Howdy all,

As the title says I just sold my car (VS Berlina) and I am converting to Mitsubishi.

I have about $5500 up my sleeve at the moment and am looking to find a nice original Magna to start off with, kind of like a blank canvas.

Just wondering if anyone had any tips or suggestions I should look out for while I'm trying to find one like what common faults I should look for yada yada yada.

I like the TJ model myself but am not sure If I would be in that price range, any suggestions?

Cheers, Goldie

First mate, welcome to the club. Good to see another SA member, we have a meet every fortnight at Firle if ya wanna come along (before you get car/when you have car, it doesnt matter really, you can check out some of our rides to get some ideas as to what you want).

Now I don't know much about the common faults as such (I would like to know this too as I'm thinking of buying a newer Magna by the end of the year) but as far as prices, you can get an early 3rd gen for 3-5k in fairly good nick. 2000-2003 go for 5-9k depending on condition. sometimes a good one pops up cheaper than that, ya just gotta be lucky.

Also, consider buying interstate, I see so many Magnas interstate soo much cheaper than the equivalent car in SA, well thats what I've noticed anyway.

Good luck finding a car mate,
-Matt.

Bit over your budget, but a 01 TJ VRX for $5900 buy it now
http://cars2.ebay.com.au/2001-Mitsubishi-Magna-VR-X-VRX-LOW-KMs_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ130304514201

Not too sure on condition though being a stolen recovery....

But they are coming down all the time, I know someone that has a 03 TL with 90k on the clock that they're looking for $6000 for.

Bit over your budget, but a 01 TJ VRX for $5900 buy it now
http://cars2.ebay.com.au/2001-Mitsubishi-Magna-VR-X-VRX-LOW-KMs_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ130304514201

Not too sure on condition though being a stolen recovery....

But they are coming down all the time, I know someone that has a 03 TL with 90k on the clock that they're looking for $6000 for.

Haha, saw that one, the guys a dreamer......"it'll be worth 12 when it's fixed" lol....the why don't you friggen fix it:gtfo:

PS it's missing the wheel arch flares...unless my eyes are bad.

Haha, saw that one, the guys a dreamer......"it'll be worth 12 when it's fixed" lol....the why don't you friggen fix it:gtfo:

PS it's missing the wheel arch flares...unless my eyes are bad.

Yeah I was thinking the same, "just pay the $600 odd to re-rego it and sell it for more..." made think there maybe something else wrong with it.

Bit over your budget, but a 01 TJ VRX for $5900 buy it now
http://cars2.ebay.com.au/2001-Mitsubishi-Magna-VR-X-VRX-LOW-KMs_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ130304514201

Not too sure on condition though being a stolen recovery....

But they are coming down all the time, I know someone that has a 03 TL with 90k on the clock that they're looking for $6000 for.

Lol!! Doesn't have the VRX flares, front bumper, wheels, and the spoiler isn't painted. Not to mention it isn't registered. Guy is dreeeeeeeaming.

And where are you getting a 90k TL for $6000?

Yeah I was thinking the same, "just pay the $600 odd to re-rego it and sell it for more..." made think there maybe something else wrong with it.

Stolen = THRASHED!

And where are you getting a 90k TL for $6000?

Mate of mine up here on the sunny coast has it, it's only a ES and a 03 model, but nice and clean.

In regards to the original question, for my sister picked up an 02 TJ S1.5 Advance (so climate, cruise, power windows, trip comp) with 138k, some nice ROH wheels and in great nick for $5800 with 7mths rego.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/3173655588_5797d4e214.jpg

I like the TJ model myself but am not sure If I would be in that price range, any suggestions?Just make sure you get a manual. They're a lot more fun to drive, and much quicker.

In regards to the original question, for my sister picked up an 02 TJ S1.5 Advance (so climate, cruise, power windows, trip comp) with 138k, some nice ROH wheels and in great nick for $5800 with 7mths rego.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/3173655588_5797d4e214.jpg

Man thats a sweet buy, thats the sort of thing I am after! Guess I'll just keep a look out on the car sales websites for a while...Cheers

Oh and another thing, should I steer clear from dealers and try and get a private sale?

you could always have a troll through the for sale section on here and you could find a good bargain if your lucky...

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66649

you could always have a troll through the for sale section on here and you could find a good bargain if your lucky...

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66649
that may be gone, from memory there was a buyer for it a fortnight ago, it may have fallen through though

for reference i got a 2000 TH advance wagon with 145000kms on the clock for $5400 with 3 months rego

and as blazin mentioned i have too noticed that cars are much cheaper interstate, most probably due to the stricter registration and roadworthy procedures that need to be done

another reason to buy interstate is that you'll have way more choice, its pretty frustrating typing in "magna SA" and only getting like 5 results, whereas nationwide you get hundreds :(

oh and definitely try to get a later model, preferably an advance like mitchello said

'99 KH Ei Verada 164K LPG $6000 (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/MITSUBISHI/VERADA/details.aspx?R=6591904&Make=MITSUBISHI&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCo unt_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&Model=VERADA&__N=4294964597%2085%20834%20257%201216%20429496408 1%20285&State=South%20Australia&distance=25&silo=1003&seot=0&Cr=4&__Nne=20&trecs=5&state_id=85&__sid=1208D1F73521)

'97 KE? Verada 149K $4900 (http://www.drive.com.au/used-cars/MITSUBISHI/VERADA/Adelaide/detail.aspx?id=11344916&lid=11344916&pg=1&pp=11&d=0&nv=1&SG=431976765&pt=1)

'01 TJ Advance 145K $5990 (http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Used-Cars/Small-Medium-Family-Prestige-Cars/AdNumber=TP001893865?BackToResult=true)

Just a few I found in the Adelaide area that may be of intrest

ahh cheers fellas ill check em out, verada alot better than a standard?

ahh cheers fellas ill check em out, verada alot better than a standard?

depends what your in for,


verada is alot more like driving in your loungeroom

magna base models, 3L, 4sp autos are very average. If you can help it at least get the 5 sp and 3.5L.

and if your even more keen, go manual, 100% better again!

but theres no manual veradas anymore :(


if your keen on modding get a magna, if your happy to leave your car, get a verada, would already have leather, sunroof, climate control etc in an Xi anyway

Are there many manuals around? I dont see too many on the car sales websites, but would def prefer a manual! Im over auto now...So it comes in 5 speed auto too is that what your saying?

also do many people have many problems with the extra features of the verada? i just sold my vs berlina which has most options and it was a nightmare!

also do many people have many problems with the extra features of the verada? i just sold my vs berlina which has most options and it was a nightmare!

i got my TJ sports, black and manual, prretty rare combo, for $7,000

was in reasonable to good condition

took me... 2 years to find it, not really looking that hard but yeah, one came up and i snapped it up!

the auto comes in a 5 spd tiptronic, not to sure what models though, sams series 2 TJ AWD has it...

i got my TJ sports, black and manual, prretty rare combo, for $7,000

was in reasonable to good condition

took me... 2 years to find it, not really looking that hard but yeah, one came up and i snapped it up!Found mine in a month without looking hard? TJ Sports, black, manual

also do many people have many problems with the extra features of the verada? i just sold my vs berlina which has most options and it was a nightmare!Nah. They're built better than Commodores.


Are there many manuals around? I dont see too many on the car sales websites, but would def prefer a manual! Im over auto now...So it comes in 5 speed auto too is that what your saying?Less than 10% of third gen Magnas on Carsales are manuals, usually.

I found one for you.

'01 TJ Magna Sports 3.5L 5sp Manual (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/MITSUBISHI/MAGNA/details.aspx?R=6450944&__sid=1208D1F73521&Make=MITSUBISHI&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCo unt_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&Model=MAGNA&__N=4294964597%2085%201622%20443%204294964374%2012 16%20834%20285%20257&State=South%20Australia&distance=25&silo=1003&PriceTo=443&seot=0&Cr=0&__Nne=20&trecs=2&state_id=85&PriceMax=7500). $5190. Only problem is it's done 236,00kms if that bothers you. Looks nice though, lowered and 17" wheels.

Thats nice that one but i reckon ill try to go for one with lower k's, i have never had a car with less than 200 000 kms before! Looks good though

I just bought a 98 TF Solara, dark grey, manual, 193,000km for $3200 with a full years rego and 4 new tyres. Runs very smooth just a few blemishes in the paint.

And I just sold/wrote of my VS commodore too :happy:

I just bought a 98 TF Solara, dark grey, manual, 193,000km for $3200 with a full years rego and 4 new tyres. Runs very smooth just a few blemishes in the paint.

And I just sold/wrote of my VS commodore too :happy:

Would you say it was a good move from the commy to magna?

Would you say it was a good move from the commy to magna?

Hard to say, the Magna is definately a lot better to drive. But i loved my commodore, they sound better with exhausts than the Magna do, and its obviously RWD, not a bit fan of FWD.

But the magna is definitely a better drivers car, and it goes pretty good for a 3.0L

Just went at looked at the first one, was a TJ Exec 2002, not too bad all round but to me didnt seem very well looked after. 120k on the clock, they wanted 7 thousand. Thought it was a bit rich...was just considering maybe an earlier model 3rd gen, what I naturally assume that the TH would be the best one to go for? Any pro's or cons anyone has about these earlier models? Might be able to pick up a better one for cheaper that way...Cheers

I bought my TH last year for $5200 here in Adelaide. Had 170k odd on the clock when I got it, couldn't find a fault with it, inside or out. Goes nice and hard, definitely notice the difference between driving it and the VZ wagon, as nice as the Commodore is to drive, it is boring as frog ****, the TH is fun to drive

Ahh sweet, has many people here had good experiences with cars bought from car yards? And how many K's should I be looking for for a th/tj?

Ahh sweet, has many people here had good experiences with cars bought from car yards? And how many K's should I be looking for for a th/tj?

i got my 2000/1 (made dec 2000 reg jan 2001) tj for 6500 from a dealer and had 120k on the clock, probably paid more than i should have, but i wanted a nice car....

I bought my 1999 TH xs tourer for $2000 with 4 newish tyres and 3 months rego left on it. only downside was it has 247k on the clock. but its a manual and goes very hard!

http://www.aussiemagna.net/forums/showthread.php?t=66762

There it is. I think i got a lot of value for my money :)

This car seems good for the price....

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=7115236&__Qpb=true&Cr=10&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Price_Decim al%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cpCar_Model_S tring%7c0&keywords=&__No=45&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294964597% 204294964374%20461%20443%20901&silo=1011&PriceTo=443&seot=0&PriceFrom=461&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=68&__sid=121512D7867F

if your keen on modding get a magna, if your happy to leave your car, get a verada, would already have leather, sunroof, climate control etc in an Xi anyway
Whats stopping you from modding a Verada? :confused:

Howdy i have just found something I am interested in, its a 2003 tj exec auto with 170 000 km's on it. Is that too many km's for that car would you say? They claim it to be as new, everything perfect. Cheers

Estimated Valuations
$6,300 - $7,700 private sale
$6,000 - $7,000 trade in value
$9,800 - $11,760 dealer price
Average Kms: 115,000

I wouldn't pay more then 6k personally or 7k with full rego...

Ahh sweet, has many people here had good experiences with cars bought from car yards? And how many K's should I be looking for for a th/tj?

I had a baddddd experince with mine.

I paid $5200 for my TH with 215,000kms (high kms but well looked after, still paid too much) ... However, that week I had to spend $1600 on fixing oil leaks their warrenty wouldnt cover!

I paid $5000 for a 99 TH Altera LS with 155,000kms with 6 months rego from a car yard about 2yrs ago, was perfect :)

Bought a 1 owner 2004 TW wagon 68000kms FSH for $6500.00 - immaculate - owner moving overseas for work and forced to sell cheap because he had one one week left before leaving. He also sold a 2007 Astra for $12000 after wanting closer to $20000, but was too slow to pick that one up. Bargains can be found if your patient.

Found this one not exactly a TJ but is this reasonably priced?

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=6822891&__Qpb=true&Cr=6&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Price_Decimal|1|| pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294964597% 204294964374%20901&silo=1011&__No=105&seot=0&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=143&__sid=12188765AF37