I am looking to buy either a black VRX or Verada (can't make up mind yet) in the next month or so. I am hoping to buy a model made between 2001-2003. Tell me, is it very hard to find Black VRX magnas. On the thread 3rd Gen Magna pics i have seen plenty of other colours of VRX but not many black. Would it be easier to get a TJ (or later) magna and mod it myself?

Any recommendations VRX vs Verada (they both look great don't they, hard choice). If i got the Verada the wheels would have to be changed, i'd swap them out for some aftermarket rims and maybe drop it. Would i have an easier time finding a black Verada over a black VRX?

Finally are there any good body kit places around Melbourne to mod a stock magna and how much would i be looking at for front/rear bumpers and maybe side skirts?

Cheers mates, my first post wohooo!:D

Welcome ot the club.
I have a black vrx, yes they are hard to find but not impossible.
I would say 90% of the vrx's which come up for sale are autos, the manuals are so much better and people are not willing to part with them.

If you want a manual one be prepared to pay more

Black veradas are out there, and they pretty well priced.
If you can try and find a GTV black verada, there a sweet ride if u don't mind having an auto.

lol, thanks mate, but i aren't fussed about transmission although manual would be fun. I am really just interested in getting the right body shape and colour. How much for a 2002 auto vrx do you reckon?

What does the gtv verada have? (Arrrgh i keep changing my mind between vrx and verada, haha good situation to be in i suppose, i love looking for cars and this will be the first really good car i have ever bought).

try and get a 2002 or 2003, id say you'd be looking at about 13 to 16 grand with less that 80000 kays. Pay extra for a well kept one, black needs to be maintained to the highest level
Im in melb come check mine out, dont think i want to sell it though lol
Verada GTV has unique perforated leather, nice wheels and the 5 Speed gearbox/163kw motor combo from the vrx. Basically speaking its a VRX without the kit but with verada extras.

i have a black 03 kj verada ei, and it all depends on what u prefer... lazy, comfortable and luxurious, or sporty, loud and 'fast' (only 8kw extra on the vrx/gtv, who we kidding here lol)

also depends on what comes up in ur area, if ur willing to buy from interstate, etc etc

happy with my verada, and modding the looks not the engine, so for me i'm happier with a verada than a vrx

best idea is to go test drive/sit in the same car, different colour... go there thinking that its the exact car u want, just not the right colour. everything else will be the same as what u buy on a black one lol just that u'll feel which is more comfortable, which u'll use the features of more, what u'd change in them (if u'd change the woodgrain in the ralliart, or the sexy vrx s2 rims)... coz if u wanna change say the woodgrain in the verada, then do u want the whole thing... etc

that would be my best bid of advice, driving them around but not specific on colour, so u narrow ur selection, and just wait and wait for the perfect one to come along :) good luck

i have a black 03 kj verada ei, and it all depends on what u prefer... lazy, comfortable and luxurious, or sporty, loud and 'fast' (only 8kw extra on the vrx/gtv, who we kidding here lol)


I had a verada prior to my vrx and the vrx is sooooooo much better I think, gets much better fuel ecconmy, looks better, feels better etc

Comparing a auto verada and a manual vrx feels more like 50 kw of a diffrence and not 8kw, i don't regret owning the verada cos it was great, but as far as im concerneced a vrx is far superior car in my opionion

I had a verada prior to my vrx and the vrx is sooooooo much better I think, gets much better fuel ecconmy, looks better, feels better etc

Comparing a auto verada and a manual vrx feels more like 50 kw of a diffrence and not 8kw, i don't regret owning the verada cos it was great, but as far as im concerneced a manual vrx is far superior

as i said tho, theyre 2 different markets, 2 different types of cars. Also manual v auto of magnas will be equivalent, no need to compare manual vrx v auto verada, apples and oranges basically. Economy would be roughly equal (if both of the same transmission), looks department... well each to their own, i love vrx's but love the overall look of the verada just as much, if not more.

again, it comes down to whether u want a racer or a cruiser... imo vrx's are best to get upgraded handling, few basic engine mods, and the stereo and basic extras, to make something sporty. Veradas were built to cruise, so lower the stance so it handles better, swaybars/strut braces, then some decent rims to finish off the look, darker tint, and a nice maybe leather interior. notice those 2 cars tho require different paths to take. sure some will turn vrxs into cruisers, others will turn radas into race cars, but those are singularities.

so, u want a cruiser or a fast-er car?

hey thanks you blokes for the imput so far, really good suggestions and stuff i hadn't thought much about. I currently own a 97 magna (my wife's actually i have a 1990 Laser which will be going) and i really think Mitsubishi have developed a fantastically underrated machine. I really love the range from exec thru to vrx to Verada. The 97 model is the standard exec, charcoal with 15" aftermarkets on it but nothing else. Its a great car but now i want something that i will really enjoy. I am not so much into the power, though sound would be good, as i am into the aesthetic of its exterior.

Do i want a cruiser (which i love the idea of and all i would have to do is swap out the wheels and drop it a wee bit) or do i want the sportier look. The vrx can look really mean and i love that.

I spoke to a friend tonight at my church he is older than me and he knows the guy who owns a Mitsubishi dealership that stocks 2nd hand cars. I will call him up and see what frequency he gets either model in. Fowles auction group is another option, there is always plenty of Mitsubishi metal going down there.

I will definitely try testing each one out regardless of the colour. I am certain i will have much better luck shopping for a black Verada over a black VRX, so i have to be careful not to get something just because it is available over something that i really want. Either way though i really don't think i can miss out on either one. The one absolutely non negotiable is that it must be black.

Question: how do you go about buying interstate, sounds to me like it will run up the overall bill.

Buying interstate... well freight will be around $1k, depending on how far away (should be $1k from one side to the other..), then checks on the car can be around $250, depends on what state as to who can check the car out. Or alternatively, if u have the time and the car is only a state away, fly over there, drive it back.

u most likely will have better luck finding a black rada over a black vrx, as rada's u have the Ei (base model, my car, still very well featured), Xi (same as Ei basically just add sunroof and leather), Gtv (Xi but with VRX motor, different rims) and the AWD GTV. (think thats it)... so yeah basically u can choose whether u wanna pick and choose between those, or just find a nice low k's model and grab it, and upspec it urself if u chose to.

As an example, u could buy an Ei, retrim it in leather (round $1k with the Mitsu leather off ebay), then sunroof it if u really wanted, and u'd have an Xi. Few exhaust mods will give u a Gtvi. Since ur changing rims, stock rim differences dont come into the equation.

i know i simplified the differences between the models a bit, but i just chose the main differences, rather than pointing out the extra 12V socket in Xi etc etc :)

Kings in Ballarat (Vic) have a couple of black Magna's. Not sure but I think one is a VRX and the other is a Verada (maybe GTV?). I think one is a TL & one is a TJ but not 100% on that.
Both looked to be in good condition when I walked past.

Well I can only speak for the GTVi and with it you get the best of both worlds the luxury of the Verada Coupled with the extra horses of the VRX which means you also get the Sports Exhaust, Sports Suspension, Sway Bars etc. I paid 20G for mine about 6 months ago with 35,000Km on the clock.

I've made a few mods to it since then but you can click my sig if you want to have a bo-peep.

I would say go the Verada. Even though this is a biased opinion you surely won't be disapointed with the Verada. To me it has a good blend of enough power and luxury :D

Like this one here in Adelaide?

http://www.adelaidessangyong.com.au/usedcars.htm (search for magna!)

Steve

hey man,

this is kind of on topic, but i saw the best deal of the century in tas not that long ago,

2002 Black VRX Manual, 82,000kms Neat as a Pin for $13,500.... he had it for sale for $16500 but it wouldnt move so he dropped it to $13,500 and sold it that same day...

whoever bought that has done extremely well....

Look for a black 380 VRX

Much easier to find...more in the inital outlay...but you will be find one with 3+ years warranty left and not many Ks on there.

Not looking to spend too much and i prefer the models made between 2002-2003. The 380 is nice but the 380 VRX does not have many external differences to the rest of the line up and imo has a sedate or conservative design.

Black would be the way to go, i checked one at the local dealership.

That Black VRX that sold in Tassie sounds like a great buy. Come on dealers in Melbourne get on your horse and help me out. NOW!..or later, if you prefer.

...Come on dealers in Melbourne get on your horse and help me out. NOW!..or later, if you prefer. Did you check the ones out at Kings in Ballarat?



Kings in Ballarat (Vic) have a couple of black Magna's. Not sure but I think one is a VRX and the other is a Verada (maybe GTV?). I think one is a TL & one is a TJ but not 100% on that.
Both looked to be in good condition when I walked past.

lol no actually, so i guess i jumped in a bit quick with that outburst. Am going to try a couple of places closer to home tomorrow.

i have a black 03 kj verada ei, and it all depends on what u prefer... lazy, comfortable and luxurious, or sporty, loud and 'fast' (only 8kw extra on the vrx/gtv, who we kidding here lol)

the power is not the big difference in their respective performance. It is the transmission that is the BIG difference!

Auto VR-X vs Verada and yep you're right, wouldnt be all that much in it.

Hey you blokes i just happened to spot a black vrx for sale for $15,990, its a 2001 with abot 115000 k's on it. Does that sound about right? The interior was in good condition but not immaculate, and the body was pretty good but again not immaculate. Is it the case with the VRX's and later model magnas that the timing belt needs replacing at about 120,000 k/ms?

Let me know fella's, and thanks for all your help so far. Given that black vrx's are hard to find i am sort of torn at the moment. I really liked it but i don't want to rush, you know.

One more thing, i would not part with 16 grand for it, i would definitely bargain hard for a lower price. But is the asking price in the ball park?

I would say the asking price for 2001 model is way over the top.
If you look at governmentauctions.com.au you will see manheimfowles government auctions in Sydney has a Silver 2005 VRX AWD with 59,000k, and still under full manufacturers warranty until June 2010 (or 130,000k), for $17,000 fixed price pre auction.
The auction price would be less about 10%.
So I think you can do much better.

Hey you blokes i just happened to spot a black vrx for sale for $15,990, its a 2001 with abot 115000 k's on it. Does that sound about right? The interior was in good condition but not immaculate, and the body was pretty good but again not immaculate. Is it the case with the VRX's and later model magnas that the timing belt needs replacing at about 120,000 k/ms?

Let me know fella's, and thanks for all your help so far. Given that black vrx's are hard to find i am sort of torn at the moment. I really liked it but i don't want to rush, you know.
for that many k's sounds a bit too much and for a 2001 model! at Kings they have a black vrx with a sunroof!!! for around that price.... keep an eye out on carsales too. I wanted a black sports with under 100,000 in manual i thought i would never find it and was going to settle for a black tippy however i finally found a manual... so getting to my point... dont settle with just anything make sure u get what you want

I would say the asking price for 2001 model is way over the top.
If you look at governmentauctions.com.au you will see manheimfowles government auctions in Sydney has a Silver 2005 VRX AWD with 59,000k, and still under full manufacturers warranty until June 2010 (or 130,000k), for $17,000 fixed price pre auction.
The auction price would be less about 10%.
So I think you can do much better.

please dont compare auction prices for TL+ cars, as in dealerships, and TJ/KJ model cars are worth about the same (buyer preference, hence why TL/TWs sold like cold, home-brand hotcakes ;) )

for $14-16k that car sounds like it aint worth it, as i said i paid $18k at the start of the year for my '03 KJ with 67000k's, and that was from a dealership
also, dont jump on something coz its black, go for it coz it makes u smile, makes u want to drive it, makes u want to own it... if u follow those rules, u wont get bored of it in 6 months time :)

please dont compare auction prices for TL+ cars, as in dealerships, and TJ/KJ model cars are worth about the same (buyer preference, hence why TL/TWs sold like cold, home-brand hotcakes ;) )

for $14-16k that car sounds like it aint worth it, as i said i paid $18k at the start of the year for my '03 KJ with 67000k's, and that was from a dealership
also, dont jump on something coz its black, go for it coz it makes u smile, makes u want to drive it, makes u want to own it... if u follow those rules, u wont get bored of it in 6 months time :)

yeh i agree we know you want a black one but you just cant buy any black car with alot of k's on it.... the black car wont look good at the mechanic all the time because its worn out lol

http://www.autotrader.com.au/iteminfo/adnumber_6487749_loc_locRZSQregtAVSCdistRZSQAVSCst ateRZSQ7AVSCregRZSQ_maxp_20000_minp_10000_off_8_se ct_Automotive_sort_otRZSQ1BJDZfdRZSQSearchDisplayP riorityIndAVSCotRZSQ1BJDZfdRZSQFirstPublished_sqt_ 0_srchby_mmbsRZSQMakeAVSCsrchbyRZSQmkmdlAVSCmkdlsR ZSQMitsubishiMRFXMagna_stpg_1_subs_Used+Cars_

too bad theres no pic of this car but sounds very cheap and low k's

MAKE/MODEL: Mitsubishi Magna SPORTS
YEAR: 2003
PRICE: $12,500.00
ODOMETER: 63,000

MITSUBISHI MAGNA 2003 mags, sports, spoiler, material int, t/windows, full-electrics, VGC, 63,000kms, UFW157 $12500 (0434)554172, GlenIris.

Yes i hear the common you are speaking, i have turned my back on the black vrx at the dealership, just wasn't right. However i must never deviate from black never!!! My next car must be black and it is precisely because it will make me smile and have fun when i am driving it.

Hey that 03 TJ Sports sounds good MISS, wish i had seen it earlier, i had the luxury of cruising with a friend to view a number of cars today and a late model TJ Sports is a great option...in black.

there is a black vrx-awd out at a ford dealership - near epping.....

22.5k if memory serves.......

hope that is useful

simon

There is a nice 2005 Black VR-X AWD with 55,000k at Manheimfowles Government auctions in sydney this week for $17,000 fixed price pre-auction. Dont forget that that the VR-X AWD already have lower sports suspension and performance brakes, so you are halfway there with any mods.

As its a 2005 model it is covered by the full 5 year 130,000k manufacturers warranty.

Don't be put off by the fact that it is Ex-Police. I have had mine for over 2 years and it was in better condition than most private examples.

In that time I have travelled 45,000k and it has not required any warrany work.