I have spent today looking at cars. I drove two Liberties, and then went to Mitsubishi, after a Magna runout. I was greeted with the biggest eye opener in NSW. I had a budget, and I still intend to stick to it, however the car that I looked at made me think seriously about a Magna for the first time in a long while.

The car is a 2003 TL VRx Special Edition. I have no idea about special edition, however apparently, it means leather. It also is an AWD, and a Manual. I had a look under the rear of that car, and two other 'AWD' Magnas, and also a Verada GTVi, however I could NOT see a rear differential, or any form of Drive Shaft in any of the Magna/Veradas. This leads me to ask, 1) What is "Special Edition 2) Can you get an AWD in a Manual, and 3) How does the Magna AWD system work? I know that the Subaru AWD works with drive shafts and differentials, however as I have said, they were no where to be seen.

Your help could sway me to buy a Magna, or a Liberty, however the Liberty is an Auto, and I am not too crash hot on the Auto gearbox.

I have spent today looking at cars. I drove two Liberties, and then went to Mitsubishi, after a Magna runout. I was greeted with the biggest eye opener in NSW. I had a budget, and I still intend to stick to it, however the car that I looked at made me think seriously about a Magna for the first time in a long while.

The car is a 2003 TL VRx Special Edition. I have no idea about special edition, however apparently, it means leather. It also is an AWD, and a Manual. I had a look under the rear of that car, and two other 'AWD' Magnas, and also a Verada GTVi, however I could NOT see a rear differential, or any form of Drive Shaft in any of the Magna/Veradas. This leads me to ask, 1) What is "Special Edition 2) Can you get an AWD in a Manual, and 3) How does the Magna AWD system work? I know that the Subaru AWD works with drive shafts and differentials, however as I have said, they were no where to be seen.

Your help could sway me to buy a Magna, or a Liberty, however the Liberty is an Auto, and I am not too crash hot on the Auto gearbox.


It woudlnt have been an AWD, no AWD magna's came with a manual, none, zip, finite. They where 5 speed auto only so if the salesman told you it was an AWD then tell him to pull the other one! Basically unless you see a differential and driveshafts, then its not an AWD.

The special edition was just a few extra features, i think it was leather and sunroof? i dunno there may have been more but i doubt it.

So if you want an AWD magna, you have to settle for an auto, however a FWD manual VRX is certainly worth a drive! very fun cars to drive despite the fact its not AWD!

Whilst I love my Ralliart, i've always wanted a Subaru Liberty B4.

Whilst I love my Ralliart, i've always wanted a Subaru Liberty B4.

I heard the B4s are absolute dogbox on a hot day. underbonnet temps soar and hence lose shi%load of power!

I heard the B4s are absolute dogbox on a hot day. underbonnet temps soar and hence lose shi%load of power!

Front mount intercooler fixes that, i fitted one to my 1998 legacy GT when i owned it.

Ok, well that doesn't ruin it for me, however I was hoping the car would be an AWD, just to warrant competition to the Liberty. I will drive the car tomorrow, and see how well it goes. I would imagine it would go rather well. Just to put a dampener on the situation, I was looking at an 2000 Liberty Heritage, not a brand new Liberty Twin turbo, otherwise I would be looking at a 380, not a Magna.

How well do the VR-X's drive? I was interested when the salesman told me to ignore the price, and now, I am seriously considering buying the Magna. The best part, and possibly the deal clincher, is that the car us under warranty until 2010. I will write a reply after the drive tomorrow with my thoughts.

I prefer Subaru Liberty's over Magnas brand new. 2nd hand, however, I would prefer a Magna because they are better value for money. 2nd Hand Liberties are still quite expensive. Assuming your budget is just over $20,000, I would recommend looking at an 02 BA XR6. The 2002 model BA XR6 Falcons can be had for around $23,000 or even less these days. There are even a few BA XR6 Turbos with 30,000kms on em for $25,000 at carsales.com.au In my opinion AWD is a bit overrated. It significantly increases the weight of the vehicle and therefore your fuel consumption and straight line performance. As it's a more complicated driveline, it often means increases in repairs and maintenance. Most Rear-wheel drives handle quite well especially for example an BA XR6 Falcon, plus RWD gives you the option of having some fun when you want :P

What you should also take into consideration (and I hope it doesn't happen), but based on quite a lot of negative criticism on the 380, the 5 year factory warranties on Mitsubishis will become null and void, along with the resale vales of any Mitsubishis if they do happen to go bankrupt.

I bought a 2003 TL VR-X, with 17,000 on the clock, for $25,000. It has never been owned by a private party (was a demonstrator in Adelaide), with Leather, Momo wheel, and full Warranty. It is white, Manual, and the "Special Edition" version. I can not have found a better deal (Liberty or Magna) so I am very happy with my purchase. I take delivery on Thursday, and will posy thoughts on the car when I take delivery;.

Well done! I went through a similar thing and came up with a similar answer. Now lower it, just kings lows will do fine.

What you should also take into consideration (and I hope it doesn't happen), but based on quite a lot of negative criticism on the 380, the 5 year factory warranties on Mitsubishis will become null and void, along with the resale vales of any Mitsubishis if they do happen to go bankrupt.

what a crock of 5hit the worst that will happen is that mitsu stops making cars here like nissan and import all cars. but nissans still around honouring warrantys. you saying the 380 will kill them globally I dont think so. mitsus part owned by chrysler as if they will go bust.

What you should also take into consideration (and I hope it doesn't happen), but based on quite a lot of negative criticism on the 380, the 5 year factory warranties on Mitsubishis will become null and void, along with the resale vales of any Mitsubishis if they do happen to go bankrupt.
Misinformation like this is what stuffs companies. IF, and it is a bif if, the 380 is a flop then Mitsubishi will simply become an importer. When Seat pulled out of Australia VW continued to look after parts and warranty, as is Holden with Daewoo. Warranties are protected by federal law, some one will honour it.

The 380 appears to be selling rather well. My Dealer told me that they have been selling about ten a week since it went on the market, with a spread across the model range. They are really happy that Mitsu is on with a winner. The only problem with this, is a delay in the delivery of my Magna. It arrived on Monday instead of Friday, which, is not really a problem. I will post some pictures on Monday (I know, it is a Magna, seen one, you have seen them all).

Looks like I might have to join the Magna Club.

Just to put a dampener on the situation, I was looking at an 2000 Liberty Heritage, not a brand new Liberty Twin turbo, otherwise I would be looking at a 380, not a Magna.

Liberty GTs are single turbo.

Liberty GTs are single turbo.

and the heritage doesn't have any turbos

Liberty GTs are single turbo.


The B4 is Twin Sequential turbos buddy.

I was replying to a post above. I was not implying that the Heritage is a Twin Turbo. Not at all. I was saying that if I had the money, I would look at a 380 VRX instead of a Liberty "Turbo", regardless of the number of TurboChargers. Please, lets not get into an argument. I bought a TL Magna. It gets 'got' tomorrow, and I can't wait. It will be my first Mitsu, and depending on how well it goes, it won't be my last.