Hello all,

So after sadly having to depart with my beloved TH around a year ago I am keen as ever to get back into a magna. Looking at getting a TJ Series II or later, preferably the Sports/Exec LE if it was a TJ, or basically any of the TL/TW range. And definitely under 150000km.

I have read numerous threads seeking advice/comparisons between these models however most are either several years old or just comparing looks of the two.

So, after those few years, how are they holding up? I know the TJII is where the magna 'peaked' for a lot of people, but the TL/TW certainly doesn't seem to be without its praise.

My TH gave me a ride that was smooth as silk, and relatively quiet too. Will any of these models, as a general rule, give a similar ride quality? This is probably the most important aspect for me, along with power, which I believe is pretty similar across the range.


Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys! :eeek:

My opinion only, but seeing as mostly they have the same engine, same springs/shocks, brakes and running gear in general, you are left with safety and age. The TL/TW must come out in front due to the standard side and passenger airbags plus belt pre-tensioners and increased side impact protection....and age. The front is a bit unusual but it grows on you. $6 to 8000 should get you into one with less than 150,000km.
Good Luck.

Well, my opinion only also; I have TJ exec, nothing special to look at but it's light and with some mods so it holds it's own. But in doing so its ride isn't as soft and it's as comfortable. I like it though.

On the other hand (which I don't have) I have TL as well. And it's NICE. Nice to drive and it's okay to look at... maybe not as tough looking as a TJ, but nice. TL brings more bells and whistles as well as the safety features mentioned above. And the five speed is amazing compared to the four speed. Manual would be even better I think.

Practicality; I'd stick with a TL or the last of the higher spec TJ's. They're still out there, I've recently finished a long search for a replacement to the Magna (bought my TL).

I have heard though that finance for cars that will be twelve years or old at the end of the term may be more difficult to approve. Could have just been a line I was fed by my accountant though.

On the other hand (which I don't have)lol Nicely done, sir!

thanks guys! i guess i was just kinda paranoid about the TL/TW after reading about budget contraints etc. but sounds like they are the way to go! unless i find a particularly nice TJ haha.

also how hard is it to remove those dog ugly decals from the side panels and boot of the solara?

I don't know how the specs were for the TJ, but just the base model of the TL/TW came with more stuff as standard than just about the top-of-the-line earlier models; power everything, climate control, cruise, tippy, dual airbags, colour-coding, painted console, etc, etc. But if you can, seems the LS had a couple of extra things over the ES; not sure if ES had TCL, but at least the LS has 15" alloys as opposed to steelies, four airbags, and a simple thing I hadn't realised until a mate pointed it out the other day, it has the door courtesy/warning lights (the red light in the bottom of the door).

Shouldn't be anything in the "budget constraints" that can't be rectified with a little retrofit; after all, isn't that why everyone's on this forum, to make their magna a little less like stock?:) Little things like the missing footwell lights (and no loom for them) can be relatively easy to hack in if you are even half handy.

Personally, once you get used to it, I find the 4speed tippy to be quite nice; this is coming from a previously purely manual driver. Just gotta learn how to blip it to force the lower gear when you want, and tippy-downshift when going downhill to maintain speed (probably my main beef compared to a manual).

RE: solara decals, don't know how hard they would be to remove, but the main issue would be whether or not the paint below is noticeably less faded than the surrounds. If it's not very old and not very faded, then you should be able to get away with it.

My TW wagon, 80k, is going very strong. Still v tight, no rattles. Happy with 4sp. auto, which I think is the most economical option. Cheap to run on LPG. Threw out the std radio, almost anything would be better. Going to dual-pot AWD calipers has much improved the brakes, 380 units would be better still. 16" rims and Michelin Primacy LC tyres give much better ride, grip and noise than the original tyres. The later models have, in my opinion, much sharper and nice steering. I would buy my TW!

I went from a TJ II to a TL VR (sports) and the TL is a better car by far, Butt ugly but better

I went from a TJ II to a TL VR (sports) and the TL is a better car by far, Butt ugly but better
Personal opinion on looks, I personally think anything Pre-TL looks very dated by today's design standards.

My TW wagon, 80k, is going very strong. Still v tight, no rattles. Happy with 4sp. auto, which I think is the most economical option. Cheap to run on LPG. Threw out the std radio, almost anything would be better. Going to dual-pot AWD calipers has much improved the brakes, 380 units would be better still. 16" rims and Michelin Primacy LC tyres give much better ride, grip and noise than the original tyres. The later models have, in my opinion, much sharper and nice steering. I would buy my TW!

Hi just wondering what was done to the steering in the TL/TW to make it much sharper then previous 3rd gens? My KH Verada feels very vague, maybe something is worn

Hi just wondering what was done to the steering in the TL/TW to make it much sharper then previous 3rd gens? My KH Verada feels very vague, maybe something is worn
TL/TW had revised steering racks (similar to the Ralliarts). Also, all the TL/TWs had standard rear sway bars - I believe on the previous models, this was restricted to the sports variants.


My TH gave me a ride that was smooth as silk, and relatively quiet too. Will any of these models, as a general rule, give a similar ride quality? This is probably the most important aspect for me, along with power, which I believe is pretty similar across the range.
Like I said above, the later models came standard with rear sway bars, but apart from that I don't believe the suspension setup has changed.

If ride comfort is a priority, you might want to consider upgrading your suspension. A good set of shocks would make a difference. By this age, they'll be nearing replacement anyway.

TJ II and TL/TW have exactly the same power. TJ1 is 5kw less afaik.


also how hard is it to remove those dog ugly decals from the side panels and boot of the solara?
Badges are easy. Stickers are a little harder, but certainly not difficult.

Hi just wondering what was done to the steering in the TL/TW to make it much sharper then previous 3rd gens? My KH Verada feels very vague, maybe something is worn

my understanding is that the Ralliart steering box became standard from TL onwards. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I've driven older magnas with vague steering.

my understanding is that the Ralliart steering box became standard from TL onwards. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I've driven older magnas with vague steering.

Was the gear ratio changed to make it more direct?