Hello, i need to buy cheap car and thinking about buying 1998-2002 Magna. (otherwise ill go for 2000+ Excel/Accent or Lancer or maybe Camry)

My budget is ~$3000-$5000 qq, so maybe TF/TH/TJ Magna.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

A good price, but at the high km you need to really go over the car - as above, you will need to be prepared to spend some money on it.

Check:
Oil condition, on dipstick and pull oil cap off and look for sludge/water in the oil/ (looks like cream). Look at trans oil too.
Drive shaft and power steering boots - torch and stick your head under the car, look down behind intake manifold.
Look for oil leaks on engine, gearbox, and steering rack.
Engine start up noises from cold.
Coolant condition.
Interior condition, test aircon, heater, instruments.
Tyre condition.
Check all lights work.
Burning oil - let it idle, then blip throttle, get someone behind to look for blue smoke. (valve stem seals can harden if the car has been standing for a long time)
Auto trans - smooth engagement, smooth gear changes.
Lastly: Ask for service records, has the belt been changed? If not, can be costly unless you DIY.
(And I doubt it has been done, who would spend close to $2K on an old car for that service, most people would decide to skip it and sell the car instead. Be wary of service records that say the belt has been done, but the service stamp is not from the seller or is a garage you never heard of.)
No warranty on a car this price, I would imagine - so be careful!

IF you buy it, take it home, pull the wheels and check the rotors and pads. Change the coolant and engine oil/filter if the oil looks dark. Get a transmission flush if the trans oil looks dark.
If the brake fluid looks dark change that too.

Personal note: I used to buy cars cheap in my poorer days, but I've found they need a lot of work to get them up to a good standard. I've gotten mega lazy, I wouldn't touch a high Km car unless someone gave it to me free, as I know it would most likely need a lot of time/DIY labour/cash to get it up to scratch. But thats just me - mature age laziness has me in its grip!.


"Credit to Mad Max"

Thanks for the info dude, im gonna look for ones under 150,000km. Found couple of TJs with under 150,000km for under $5000 but need to check em out.
Also found low km TL for under $6000 but i think its sold already. qq

That warning about looking for noises on cold start is a bit harsh.. Near all 3rd gens sound like the tappets are going ape shit for the first few seconds on a cold start, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the car, they just do it.

I picked up a 99 TH Si (3.5 Executive) with 108k on the clock for $3k. But it could have sold for $4-5k. Done 5k on it and works fine. About to get the timing belt checked and replaced if needed as it had no log books, so they are available at that price.

Timing belt is the main thing to check out. If its been serviced regularly then it should last a long time with just normal wear replacements

If you want a car checked over, I can put it up on a hoist for you for $95 and check over the car and give you a report

Is not a road worthy but a pre purchase check to give you an indication of what may be wrong if anything is wrong that is. As I know these cars inside out I can give you a pretty good idea of the cars condition

That warning about looking for noises on cold start is a bit harsh.. Near all 3rd gens sound like the tappets are going ape shit for the first few seconds on a cold start, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the car, they just do it.

My TF sports has never had a issue i just keep good oil up to it and regularly change it and the spark plugs

My TF sports has never had a issue i just keep good oil up to it and regularly change it and the spark plugs

number one principle to a reliable car

Thanks for the advices.
I was gonna buy Magna but friend offered me 97 Ford Festiva (manual, 150,000km) for ~$1000.
I think its gonna cost at least $1000 i think(need to fix heater ~$700, unblock air vents, new breaks?, transmission service) to get RWC.
so it'll cost ~$2000 total and the car has scratch n dent(with bit of rust) on bonnet, n also dent on the boot.

Do you think its worth buying it? (if i buy it i'll probably keep it for around year, save for a bit n upgrade to TL or 380)
Another option is i can buy the car with dodgy(?) RWC n not fix the heater, but i'll have to trade in the car at dealer when i sell it later since i won't be able to get RWC to sell privately.

I know this isn't a question about Magna sorry.

Those festivas are a pretty ugly little car but quite functional and economical. I reckon you could find a well looked after one with RWC for 1500-2000. Wifey had one for a few years, i actually grew to kinda like it. Pure functionality. Downside those things have is a loud drive on highway, (terrible on open road actually - but its a small car..) a weird high seating position, and um....ugliness. Fun little thing around town though..what small little manual isn't?

Im pretty sure it only cost 35 bucks to fill up.

Yer they are ugly, even Excel looks better imo, let alone TE Magna..
But i thought it was good deal if i can get it for under $2000(get everything fixed) with RWC... cos i don't think u can get TE Magna with 150,000 for ~$2000.

I'd hate to have an accident in a Festiva.

An Excel is a paperweight and a Festiva is a doorstop, at 150k it's dead. 4 cyl cars do not last like a six does, especially those little rice burners. The old 2.6 4cyl magna's were better, pick them up for next to nothing now. I had one I pick up for 2k, never spent a cent on it other than oil changes, but it just kept going. If u pick up a V6 MAgna with 100k it will probably need all the 100k servic items, timing belt plugs etc etc. At 150 it's all been done(probably) and will be good for another 50k, without much work at all, fair enought the front rotors tend to bow, but what's 44 bucks in this day and age

An Excel is a paperweight and a Festiva is a doorstop, at 150k it's dead. 4 cyl cars do not last like a six does, especially those little rice burners. The old 2.6 4cyl magna's were better, pick them up for next to nothing now. I had one I pick up for 2k, never spent a cent on it other than oil changes, but it just kept going. If u pick up a V6 MAgna with 100k it will probably need all the 100k servic items, timing belt plugs etc etc. At 150 it's all been done(probably) and will be good for another 50k, without much work at all, fair enought the front rotors tend to bow, but what's 44 bucks in this day and age

Absolute rubbish! My girlfriends Getz is used for rep duties and has done 35,000km since xmas 2010 and now has 150,000km on the clock. It still starts first time and drives beautifully and will no doubt see well north of 200,000km
In its life. On the flipside my 2002 magna v6 had some expensive issues to fix at just 140,000km even though it had been serviced and looked after meticulously.

Hopefully you find a car that you won't have to touch mechanically for a few months...any 2002 and under magna would be nice they have a strong engine and is easy to source parts i would also think of doing what Mal said and pay him to check over the car or get another mechanic to do so as most road worthy's i have seen aren't all that thorough

I'm gonna take it to the mechanic on Monday for quote on RWC(inc all repairs, heater, break, service, etc), if its under $2000 i'll probably buy it..
(its also still got dent on the front right of the bonnet and headlight bent a bit, probably need to be fixed)

According to carsales, 174 Ford Festivas (1995-1999), 104/44 of em have done over 150,000/200,000km.

I might be able to get some extra money, it would be nice if i can get low km good condit 2003 TL LS for ~$6000. :)