Hey guys,
Just got onto the forums.

next week I will be buying my first magna...
My friend has a 3rd Gen verada (twisties_88), and he recommended them because
a) they are awesome
b) there is a wide community of help
c) they are awesome....

So anyway, I spotted one on the side of the road, and it is turning out to be pretty good!

Its a 2nd gen TS executive wagon.. Champagne in colour :P
183,000 on the clock, neat body (one or two scratches) and the 12v 3.0 v6... auto :)
I am getting it for $1900 so I think its an alright deal. I am ringing up their mechanic on monday to talk about it... I am going to double check as to whether there are any leaks from the head/trans/cooling/oil etc and ask about the general safety of the magna :) Hopefully it turns out alright. It has been owned by a mother or two and they havent had any major problems for the 14 years that she has been driving her kids to school and back in it. The interior is basically perfect except for the centre console, so its looking to be a good car!

Anyway, hope I posted this in the right place... just searching for your advice as to whether it is good value or not :)

Hopefully I will get to know some of you and see you on some cruises!

Cheers,
Pickles.

you will get heaps of hints and advice

as the members post up :woot::ninja:

http://www.redbook.com.au/ to check the price

auto oil needs to be a bright red colour

and the smaller coolant hoses need to be in good condition
the motors dont like over heating

check when the timing belt and waterpump were done

Free downloadable manual http://www.lisho.net/?page_id=3
2nd gen .... needs adobe to read it

yeah good price but get your mechanic to cheak for oil leaks from the crankcase, cam seals and rockercover, do it have service history

Yeah it has a service history... dont have it in my hand.
I plan to take it to MY mechanic (more reliable than most imo) soon after I get it to make sure all the hoses are good. But their mechanic should be able to tell me if there are any leaks etc.

Private Price Guide $1,200 - $2,700
Average Km 225,000 - 375,000

I guess if there are no major problems (i.e. head/crank etc) then I might have a good deal on my hands due to the low k's

Yeah if the engine has been looked after with regular services, it will be a good buy

Couple of things to look at , having one myself (TS 3.0L V6 exec wagon) and having fixed it through the dangerous stage. ("Dangerous" as in, getting close to 200,000 km, when a lot of things tend to go wrong.)

CV boots tend to split at his stage, can be repaired if not left too long.
Motor is due for a cam belt change at 200,000 km.
Automatic gearbox may flare, or not pick up 4th gear when cold.
Steering rack boots perish and split, leading to damage to the tie rod ball joints.
Engine smoke at idle, noisy lifters.
Paintwork starts to peel its clearcoat, if it hasn't been kept under shelter.

All of these problems are fixable, but expensive if you are not a DIY type of person.

I paid $1,200 for mine 2 years ago at 220,000 km, so I think it may be slightly overpriced, or maybe I got a bargain? lol

Actually any car of that age the above list could apply! Items 1,2, and 4 are inevitable maintenance items, number 5 can be caused by lack of maintenance (this is where Nulon Lifter tuneup & free, and Nulon Engine Stop Leak may help), number 3 is a symptom of Auto age and service hisotry, on other cars the symptoms may be different. Item 6 is very typical of a car left outside, but can be negated by washing, using a polymer polish like Maguires, and washing it regularly and waxing (don't wax before using the polymer polish, the surface needs to be wax & oil free).

Since you're in SA, an RAA mechanic can do a full RAA check which costs around $150? They also have a cheaper check which just checks main issues. The full check is very complete, they fully analyse the whole car including compression test etc. I'm pretty sure the check is the same at any RAA approved place. It something definitely worth considering, $150 (or whatever it is) isn't much to pay when you consider the money you could save from getting a car with problems. With a car that old I would be surprised if they didn't find problems, but hopefully most of those will be minor.

I have considered that.
I also considered not doing it at all and just taking a chance... both options seemed out of my way as money is a big issue...
The seller met in the middle with me and agreed to get a service done to it (tomorrow), and she said I could ring up the mechanic (at seaton engineering) and talk to him about it. I am personally more confident with my own mechanic, so he will find any problems I may have when I take it to him for a service later on.
The biggest worries I have are for big repair jobs... i.e. trans/head etc.

Well, I have been in contact with their mechanic, and everything is in good nic. I am sure my mechanic will find something, but I have been assured that there are no big leaks/problems (I also saw this when I drove/looked at it).
I put my $600 deposit down today and I am getting it tomorrow! cant wait! Then it will be a trip down to u-pull-it (DIY wreckers in SA) to get my center console and a few cosmetic parts.

Hopefully with a few touch ups it will be a really neat car!

Oh, by the way, the silver lining on the plastic parts around the car.... what is the best way to stick that stuff back on? super glue? ahha

If its a big strip you can buy it in lengths, but a smaller bit use any glue or double sided tape, but you would have to cut it to the right width first.
If you are going to u-pull-it on Womma road (northern yard) there are plenty of gen 2s, right down the back on the right.

Sounds good late, lucky to go with the V6!

Hope it all works out good for you!

If you are going to u-pull-it on Womma road (northern yard) there are plenty of gen 2s, right down the back on the right.

Yeah, thats the one I went to with my excel, and I saw many second gens.... should be a party! I love that place. I need to get a couple of little cosmetic things so hopefully I will find them there.