Hi guys and gals,

I hope this is the right section

I'm on the verge of buying a Magna (of course :)) when I came across this website.

I've been studying here for a 2 weeks now, but if you don’t mind, can I ask you all some questions before I buy this car?

This is the car I'm looking at:

Feb 03 TJII Magna Sports AWD
45000 KM’s
3 year / 175,000 KM warranty
$15000

I'm coming from a 98 VT Commodore, and I was surprised at how much smoother and refined the car was. :D

1)
When I took it for a test drive, the dealer had to jumpstart it. All the trip computer on the dashboard said was "4d" for the whole trip

What does that mean? What kind of useful information does it usually tell you? (Commodores tell you dist to empty, odo, trip, etc)

2)
How long should the auto normally take to engage reverse or drive? Moving P to R, or R to D seemed to take abnormally long to me (up to 5-10 seconds) What is a normal amount of time before the transmission engages?

My friend has a '92 TR? Executive, and he said it can sometimes take longer to engage when it's cold.

Thanks in advance for your help, fingers crossed it shall be mine by the end of next week :)

Cheers

Matt

yeh the awd does have about 3-4 seconds to engage from P to R and P to D

I wouldnt worry about the long engaging of gears, going by what you said , the computer was obviously reset as it had a flat battery. The 4D has to do with the resetting of the computer, once you click the mode button, you then select engine size, and then you'll have more trip computer functions then the vt commodore, 6 or 8 vs 10, but i stand to be corrected

The trans takes abit of time to re-learn everything, including engaging gears and shifting. Should take a few days of driving till it's all hunky doory

hey hope these answers help

1: It would have had an 3.5 displayed (unless AWD is Diff), hold the mode button down and then it will flash S, hold it down again and it will then have all the special functions, ODO, Trip comp, Av fuel usage, instant fuel usage and distance till empty.

2: It should def not take any more than about 1 - 2 sec MAX to engage gear AFAIK. Check this out but also wait till you get a response from an AWD owner on the forum they will know more im sure, as i own a Manual and have only driven a few auto magnas occasionally.

also the TR 92 and the AWD are completely diff cars mate and the TR's gearbox would be getting a bit shabby im sure :)

Cheers

Heath

Do it! They are fantastic cars. Since I got mine (not a sports, but I've changed most of the bits so its the same as a sports now). Great handling, on the road, in the dirt, in the snow!
Good Km's too, quite low for that car. Most AWD's are ex-rental, mine is, and has been fine so far.


1)
When I took it for a test drive, the dealer had to jumpstart it. All the trip computer on the dashboard said was "4d" for the whole trip

What does that mean? What kind of useful information does it usually tell you? (Commodores tell you dist to empty, odo, trip, etc)

2)
How long should the auto normally take to engage reverse or drive? Moving P to R, or R to D seemed to take abnormally long to me (up to 5-10 seconds) What is a normal amount of time before the transmission engages?


1) That means the battery's gone, and the trip computer has reset. The instruction manual tells you how to reset it. Its no issue. I can fill you in if need be

2) They all seem to take along time to engauge. Seems to be a property of the box. I took mine for a auto service (recommend you take it to Mitsu as soon as you buy it for an autoservice) as soon as I bought it. It didn't fix it, but it did run nicer. Its a good box, very smooth

Hmm, maybe they fixed it in the L/W series, mine definitely does not take that long. The
longest was 2 seconds. I usually shift from P to R as release the foot brake soon after with
no problems. It may mean that the auto trans just needs a service, especially if it hasn't
been driven for a long time.

I would say because the computers reset it's being extra careful with shifts.
If the battery is gone (sounds like it) make sure they replace it!

Hmm, maybe they fixed it in the L/W series, mine definitely does not take that long. The
longest was 2 seconds. I usually shift from P to R as release the foot brake soon after with
no problems. It may mean that the auto trans just needs a service, especially if it hasn't
been driven for a long time.
took mine back to Agostino mitsubishi (where I bought it-Nailsworth) was a warranty item. they said it was normal. They did a full service, didn't fix it either. It also rolls during that 1-3 sec that its changing. Got used to it now.

As good a car the AWD is, I recommend caution because for this particular one, it's failed badly on first impressions & realiability, i think that's why you're left the place with more questions than answers.

I think if you can take steps to minmise the risk the package is mechanically and electrically unsound then it's a good priced purchase.

My TL VRX AWD had slow engagement in the mornings. My dealer improved the engagement with an upgrade of the auto controller firmware.

The lifespan of a battery seems to be about 3 years, the battery may just have been at the end of its service life. Dealers seem to be very slack about batteries and keeping them charged while the cars are on the lot. I've seen a brand new car that they couldn't start because of a dead battery. Just make sure that they replace it with a new original equipment unit if you go ahead with the purchase.

Ken

As good a car the AWD is, I recommend caution because for this particular one, it's failed badly on first impressions & realiability, i think that's why you're left the place with more questions than answers.

I think if you can take steps to minmise the risk the package is mechanically and electrically unsound then it's a good priced purchase.

My Dad suggested getting an NRMA inspection, so I've booked it in for next Monday. The report they give you seems thorough enough. The dealership also said they would come to the table on any reasonable repairs, or refund my deposit.

I will also have the 3 year warranty too that should last 'til the car is almost 7 years old. :D

My biggest concern was the operation of the transmission, I just wanted to gauge what normal seems to be, and not have some impending failure on the horizon.

I would say because the computers reset it's being extra careful with shifts.
If the battery is gone (sounds like it) make sure they replace it!

I made sure to press the salesman to chuck in a new battery lol

I'd say it was on the original battery, as it had Mitsubishi Diamond something-er-other written on top.

I made sure to press the salesman to chuck in a new battery lol

I'd say it was on the original battery, as it had Mitsubishi Diamond something-er-other written on top.
Its a rebadged exide. Mine was gone by 3 years old (was an ex-rental though)

also the TR 92 and the AWD are completely diff cars mate and the TR's gearbox would be getting a bit shabby im sure :)

Cheers

Heath

The whole cars getting a bit shabby, he wont look after it, and at the moment it has a long trail of blue smoke following it everywhere. :D He has no idea when it comes to cars.

This guy put oil in a 80's Pajero, and kept putting oil in 'til it didn't disappear, I had to inform him about the function of the dipstick lol

I didn't see the car for a while after that, and when I did, it was blowing a LOT of smoke hahaha :badgrin:

yeh the awd does have about 3-4 seconds to engage from P to R and P to D


thats bull**** my awd shifts between r n d just as a normal car would with no delay..


the get them to put a new battery in it and take it for a decent test drive, and if the delay is still there instructions can be foud on this forum if you search...

what you have described seems normal for a awd thats been resting with a flat batt

awesome car. i'm really happy with mine. yeh i have no problems shifting either

Hey all,

The NRMA pre-purchase inspection report came today, and the car passed with a few minor problems:

1. Poor repair of paintwork on front bumper, crack in front bumper (knew that, will negotiate)
2. Aerial bent (will negotiate)
3. Wiper blades smearing (will negotiate)
4. Interior light inoperative (will negotiate)
5. Jack handle and wheel brace missing (will negotiate)
6. Hard to shift out of park

Also I noticed that the owners manual was missing. How much would one of those set me back?

Is the aerial on this car electric? I didn't think to look in the test drive.

With respect to the park problem, I noticed in the service manual that there is a cable from the shift lever to the brake pedal, could this be loose or stretched?

I did notice that it took some coaxing out of P some times.

When these problems get sorted out, I'll go and pay in full.

Cheers, and thanks for your help so far.

Matt

Hey all,

The NRMA pre-purchase inspection report came today, and the car passed with a few minor problems:

1. Poor repair of paintwork on front bumper, crack in front bumper (knew that, will negotiate)
2. Aerial bent (will negotiate)
3. Wiper blades smearing (will negotiate)
4. Interior light inoperative (will negotiate)
5. Jack handle and wheel brace missing (will negotiate)
6. Hard to shift out of park

Also I noticed that the owners manual was missing. How much would one of those set me back?

Is the aerial on this car electric? I didn't think to look in the test drive.

With respect to the park problem, I noticed in the service manual that there is a cable from the shift lever to the brake pedal, could this be loose or stretched?

I did notice that it took some coaxing out of P some times.

When these problems get sorted out, I'll go and pay in full.

Cheers, and thanks for your help so far.

Matt

yeh electric antenna. brake pedal needs to be pushed in order to move out of park(shift lock) sometimes i have to push the brake harder than other times usualy if i'm on a slope or something.

I'll confirm that I also need to push harder than usual on the brake to move from park, and this is on a TL, so it appears that's how they designed it.

Ken

I'll confirm that I also need to push harder than usual on the brake to move from park, and this is on a TL, so it appears that's how they designed it.

Ken

Yes, most if not all AWD/4WD with auto has a shift lock which only allows the driver to
shift out off P if the brake is fully depressed and even harder if on a slope. Its a safety
device required because all 4 wheels drive rather than just 2.

the 4d on the dash is because of the battery being flat a battery is a rwc item
when the battery is replaced hold the mode button down to get rid of the 4d it then will show 3.5 hold the mode button again to get rid of it.

the park problem is also a rwc item get them to adjust or fix it

get them to replace the battery and go for a good 20 min drive > to reset the auto
you should find the auto will enguage reverse smoothly after a good drive with the new battery, if if doesnt id say theres a auto problem.

wiper blades are also a rwc item

tell them to fix all the problems before you buy it. dont sign anything till your happy with it

Gidday,
Sorry to hi jack this ,but what would the VR AWD fuel economy be like around town and on the hi way?
Thanks,
Peter

Gidday,
Sorry to hi jack this ,but what would the VR AWD fuel economy be like around town and on the hi way?
Thanks,
Peter

i've got a tj awd and i'm guessing it'd be similar. i get like 9-11 on highway depends how much i speed. and like 12-14 in city traffic again depending on if i fly off the line at lights and stuff.

Gidday,
Sorry to hi jack this ,but what would the VR AWD fuel economy be like around town and on the hi way?
Thanks,
Peter

Depends on how hard you drive. I drive very conservatively and get the following:

hwy = 8.5l/100km
but with cruise control on highway = 12.7
town = 14
av. = between 10.4 to 11.7.

just in addition to above post, i think it depends on what town you live in.... i get under 10L/100 hwy even s/c'd and around town, well that's funy cos urban not stop start city but crusing the suburbs kinda driving and occasional heave traffic gets me 14L/100 and heavy city around 18+ depending on how you use the throttle (i use it lots :badgrin: thats why its heavy on the fuel)

at 110 on high way the best i get is around 5.5lt per 100km

^ haha nice one lol

at 110 on high way the best i get is around 5.5lt per 100km

lol for about 2 seconds whilst heading downhill with a tail wind.....

lol for about 2 seconds whilst heading downhill with a tail wind.....


lol nop for real on a flat road

at 100kmh its around 8 at 110 it drops to 5.5

lol nop for real on a flat road

at 100kmh its around 8 at 110 it drops to 5.5

I assume its not an AWD :) If it is, its a freak!

lol nop for real on a flat road

at 100kmh its around 8 at 110 it drops to 5.5


I'm thinking BS, Mate i have never heard of a magna getting fuel consumption figures that low, have you taken out 3 cylinders or something? :doubt:

i also get better economy at higher speeds than 100km/h :nuts:

according to the trip computer the instant fuel usage at 110-130 it uses less than it does at 100km/h :nuts:

and it's also alot quieter than at 100km/h lol

it's been on around 6-7instant but as soon as you look at the accelerator its up to 10L again...

maybe he's got one of them diesel magnas lol

its not a stock motor ive made a few adjustments

^:bowrofl: , mind telling us what they are?

na ill only get flamed like i did last time

Ok seeing as fuel economy was well answered and I am going for a little drive tonight I will see how ours goes. It is 400 kilometers there and back.

Now how do you change the trip meter etc?
I have yet to get the owners book:nuts:

Cheers,
Peter

Ok seeing as fuel economy was well answered and I am going for a little drive tonight I will see how ours goes. It is 400 kilometers there and back.

Now how do you change the trip meter etc?
I have yet to get the owners book:nuts:

Cheers,
Peter


Hold down the mode button (above the up and down for the speed alert) and it will reset your trip computer.

its not a stock motor ive made a few adjustments
Mate, if you can tell me how to do that, you won't get flamed that is for sure!

Hold down the mode button (above the up and down for the speed alert) and it will reset your trip computer.
Ok thanks for that. When I fill up the tank I shall do that. Then see how the economy is on this.
Cheers,
Peter

Ok seeing as fuel economy was well answered and I am going for a little drive tonight I will see how ours goes. It is 400 kilometers there and back.

Now how do you change the trip meter etc?
I have yet to get the owners book:nuts:

Cheers,
Peter

You can cycle through the 11 different info displays by pressing the mode button. Pressing
the up/down arrows beneath the mode button changes the overspeed warning speed.
Pressing and holding the mode button for two seconds or so and the trip will reset, that is,
average usage, trip distance etc.

@danthevrxman all i can say is thankyou... I have just had mishap with my 05 Verada AWD with 4d displayed on the dash. Not knowing what it was i found this page and your comment about it. Now i can tell my mechanic and replace the flat battery as well : )

Thread mine! lol

Honestly I'd be reconsidering my choice of mechanic if they couldn't work that out, given all modern day cars have computers which generally need setting to an extent when the power is disconnected. Could just be an old school mechanic though I guess.

Thread mine! lol
This ^^