Ok heres the deal, I'm looking through various car sale websites and I've come across one thats pretty good bang for buck, its a 97 Magna Exec. Problem is, they don't state if its a TE or a TF, how do I tell?

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/rhys_fairall/0360db8e.jpg http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/rhys_fairall/35ab9998.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/rhys_fairall/c78fe686.jpg http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/rhys_fairall/f825569d.jpg

Any hints on the exterior that would point out if its a TE or TF. booost has told me the windows will be framed on the TE and frameless on the TF, but like he said its pretty damn hard to tell from the pics. Could something like the wheel covers give it away?

Thanks guys. Oh and out of interest, people think that looks like a good buy? Its listed at $7k, some good talking and bargaining might get it down to $6k for me, its a 5 Speed too.

Edit: Never mind, I found the car company its being sold from and they have it listed as a TE. So just let me know what you think of it as a bad or good value car, base your opinions off if I can get it for $6k.

Thanks again guys.

Look at the rego sticker it should tell you there if its a v6 look at 6MM and so on

Look at the rego sticker it should tell you there if its a v6 look at 6MM and so on
I haven't seen the car in the flesh so I can't tell anything of the rego. But it is a TE, these are the spec's off the site:

Vehicle: 1997 Mitsubishi Magna TE EXECUTIVE Green 5 Speed Manual Sedan
Body Colour: Green
Trim Colour: Grey
Doors: 4
Seats: 5
Cylinders: 6
Fuel Type: Unleaded
Capacity: 3.0
Gears: 5 Speed
Gearbox: Manual
Odometer: 148168
Drive Type: FWD

Look for 2 main things:

- Cup holders in the center console

- V6 Executive badges: TE the are a plastic badge, TF they are a sticker.

Id be looking at that sexy Rada wagon next to it. Dump it on rims, tint the windows. P-I-M-P.

Keep looking, you can get much better for that sort of money. I picked up my TH Altera LS for $7k. I wouldn't pay more than $4k for a TE... on second thought, I wouldn't get any TE. TF or later...

Keep looking, you can get much better for that sort of money. I picked up my TH Altera LS for $7k. I wouldn't pay more than $4k for a TE... on second thought, I wouldn't get any TE. TF or later...

What you need to factor in is its a 5 Speed Manual, which if you've ever tried looking (I know a few AMC members have), they are bloody hard to find.

For now I've found 4. Ones this one, then theres a Black 98 TF for the same amount of money thats done 130k but its from a private seller, theres another 98 TF for $6k-ish with a few options (sunroof, alloys, stereo) but its done 246k, and theres a 99 TH for $4k from a repossession place but its done 248k. I haven't done too much research into the durability of Magna components, but anything pushing 250,000km's is a bit high if you ask me, even if the asking price is only $4k.

Thats why I'm looking at this one. If I didn't care about having a auto I could probably get a KF Verada Ei for similar money.

Look for 2 main things:

- Cup holders in the center console

- V6 Executive badges: TE the are a plastic badge, TF they are a sticker.

Id be looking at that sexy Rada wagon next to it. Dump it on rims, tint the windows. P-I-M-P.

Hey mate...on a different note, my magna has the 2nd glovebox on top of the one displayed in that picture and also cup holders, It came with alloy mags when purchased. It's a 3.5l. Does that mean it's a TE?

Voila: Here's (http://search.carsguide.news.com.au/news/find-a-car/power-search/search-results/car-details.do?make=MITSUBISHI&model=MAGNA&make2=&model2=&make3=&model3=&keyword=&priceFrom=&priceTo=10000&body=&newBody=&transmission=Manual&lifeStyle=&yearFrom=1996&yearTo=&location=VIC&postcode=&radius=10&stockNumber=&sortFields=A&asc=true&pageNumber=&searchType=4&dealerId=&featureAd=false&vehicleId=NIMG70292%3A57098&vehicleType=1)a good one around the right price. I just think $6k for a TE is just too much. Regardless of transmission.

Edit: if you want to stretch the budget, this (http://search.carsguide.news.com.au/news/find-a-car/power-search/search-results/car-details.do?make=MITSUBISHI&model=MAGNA&make2=&model2=&make3=&model3=&keyword=&priceFrom=&priceTo=10000&body=&newBody=&transmission=Manual&lifeStyle=&yearFrom=1996&yearTo=&location=VIC&postcode=&radius=10&stockNumber=&sortFields=A&asc=true&pageNumber=&searchType=4&dealerId=&featureAd=false&vehicleId=144677&vehicleType=3)one is a bit newer and the guy seems to have done most of the work. However, I think with some patience you could find a TH Sports in manual for the same price.

So bearing in mind it is a Manual and they are hard to find, especially in this condition (it is in extremely good nick for whats currently a non-AMC car :P) would people say $6k roughly is reasonable? If I'm good and get a decent trade in, I might be able to get it down to say $3.5-4k out of my pocket :) What do people think?

Btw, that TH Exec I mentioned for $4k, thats got no roadworthy (so it will probably need things doing, especially after 248000k's) and no rego. Given it was repossessed, that gives the presumption the car was probably not serviced when it should have been and will need repairs for the RWC, so its not really $4k at all. So I've scratched that despite being a newer car.

Its really a pitty manuals are so rare, if they used normal logic and were cheaper than auto versions, then I would have been able to get a TJ, but ah well.


Voila: Here's (http://search.carsguide.news.com.au/news/find-a-car/power-search/search-results/car-details.do?make=MITSUBISHI&model=MAGNA&make2=&model2=&make3=&model3=&keyword=&priceFrom=&priceTo=10000&body=&newBody=&transmission=Manual&lifeStyle=&yearFrom=1996&yearTo=&location=VIC&postcode=&radius=10&stockNumber=&sortFields=A&asc=true&pageNumber=&searchType=4&dealerId=&featureAd=false&vehicleId=NIMG70292%3A57098&vehicleType=1)a good one around the right price. I just think $6k for a TE is just too much. Regardless of transmission.

Edit: if you want to stretch the budget, this (http://search.carsguide.news.com.au/news/find-a-car/power-search/search-results/car-details.do?make=MITSUBISHI&model=MAGNA&make2=&model2=&make3=&model3=&keyword=&priceFrom=&priceTo=10000&body=&newBody=&transmission=Manual&lifeStyle=&yearFrom=1996&yearTo=&location=VIC&postcode=&radius=10&stockNumber=&sortFields=A&asc=true&pageNumber=&searchType=4&dealerId=&featureAd=false&vehicleId=144677&vehicleType=3)one is a bit newer and the guy seems to have done most of the work. However, I think with some patience you could find a TH Sports in manual for the same price.

Well theres must be something wrong with the TE for $1950, I mean most decent TR/TS Magna's achieve that price bracket, well for starters theres a ding in the bumper and the paint doesn't look crash hot in places, I'm not really keen to go respraying the whole thing just to save a few $$$. Thats probably a 2.4L too, which I don't want.

The Si I reckon is awesome, its just too much for me, $7k is my absolute maximum, closer to $6k the better, I'm not going to be able to find $2k before the end of the year.

Theres no rush to update, I just thought that was alright for its price, obviously people are thinking otherwise.

If you didn't need the trade in your in a much better place to bargin with a yard, especially if they have had a slow month. If you can find a sports you will generally get a triptronic, so you will probally need to hold off to get your manual. If you look you will eventually find what you want. Don't compromise.

vote 1+ for the car from the private seller, it has less kms and is a better car - just get RAC to check it over

Easiest way to tell. The TE doesn't have chrome in the front grill.


Somethings for you to consider: There are Veradas (ei) for sale for about 6-7k and they have everything in them. Most have done between 130km -160km. Why get the basic model, when you can have a car with the lot?

There are Veradas (ei) for sale for about 6-7k and they have everything in them.Why get the basic model, when you can have a car with the lot?
Maybe he or she can drive properly and wants to experience the joys that manual ownership can provide. :)

If you didn't need the trade in your in a much better place to bargin with a yard, especially if they have had a slow month. If you can find a sports you will generally get a triptronic, so you will probally need to hold off to get your manual. If you look you will eventually find what you want. Don't compromise.

Well we have 2 other cars apart from the one I'd be trading so its not like I couldn't sell that privately then go in all cash. Reckon if I caught them on a good day it'd be possible to get it down near the $5k mark? I'm sorta thinking thats too much to ask isn't it.


Maybe he or she can drive properly and wants to experience the joys that manual ownership can provide. :)
He :P The main reason I want a manual is I'm completely bored of autos and I do enjoy having to put a bit of work in when driving. Trust me, if I didn't mind an auto I would probably be getting something like a TJ Advance, I have seen one or two of them in my price range.

Easiest way to tell. The TE doesn't have chrome in the front grill.


Nor does any Magna. Only the Veradas do.

Hey mate...on a different note, my magna has the 2nd glovebox on top of the one displayed in that picture and also cup holders, It came with alloy mags when purchased. It's a 3.5l. Does that mean it's a TE?

Is that a glovebox or an Airbag? Might want to check that.

If its a 3.5, chances are it'd be a TH, or a Verada.

Is $6900 alright for a privately sold TH Sports? Its done 215,000km and its a Semi-Auto, which I might put up with for all the extra goodies it comes with and the fact its newer than any manual one I'm likely to find. Seller might accept $6.5k?

Those who have driven the magna's with semi-autos before, are they any better than regular auto boxes? ie. Do they shift faster for instance?

I do love manual's but the only thing I really don't like about autos is they can pick the worst times to change gears, and take too long to sometimes. If I can dictate exactly when it changes gear, I'd be happy with that I guess. Its sort of a toss up between car spec/age and transmission, pain in the bum.

Heres a couple of snaps of the TH Sports I'm looking at, some of you may have seen it before on carsales:
http://images.carsales.com.au/private/2419078.jpg
http://images.carsales.com.au/private/2419087.jpg
http://images.carsales.com.au/private/2419093.jpg

the sports looks clean, but that is pretty high k's... i agree on the person who said dont compromise... spend a lil bit extra now, just wait longer for the 1st mod, and get yourself into TJ territory... its well worth it, and the difference between a car with 100,000k's and a car with 200,000+ is pretty big, not only in the life of the car, but in ur wallet at the end of the day... do u really feel like repairing things here and there instead of customizing it? i doubt it.

save a few, and look at 8k cars, and get urself something nice with decent k's. u'll thank me for it in 6 months time when it still drives nice, and ur not looking 2 upgrade again!

*Edit*
3.0L TJ Exec for $10k, 110,000k's (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/dealer/MITSUBISHI/MAGNA/details.aspx?__Ns=pCar_StatusSort_Int32|1||pCar_Pr ice_Decimal|0&Make=MITSUBISHI&__Nne=20&State=Victoria&Region=State%20Wide&PriceMax=10000&state_id=903&__N=4294964597+903+42+461+408+4294964374+789+834+2 85+258+287&PriceMin=2500&trecs=6&Model=MAGNA&RegionID=789&__sid=114612BAE56E&silo=1000&Cr=4&distance=25&seot=0&R=1390891)... nice car with room to move on price (10k is overpriced for a tj exec!)
oh, and did i mention its manual...

actually, that Si is a very good deal...u should definitely just go have a look... 3.5L and manual, with a few extras! bargain!

just so u know, if u go and do a cai, or exhaust, to a 3.0L, it will still be beaten by the 3.5, so why not get the 3.5 in the first place ;)

the sports looks clean, but that is pretty high k's... i agree on the person who said dont compromise... spend a lil bit extra now, just wait longer for the 1st mod, and get yourself into TJ territory... its well worth it, and the difference between a car with 100,000k's and a car with 200,000+ is pretty big, not only in the life of the car, but in ur wallet at the end of the day... do u really feel like repairing things here and there instead of customizing it? i doubt it.
save a few, and look at 8k cars, and get urself something nice with decent k's. u'll thank me for it in 6 months time when it still drives nice, and ur not looking 2 upgrade again!


I wish I could just "spend the extra" but there is no extra to spend. If I was to get a TJ now its either buy an auto or wait till next year. I'm quite happy with having a TF or TH as they seem to be the sweet spot atm for after market parts without being too old.

If I was to seriously look into purchasing that Sports and did so, I probably wouldn't do anything to it in the short term, maybe lower it and tint the windows, add the AMC decal, but thats about it. Things like wheels wouldn't be changed until next year more than likely.

If on the other hand I find a nice cheap TF Exec Manual say, then the upgrades can come straight away, but on a car that comes from the factory like that Sports, modifying straight away doesn't bother me.

I don't want to compromise, but I can't see a manual Sports coming onto the market in my price range any time soon, and the TJ's are just too expensive on the budget.

Please, if anyone sees a Manual Sports around for sale, or even a cheaper TF or TH (TJ even) Exec thats a Manual, please let me know, max price really is $6.5-7k, if its a exec model I'm not paying that much unless its a TJ.

Cheers guys. Any further comments on the above Sports would be appreciated also.



3.0L TJ Exec for $10k, 110,000k's (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/dealer/MITSUBISHI/MAGNA/details.aspx?__Ns=pCar_StatusSort_Int32|1||pCar_Pr ice_Decimal|0&Make=MITSUBISHI&__Nne=20&State=Victoria&Region=State%20Wide&PriceMax=10000&state_id=903&__N=4294964597+903+42+461+408+4294964374+789+834+2 85+258+287&PriceMin=2500&trecs=6&Model=MAGNA&RegionID=789&__sid=114612BAE56E&silo=1000&Cr=4&distance=25&seot=0&R=1390891)... nice car with room to move on price (10k is overpriced for a tj exec!)
oh, and did i mention its manual...
actually, that Si is a very good deal...u should definitely just go have a look... 3.5L and manual, with a few extras! bargain!
just so u know, if u go and do a cai, or exhaust, to a 3.0L, it will still be beaten by the 3.5, so why not get the 3.5 in the first place ;)

I've seen that TJ exec before and I thought it was pretty good, but the price is poor, and I'm never going to bargain nearly $4k off it. The Si is nice too, but its too expensive for me :(

Thanks for the suggestions though.

The sports looks really clean for the k's. The autos aren't bad because you can hold the gear, but they are very slow to change. You won't be happy with it if you want a manual. Just hold out for a while. Things come to people who wait, the universe looks after people. If you were you could take mine for a burn, you would really appreciate the difference in the manual.

The sports looks really clean for the k's. The autos aren't bad because you can hold the gear, but they are very slow to change. You won't be happy with it if you want a manual. Just hold out for a while. Things come to people who wait, the universe looks after people. If you were you could take mine for a burn, you would really appreciate the difference in the manual.

I think I might just hold out, as nice as it would be to be able to get one now, there is no real rush, something might present itself in the next few months I guess.

Takes yours for a burn hey? Would I have to give it back? Looking at your car that would be a difficult task :P Its probably a good thing we're in different states, I don't like driving other peoples cars anyhow, always scared I'll break something lol

i think personally, just hold out for a 3.5L, manual, with <150,000k's, and buy it, be it exec or sports or watever :) then u'll b a happy camper!

i think personally, just hold out for a 3.5L, manual, with <150,000k's, and buy it, be it exec or sports or watever :) then u'll b a happy camper!
That I think will be the plan.

I found this TF (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/dealer/MITSUBISHI/MAGNA/details.aspx?PriceMax=10000&Model=MAGNA&__Nne=20&__N=4294964597+0+42+408+752+507+4294964374+834+285 +258+287&Make=MITSUBISHI&State=All%20States&silo=1000&state_id=0&distance=25&Cr=0&seot=0&__sid=113D15F1FACC&R=1361109&__Ns=pCar_StatusSort_Int32|1||pCar_Price_Decimal|0&trecs=5) for $6k, which being from a dealer could probably be brought down to $5-5.5k, pitty it's in NSW.

I noticed in the description they say "CANT GET TO US? WE CAN COME TO YOU", reckon they'll drive it down to Melbourne for me? Its almost perfectly suited to what I want, and I reckon if it could be brought down to $5k-ish then it'd be the right price too yeah? Its a good base for modifying too. Right now I wish I was in NSW lol

Edit: Heres something bizarre, that silver sports I posted earlier, I knew he lived near me, in Mill Park Lakes (South Morang), but now I think about it I actually recognize the car from one of the streets I go down all the time, lives about 20 seconds drive from a mates. Should pop by just to have a look on the way across one day, even though I'm not keen on the auto, would be something to do on the weekend at least! :P

Now that one looks more like it. You do need to budget transfer of reg costs into the equation. I bought mine from Melb, cos nearly $1000 to put SA rego on it, but was worth the drive back. Also the tail lights would probally need to be changed to pass inspection (I had to) and they made me pull the tint off the front side windows (already put back on) some silly SA law

Now that one looks more like it. You do need to budget transfer of reg costs into the equation. I bought mine from Melb, cos nearly $1000 to put SA rego on it, but was worth the drive back. Also the tail lights would probally need to be changed to pass inspection (I had to) and they made me pull the tint off the front side windows (already put back on) some silly SA law

So wouldn't that put me back in square one? Paying too much? If I've gotta pay another grand just to get it down here, is it worth it on a car thats worth roughly $5k? They've gotta make it difficult don't they, couldn't just pay for Victorian rego and throw it on, which would be half that amount...I'll look into it, but I'll probably never go anywhere with it, just seems like too much effort for what it is.

I would have thought that TE or TF would be on the compliance plate or even within the vin number

I would have thought that TE or TF would be on the compliance plate or even within the vin number

It is.

Will start with 6MMTExxxxxxxxx or 6MMTFxxxxxxxxx

But its alot easier to look for cupholders in the console than it is to look under the hood at the VIN.

The reason it cost so much to get the SA rego was mostly stamp duty, which varys with the price of the car. You need to pay inspection fees, transfer fees, new plates and standard rego fee. My stamp duty was more than half of he total bill but I paid nearly three times as much for the car. Surely you could bus to Sydney and drive back in a weekend without paying a fortune. Of course one may come up closer to you in the future.

The reason it cost so much to get the SA rego was mostly stamp duty, which varys with the price of the car. You need to pay inspection fees, transfer fees, new plates and standard rego fee. My stamp duty was more than half of he total bill but I paid nearly three times as much for the car. Surely you could bus to Sydney and drive back in a weekend without paying a fortune. Of course one may come up closer to you in the future.

That makes sense. If I went up and bought it, then drove it down, would I need to pay all that still? Wouldn't need to bus up, would drive up with someone then drive both cars back. 99% sure I won't bother, but knowing the facts just in case would be good if anyone knows what I'd have to pay should I go and buy it up there and drive it down myself.