Greetings all,
contemplating buying a '94 Magna, 2.6L, it's the second one I've looked at.
It's fairly old, (obviously) and been treated reasonably, it seems, and I just wanted to pick some brains to see if there was anything I should especially check or watch out for, and what sorts of symptoms such a "thing" would show, if any.
This (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=301394254) is the car. (I don't think a huge number were sold in NZ.)

I like the cars. They seem solid and comfortable, with a nice grunty engine for a 4. They also seem to do a reasonable job of soaking up Wellingtons' nasty little speed humps.

Appreciate any advice.
Regards,
Tarq.

try google and read the user comments if herd they can give u hell, bad wireing,timeing chan, but thats on the 93

I'm not sure what you mean by "read the user comments", nor "if herd they can give you hell".
As for "trying google", it was trying Google that bought me to this site.

Buddy no WAY! You can get a same year diamante for that money. You live in a place that is full of them, no way I would be caught dead in a 2.6L magna!
Timing chains rattle, no power at all, torquey yes, but you'd hope so in one of the biggest inline 4cyl engines ever mass produced.
Features of the car will be next to nothing. Buy a diamante, as simple as that. Specially for $2K!!!!

Thanks for that advice, but I don't want a 6; don't need more power that the 4 provides, and features mean little to me. (Electric windows and a dashboard clock would be nice.)
Reliability and reasonable economy/longevity (and 4 cylinder tune-up costs) are more my style. Or lack of, you might think.
2K buy s you a pretty average machine in my country.

First person I've seen that would rather that truck motor then the nice refined DOHC 24v......
Tune up costs 4cyl vs 6cyl are very comparable...
Still needs a timing chain/belt (engine dependent) at a certain interval, and with the DOHC you will never have a dizzy cap/rotor button crap itself :D
Reliability is no greater in any area (and certainly not better in any aspect) then the DOHC 24v
robssei got a beautiful 1996? Diamante with MIVEC for like $5K....surely there would be a nice F17A diamante around the country....


Either way, reliability is on par with a DOHC V6, but if properly serviced neither will be "better" in terms of reliability.
My diamante weighs a good 1700kg, being pushed along with a 4sp auto and the infamous 222HP stereo and I still get 11L/'s around town, 14-15L pure city and 10's on the highway :D

The 2nd gen 4cyl Magna is a great car but being in NZ, you could do so much better.
I'd agree with TUFFTR, I'd look around for a V6 Verada or Diamante if I was you - a much better car for your money.
Looking at the other Diamante's on Trade-Me, depending on your budget, you may even be able to get a 95-98 model in 4cyl or 6cyl.

Here's a couple of examples - I have no idea how good they are, how far they are from you or if your budget can stretch further or not, but these should give you some ideas.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mitsubishi/Diamante/auction-303888022.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mitsubishi/Diamante/auction-302095438.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mitsubishi/V3000/auction-301900558.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mitsubishi/diamante/auction-291107612.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mitsubishi/Diamante/auction-303706366.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mitsubishi/Diamante/auction-302648645.htm

and this one looks nice (needs a front spoiler to match the side skirts & rear bar though)... - but it's more expensive.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mitsubishi/Diamante/auction-301568964.htm


However, if you're set on an early 2.6 4cyl, hopefully someone here may have some things to look out for in them.
I've never had a 4cyl Magna )both of mine have been V6's) but I did have a 2.6 4cyl Mitsu Scorpion. The only thing I remember was the truck rattle of the timing chain (until I got it fixed). I'd look for one that doesn't rattle - that'd show me that it's been well serviced & looked after.

I don't know 2.6l motor is alright :) But your in the land that Aussie magna fans would to love to be in. You have diamante that have dohc v6 and mivec engines for the third gen. But what ever floats your boat :) Dash clock is easy to wire into a second gen :)

I would definitely try to stretch the budget to a V6. You would probably find that you will use less fuel than the 2.6 due to the DOHC's more efficient design and greater torque meaning less throttle input for the same forward movement. As Paul says the service costs between the 2 would be minimal and the V6 is a far more pleasant engine to sit behind. And being in NZ you have a lot of choice if you want a Magna or Diamante. There are lots of bargains out there to be had!

And welcome to AMC!

Thanks very much, guys.
(I failed to mention I want a manual.) Automatics are a show-stopper for me; I don't know if the Diamante comes with a manual but I certainly shan't exclude the type from my searches, then, if it does.
So, noisy timing chain is one of the main things to look for, then? Are they adjustable, or only replace-able?

Timing chains goes rattle on the 2.6l when they are due. They are replacable not sure if they are adjustable :) Like tufftr car you can do manual swap over from automatic to manual. Heaps of good cars and motor to choose from your country :)

Thanks very much, guys.
(I failed to mention I want a manual.) Automatics are a show-stopper for me; I don't know if the Diamante comes with a manual but I certainly shan't exclude the type from my searches, then, if it does.
So, noisy timing chain is one of the main things to look for, then? Are they adjustable, or only replace-able?

Pretty sure they are adjustable...not 100%.
Pretty sure only your base model 2L SOHC V6 6G71 has the manual option (probably to get the car moving) but the upper model Dee's are all automatic. As a pure luxury car....there is no other option. for day to day, although I hate automatics....this is VERY lazy. I can spend all day under 2000RPM if I wish.

I've seen a 2.5 DOHC V6 Diamante, 4wd with a Manual... they exist, but they are very very very rare... the issue with this one was... Blown Gearbox. GL with replacing that.

Tonnes of Magna's here man, No Carby 2.6 Either :p

I've seen a 2.5 DOHC V6 Diamante, 4wd with a Manual... they exist, but they are very very very rare... the issue with this one was... Blown Gearbox. GL with replacing that.

Tonnes of Magna's here man, No Carby 2.6 Either :p

Same gearbox and underpinnings as a 3000GT, they are out there.

The 2.6L 4cyl Astron II actually has to work harder to get the car moving where the more efficient, torquey and powerful V6 would actually be under less of a strain to get it moving and keep it moving.

Especially when you have the pick of those particular setups where you are :)

I used to drive a 1995 TS Magna Wagon for almost 10 years... it was the 4cyl and was only really efficient on the long country roads. Fuel usage plummeted to 12.5-13.5L/100km however with stop-start driving by the time it got to 200,000km (with a heavy right foot though)

Let's put it that in perspective. I get the same figures driving my VR4 Legnum, which I'm sure you see plenty of up your way!

2nd the motion for a dia, fuel wise as mentioned youd be better of with a 6. not sure about adjustable but if buying a second hand car and the seller cant tell you the chain was done recently id do it anyway. thats just from me drinving around with the chain tinking till it snappped..... that tought me to be nicer tomy car :)