G'day guys im new here. Ive got myself a 380 but im keen on buying a magna for a bit of fun. Most of the magnas ive looked at are around 100,000-150,000km and are TJ sports/vrx etc. Just wondering if thats a little to long in the tooth or are the 3.5ltrs pretty tough old birds? Im also looking at manuals specifically so i was wondering what they are like with exuberant driving, wouldnt mind doing a bit of track work with it.

Cheers, Mikey

100-150k is nothing to be too worried about if it's been looked after properly.

If you're looking at doing track work, it might be worth considering a Ralliart model. They come with Koni shocks, the twin piston brakes, and the manuals are the only FWD models to come with an LSD. Pricewise it'd probably compare favourably to buying a VR-X and adding those bits on later.

G'day guys im new here. Ive got myself a 380 but im keen on buying a magna for a bit of fun. Most of the magnas ive looked at are around 100,000-150,000km and are TJ sports/vrx etc. Just wondering if thats a little to long in the tooth or are the 3.5ltrs pretty tough old birds? Im also looking at manuals specifically so i was wondering what they are like with exuberant driving, wouldnt mind doing a bit of track work with it.

Cheers, Mikey

These engines are brilliant! My old car which was a 3.0 TF manual did 300,000 kms on its original engine ( and was still going well when i sold it) and 250,000 kms on its original clutch. Like anything, if its maintained properly it will look after you. My car did a few drag days and a couple of laps at Winton and Phillip Island so don't be worried about the strength of these things! One suggestion i do have is a good brake upgrade if it is going to see a lot of track work. They are a bit under done...

100-150k is nothing to be too worried about if it's been looked after properly.

If you're looking at doing track work, it might be worth considering a Ralliart model. They come with Koni shocks, the twin piston brakes, and the manuals are the only FWD models to come with an LSD. Pricewise it'd probably compare favourably to buying a VR-X and adding those bits on later.


These engines are brilliant! My old car which was a 3.0 TF manual did 300,000 kms on its original engine ( and was still going well when i sold it) and 250,000 kms on its original clutch. Like anything, if its maintained properly it will look after you. My car did a few drag days and a couple of laps at Winton and Phillip Island so don't be worried about the strength of these things! One suggestion i do have is a good brake upgrade if it is going to see a lot of track work. They are a bit under done...

Thanks for the advice guys, sounds like a tough car. I guess like any car its reliability is measured by its service record. I was looking at ralliarts but I dont intend on tracking for a fair while so I think ill just save my bucks and go VRX for now. What are they like on fuel with the manual trans? The 380 is pretty dreadful so I was hoping to get a few more clicks from the magna...

There's a fuel-consumption thread somewhere in here.

I have a TJ Sports with about 220K on the clock, and a KJ Verada with only 80K - Sports is Manual, Verada is 4-sp Tiptronic. Verada has much better highway economy than Sports, KJ cruises at 2000rpm for 100kmh, while Sports will be ticking over 2400rpm.

Verada quite sluggish by comparison (apparently the later 5-sp tippy is much better at motivating momentum) - but the Sports (being manual) is much more enjoyable character, it's pretty much always willing to rev out and pulls away from lowish revs willingly too.

My worst problem with my particular Sports is notchy gearshift, has been abused in a past life, Methinks. Tried a gear oil change which helped, but only slightly. If I ever see a 3.5litre manual box at right price I might go for a rebuild (keeping car on-road while getting the box done up).

Rear sway bars seem to help these cars too - my Sports has OEM rear bar, the Verada has had a Whiteline adjustable rear bar fitted and that helped it a lot. VRX's should have the standard rear sway bar as far as i know.

I have put RDA slotted brake rotors on the fronts of both cars, and using QFM "HPX" brake pads for the first time - this helps standard brakes a lot. If you were considering trackwork I would def recommend a better brake upgrade again. Search forums here, there's been lots of discussion and a good few options to up-spec the brakes.

What are they like on fuel with the manual trans? The 380 is pretty dreadful so I was hoping to get a few more clicks from the magna...

I did Geelong to Canberra in a single tank with the TF. i think thats about 800 kms from memory. The 3.5's are not as good but for their power and capacity the still do well. And having owned a manual 380 before i can say any 3rd gen Magna is better than a 380 on fuel.

There's a fuel-consumption thread somewhere in here.

I have a TJ Sports with about 220K on the clock, and a KJ Verada with only 80K - Sports is Manual, Verada is 4-sp Tiptronic. Verada has much better highway economy than Sports, KJ cruises at 2000rpm for 100kmh, while Sports will be ticking over 2400rpm.

Verada quite sluggish by comparison (apparently the later 5-sp tippy is much better at motivating momentum) - but the Sports (being manual) is much more enjoyable character, it's pretty much always willing to rev out and pulls away from lowish revs willingly too.

My worst problem with my particular Sports is notchy gearshift, has been abused in a past life, Methinks. Tried a gear oil change which helped, but only slightly. If I ever see a 3.5litre manual box at right price I might go for a rebuild (keeping car on-road while getting the box done up).

Rear sway bars seem to help these cars too - my Sports has OEM rear bar, the Verada has had a Whiteline adjustable rear bar fitted and that helped it a lot. VRX's should have the standard rear sway bar as far as i know.

I have put RDA slotted brake rotors on the fronts of both cars, and using QFM "HPX" brake pads for the first time - this helps standard brakes a lot. If you were considering trackwork I would def recommend a better brake upgrade again. Search forums here, there's been lots of discussion and a good few options to up-spec the brakes.


have you had any problems with the sports worth mentioning? And ill definitely looking into a brake upgrade at some stage.

I did Geelong to Canberra in a single tank with the TF. i think thats about 800 kms from memory. The 3.5's are not as good but for their power and capacity the still do well. And having owned a manual 380 before i can say any 3rd gen Magna is better than a 380 on fuel.

Well im averaging around 14ltr/100 on a good day in the 380 and its the tiptronic so any improvement is fantastic in my books :D

My Sports was bought in a hurry due to family issues, over the Net from a Pickles Newcastle "repo" auction. I can't expect it to be as great a car as you carefully selecting just the one you want!!

I worried that it was near 200K and obviously had some rough treatment (barely-repaired front prang, complete with wrong headlights installed etc, not to mention the cut-short springs which flogged-out most shocks). I then bought a low-km Verada..... wanting longevity and luxury.

BUT the Sports was such a different beast to drive - much more "go" (has a bit more power stock than Verada too, Ser II Sports vs Ser I KJ) - and I thought I'll prob never get back what the Sports owes me (purch price was OK, but then about $900- for Kings Springs and shocks, still has cosmetic defects and dull paint). So I thought "bugger it" I'll keep the Sports, try to give it back a bit of care, enjoy driving it as the "daily" and use the Rada for long trips. Sports has had new tyres since (Michelin XM1+ and I love em, not the sportiest tyre, but I am not the sportiest driver). Did the brake upgrade as mentioned, THAT'S a lot more reassuring now. Doing little bling/interior mods as I go - getting ricier I have to admit. Oh, also Whiteline strut brace on both cars - more for "maybe they'll hang-together better on dirt roads" reasons than the handling characteristics.

To answer your question: not aware of any drama's with the Sports, or inherent weaknesses really. (Verada auto trans died, I think there is a problem with them, however - search "wave spring"). If you get a later series VRX you should get the more powerful motor and rear sway bar.

Have you considered AWD? they have a fuel-economy penalty and have compromised handbrake set-up, som issues of how free-flowing the exhaust is (bad flow at Y-pipe?) and some issues of exhaust drone (tho I read in here that auto's are most-affected due to cruise rpms).

Look for threads and members who track their cars - there are quite a few, and lots and lots of sensible advice and experience which far exceeds mine.

Good bloke in here did the Timing Belt and few jobs for me while I had a long-ish road-trip (Tamworth NSW to Adelaide, back via Melb and Sydney).

My Sports was bought in a hurry due to family issues, over the Net from a Pickles Newcastle "repo" auction. I can't expect it to be as great a car as you carefully selecting just the one you want!!

I worried that it was near 200K and obviously had some rough treatment (barely-repaired front prang, complete with wrong headlights installed etc, not to mention the cut-short springs which flogged-out most shocks). I then bought a low-km Verada..... wanting longevity and luxury.

BUT the Sports was such a different beast to drive - much more "go" (has a bit more power stock than Verada too, Ser II Sports vs Ser I KJ) - and I thought I'll prob never get back what the Sports owes me (purch price was OK, but then about $900- for Kings Springs and shocks, still has cosmetic defects and dull paint). So I thought "bugger it" I'll keep the Sports, try to give it back a bit of care, enjoy driving it as the "daily" and use the Rada for long trips. Sports has had new tyres since (Michelin XM1+ and I love em, not the sportiest tyre, but I am not the sportiest driver). Did the brake upgrade as mentioned, THAT'S a lot more reassuring now. Doing little bling/interior mods as I go - getting ricier I have to admit. Oh, also Whiteline strut brace on both cars - more for "maybe they'll hang-together better on dirt roads" reasons than the handling characteristics.

To answer your question: not aware of any drama's with the Sports, or inherent weaknesses really. (Verada auto trans died, I think there is a problem with them, however - search "wave spring"). If you get a later series VRX you should get the more powerful motor and rear sway bar.

Have you considered AWD? they have a fuel-economy penalty and have compromised handbrake set-up, som issues of how free-flowing the exhaust is (bad flow at Y-pipe?) and some issues of exhaust drone (tho I read in here that auto's are most-affected due to cruise rpms).

Look for threads and members who track their cars - there are quite a few, and lots and lots of sensible advice and experience which far exceeds mine.

Good bloke in here did the Timing Belt and few jobs for me while I had a long-ish road-trip (Tamworth NSW to Adelaide, back via Melb and Sydney).

Gees the sport does sound like its had a hard life. I have considered the awd but Im yet to find one in a manual if they ever came out with that option??? and id prefer that over the auto, not saying the 5 speed auto is bad because its mighty impressive. Just want a car with a bit of character, and one that I can track with a bit less nervousness of anything going wrong (380 is just a bit too new to be tracking). Cheers for your advice by the way

They never made an AWD manual mate!

They never made an AWD manual mate!

Bit of a shame, would have made for an interesting drive

If I still had my old car, I would have sold it to you for easily 6k cos of lower kms than most of the cars out there plus excellent condition. But unfortunately I do not...I can tell you for nothing: go to the Vic Park yards and you can get a TJ sports for 5 ks. You can get similar mods like Snakebytz here have.

If I still had my old car, I would have sold it to you for easily 6k cos of lower kms than most of the cars out there plus excellent condition. But unfortunately I do not...I can tell you for nothing: go to the Vic Park yards and you can get a TJ sports for 5 ks. You can get similar mods like Snakebytz here have.

Im in queensland mate, and unfortunately there is quite a small selection of manual magnas to choose from :( so being picky with kays is hard, unless I opt for an auto which i do not want

Im in queensland mate, and unfortunately there is quite a small selection of manual magnas to choose from :( so being picky with kays is hard, unless I opt for an auto which i do not want

If you find something in Vic that you are partial too and its not too far from me i can have a look at it if you like. I have done this for another member along with Boozer in the past so i am more than happy to do this for you.

If there is a good one that's worth traveling for it is worth getting a bus or plane ticket just to drive it back. Road trip!

If you find something in Vic that you are partial too and its not too far from me i can have a look at it if you like. I have done this for another member along with Boozer in the past so i am more than happy to do this for you.

If there is a good one that's worth traveling for it is worth getting a bus or plane ticket just to drive it back. Road trip!

Cheers mate ill keep that in mind! I have to shift the old VZ commodore before i make a move so I dont know when I'll be looking around again...

The kms are differently no biggy, mine is now at 272,000 with only a couple of tube seal leaks (easy fix) and still going strong, there are stories of these mighty things reaching over 400,000 on original parts! :)