PDA

View Full Version : Buying a magna wagon?



Andre
14-03-2007, 07:41 AM
Hi Magna people,

I am toying with the idea of becoming one of your bretheren... I am looking at a 95 Magna wagon (auto - 2.6L) ith about 130,000 onthe clock. I have noticed Magnas are very cheap on the second hand market so I have a couple of questions?

I really like the look and feel of the Magna - but what is the catch? why are they so cheap?

I have heard that it is because they have a poor reputation for reliability? is this a real issue? what can I do to check out if the one I am looking at is a lemon?

I am also wanting to convert it to gas with a doughnut tank in the spare wheel bay.. has anyone had any major problems with this?

So I am asking this forum for your collective advice. Can you help me to know if I'm getting a good deal?

Thanks Andre.

MagnaAussie
14-03-2007, 09:31 AM
Check for timing chain rattle in the engine bay if it rattles you can use this to get the car cheaper that way it will cover the cost if having it professinally replaced.

You also want to nake sure the auto changes properly and check for servicing stickers they should be serviced once a year.

Check the engine mounts for wear as they will need replacing once you buy it.

Check for smoke there should be no smoke at all.

Also check for rust around the windows and front guards.

There cheap because if the stigmater of the timing chain there due for replacing around 200 thou K's some are due alot early then they should be becuase of the drivers driving habbits and it will cost you from $500 onwards depending who you go to to get it fixed.

woftam66
14-03-2007, 11:16 AM
Andre,

I was in exactly your postion a few months ago when looking for a car for my daughter.

I bought a TR SE sedan 2.6 Auto and 5000klms later I think it is simply the sweetest car and the best value for money of any car I have purchased (and there have been lots!)

Yes auto's need regular servicing with the right fluid... but Falcons go through autos as well! Show me any modern electronic 4 speed auto that does not need TLC!

And yes timing chains wear... but then most OHC engines need an expensive timing belt change every 60000 klms....

The bottom line is you are getting a lot of car for the money and what you save by not buying a Camry or Foulcan or Dunnydore you can spend on the normal TLC that any second hand car would probably need.

Dollar for dollar they are safer in crash tests than cars of the same vintage, ride better and handle / stop well with tons of interior room and parts are plentiful and cheap.

I wouldn't waste the $$$'s on a gas conversion unless you do 400000 + klms per year and if you do then buy a V6 and convert that don't bother with the 4cyl... which are no more economical than the 6 by the way! There are plenty of TR / TS V6's around for not much more than a 4cyl and would be a much better conversion proposition.

So if it has to be gas then make it a V6, give the auto a very good flush and service, have the Throttle Postion switch reset, check the idle speed control motor for operation, change all the fluids and maybe the 02 and collent temp sensors and for not a lot more than $3k you should have a great car!

Good luck with it...

Andre
14-03-2007, 03:03 PM
Thanks for the advice guys this is exactly what I need. I can't go by the price and styling of the Magna. Only a subaru liberty would distract me but the price range on those things just isnt worth it.

I am keen on the 2.6 L model as the one i am looking at comes with a three year waranty.. so I am hoping an timing belt issues woudl be covered but cant imagine it would be.

So if I hear a ticking from the head - this will tell me if the timing belt needs attention?

Does the V6 really acheive the same economy? I guess that might be the case - i'll look around but as i said i get a warranty on the 2.6 one I am looking at.

I am keen to do the gas conversion for environmental reasons as well as economic ones . I have done the sums and with the rebate, the job will leave me only 1000 out of pocket (i got quoted 3k for the conversion with a tank in the spare wheel well)- I do 25000 ks a year so this will pay off in under a year.. by my calculations.

has anyone actually running a 2.6 L on Gas? what is the experience and power loss?

How can I test the Auto Transmission?

What can I expect in terms of real world fuel economy - L/100km?

Cheers

Andre.

MagnaAussie
14-03-2007, 03:25 PM
I am keen on the 2.6 L model as the one i am looking at comes with a three year waranty.. so I am hoping an timing belt issues woudl be covered but cant imagine it would be. :-Don't think it will be and even if it was they won't use new parts car yards make it cheap as possible to make repairs and personally I never go back once I purchase the car unless the engine blew up.

So if I hear a ticking from the head - this will tell me if the timing belt needs attention? :- no thought we were talking about a 2.6 4cyclinder engine they have a timing chain set the V6 has a timing belt you would just need to find out when it was last changed if you can't find out then replace asap when you buy it.

I am keen to do the gas conversion for environmental reasons as well as economic ones . I have done the sums and with the rebate, the job will leave me only 1000 out of pocket (i got quoted 3k for the conversion with a tank in the spare wheel well)- I do 25000 ks a year so this will pay off in under a year.. by my calculations. :- plus were and tare on the engine that gas causes.

has anyone actually running a 2.6 L on Gas? what is the experience and power loss? :- alot of power loss feels like it has no power and I feel you shold stay away from gas as they need constat servicing and if you get a cheap one then it's worse.

How can I test the Auto Transmission? :- Thereshould be no delays in gear change and the 2 buttons should work as well.

woftam66
14-03-2007, 05:40 PM
Andre,

I agree with MagnaAusie ... most aftermarket warranty's on older used cars are not worth the paper they are printed on... if this is the influencing factor then make sure you get a copy of the warranty and ALL the terms and conditions and you read the fine print before purchasing I think you will be surprised (dissapointed)

You will PROBABLY find that:-
Each component is covered up to a mximum of between $500.00 and $1000.00 for each "event".
You need to service the car every 5000klms or 6 months at an "approved" workshop and send the receipt and invoice into the warranty provider within 500klms or 30days of it falling due and if you miss ONE the warranty is void.
They sometimes exclude "fair wear and tear" ... try getting around that!
They will only repair or replace at their absolute discretion and only at one of their approved workshops!

Believe me if the warranty is the key forget it... as over three years it will be more trouble than it's worth to maintain the cover.

Look around for the best Magna you can find at the price (probably privately) and buy it and with the money you have saved get a reliable and competent (recomended) repairer to give it a good going over.

As for LPG on a 2.6litre DON'T DO IT! and yes any report you find will tell you a 2.6 EFI will deliver about the same economy as a well sorted V6 and in some cases I know of V6's even doing better economy than a 2.6 which need to be running near perfect to give you anything close to 11litres / 100klms in mixed use.

Cheers

entropy
14-03-2007, 07:20 PM
Andre, I've attached a (.doc) file of my fuel usage for my Wagon
Driven 70% Highway - that's country, not dual lane Capitol City inter-connecting flat/straight concrete hwy - & 30% 'round town
Covering 27/10/2006 to 7/03/2007

Can't really add much to this topic, just learning the Maggie myself, but I AM happy with her :)

TR 300000
15-03-2007, 06:25 PM
Entropy - your fuel figures are great. I've found I can get an improvement of 1 litre per 100ks using premium fuel in my 2.6. The extra economy makes up for the extra cost exactly and the car will drive better too.

Andre - I have a 92 TR Wagon and it has been the best car I have ever owned. Basic maintenance and it will start every day, carry you in comfort, keep you cool, provide heaps of room, and give good safety.

If you go with the 2.6 make sure you get an injected one, the carbed models aren't powerful enough and use heaps of petrol.

misterbishi
15-03-2007, 08:07 PM
I have a 2.6L TS Wagon and do mainly short trips in it. (my work is the next suburb away) As a result I get a rough average 13.5l/100km. Not the best I know, but considering what the car owes me and how cheap and easy to service it is, it's worth it.
My advise for the Magna is to not ignore warning signs. ie - the engine is ticking, the temp gauge is a bit high, it labours a little in gear changes etc etc. All typical whinges for car owners of any type, but it's the cars way of telling you something is not 100%. Some cars are more tolerant of looming problems than others. Basically, just keep your Magna serviced and properly maintained cos Magna's subtle warning signs can sometimes end up biteing you in the ass. It's a shame that Magna gets a bad rep because of this because a well maintained Magna will give you years and years of trouble free cheap motoring.

When your looking, just because you find a Magna that does have a ticking engine for example, this may not be bad nessasarily becuase Magna's are not overly expensive to fix as long as it's done before it shiits itsself. Just negotiate to get things repaired in your buy price.

My other word of advise is to avoid shonky second hand car yards. They can do some nasty stuff to cars to trick unsuspecting buyers. Best thing is to buy cheaper from a private seller and then take it somewhere to give it a work over. Keep your eye out for a certain category of Magna owner. He's the old retired codger that has had the car since new, the car has been serviced every 1000kms and has every peice of paper to prove it. He's been disheartened by the $500 trade in figure the new yard has offered him so has put an ad in the paper. They are plenty of these around, but are always sold quickly. Grab the trading post or sat paper the second it is released. You typically won't find these cars in second hand car yards at a decent price because the yard owners keep them for themselves, run them into the ground then flog them off again.

Good luck with your hunting.

ps - don't discount the V6 from your searches.

dimi108
15-03-2007, 08:07 PM
lol LOL nice introduction

How much have you got to spend mate? Go for the Verada Touring wagon.

Check out these two on carsales. Top examples.

Nice 1 (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/MITSUBISHI/VERADA/details.aspx?Model=VERADA&__Nne=20&__N=4294964597+0+4294964081+834+285+257&Make=MITSUBISHI&State=All%20States&silo=1003&state_id=0&distance=25&Cr=19&seot=0&__sid=1112E01F31D2&R=935300&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCo unt_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&trecs=82)

Nice 2 (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/MITSUBISHI/VERADA/details.aspx?Model=VERADA&__Nne=20&__N=4294964597%200%204294964081%20834%20285%20257&Make=MITSUBISHI&State=All%20States&silo=1003&state_id=0&distance=25&Cr=9&seot=0&__sid=1112E01F31D2&R=916198&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_I mageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastModifiedDate_Dat eTime%7C1&__No=40&trecs=82)

alive
16-03-2007, 11:52 AM
I had a 95 Wagon V6, stock standard with Whiteline rear bar (huge difference).

The V6 economy was awesome, about 10l/100kms and 9l/100 on the highway. I was delighted. Sold it and bought a TJII V6 wagon and the economy is better.

The timing chains on 4's are hopeless, expensive and noisy, the V6 rubber band are a sinch to do.

V6 all the way, in mho.

Hope this helps

dimi108
16-03-2007, 03:06 PM
Yeah V6 is much better. Like I always stress on, the 2.6ltr 4cyl struggles with air con on. Plus costly repairs. So not worth it. Go for the v6 no doubt.

smooth2
16-03-2007, 03:25 PM
Check for timing chain rattle in the engine bay if it rattles you can use this to get the car cheaper that way it will cover the cost if having it professinally replaced.

You also want to nake sure the auto changes properly and check for servicing stickers they should be serviced once a year.



There cheap because if the stigmater of the timing chain there due for replacing around 200 thou K's some are due alot early then they should be becuase of the drivers driving habbits and it will cost you from $500 onwards depending who you go to to get it fixed.


the chain are supossed to be done every 100 000klms not 200. and if u took it to a mech u wouldn't get any change from $1000 to do the timing chains. and on second gen it auto adjusts so it dosen't matter how u drive it the chain will wear over time. the 1st gens have a maual adjust so if u don't adjust every 20 000-40 000 then it will wear out quicker. also the auto should be serviced every second engine service not once a year ( thats probably why they fail so often cos know one services then enough). not flaming u magna aussie just correcting the info:D