I'm looking at buying a late 2003 TL Magna LS with 35k on the clock. It looks pristine, apart from a small scratch on the door (probably a supermarket carpark accident). The dealer is asking $16,990, which I think is a little high. I'm hoping to get down to $15k.

My understanding is that the LS has body colour mirrors, 15" mag wheels and traction control. Not a lot extra for an extra $4k when new! Did it have anything other than these three extras over the base model ES?

Also, what are some common problems with the TL that I should look for? I think it probably has about 8-9 months factory warranty left, so I'd like everything sorted out now.

Are there any "lemon" TLs out there? Would like to hear your comments and thoughts on this model.

Cheers.

Hi mate,

you do realize the LS is the AWD version dont you?

I've had our 2003 TL ES for 6 months now, no probs at all, very nice cars for the $

And yes hold out for 15k :D

i have an ES and have had my shear of trouble, but all good now.

Make sure the power seat doesn't have slack in it and the rear window does not rattle.

Other then that theya re all good

Bender, the LS was only AWD in the later TW model (i.e. the ones with the "series II" badge on the back). That's my understanding... can someone confirm?

Hi mate,

you do realize the LS is the AWD version dont you?

I've had our 2003 TL ES for 6 months now, no probs at all, very nice cars for the $

And yes hold out for 15k :D
Yep, the TW LS was AWD only!

Yep, the TW LS was AWD only!

gekko was lookin at a TL.....

so as I said the TL LS was AWD only, hence the 4 grand price over the ES gekko mentioned.

Whats a TW?

According to my google search, both the TL LS and TW LS came with AWD. :confused:

I believe TW is simply a series 2 TL, but given a different model designation. Whereas the one model designation was retained for the series 1 & 2 TJ. I could be, and most likely will be, wrong though. lol

According to my google search, both the TL LS and TW LS came with AWD. :confused:

I believe TW is simply a series 2 TL, but given a different model designation. Whereas the one model designation was retained for the series 1 & 2 TJ. I could be, and most likely will be, wrong though. lol

cool, so my first reply to gekko still stands. He was looking at a AWD and that was the main difference between it and the base model ES.

Hmmm... I'm confused. I was sure the TL LS was not an AWD (although it could be specified as an option). Too many acronyms! :D

According to the dealer, the car is FWD, not AWD.

I will continue investigations. If it's AWD, I'm in like a shot!

Nah the LS is AWD (in sedan anyway)

When i bought my tl es at auction a awd tl sold for $500 bucks more than mine, (i didn't want an awd or I would have got that one)

Where mine has 3.5 badges on front fenders the LS has AWD badges.

I wouldn' be suprised if the car yard had it wrong.... lol , or they took out the rear diff :badgrin: :badgrin:

Theres one definate way to tell - no points for guesssing how!

Common probs?

See my sig (below).

Ok, here is a very detailed article listing the changes made to the TW over the TL.

The TL and TW LS were available in 2wd and 4wd.

http://autoweb.drive.com.au/cms/A_102909/newsarticle.html

Ok, here is a very detailed article listing the changes made to the TW over the TL.

The TL and TW LS were available in 2wd and 4wd.

http://autoweb.drive.com.au/cms/A_102909/newsarticle.html

Thanks for that info. So you can get a LS fwd but only in a wagon. ie they dont do AWD wagons.

Gekko where you looking at a wagon????

Thanks for that info. So you can get a LS fwd but only in a wagon. ie they dont do AWD wagons.

Gekko where you looking at a wagon????

The article states that the LS Sedan 2WD version has been deleted from the range, which indicates that they must have existed.

Gekko claims this car is a 2003 model, therefore it predates the TW / TL series two 'upgrade'.

Seems pretty simple to me.

The article states that the LS Sedan 2WD version has been deleted from the range, which indicates that they must have existed.

Gekko claims this car is a 2003 model, therefore it predates the TW / TL series two 'upgrade'.

Seems pretty simple to me.

Why?? the TL is a 2003 he didn't say he was looking at a series two upgrade (tw) did he?

Redbook has a complete list of all the different models.

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/vehicle/vehicles.php?make=MITS&family=PSMAGNA&year=20036

2003/4 TL LS sedans are FWD only.

2004/5 TW LS sedans are AWD only.

2003/4/5 TL & TW wagons are FWD only.

Cheers... that makes sense. Also, thanks for the article, it clarifies a lot of stuff.

Redbook has a complete list of all the different models.

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/vehicle/vehicles.php?make=MITS&family=PSMAGNA&year=20036

2003/4 TL LS sedans are FWD only.

2004/5 TW LS sedans are AWD only.

2003/4/5 TL & TW wagons are FWD only.

well done, that clarifies it nicely :bowrofl:

I Have A 03 Tl Ls

Tract Contorl
Color Code Mirrors
Tweeters
I Think Trim Is Different
Has A Ls Not Es Badge

They Seling Them For 16000 With 2000 Trade

Hey Magnus, where are you from? I haven't managed to see one for $16k yet :)

qld

can get you a tl es for about 15000 with min 2k trade in
the ls is 1k more