Hi Room,
My first post, am looking to buy a Magna and have found two and wonder what opinions you have..?? Is the newer version worth extra $1000? Why?

1. TJ Magna Exec 3.5litre 206,kms $5000 Silver

2. TF Magna Solara 3.0litre 189,kms $4000 Silver

I would assume both need new timing belts soon and negotiate acoordingly, but what are other major costs to consider for 200,kms magnas..

I cant remember seeing any faded top coats on other metallic magnas?? do metaillic paints have this quirk?

Any real world daily commute fuel economy figures for 1998 3.0l vs 2001 3.5l ??

Thanks for taking the time, thoughts greatly appreciated. ;-)

Tony

Well as far as I know the difference in the bodywork is the bonnet, grille and maybe some trim on the interior? Correct me if i'm wrong people! As far as mechanically i'm not sure of the differences. The difference is definitely in the engine! I have both a 3L and 3.5L magna both Manuals and the 3.5L goes like bat out of hell compared to the 3L. It all comes down to how you drive it. I would say the 3.5L uses a bit more fuel but nothing outrageously different. Personally I would go the TJ. Though the solara has a few more features not sure what though! maybe power windows etc? But i'm sure the more informed people on here will fill you in on those :D

Try for the tj. tf is just so old! Try get the tj for less too.

I've got a TJ and used to own a TF, both excellent cars. As for power and economy the TJ wins hands down, however the TF was no slouch. Metallic paints sure do have that problem, seen many TJ's uncared for fade, particularly bonnet, boot and roof.

Here are some fuel economy figures from road trips I have done.
Toowoomba to Airlie Beach - 1,160km: TJ: 7.8L/100km average, TF 9.3L/100km. At 100km/h the TF is revving at 2350rpm, and the TJ at 2000rpm, different gear ratios. I've had my TJ fuel economy on highway as low as 6.5L/100km.
Both are heavier on fuel around town and are fairly similar at around 13-14L/100km each.

As far as other costs goes maintenance wise, consider doing transmission service, cooling system flush etc, the normal major service items. It's common to have to machine the brake rotors too. After around 240,000km both will start to use a bit of oil, nothing that machining the heads and new valve stem seals won't fix. The motors have metal head gaskets so they rarely fail which adds to reliability. For those prices, I'd be more inclined to go the TJ. TF's can be bought for as little as $2k with those km.

I have had both tf and tj, my tf was by far the better car, but the tj was a dud when i bought it at 120k, so I got rid of it. I don't know why yd pay that much for a magna, jump on carsales pick one up with those k's for 2500. Personally I think the 3.0 is a better engine, remembering that they both use the same bottom end, with only changes in compresssion giving the extra half litre, for 5k i'd want a vrx, they're out there, people are throwing magna's away to buy 4 cyl cars, god knows why, the 3.0 is very fuel efficient if u drive it right, so is the 3.5. The TF is pictured here, changed the bonnet, grille and guards, this thing absolutely flew, cornered and stopped with minimal and very cheap mods

Hey mate not sure what you looking for.....(manuals?). If not i would personally go a verada - much more nicer inside and you can get one for around that price. Plus will save on upgrading bits and pieces later down the track.

BTW make sure you try and negotiate something of the price ;)

I'd go with the one with more features - leaning toward the TJ, plus they will be insured for more do cause its a newer car

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1997-Mitsubishi-Magna-TF-SPORTS-Blue-4sp-Sedan-/230684676144?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item35b5e0d030

TF sports, get this for 5k easy

http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/carsales/car/private/cp4842497754825108088.jpg

another one in Vic carsales

Wow.. what the heck is happening with the prices in this thread.

Just as a guide, I purchased my TF over four years ago with 170,000kms on it for $4700. A few months ago I was able to get my TJ AW Sports for $5k. If you're getting a TF exec, you should be looking at 3k for a nice one - TJ, about 4k maybe a tad more for a nice exec.

Now depending on what values you hold higher, a TF exec is going to be nearly the same as a TJ exec apart from the trip computer and a few added features and such. The TF 3.0 will be more fuel efficient by about 0.5-1l per 100km around town.

The 3.0 are just as reliable as the 3.5's so don't let anything scare you there. It will all come down to how well the car has been looked after. If you can decide which one you want to go for make sure you check out the condition of everything on the car, when you take a car for a test drive you will know if it's been looked after because it will be quiet and tight as a button.

Not sure about the paint thing. My TF has the good old reliable white paint which has no sign of fade :P

Both cars will need cam belts, as you say.
Both cars will serve you well, once serviced and checked over.
Both cars will have, or get, the dreaded clearcoat failure. Unless it is white. lol
Drive both - smoothest one wins!

BUT try to get the price down . . . . .

Something simple like service records, 2 keys and a working remote may decide which you get.

BUT try to get the price down . . . . .

I would go for the TF - lower Km, better looking front end.

AND. Try to get the price down . . .



lol

theyre basically the same car apart from exterior and interior

the TF is a nice car but really my advice buy a ralliart

they go for 8,000 on carsales




Just as a guide, I purchased my TF over four years ago with 170,000kms on it for $4700.


i guess i got lucky cause i got mine for free!!!

the TF is a nice car but really my advice buy a ralliart

they go for 8,000 on carsales

i guess i got lucky cause i got mine for free!!!

Wow that came out of nowhere. Ralliart for 8k? Excuse me but I think you're view on cars is a bit unrealistic. Possibly something to do with you getting your car for free. I think the op wants a car that isn't thrashed and is still holding together.

I can't believe someone is trying to flog off a TF for $4.5k! That is way to high. Even for Victoria's car prices.

Considering you can buy unregistered TF's for less than 20% of that price - 4.5k is ridiculous - especially considering that car will still need work to get it going.
However 5k for the TJ is a fair price if its a TJ Series 2. To all those people in other states who bang on about the price being too high, you do need to remember that Victoria's car prices are actually higher than most states - esp. Queensland. You will struggle to get a good condition TJ down here in the mexican state for less than 5k.

As for which car to get, well it should come down the condition they are in (most importantly - mechanically), but if they are fairly similar in condition, then for me I'd choose the TJ with a drop of a hat. The TJ's came with better features, are more safer, are much better looking and equipped with a far better engine too. I've driven both the 3L and the 3.5L and I'd take the 3.5L everytime. That 3L needs to be reved out heaps to get any power from it - so while the 6G74 3.5L may use slightly more fuel, you don't need to push it as hard to get it going, so in reality, it'll be just as fuel efficient anyway. The only reason I'd even consider the TF is because the parts, (especially the body/external parts) are easier to find than the TJ's and they usually cost less too.

If fuel is a major concern then consider either buying or converting one to LPG. The magna's run quite well on Mixer lpg systems but it does depend on the installer. When it comes to mixer systems I'd choose an installer that has been installing lpg for many years. My installer has been in the industry for 25+ years and my lpg system runs very well. However if you are going to basically spend the car's purchase price on a injected system then research heavily on which installer to choose. Based on my research the Vapour injected lpg systems are the hardest to get right. If you get a conversion done before June of this year then you'll get $1250 back from the government. After that date it'll be $1000 for the next few years. Play your cards right, call around, (negotiate!) and you may only be a few $100's out of pocket and you'll have a good powerful and spacious car that costs the same to run as a small buzzbox. If you drive fairly sedately then you should be able to get around 13-14L/100km economy on lpg which at current prices of $0.75 is about $10/100km. Which is the same as very frugally driven Corolla (7L/100km x $1.50 fuel price = ~$10). If I make any recommendations then I'd try and get a second hand gas tank and have it re stamped for ~$130.


theyre basically the same car apart from exterior and interior


Umm What? So they're the same car but they're different inside and outside? How are they the same car then? The only similarities are shape of the chassis, the doors the dash & centre console and the front lights. There's still quite a difference between a TF and a TJ. Gearboxes, Engine(!), Boot & Bonnet, Interior trim etc are still different. Some say that the TF is a bit quieter and has less NVH as it was built with a higher budget so they had thicker and more insulation.



the TF is a nice car but really my advice buy a ralliart
they go for 8,000 on carsales


A ralliart for 8k? Have you got a link? I've been watching the sales of magna's for years and I've only ever once seen a ralliart for 8k and that one had a world of problems including a leaking heater core and was nearing 200,000kms.

And also - I wouldn't recommend the ralliart for everyone. It's a obnoxious car that gets heaps of attention (cops & thieves), hard to insure, very expensive & hard to get parts for, hard to sell and has a lot of power going out the front wheels which is dangerous in the wrong hands. 90% of the people buying magna's don't NEED a ralliart and I'd recommend them to steer clear.

If someone wants a bit of power then I'd say get manual 3.5L TjS2 magna either exec, sports or vrx. The only difference, powerwise between a manual TJS2 VRX/Sports or an Exec is the exhaust and the ecu. The ecu ads no power just raised the speed limiter. So get an TJS2 manual exec for cheap, add on a vrx exhaust and you have as much power as a vrx with less weight than a vrx. If you want auto manga, then Sports/VRX all the way due to the better 5sp autobox.

If we are throwing opinions around i think the best value for money in a TJ2 VR-X. This coming from somebody with a ralliart. Manual vr-x's are incredibly quick and availability of spare parts is much better then a ralliart, they are also alot cheaper and look just as good :)

it was 8000

gone down a price:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/mitsubishi-ralliart-magna-2002-11992178?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=2&eapi=2&__N=1246%201247%201252%201282%204294964597%2042949 61424%201216&silo=Stock&Range=Price:Min,Max~0.5&sort=default

and i agree the TF may have been better built as i see in the TJ'S that some of the basics i have they dont

Yes, the prices seem quite steep, but people do really ask that much. One private selling car I checked out (KJ Verada) was in bad condition, 180000KMs and she would not budge from $14000. Ridiculous!

My advice would be to go to a car yard and find one that was a trade in, dealers are much more willing to cut A LOT off the price for an "old" trade in (with some persuasion).

Example is my KH Verada. It was listed on the lot for $12999. Mint condition, the only apparent faults being a bit of an acid stain (bird shit that wasn't cleaned) on the roof and a crack in the leather. Only 160,000 KMs. Heavy arguing ensured and I got it dropped to $6500 pending approval of an RACV inspection. They signed that agreement and the RACV wasn't happy, so they had to repair a few faults (broken engine mount, broken heater core; and some other stuff I forget). Speaking with the head mechanic, I made him changing the head gasket and timing belt whilst the engine was out, no extra cost! :)

So yeah, the prices are a bit steep. lol

I love it, the KH has always been my favourite (love the rear lights). However, if I could make one change, it would be AWD; then perhaps a 5 speed auto/tippy. The 4 speed is horrid.

If we are throwing opinions around i think the best value for money in a TJ2 VR-X. This coming from somebody with a ralliart. Manual vr-x's are incredibly quick and availability of spare parts is much better then a ralliart, they are also alot cheaper and look just as good :)

Yep agree 100% - worth the few extra grand!

Also it pays to get one that has been looked after - a set of brake and tyres costs around the $1,200 so keep that in mind! And don't forget the lifters, don't want to sound like you r driving a truck

it was 8000

gone down a price:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/mitsubishi-ralliart-magna-2002-11992178?base=1216&vertical=car&cr=2&eapi=2&__n=1246%201247%201252%201282%204294964597%2042949 61424%201216&silo=stock&range=price:min,max~0.5&sort=default

and i agree the tf may have been better built as i see in the tj's that some of the basics i have they dont

cheap

Bottom ends are different the 3.5 has larger stroke and bore giving larger capacity, compression doesn't give you extra capacity.

theyre basically the same car apart from exterior and interior



So the whole car is different then?

So the whole car is different then?

Yep, except for the bits that are the same. 4 wheels, steering wheel in front of the driver, that sort of thing. lol

Just bought a TH sports manual for 1800 on Tuesday this week.
Prices are certainly a bit high in this thread.

Yeah lucky you're in tassy mate. I've seen some shocking prices up here.

Congrats on the purchase. Make sure you look after her and put up a few pics as well!

I'll try my best to look after her. Thinking about just lowering it and a nice set of 18s. Little bit of stereo upgrades and I'll be done!

Hey All,
I ended up buying a KL Verada, which i will be picking up soon.
Happy Happy Chappy...
thanks to the room for your comments, all appreciated and havfe fun crusing..
Cheers
Boyd