About to buy first Magna, have 15 to 20K max to spend, whats the best value for buck,
took a 03 executive for a drive at 18k with 33km's, then had a go in a 02 i think, AWD for 21K it had 45km's.
Do the AWD have hidden prolbems with the rear wheel drive train? fuel economy same as a FWD?. any added maintence costs.
Are the AWD


thanks for the quick replies but have more questions see newer thread

hi 91,
(that makes me feel like maxwell smart for some reason)

AWD has nil known probs with rear drivetrain/AWD (but there is supposed to be issues with fitting larger rims to the rear if u want aftermarket mags etc).

A little bit higher fuel use (and the car weighs a lil more)... but bugger all.
No added maintanence costs as far as we've seen.

now for the good stuff... imho... AWD is lots better, never slips in wet, no wheel spin, goes much better around corners... lots extra traction... etc etc.

Both FWD & AWD are good... AWD costs a lil more... but if u can, then go the AWD imo.

PLUS the base AWD came with extras that a lot of 2wd's didnt... parabolic headlights (much better), much bigger brakes, alloy wheels, power windows, extra airbag, more interior lights, leather steering wheel, rear sway bar, etc etc...

See here for more info... http://www.mynrma.com.au/magna-awd_mitmagawd.asp

WSDsmurf (TJ2/03 Sports AWD).

Cant speak for "hidden problems", or "fuel economy". I would assume that the major services are slightly dearer.

The only warning I would give someone considering buying a 2002 AWD is this.... think very carefully about it if you like the idea of fitting larger wheels in the future.

Can't recall the exact details - but I think that because of the steering knuckles in the AWD - the you can't fit a 7" wide wheel to it (or something). Like I said - cant remember exactly, but basically - the largest diameter wheel you will be able to get for a 2002 AWD without having them custom made is 16" (i'm pretty sure that's right - someone will correct me if i'm wrong)

Other than that - a greater percentage of power is lost at the wheels with an AWD, but most people who own one will tell you that the extra traction more than compensates for this.

Cant speak for "hidden problems", or "fuel economy".
Other than that - a greater percentage of power is lost at the wheels with an AWD, but most people who own one will tell you that the extra traction more than compensates for this.
Hidden Problems - Responds extremly well to modifications.
Fuel Economy - Will get about 11.5 L/100km about 0.5 above a FWD.
Power lost at the wheels - That is because it is all put to the ground instead of spinning rubber. If you want to do donuts, it will be extremely difficult, if you want to beat Ralliarts (and every other magna) to 80kmh then its easy, you don't even have to load up the auto, you just tramp it and it goes no Ralliart can put their extra 20kw to the ground fast enough to catch you and when you need to stop, you are lighter and have the same brakes.

Go the AWD mate you are getting it $10k chaeper than I bought mine but I still love it. Trouble is you will want to do stuff to it. The mods are really cheap and the only let down for me now is the tyres move under the car cause its just to good at racing.

A quick comment on fuel economy. Last month, in a 2003 Verada AWD, did a run from Melbourne to Sydney and return with a fuel econmy of 10l/100km sitting at or just above the posted speed limits. City running in Melbourne is returning approx 11l/100km (figures from trip computer).

Roble

Hidden Problems - Responds extremly well to modifications.
Fuel Economy - Will get about 11.5 L/100km about 0.5 above a FWD.
Power lost at the wheels - That is because it is all put to the ground instead of spinning rubber. If you want to do donuts, it will be extremely difficult, if you want to beat Ralliarts (and every other magna) to 80kmh then its easy, you don't even have to load up the auto, you just tramp it and it goes no Ralliart can put their extra 20kw to the ground fast enough to catch you and when you need to stop, you are lighter and have the same brakes.

Go the AWD mate you are getting it $10k chaeper than I bought mine but I still love it. Trouble is you will want to do stuff to it. The mods are really cheap and the only let down for me now is the tyres move under the car cause its just to good at racing.

All things being equal in terms of engine and power available at the crankshaft, then a FWD or RWD will have slightly more power available at the wheels. Its all to do with losses throught the drive train. Put simply an AWD set up looses more power in its drive train and therefore has less to deliver to the wheels. Stating that, does not mean that an AWD set up is in anyway inferior. Under accelearation there is less chance of wheelspin as the available torque is now proportioned through 4 wheels instead of two. Leading to quicker acceleration up to a point, as less time is wasted in wheelspin or having to applly power more conservativley to avoid wheelspin. As I said up to a point, once you are moving and wheelspin is no longer an issue. those kilowatts that are lost in the AWD drivetrain are available to the FWD car enabling in theory a higher top speed and quicker accelaration while on the move. Remember this is with all things being equal. Same engine, power, transmission, aerodynamics, tyres etc.
There is a common misconception that AWD offers greater grip. This is not the case. The coeffecient of friction between your rubber and the road is completely independent of which wheels or how many are driven. What AWD can do is give better balance between typical FWD understeer and RWD oversteer.
If I had the choice between and AWD magna and a FWD I would choose AWD as the pros far out weight the cons.

Nigel

Definetly go the AWD...BUT AN AWD SPORTS

For 21k and 45000km i expect it to be a sports AWD

otherwise shop around....they are always going down.

Compared to a FWD, only the Ralliart would be a more viable option, but then again it would be up to personal prefernence.

if you want to beat Ralliarts (and every other magna) to 80kmh then its easy, you don't even have to load up the auto, you just tramp it and it goes no Ralliart can put their extra 20kw to the ground fast enough to catch you and when you need to stop, you are lighter and have the same brakes.



Sounds like a challenge to me :D

.

well reallyart... my AWDsports is in canberra...i'll give u a run for ur money up to 60 :)
(make it uphill up Mt Ainslie in the rain... and u'll be coughing in my dust :P)

WSDfastAWD :)

Go AWD, the only thing that would make it a better car is if it had a 5 or 6 speed manual.