Hey guys

I've been lurking around this forum ever since i wanted to get myself a a Magna Sports or VRX. I think it is about time to start posting. :) Right now i have a crappy Ford Falcon EB, which is my first car. When i started car hunting for something around the price range of 10-15 grand, the car that caught my eye was the TJ VRX. I really like the aggressive look and everyone who told me they owned or currently have one claim they have a bit of speed and are fun to drive. The reviews also seem very positive as well. One even claimed it's the fastest However, i hear the worst issue about them is the turning circle, thanks to the front wheel drive. Is it really a problem, or is it just a minor issue? Another thing that gets annoying is how people automatically talk **** about magnas. I either get people saying 'why not get a commodore or falcon instead' or 'you do know it's going to drink fuel?' Some even say that i should get an executive and throw on a VRX body kit. Then again the VRX has that little more power than the standard executive.

Anyway, what are your impressions of the TJ VRX?

you get used to the turning circle thing, they don't drink much if you don't flog them, i've got a TJ sports my self and its great:D

Get used to 5 point turns lol

Hey guys

I've been lurking around this forum ever since i wanted to get myself a a Magna Sports or VRX. I think it is about time to start posting. :) Right now i have a crappy Ford Falcon EB, which is my first car. When i started car hunting for something around the price range of 10-15 grand, the car that caught my eye was the TJ VRX. I really like the aggressive look and everyone who told me they owned or currently have one claim they have a bit of speed and are fun to drive. The reviews also seem very positive as well. One even claimed it's the fastest However, i hear the worst issue about them is the turning circle, thanks to the front wheel drive. Is it really a problem, or is it just a minor issue? Another thing that gets annoying is how people automatically talk **** about magnas. I either get people saying 'why not get a commodore or falcon instead' or 'you do know it's going to drink fuel?' Some even say that i should get an executive and throw on a VRX body kit. Then again the VRX has that little more power than the standard executive.

Anyway, what are your impressions of the TJ VRX?

First off, welcome.


Ignore your bogan friends, because you will struggle to find anything with the features of the VR-X and the age in the Commodore or Falcon camp for anywhere near the going rate of a Magna.

People always complain about the turning circle, but it has never really bothered me. The only time it will ever be an inconvenience if if you want to do a u turn on a narrow road.

The fuel economy on these cars (like all cars) depends on how you drive it, and the gearbox in it. Were you after a manual or an automatic? I hammer the crap out of my Manual Sports and its sitting around the 13/100 mark, and one of my cousins has a SV6 and he gets somewhere around the 18/100 mark.When i am Babying my car it sits in the 9-10/100 bracket, which is not bad.

When they first came out back in 2000, they were the quickest 6cyl family car on the market from the big 4. It is not so much that way these days but, as all the manufacturers now have a performance 6 in their line up.

Best bet is to go and take a few for a test drive and see what you think. As everything we tell you about how awesome it is wont really mean diddly squat, if you decide the seats are uncomfortable, etc.

However, if you do decide to buy one, I seriously doubt you will be disappointed.

They are actually one of the most economical large 6 cylinder cars around, even by today's standards.

Thanks for the replies mates! I'll surely test drive one shortly. I almost got one from fawkner. It was black with nice leather seats. However the day i was about to make a deal, it was bought. a Black VRX looks the best i say.

Oh and i figured it would be one of the most economical large cars. Being a 3.5 litre and lighter and all.

i read an article that it rated higher and the favourite out of the xr6 falcon and the ss commodore anyway!
whats everyone saying about a turning circle? man its a dream to steer with the feather light steering makes it easy as? never had a problem parking if anyone else does u must be 100years old.

Welcome to the club.


Now looks like a good time to buy a Magna/VRX on AMC :shock::
(Apologies if I have missed anyone or if any of these are sold/no longer for sale)

vrxbeachboy - 2000 Model Black VRX Manual...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59151

likeashot - 2000 TJ VR-X...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58152

Phil - TJ VRX Supercharged Magna
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60160

CASS-VRXTJ - Magna TJ Vr-x Limited edition magna...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59132

tj02 - 02 TJ Magna Series II Advance...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60135

MitchellO - 2000 Verada KH Ei in White...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59937

Gnasher73 - Series 2 TJ 5-Speed Manual...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60168

Little Red Wagon - TJ Series II Sports wagon...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59949

vegas18 - TL ES Black...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59256

BRICK - 98 solara wagon MANUAL...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58774

nah its cool mines still here, declined last guys offer of $17. Im nutts but i aint selling my baby for nothin less than its worth:p.

you get used to the turning circle thing, they don't drink much if you don't flog them, i've got a TJ sports my self and its great:D

:stoopid: I have a Sports too. Manuals if you can get one are a bit better on fuel gennerally, however I have done a few mods and even in my auto I average only 10.5hwy/city driving. It is a damn sight better than most falcons.
and yeh...the sports/VRX was the fastest at the time of its release.

Welcome to the Club

At the price a TJ VR-X is going for, I think it's a better buy than a base model and whacking a kit on.

The turning circle is really bad, and it does make parking / shopping centres a pain, but it's something you get used to. It's a downer for sure, but if it's a crucial factor when buying a car, you've got your priorities wrong :nuts:

As for opinion... does it really matter what Commodore and Falcon drivers say? I'd much rather my Magna over a similar age Commodore, so I don't really care what they think of my car :P Having said that, most people - both reviewers and the general public - seem to have pretty good things to say about Magnas after actually driving them. The majority of people bad mouthing them would have never driven one in their lives....

Again, cheers for the welcomes guys. :D

My thoughts exactly Red valdez. I thought the price range is good and there is no need to get an executive.

A dodgy turning circle wouldn't bother me bad. If i can get used to a ford falcon stalling at traffic lights because of a crappy LPG installment job, i can sure live with that.

And yeah, i could care less what others think. Like you, i bet those guys never driven one before.

i dont think the turning circle is that bad at all to be honest, but you do feel its slight lacking when your trying to park in a narrow carpark - but as you would with any large car really...

having a black VRX.. hmmm nice, except you will be spending all your time keeping it clean!

you wont be dissapointed with one, but make sure that if you do get one with higher mileage, that the magor 100oookm service has been done (timing belt and plugs etc), and if it hasnt been done, haggle them down at least 1k for that fact coz its not gunna be a cheap visit to the mechanics to get it done if you do buy that car!!!

I've just bought one a couple of months ago, black VRX, probably the most enjoyable car you will ever drive. While the turning circle is a downer you get used to it, if you've driven for a while it won't be a hassle when parking, turning, etc.

It does drink fuel, but if you're looking for a large car in todays economy im sure fuel isnt such a big factor in your budget? And yeah as what doddski said, make sure that service is done, i had to do a 180,000km service as soon as i got it, cost me 1000 bucks :( i did manage to haggle a year of rego though which kind of made up for it! Go test drive and see what all the fuss is about :)

i just recently bought one myself all i say is get a manual!
turning circle isnt that bad but you will get used to it!

I bought my TL VRX man with black leather and 75k on the clock for $12500 including stamps etc.

If your looking for value for money, I wouldn't buy one off the forums....everyone wants to much for them.:nuts:

Just watch car sales. check dealers out. there has been some nice TL's getting traded as they are starting to come of leases and what not.

But welcome and enjoy your stay.

If you like to really drive, then get a manual. They feel really sporty to drive. And you will leave the commo's and falcons behind.

Buy my VRX.
Black, Manual, Supercharged.

As for opinion... does it really matter what Commodore and Falcon drivers say? I'd much rather my Magna over a similar age Commodore, so I don't really care what they think of my car :P
Well put it this way, they'll certainly shut up when they realize trim items don't fall off from normal driving, when you go further on the same amount of fuel as them, and most definitely when you overtake them and they can't do **** about it :P

VRX is good bang for buck, go a TJ MY02 or TJII VRX if you can, few little extras, 1 piece parras, 17"s and climate control.

Dont worry about the fuel usage man, my heavy ass KJ Verada Xi with only the 4spd Auto is reporting 10.2L/100km on the trip computer and thats 1/2 city and 1/2 highway duty cycle.

The 5spd VRX be it Auto or Manual will chew less fuel than the 4spd, and its a ****load lighter than my Xi Verada.

Buy the cheap one in the members section less than 5 grand and has had major service

Go for it. As for the turning circle, I hear the new commodores have an even bigger turning circle. Its not that bad.

well what can I say that everyone else hasn't.. the TJ/TL VR-X is a great car.. even though it only has something like 9kw above standard it feels like it has a lot more.. and the VRX bodykit looks mean as.

you ain't gonna get better bang for buck.

oh and fuel usage is really quite good for a largish car... I get around 11-12l/100km around town and just under 9l/100km on the open road.

Can't believe how much discussion there is about the bloody turning circle :bowrofl: Who the hell cares!

Absolutely loved my Verada, but it's moving on to make way for my very own VR-X. Great cars, cheap for the performance, look different than the frankly boring Falcons and Commodores, and goes like stink with it's lighter weight and nice sounding engine.

Turning circle is about as epic level of fail as dad's 2006 Navara 4WD, that combined with haste and an unseen dish caused me to shatter the plastic underbody protection shields and the oil pump belt cover.

Otherwise, great engine, good chassis, decent interior, etc. Only real problem I have with it is the steering in general - not much feedback, hopefully that will improve once I get rid of the 215/60R16 tyres, and that the power evaporates somewhere about 5300rpm, thanks to the air intake and exhaust.

May I suggest test driving an AWD Sports? The handling and road grip is awesome. The way it can go around an Alfa / most other FWD/RWD cars around a corner is priceless.

http://autospeed.com/cms/A_1666/article.html

The caveat is the higher fuel consumption. Turning circle in all Magnas is not good - but that is only an issue if you don't take your time parking, or you try to do a quick U-turn on a main road lol.

This car is the most reliable car I have had so far - so far, all that has gone wrong in 5 years of at times spirited driving is a flat battery! I have had a VS Commodore, a 2001 Lancer and a 2001 Vectra.

An AWD Sports can be obtained for 10-15000. It forms a great base for mods as the drivetrain is from an EVO VI and the standard brakes are similar to a Ralliart.

But it is heavier. 0-100 in about 8.5 seconds. Auto VRX 8.0 seconds. Manual VRX 7 seconds.

If you don't care about corners that much then Manual VRX will fit you best - good economy and quick! Don't bother about buying a base and fitting a kit - A kit costs about $1800 painted and fitted - buy a VRX and don't pay the premium. There are VRXs going for the $10000 mark or even less now!

If you have a bit more to spend Verada GTVi FTW (look it up)!

If the turning circle presents that much of a problem, just chuck a handbrake turn. Fuel economy is excellent for a big 6 as well.

If the turning circle presents that much of a problem, just chuck a handbrake turn. Fuel economy is excellent for a big 6 as well.

I was gonna suggest that :bowrofl:

Hi Guys
Havent posted in more than a year but im back. I too am after a TJ vrx. Sold my 02 Sports wagon 18 months ago and bought an 05 lancer 2.4. Really regretted it. The sports was an amazing wagon, so many good things. Took the lancer for the first service and the mechanic noticed some rear suspension damage. Turns out the car was in a bingle and the previous owner didnt tell me (not surprised at that). Not even the NRMA inspection picked it up when i bought the car. Confronted NRMA about it and they agreed it should have been noticed. They offered me a good insurance deal and 5 years complementry roadside assistance. Ok i guess.

Anyway its time for the lancer to go as I cant afford to get it back to 100%. It drives perfectly fine but im a perfectionist so back to a magna for me!

Hi Guys
Havent posted in more than a year but im back. I too am after a TJ vrx...
...so back to a magna for me!
Welcome back!

hi maxwell i agree with all everyone is saying but like BLACKAWD said test dive an AWD.I did and now i do permanately

Welcome to the club.


Now looks like a good time to buy a Magna/VRX on AMC :shock::
(Apologies if I have missed anyone or if any of these are sold/no longer for sale)

vrxbeachboy - 2000 Model Black VRX Manual...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59151

likeashot - 2000 TJ VR-X...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58152

Phil - TJ VRX Supercharged Magna
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60160

CASS-VRXTJ - Magna TJ Vr-x Limited edition magna...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59132

tj02 - 02 TJ Magna Series II Advance...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60135

MitchellO - 2000 Verada KH Ei in White...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59937

Gnasher73 - Series 2 TJ 5-Speed Manual...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60168

Little Red Wagon - TJ Series II Sports wagon...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59949

vegas18 - TL ES Black...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59256

BRICK - 98 solara wagon MANUAL...
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58774

osiris - 2001 TJ VR-X :)
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60211

With petrol prices high i would stear clear of the tiptronics if u live in the city, a manual will be around 4 litres per a 100 kays more efficent, i know i've had them all :D

With petrol prices high i would stear clear of the tiptronics if u live in the city, a manual will be around 4 litres per a 100 kays more efficent, i know i've had them all :D

yes looking for a manual, although my last magna was a tiptronic and was great. Will definately drive an awd if I can find one at the right price. Money is a bit of an issue. Will realistically get around $15000 for my lancer I think, so I guess that is a ballpark figure of what I am looking to spend.

Am also thinking about gas, seems the vapour injection systems are the mickey.

good price for the lancer, if u get that spend another three grand and my car is yours its MANUAL :p...

yes looking for a manual, although my last magna was a tiptronic and was great. Will definately drive an awd if I can find one at the right price. Money is a bit of an issue. Will realistically get around $15000 for my lancer I think, so I guess that is a ballpark figure of what I am looking to spend.

Am also thinking about gas, seems the vapour injection systems are the mickey.

Unfortunately there were no manual AWD Magnas made!
If you are thinking AWD performance, economy and manual how about a manual WRX?
Or a RX if a WRX is too much for insurance etc.

Other options are the Mitsubishi Legnum (cheap but high fuel consumption) and the Caldina GT-T (like the WRX but cheaper).

Unfortunately there were no manual AWD Magnas made!
If you are thinking AWD performance, economy and manual how about a manual WRX?
Or a RX if a WRX is too much for insurance etc.

Other options are the Mitsubishi Legnum (cheap but high fuel consumption) and the Caldina GT-T (like the WRX but cheaper).

incorrect

there was a manual AWD magna made as a development car.

incorrect

there was a manual AWD magna made as a development car.

Wow! How many were made? Any one have one on the forums?

Wow! How many were made? Any one have one on the forums?I'll pay that :D

If you are thinking AWD performance, economy and manual how about a manual WRX?
Or a RX if a WRX is too much for insurance etc.Agree on the WRX suggestion but DON'T consider an RX. The 92kW EJ20s are bloody gutless. They still handle fairly well, but don't have much else going for them. Possibly find an RS, the 2.5L model (MY01-MY05), they could at least move their own weight.

I'll pay that :D
Agree on the WRX suggestion but DON'T consider an RX. The 92kW EJ20s are bloody gutless. They still handle fairly well, but don't have much else going for them. Possibly find an RS, the 2.5L model (MY01-MY05), they could at least move their own weight.

Sounds about the same as the new base Impreza, no power whatsoever.

Yep, torqueless.

Wow! How many were made? Any one have one on the forums?

3 from memory, run it by jasonsvrx he should know the exact figure

Unfortunately there were no manual AWD Magnas made!
If you are thinking AWD performance, economy and manual how about a manual WRX?
Or a RX if a WRX is too much for insurance etc.

Other options are the Mitsubishi Legnum (cheap but high fuel consumption) and the Caldina GT-T (like the WRX but cheaper).

yeah woops forget about that...ill have to think about that but i have heard the auto boxes give a bit of grief later on in life. The shifting in my sports got messy at around 160,000.

The WRX has never really appealed to me. Bit too toy boy. Not really sure about the imports either.

good price for the lancer, if u get that spend another three grand and my car is yours its MANUAL :p...

very interested in your car. My parents live at foxground so it grabbed my attention being in gerringong. Beautiful part of the world. Unfortunately at this stage a little out of my price range.

yeah woops forget about that...ill have to think about that but i have heard the auto boxes give a bit of grief later on in life. The shifting in my sports got messy at around 160,000.
Did you ever service it?

The WRX has never really appealed to me. Bit too toy boy. Not really sure about the imports either.Get a Liberty GT-B then.

Did you ever service it?

i assume you mean the autobox?
yes. At 150000 when signs appeared. Worked fine for another 5000kms and then the shifts got less smooth. It was never really that bad you just notice the difference in a gearbox that has been worked hard.

yeah woops forget about that...ill have to think about that but i have heard the auto boxes give a bit of grief later on in life. The shifting in my sports got messy at around 160,000.

The WRX has never really appealed to me. Bit too toy boy. Not really sure about the imports either.

The gear box in the FWD Sports and VRX is different from the gear box in the AWD. The AWD gearbox is from the EVO GT-A and can handle a lot more torque!

As an aside there is a 2004 AWD GTVi on sale (ebay) for <$15000!

I don't know of any AWD owners who have had problems with their gearbox - if someone has, please let us know!

Looking at a TL VR limited addition on carsales, can someone tell me what the major differences are between the VR and the VRX, aside from leather seats, body kit..any mechanical differences? From my understanding the VR's have the koni suspension and factory exhaust like the VRX's.

Sounds about the same as the new base Impreza, no power whatsoever.

Omg I've been in a 2.0L impreza, most gutless thing ever, front seats hurt like a bitch after an hour or so, and is so pathetically weak you need to floor it everywhere.

Looking at a TL VR limited addition on carsales, can someone tell me what the major differences are between the VR and the VRX, aside from leather seats, body kit..any mechanical differences? From my understanding the VR's have the koni suspension and factory exhaust like the VRX's.

there is no mechanical difference between vrx and vr

the only MECHANICAL difference between a ES (base model / exec) and a vrx is the rear muffler in the TL range at least.
change the rear muffler on a ES to the lukey LR2779, and hello instant addages of 8kw and 1nm.!!
ask lucifer that one - hes got the VRX engine cover on his TJ... and it didnt leave factory as a Vrx either...

Omg I've been in a 2.0L impreza, most gutless thing ever, front seats hurt like a bitch after an hour or so, and is so pathetically weak you need to floor it everywhere.

I found flooring it didn't help much lol

Yeah it does! It makes more noise!

the only difference between a ES (base model / exec) and a vrx is the rear muffler in the TL range at least.No suspension mods for the TL? :confused:

Looking at a TL VR limited addition on carsales, can someone tell me what the major differences are between the VR and the VRX, aside from leather seats, body kit..any mechanical differences? From my understanding the VR's have the koni suspension and factory exhaust like the VRX's.

VRX gets 10 speakers, premium sound (2din head unit with indash 6 stacker), body kit, VRX trim (fabric, leather optional), tinted tail lights (expensive buggers), 17inch wheels, VRX dash cluster, leather hand brake lever, fog lights, depending on year you get colour coded everything.

VR gets none of them except fog lights VR is also 30kg lighter apparently...but has the same 163kw and 317nm

If you get the
VR Limited you also get the koni shocks and enkei wheels, steering wheel similar to the Ralliart style but black and silver
VRX Limited you get leather seats, koni shocks and enkei wheels, steering wheel similar to the Ralliart style but black and silver

TW VRX you also get steering wheel similar to the Ralliart style but black and silver

VR Limited you also get the koni shocks and enkei wheels, steering wheel similar to the Ralliart style but black and silver

my steering wheel is all black :confused:

i hear the worst issue about them is the turning circle, thanks to the front wheel drive. Is it really a problem, or is it just a minor issue?


They come standard with a handbrake ;)

lol More turning circle talk lol

Honestly, I have never had a problem with the turning circle in my car. Three point turns aren't that hard, I mean they are in the driving test so they must be the easiest thing to do on earth.

VRX gets 10 speakers, premium sound (2din head unit with indash 6 stacker), body kit, VRX trim (fabric, leather optional), tinted tail lights (expensive buggers), 17inch wheels, VRX dash cluster, leather hand brake lever, fog lights, depending on year you get colour coded everything.

VR gets none of them except fog lights VR is also 30kg lighter apparently...but has the same 163kw and 317nm

If you get the
VR Limited you also get the koni shocks and enkei wheels, steering wheel similar to the Ralliart style but black and silver
VRX Limited you get leather seats, koni shocks and enkei wheels, steering wheel similar to the Ralliart style but black and silver

TW VRX you also get steering wheel similar to the Ralliart style but black and silver

Thanks for clearing that up. Im thinking a VR limited might be a good option if I plan on doing my sound system and interior anyway. Not a huge fan of leather anyway. Seems to be a bit of a premium for the TL VRX's at the moment, especially the limited editions.

I bought a TL VR Limited last night, going to pick it up in 10 days!!

Very excited :D

Went to look at a TL VR-X Limited a few days ago, the leather seats they use in those are really nice. Unfortunately it was a bit pricey for what it needed done to get it tiptop.

To be honest I'm not sure how limited they are, have seen a couple for sale recently, and I walk past one every morning at the station lol

VRX gets 10 speakers, premium sound (2din head unit with indash 6 stacker), body kit, VRX trim (fabric, leather optional), tinted tail lights (expensive buggers), 17inch wheels, VRX dash cluster, leather hand brake lever, fog lights, depending on year you get colour coded everything.

VR gets none of them except fog lights VR is also 30kg lighter apparently...but has the same 163kw and 317nm

If you get the
VR Limited you also get the koni shocks and enkei wheels, steering wheel similar to the Ralliart style but black and silver
VRX Limited you get leather seats, koni shocks and enkei wheels, steering wheel similar to the Ralliart style but black and silver

TW VRX you also get steering wheel similar to the Ralliart style but black and silver

I actually saw a black limited edition VRX which had red and black seats and a red + black steering wheel. I think that goes for any VRX/ralliart in black because i saw a black ralliart with the same steering wheel as well. Apparently White ones seem to have the blue and black seats, including the silver steering wheel. I guess the colour of the car gets you specific internal colours as well.

What year are you talking about though? The above was about TL's, what your saying sounds like TJs. Found a blue TJ VR-X Limited Edition only a few minutes drive from my house, has blue leather and silver steering wheel.

hi guys just letting u know id take 17 for mine now. Im crazy selling it for this with only 40k on the clock. :(

What year are you talking about though? The above was about TL's, what your saying sounds like TJs. Found a blue TJ VR-X Limited Edition only a few minutes drive from my house, has blue leather and silver steering wheel.

My bad, i was talking about the TJ's. However, i think the external car colour determines the colour of the seats and wheel for the limited edition model. I would surely love a black one with red leather seats and steering wheel.

I thought people got to choose as it was an additional package, as to what colour You could have white leather, black or red partial leather, and with the blue and red you got the silver console, and steering wheel and red or blue taco.
My vr-x was like $47 ooo new or soemthing rediculous, cause he also got the sunroof put in which was $1500 extra aswell....

Yeah I reckon you could have chosen the colour you wanted. I mean all they had to do was bolt a different set of seats, instrument cluster and door trims in.

:nuts: Mine is still available // Offers over 9k considered.