looking at getting a 2nd hand 2nd gen wagon for the gf...

could you guys have a look at these and let me know by pm if they're worth looking at?

obviously I'll need to do some work on it once I get it....

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Used-Cars/Small-Medium-Family-Prestige-Cars/AdNumber=D776600253506?BackToResult=true&AdOnTop=

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Used-Cars/Small-Medium-Family-Prestige-Cars/AdNumber=D776600254925?CRDealerID=9_0KoQwhyMIAAAEi K8MTf6Zi&HotlistView=true&ExternalHotlink=

Sure you don't want a sedan?

If I had my choice it would be the V6 Verada wagon. Astron a little underpowered for cars weight. Also not as reliable long term. Mind you you could buy Petes rada. All the hard work has been done and car is one of the best you will ever see. My 2c worth.

would prefer a wagon cos of the kids......I'm thinking the V6 as well, don't mind doing some work myself.

Will mainly be looking at audio system and maybe body mods...not too much engine work unless it's just getting it up and running

Stay a long way away from the 4cyl. GLX is a carby model, that will just be too slow.
The verada wagon is much nicer. A good service will keep it going for another 20 years.

Yeah most of the 4cyls are getting pretty tired now too.. I'd definately check out the V6..

there is another one, a private sale, that I'm going to look at. The guy wants $330 for it, doesn't say much though...hope he just doesn't know alot about magnas. If it looks crap, I'm thinking of going for the KR Verada V6.

Is that the general agreement? The V6 one?

Yeah mate. even though you have your asstron crusaders on here they are just slow, no overtaking power at all. specially an auto. only look for a V6 powered one and should carry the family around no problems at all.
$330....jesus....I'd love to know what needs to be done!

;1225808']Yeah mate. even though you have your asstron crusaders on here they are just slow, no overtaking power at all. specially an auto. only look for a V6 powered one and should carry the family around no problems at all.
$330....jesus....I'd love to know what needs to be done!

this is what the ad says "Mitsubishi, Magna, 1993, marrone, mags, air, cd, needs head gasket, rego, clean and tidy"

called him and he reckons that the only other stuff is some dents and problems with the paint.....

well I'm heading down to look at the cars tomorrow....hopefully they'll be ok....won't really be looking at getting one for a few weeks but at least I'll know what they're like....

now to start planning upgrades just in case....

"problems with the paint" lol That will be the "famous second gen clearcoat peeling off" problem!

"needs head gasket" usually means "needs new engine"!

that's what i reckon too, shouldn't be too hard to get fixed though.....ultimately it's gonna come down to how much they're gonna cost to fix up. the obvious favourite would be the cheapest one ($330) but it could cost too much to fix up, 2nd choice will be the V6 verada....

Only concern is, WHY does it need a head gasket.. people say that but it was probably overheated.. which is probably because something else is cactus.. and the heads probably need machining, etc. (sorry to rain on your parade)

Going cheap because after you spend $1k+ on it you can't be sure where you will end up.. gamble gamble!

i know....reckon it'll end up being the V6 for $1650....not too bad by the sound of it, will find out for sure, might try to get a test drive

V6 Verada for sure dude as long as it's in good nick. Give the engine a good thrash when you take it for a test drive to make sure everything is on order

;1225846']V6 Verada for sure dude as long as it's in good nick. Give the engine a good thrash when you take it for a test drive to make sure everything is on order

lol sounds like a plan. in case you guys haven't seen the thread in the audio section, what size speakers are in 2nd gen wagons and where are they?

real men drive GLX's :P

nah, go for the verada. coming from a carby driver, dont do it!

The Rada ad doesn't mention speedo reading, and we all know why, don't we? lol

If the speedo reading is around the 300,000 km mark, give it a miss at any price. The gf wants a car to drive, not sit around and wait while you do the CVs, cam belt, brakes, suspension, gear box, alternator etc. Really only worth the dosh if it is like 200,000 on the speedo.

The trouble with 18 year old Magnas, is that they can look quite good in the body and upholstery, yet be ready for the knacker's yard mechanically.

hmmmm....good point, the rada is in a car yard so if it's a lemon then i can take it back and swap it

real men drive GLX's :P

nah, go for the verada. coming from a carby driver, dont do it!

Yeah chicks dig the 34nm of torque that beast puts down.

hmmmm....good point, the rada is in a car yard so if it's a lemon then i can take it back and swap it

Problem is, no warranty on a car that price, and the yard is probably full of equally rooted cars. And it won't be a lemon, it will just be a high mileage Magna with the usual problems for an 18 year old car.

Speakers: 2 in the dash (or maybe the doors) and 2 on the rear of the headliner.

Anyhow, if you know your way around the Magna Verada, and know what to look for, by all means go see it. Do you need a little list of what to look for?

Here's a start:
(1) Torn CV boots.
(2) Torn steering rack boots.
(3) Gear shift pattern, especially engaging 4th when cold.
(4) Engine oil, transmission oil, coolant colours.
(5) Carbon encrusted exhaust tip.
(6) Drooping headliner.
(7) Rust and dents.
(8) Squeeking idler pulleys.
(9) Tappet rattle on start up that doesn't go away.
(10) Any sign of a service record? When was the cam belt last done?
(11) Aircon, heater: do they work? Any belt noise when the compressor cuts in?
(12) Rego - any left on it?
(13) Idle speed - steady, does it go up if you turn on the aircon, turn the wheel, or turn on the lights?
(14) Oil leaks, is there a thick layer of oily dirt under the engine, at either end of the engine?
(15) Peeling clear coat on the paint.

From my experience with a TS V6 auto, bought 2 years ago, for $1,200, with 220,000 on the clock.

Others feel free to add to this list of woes.

Go for the v6 where possible. The Injected 2.6's are slow enough let alone the carby models.

I agree on going the wagon though (especially with kids).

My Exec wagon had only 2 small speakers at the front of the dash (near the windscreen, look like maybe 4-4.5 inches and they'd be a PITA to swap).
I'd just disconnect them and put decent speakers in the doors.

The Verada at least has 4 speakers although I haven't seen locations/sizes.


If you go the $330 there was a v6 motor for sale (by TUFFTR i think) not long ago that sounded like a good option.

Problem is, no warranty on a car that price, and the yard is probably full of equally rooted cars. And it won't be a lemon, it will just be a high mileage Magna with the usual problems for an 18 year old car.

Speakers: 2 in the dash (or maybe the doors) and 2 on the rear of the headliner.

Anyhow, if you know your way around the Magna Verada, and know what to look for, by all means go see it. Do you need a little list of what to look for?

Here's a start:
(1) Torn CV boots.
(2) Torn steering rack boots.
(3) Gear shift pattern, especially engaging 4th when cold.
(4) Engine oil, transmission oil, coolant colours.
(5) Carbon encrusted exhaust tip.
(6) Drooping headliner.
(7) Rust and dents.
(8) Squeeking idler pulleys.
(9) Tappet rattle on start up that doesn't go away.
(10) Any sign of a service record? When was the cam belt last done?
(11) Aircon, heater: do they work? Any belt noise when the compressor cuts in?
(12) Rego - any left on it?
(13) Idle speed - steady, does it go up if you turn on the aircon, turn the wheel, or turn on the lights?
(14) Oil leaks, is there a thick layer of oily dirt under the engine, at either end of the engine?
(15) Peeling clear coat on the paint.

From my experience with a TS V6 auto, bought 2 years ago, for $1,200, with 220,000 on the clock.

Others feel free to add to this list of woes.

thanks, that's quite alot and i'd hope that a car yard wouldn't try to sell a major P.O.S. but then again ya never know....


Go for the v6 where possible. The Injected 2.6's are slow enough let alone the carby models.

I agree on going the wagon though (especially with kids).

My Exec wagon had only 2 small speakers at the front of the dash (near the windscreen, look like maybe 4-4.5 inches and they'd be a PITA to swap).
I'd just disconnect them and put decent speakers in the doors.

The Verada at least has 4 speakers although I haven't seen locations/sizes.


If you go the $330 there was a v6 motor for sale (by TUFFTR i think) not long ago that sounded like a good option.

thanks

they are only there to make money, they will sell crap if they think they can get away with it.

ild also look at the V6 KR....

they are only there to make money, they will sell crap if they think they can get away with it.

ild also look at the V6 KR....

:stoopid:
not trying to have a shot but, keep up with the thread, i'm only looking at the $330 (private sale) if it's decent, the V6 is a car yard sale and the forerunner at the moment

Most car yards are on a rotation system from major car dealers, cars traded in are farmed out to car yards, tarted up and displayed. If they don't sell, they are moved to another suburb.
This all costs money, a markup of 1,500 to 3,000 dollars is not uncommon. If a car yard is asking $1,650 they are desperate to get rid of it.

Just remember cars are traded in for several reasons. Some trade in a car based on age - 3 year old cars or ex lease cars, or cars bought at goverment auctions are good examples. For older cars, it is more likely that they are traded because they have too many problems and are too costly to keep on the road for the owners. So, buy someone else's problems wrapped up in a car a dealer is desperate to shift, and you are looking at major repair costs a little down the track.

Buying a car in this price bracket - do it privately, and know what to look for.

You really can't go by how many k's a car has done to know what its mechanical condition is like, if you don't know a lot about cars get a mechanic to go over the car, the KR Verada would be a good car if its in good nick. I bought a 1992 KR Verada XI sedan 3 years ago from a car yard with 175,000 k's for $2,800, I have fixed a couple of things in that time but overall its been a fantastic car for what I payed for it, it has 230,000 k's on the clock now. all the best with what ever you decide to do

The majority of TR/TS models are Atsron II's (all GLX are carby, the rest EFI), a 2nd gen manual is easier to find than a 3rd gen manual. I see plenty of V6 manuals (Executive only)

You really can't go by how many k's a car has done to know what its mechanical condition is like, if you don't know a lot about cars get a mechanic to go over the car, the KR Verada would be a good car if its in good nick. I bought a 1992 KR Verada XI sedan 3 years ago from a car yard with 175,000 k's for $2,800, I have fixed a couple of things in that time but overall its been a fantastic car for what I payed for it, it has 230,000 k's on the clock now. all the best with what ever you decide to do

Yep, 175,000 Km is a good mileage, plenty of life left in it. My point is that the ad doesn't mention mileage and from the price asked, its bound to be a high reading. I bought a TS V6 auto with 192,000 Km for $1,200 2 years ago and its a good car. BUT I would not buy one with more than that on the speedo. Not worth needing to fix all the problems it would have. And you are wrong, the mechanical condition of a car IS very much dependent on the speedo reading, even if it has been serviced correctly!

so basically you're saying that if it's got over 200,000kms on the clock don't go for it? why's that? my 3rd gen has well over 200 on it and runs fine....

just adding up the costs of possible repairs needed on an18 year old second genner with 300,000 Km on the clock . . . . lol

If you want a good second genner a $1650 car from a dealer with unspecified mileage isn't going to be it. Look elsewhere!

Mind u, lots of cars have highway km's so just look for a road log if they have one. good luck mate

just adding up the costs of possible repairs needed on an18 year old second genner with 300,000 Km on the clock . . . . lol

If you want a good second genner a $1650 car from a dealer with unspecified mileage isn't going to be it. Look elsewhere!

only unspecified on there website....will obviously be looking today, not necessarily looking for 2nd gen, only saw them cos they're cheap and look ok from pics....

Can't hurt to look, good luck car hunting!

If its the original motor yes k's do matter but if the motor may have been replaced you can't just look at the speed and think its stuffed, a car with 250,000 and a recon motor would be better then one with 100,000 thats been thrashed, thats all I ment, so I'm sorry I'm not wrong.



Yep, 175,000 Km is a good mileage, plenty of life left in it. My point is that the ad doesn't mention mileage and from the price asked, its bound to be a high reading. I bought a TS V6 auto with 192,000 Km for $1,200 2 years ago and its a good car. BUT I would not buy one with more than that on the speedo. Not worth needing to fix all the problems it would have. And you are wrong, the mechanical condition of a car IS very much dependent on the speedo reading, even if it has been serviced correctly!

I have owned 3 V6 KR's the motors are good but after 200,000 the valve stem seals tend to need replacing, other then that they are a good motor, if the car your looking at has high k's just start it and let it idle for about 5 minutes then hit the throttle and see if it blows smoke. Also check for oil leaks.




so basically you're saying that if it's got over 200,000kms on the clock don't go for it? why's that? my 3rd gen has well over 200 on it and runs fine....

went there today, was told it was being fixed, something bout it running on only 5 cylinders...will be there in a few days...

Not fixed, bodgeyed up. probably a cooland change, oil change and 2 bottles of chemiweld

Look at it this way. They advertised a car as being ready for sale, now they tell you it's not ready. Is that a bit on the nose?

A few shoddy dealers do this, "it's being fixed" means really "the car is gone but we want you to come back again and again until you are desperate enough to buy any clunker in the yard".

Next time (if) you visit, and the car is not there, find out where it is and go look at it, ask whoever working on it what is wrong and when it will be ready. (Take a look at the car and read the speedo.)
You might even (not likely) get an honest answer.