So everyone says how crap these cars are

But are they really that bad?
I've had mine which I bought as a run around for over 3000km now and it's fine. Starts instantly as I turn the key without any issues
Only issue is it is gutless and runs rich, which I assume is a carbie issue

Car is almost at 300,000km but still runs smooth

So, are these as bad as they're made out to be?

Hi, they are good cars, if people have trouble, it's usually because of lack of proper servicing :)

I had a 90 for my first car, only thing i had a prob with it it got like 250-300km from a full tank of about 50 litres.

I have a 90 Magna TP that's been run for over 3000k so far since I've had it, and it still goes strong. As long as they are serviced - they will just chug along happily with no problems :D

Only thing that annoys me is that every little problem I fix, usually another problem will then present itself straight after... so it's like ongoing maintenance :P

Power of a 4 with the fuel economy of a 6

But the fuel economy is a carbie issue isn't it?
If it's overhauled they become good I thought?

I get 350 from a tank if I take it really easy
But there is no point in giving it more as it doesn't go any quicker. Runs rich I thought

i had efi and it got 350+ and i dont drive all that easy

get the carby looked at and tuned, its not expensive and will make a big difference, go see a good mechanic!

But the fuel economy is a carbie issue isn't it?
If it's overhauled they become good I thought?

I get 350 from a tank if I take it really easy
But there is no point in giving it more as it doesn't go any quicker. Runs rich I thought

i have my stocko carby and i get 400ish to a tank and thats with cam, extractors... and well i dont exactly drive like a granny... every time i drive is guarenteed a N -> D.

I currently average about 450km/tank with my TP EFI, and it's nearly the same no matter how I drive it! I can absolutely floor it everywhere, and it maybe make about 435km vs 450km driving it easy. That's mainly on suburban roads and city driving too. Only mods i've really done on it is roller cams, blue injectors, k&n air filter... everything else is stock.

I do plan to get the carbie looked at
Cuz it has no power either
On most hills it can keep speed if I downshift to 4th but if I need to start on a long hill, I rarely reach 80km/h

I've got a carbie TP and had the same problem. Replace the thermostat (about $12) and you'll probably have it sorted. If the thermostat is dead or not closing properly the engine runs too cool (particularly at high speed) and the automatic choke stays on, so the engine gets too much fuel and not enough air all the time which explains crap efficiency and no power. The temp guage should never drop below half way once its warmed up (after about 5 mins). Try that first, it's a lot cheaper than a carby rebuild. I get a bit over 500k's to a tank now, and I can stay in 5th at 110km/h up hills with the aircon on no problems.

TP magnas are fine cars, the problem they have is that they're old and not worth much so nobody services them properly. My car has been family owned for the last 10 years, taught two learner drivers, suffered a lead foot P-plater (me), and been thoroughly neglected, and it's still chugging along for 700k's a week. Nothing that's gone wrong with it has been particularly difficult or expensive to fix, they're pretty well designed and very easy to work on.

My temp gauge though reads about half way once warmed up
Still thermostat you think?

Also, heater doesn't work, and air con either, but it has gas and pump actually goes, just no cool air (basically I can't control the temp at all)

Otherwise yeah, mine too, hasn't really missed a beat and close to 300,000km on it

Still try the thermostat, it's not expensive and i'm pretty sure that's whats causing the problem, especially if it hasn't been replaced in a few years.

Not sure i can help you on the heater, I haven't had to fix mine yet! Could be a dead valve or a broken temp control switch...