The 380 Mitsubishi

buickman · 14-09-2005, 10:37 PM

Why did Tom Phillips stand down from CEO of Mitsubishi just as the 380 is going to be released. Bad timming or does it look like this Galant from the U.S if it does well I don't think it that great of a cosmetic appearance from the current TL Magna's & the writing could be on the wall if it fails to sell. I hope not for the employees sake. But its another ugly sucker if thats what appearance will be.

buickman

Smoke Pursuit · 14-09-2005, 10:50 PM

Thats how it looks...

Bit of a joke if you ask me, It wont sell any better then what they already had.. unless ofcourse they give it a 20 year warranty.

BTTB · 14-09-2005, 10:54 PM

eeek... that nose again !

looks like the mutant child of an Outlander and a Magna

I can see why he's resigned

XAGSV8 · 14-09-2005, 11:19 PM

Looks similar to "artist's impression pics" I have seen for VE.

Dezza · 14-09-2005, 11:21 PM

I've heard that the 380 has different front and rear styling to the Galant, so don't be suprised if it looks completely different.

XplosiveR6 · 15-09-2005, 12:29 AM

if thats it they are simply digging their grave.

Dave_au · 15-09-2005, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buickman

Why did Tom Phillips stand down from CEO of Mitsubishi just as the 380 is going to be released. Bad timming or does it look like this Galant from the U.S if it does well I don't think it that great of a cosmetic appearance

He was going to resign on 1 November however the story was leaked to the media before hand, I have heard of health reasons being sighted. He always said he was there to launch the Magna replacement anyway.

MMAL now has a hot shot from Holden as CEO, goauto spoke quite highly of him.

As for those picks u put up - the lights are right but the nose will be different. Some of the US versions of it don't look too bad
http://autodeadline.com/detail?sourc...37733&mime=JPG

Des · 15-09-2005, 07:32 AM

From what I've heard they're going away from "that" nose. Some of the newer stuff has moved away from it, or sports a more subtle version.
Makes me wonder, why would you go to a plastic surgeon to get a bigger nose?

:

Hardtopxb · 15-09-2005, 01:02 PM

Looks a bit like a Zero to me ..hope they crash & burn..sorry for the workers if it does though.....

Citric GT · 15-09-2005, 01:28 PM

As ugly as that thing is I think that wishing Mitsubishi crash and burn is a bit stupid.

Hardtopxb · 15-09-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citric XR6

As ugly as that thing is I think that wishing Mitsubishi crash and burn is a bit stupid.

Why so do u drive one, just a stir mate.

Dave_au · 15-09-2005, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardtopxb

Why so do u drive one, just a stir mate.

It was a pretty silly comment none the less

Hardtopxb · 15-09-2005, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_au

It was a pretty silly comment none the less

Ok!! I apologise profusely.....

Dauphin · 15-09-2005, 02:17 PM

I am hoping they do changes to the whole nose, bonnet and make it all a bit less awkward. To me, it actually look quite cute in your red picture attachment above, but looking at it from lots of other angles it just looks like a big joke.

Sales wise, I think they're going to find it very tough up against the BF and new Commodore with the recent leaps in power, cabin noise, automatic transmission and general equipment lists. Then there's the front wheel drive thing.

I remember seeing a sneak peek of the new Camry and I think Toyota's car is a lot more sexier than the US Galant, even though it will only be offered as a 4 cylinder. Maybe Mitsubishi are banking on being the direct rival to the Toyota Avalon, both driving the front wheels and being 6 cylinders.

But I bet one thing that will be great is its interior. The last Magna had a build quality above all the other cars I tried at the motor show.

Anyway, we'll just have to see.

It's a shame the AFF Photoshop competition hasn't had a go at it.

Yaw · 15-09-2005, 04:16 PM

I personally can't wait to go and test drive the new 380 when it comes out.
I must say I test drove the Lastest Magna VRX in February and was most impressed with it. As for looks I don't mind the look at all.
I think if this car is all its being made out to be Ford and Holden have some worrying to do as front vs rear wheel drive is really not that big a factor in choosing a company (fleet) or family car which is where this model is aimed at, not being marketed towards the die hard perfomace car fans.

15-09-2005, 04:34 PM

I wonder if you'll still have to take the inlet manifold off to change the rear spark plugs?

Jamie XR6 · 15-09-2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaw

I think if this car is all its being made out to be Ford and Holden have some worrying to do as front vs rear wheel drive is really not that big a factor in choosing a company (fleet) or family car which is where this model is aimed at,

That's true, but resale is the biggest concern to fleet buyers. The Falcon and Commodore has poor resale but the Magna is even worse and that is what will stop them from buying this car.

Personnally, I liked the Magna, as ugly as it was. Even for FWD it's a nicer car to drive than the Falcon and Commodore, it is quieter and more refined. Unfortunately it was perceived as a shocker by the public from the troubles they had in the late 80's and they can't shake off that tag.

I hope it sells well, it's built here and we need a strong automotive industry, otherwise all our cars will be built overseas.

bathurst77 · 15-09-2005, 06:44 PM

Rented a Magna for a couple of weeks and thrashed it round tassie last year.
(my own private targa) I found it enjoyable to drive if i got under it.
Not as good as my BA tho...

Anyhoo the thing that gets me about what Ive seen of the 380 so far is the noticable "wedge shape" to the glass line, and subsequently small rear side windows.
They look so small and the kids might find it hard to see out

Citric GT · 15-09-2005, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardtopxb

Why so do u drive one, just a stir mate.

I used to have a TJ Sports and I regret selling that car a lot. The only reason I sold it at the time was to get my **** into a new BA and I have to say that in many ways it was a backwards step. The only thing that has me in a Falcon today is the rear wheel drive simply because its more fun. Apart from that the Magna I had was supioror to the BA in just about every other way...thats why I get a bit touchy on the subject!

EL_futuraistic · 15-09-2005, 07:25 PM

I think it will be very interesting. I have drive quite a few magna's and apart from there torque steer problem, the later model ones are a fairly nice vehicle to drive.

If that new 380 is indeed the Galant, i just dont think it will beat sales of Commodores and Falcons. Naming it the 380 i think was a mistake cause its clearly not a BM or Merc, but I think aussie's prefer Rear Wheel Drive. I think like the camry, the magna's provide a good alternative for Fleet buyers and i the jap cars tend to hold Resale better than Falcons and Commo's.

Hardtopxb · 15-09-2005, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citric XR6

I used to have a TJ Sports and I regret selling that car a lot. The only reason I sold it at the time was to get my **** into a new BA and I have to say that in many ways it was a backwards step. The only thing that has me in a Falcon today is the rear wheel drive simply because its more fun. Apart from that the Magna I had was supioror to the BA in just about every other way...thats why I get a bit touchy on the subject!

Fair enough CITRIC,

AU-MUSTD · 15-09-2005, 08:10 PM

Why cant mitsubihi design a car that doesnt look so awkward

buickman · 15-09-2005, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_au

He was going to resign on 1 November however the story was leaked to the media before hand, I have heard of health reasons being sighted. He always said he was there to launch the Magna replacement anyway.

MMAL now has a hot shot from Holden as CEO, goauto spoke quite highly of him.

As for those picks u put up - the lights are right but the nose will be different. Some of the US versions of it don't look too bad
http://autodeadline.com/detail?sourc...37733&mime=JPG

I wondered why he was resigning after putting in a lot effort & stress on himself to promote the out going TL magna with long warranties & the build up of the release of the 380.

If its like the US Galant I don't think it would threaten the Fords & Holdens in sales. The rear styling looks like a current Maxima. I even think the current Magna VRX in black lowered & larger diam wheels would look better than the US version

Well I hope Mitsubishi do well in the sales of the 380 for the sake of the Australian car industry & their employees.

buickman

Fairlane · 15-09-2005, 10:04 PM

I just dont understand Mitsubishi at times. Really all they have to do is make in RWD and they have a world beater. IF the TE-TL had of been RWD it would have been the new Valiant, but with quality to put Europeans to shame. Its just plain dumb; it cant be that hard, after all Holden turned the FWD Omega into the VT commo and look how many that sold.

12 · 16-09-2005, 09:18 PM

Saw 6 or 7 new Misubishi 380's driving down the freeway just near the Stud Road exit. They all had small car bras on the front headlight area and rear taillight area.

Steffo · 16-09-2005, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairlane

I just dont understand Mitsubishi at times. Really all they have to do is make in RWD and they have a world beater. IF the TE-TL had of been RWD it would have been the new Valiant, but with quality to put Europeans to shame. Its just plain dumb; it cant be that hard, after all Holden turned the FWD Omega into the VT commo and look how many that sold.

Quality to put Europeans to shame?

:

The Opel Omega upon which the Commodore is based, is RWD. Do you really think General Motors would go to the effort to re-engineer an FWD car for RWD, for a tiny market like ours? Not a chance.

fordchick · 16-09-2005, 09:49 PM

All i can hear in my head is the saying on the ads "better built better backed" damn advertising!! I don't drink beer either but that new "big ad" carlton draft one does wonders! LOL.

Falcon Freak · 16-09-2005, 10:08 PM

If you look at the pictures in today's Cars Guide of Melbourne's Herald-Sun you will see the frontal styling of the 380. It does not have the square headlights of the US Galant and it also loses the 'beak' from the middle of the grille. Don't be fooled by the black tape.

FF

Dauphin · 17-09-2005, 09:43 AM

I noticed that, too. Angular headlights instead of square ones.

Dave_au · 17-09-2005, 06:24 PM

Pics?