.

yeah every car has its problems no car is perfect European cars are a nicer car to drive but they cost more to keep nicer that's all I'm saying

Your friends must be lucky because I work in a merc specialist workshop and some of the expensive problems you get from them is ridicules like if the cam magnets leak on the 203 fitted with a 271 engine it can cost thousands for new a wiring harness plus labour and if has leaked oil into a control unit then it can be $10000 upwards

But hey it all depends on the luck of the draw

Dras wrote:

aza013 wrote:

Dras wrote: I was very much thinking of getting one for my new soon to be family (twins on the way)

Well a big congratulations .

Thank you! I am very excited. 2 boys due in March.

WAIT! TWINS!

you'd be the one needing the nappies the day you heard them words!

but still, good for the kids to grow up together, they wont be lonely.

hats off and a big congrats (again)

back OT:

i like the 380, but it just didnt take off and died in a market of 6 cyl holdens and fords... if you're not against them id go for them over the 380

I'm still yet to read about any issues with the 380, I am planning on keeping it for at least 5 years so I'm not to concerned on resale price. They're decent when it comes to fuel consumption and they are supposedly reasonably cheap to work on/ service and buy parts for. As for parts becoming hard to find due to Mitsubishi Australia shutting down, I don't think that will happen because legally they are still obligated to supply parts. Still trying to decide if I like the looks of the 380 though, from some of the rear angles they look pretty tough, but from the front they are pretty boring. And I hate the VRX tail lights, but love the interior So many conflicting factors