Hi people,

I am looking at buying a Magna, something around the 97-99 model Solara or Altera.

Any pros and cons, what to look out for? common faults? What would be better? Are they any good to tow with(towing a jetski)???

ANY help would be much appriciated.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but would like to know as much as possible before i buy one?

Thanks

Sam

for starters the auto gearboxes aren't the best, so even more then usual, aim for the manual. its a front wheel drive car so towing isn't its forte, how much weight do you want to pull?

for starters the auto gearboxes aren't the best, so even more then usual, aim for the manual. its a front wheel drive car so towing isn't its forte, how much weight do you want to pull?

Thanks for the response, um not towing much, like i said just a jetski, which are around 400kgs....

Yeah i test drove a 97 altera and when i slamed the brakes on and come to a complete stop and accelerated straight away the gearbox slipped for a bit. Not much just a sec or two..

Yeah i am looking for auto as i cant be stuffed driving manual everyday, been doing it for 5 years now and want an auto?


What else should i look out for..

Again thanks for your help.

97-99 models should be around 100K's plus..
so make sure the major service (95000k) is done and timing belt is changed...

make sure theres no noise coming from the front wheels when driving...

check vibrations when going over 100km/h...

check window seals.. and listen to see if theres air noises while driving...

well another welcome member to the 3rd gen club.....

If your set on and auto.... try looking for a sports or a vrx.. benefit there is the autos are stronger as they are tiptronic (sports mode).... I have one myself, tow all the time and it has never slipped at all.... Also when you service the auto you should make sure you add some additive to help prolong the life of your auto as most of the used cars will have been driven pretty hard.

Also with the sports youll get all the altera/advance and solara features and a few more.

Im only a post away if you wanna know more about vrx/sports models...

They also look kewl :cool: :cool: :cool:

Thanks for the replys guys, yeah im pretty set on an auto.

I do any 97-98 models come out with dual airbags?? I have seen the 99's with them.

So thats the only common problem with the magna's in that year, the autos are the weakest link, apart from that anything else that usually goes wrong with them?


Cheers

Me should be selling my car closer to middle of this year ..... its a 97 Altera with a tow bar. Fully serviced by dealer ALL its life with timeing belt replaced. Power windows and mirrors 3L Auto V6. Fully rock stock except for the headunit which has been replaced with a kickass mp3 player unit. No problems whatsoever even has some warrenty leftover incase anything decides to act up. Interested ? PM meeeee ................. p.s. I'm in brisbane ......

in regards to the airbag Q, my Advance, '98 has dual airbags, dunno about the 97's but i dont see why not. Also we have towed some pretty heavy loads with no issues.

for starters the auto gearboxes aren't the best, so even more then usual, aim for the manual. its a front wheel drive car so towing isn't its forte, how much weight do you want to pull?

yeah, another thing, if u do get a manual, be sure to check for clutch slipping in the higher gears for cars between 140-200 000kms. This is usually a sign that the clutch will need replacing some time in the near future.
I have seen several ppl replace them, and i have recently too - and ince the 3rd gen magnas of 96 /7 on were the first to be fitted with the pull type clutches. :D :D Not cheap to replace.

All Magna's don't have very good Auto gearbox's!! All of our Magna's we have been bought brand new, back from 1990, I personally never had any probs, but I used to hear alot of horror stories about the Magna / Verada range, especially the TR-TS KR-KS - TE Magna's! I lost count at the ammount of recall letters I used to get from Mitsubishi Motors recalling all there cars, majority the TR-TS KR-KS, mostly engine and Transmission failure!

You can buy my car if you want? I'm selling my TJ II soon, Only done 21,000km. And my TS ive still got, only done 89,000km. Buying a XR6 or a Honda.. Need a change of breed..!

All Magna's don't have very good Auto gearbox's!! All of my Magna's have been bought brand new, back from 1990, I personally never had any probs, but I used to hear alot of horror stories about the Magna / Verada range, especially the TR-TS KR-KS - TE Magna's! I lost count at the ammount of recall letters I used to get from Mitsubishi Motors recalling all there cars, majority the TR-TS KR-KS, mostly engine and Transmission failure!

You can buy my car if you want? I'm selling my TJ II soon, Only done 21,000km. And my TS ive still got, only done 89,000km. Buying a XR6 or a Honda.. Need a change of breed..!

You profile says you're born in 1979. Does this mean you were 11 when you bought your first Magna in 1990 or have I missed something?

TS Magnas were last available in 1996. Does this mean you bought one brand new as a 16 year old?

Me should be selling my car closer to middle of this year ..... its a 97 Altera with a tow bar. Fully serviced by dealer ALL its life with timeing belt replaced. Power windows and mirrors 3L Auto V6. Fully rock stock except for the headunit which has been replaced with a kickass mp3 player unit. No problems whatsoever even has some warrenty leftover incase anything decides to act up. Interested ? PM meeeee ................. p.s. I'm in brisbane ......

Sounds good mate, but im in Melb and would prefer something from here...

If anyone has something around that 97-99 model, Solara/Altera for sale in Melb let us know..

Thanks for all your help guys, seems like they are a good car, just the autos are a little dodgy, might have to get one from a car yard with warrenty...

You profile says you're born in 1979. Does this mean you were 11 when you bought your first Magna in 1990 or have I missed something?

TS Magnas were last available in 1996. Does this mean you bought one brand new as a 16 year old?

Geez I stuffed that one up lol..! Yeah I was 17 when I bought my TS brand new in 1996! Folks owned 2 TR-KR in the early 90's, they had quite a bit of probs with there's, along with alot of other ppl. I was prolly the lucky one! But then again you can get that in all breed of cars! The company I work for I handle fleet management, we have had Commodores and TL Magna's sent back with gearbox failure, it happens, thats life!