Hi Guys,

I've been looking for my first car for a while now and have always been a massive fan of the TN-TP series Magna Wagon. Embarrassingly, it has been my favorite car since I was a young bloke, because at the time our family car was a KB Ford Laser, and riding in my friends Magna wagon was like a Rolls Royce to me ! I have been looking at an 89 Executive wagon with 77000kms on it. There doesn't seem to be any signs of rust in the photos, though i'm sure a closer inspection may prove otherwise as the paint has faded slightly. The car as a whole, looks in great nik. There is no rego, but has a current rego inspection. He is asking $2500, though I think it could be negotiated down.

Now, I know this is a car that should be bought with caution, so I ask you experts, should I take the plunge ? I have $ 4500 in the bank but don't have a family that is that mechanically savvy. What do you guys think ? What questions should I be asking and do you think its worth taking the plunge ?

Thanks,
Suttory

What about a 2nd or 3rd gen? There's plenty of 2nd gens around the $2k mark, and 3rd gens start around $2500. Heck, there's a nice looking TF Sports (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8771866&__Qpb=true&Cr=8&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal%7c0%7c%7cpCar_RankSort _Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cpCar_Mod el_String%7c0&keywords=&__N=1216%201282%204294964597%204294964374%20898&silo=1011&__No=30&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=172&__sid=122F48018859) with 160k on the clock for $3200 on Carsales.

The one you're looking at may have low kilometres, but it's still a 21 year old car - lots of things (timing belt, tyres, suspension) need replacing with age, not just usage.

It's hard since you have an attachment to 1st gens, but you can get something MUCH newer/better for your money. A $2500 1st gen would make a nice collector car, but not so much as a daily.

If it is a carb model stay away from it. Poor fuel consumption and unreliable. Even the fuel injected ones were not good. There will be problems related to its age. Save yourself some grief, forget the nostalgia bit and buy something newer, as suggested above.

thats a bit high a price for the wagon

http://www.redbook.com.au/
$800-$1700

even with that low km there still can be problems

have it checked out by a mechanic you trust

the TN-TP dont run that well on ethanol petrol

you can buy a second gen wagon TR-TS
the model has a four cyl engine option and EFI

i undertsand loving a certain type of vechile but as mentioned by above posters i would highly recommand going with a 2nd or 3rd gen. personally im a sucker for the 2nd gens :D that asking price for a 1st gen is rediculas but if your set on the 1st gen id keep looking around

3rd gen wagon for sure. (PS 1st gens dont have timing belts)

Get a 3rd gen as a nice reliable daily, and if need be buy a 1st gen wagon as a 2nd car, I certainly would not be relying upon it every day for transport.

I hate to say it but in most cases newer means better with cars. A newer model is an update of the old so get the newest possible.

I have bought a few cars in my lifetime and i have came to the conclusion that i would rather buy a newer car with higher KM's than an older car with less KM's.

Look, while I like a nicely done up first gen, if you and your family do not have much mechanical knowledge, go the third gen.

Even the second gen v6, while a great car, you need to either be friendly with a good mechanic or know what to do yourself. These are generally reliable cars but they are starting to show sign of age with oil leaks, transmissions, idle issues etc etc

Go a nice third gen wagon, for your money you may even find yourself a nice KF Verada wagon

the price does seem a bit high, although i suppose seeing as im getting my first gen for free everything seems expensive. i wouldn't trust any first gen to be a reliable car unless its had a decent amount of work such as a head gasket, timing chain and at least transmission service recently. i agree out of the few cars i have driven (im only on my L's) the first gen is a very nice ride, i like driving it better than my mothers 06' ford Fairmont gia (top of the range in its time) although i certainly know the difference when i go to accelerate in the ford.
my magna has only done 210,000 ks and it needs a complete timing chain kit, front brake disks and pads, valve stem seals (to stop it smoking) and a auto rebuild in the future.
although they are great first cars in my opinion, im sure you can get something just as good a hell of allot cheaper if you look around.
just my 10 cents
regards jay

Thanks for the advice and opinions guys. I have decided against it unfortunately. The price was high for what it is and the colour wasn't particularly desirable either (mmmmm, yellow..........)

I think I'll just save up a bit more and get a nice 3rd gen.

Thanks for the advice and opinions guys. I have decided against it unfortunately. The price was high for what it is and the colour wasn't particularly desirable either (mmmmm, yellow..........)

I think I'll just save up a bit more and get a nice 3rd gen.

thats a good call i mean another extra 500 and it will get a lot better car and newer too
magna in general are cheap at the moment at the auctions they are going dirt cheasp as the auto industry is not selling cars you can get real good bargins out there
a mate just got a 99 th sedan magna with 126 on the clock very tidy for 1800 of a auction and it flew through for its safety cert just needed a light bulb