Hi everyone, still looking to purchase a magna as I love them, but I want to know how I can tell if a car is a VR-X?
Is there a way to tell with the compliance plate or something?
Its really confusing!
The revs check (carhistory.com) on the vehicle im looking at just says "sports"
So does that mean its just a sports with a body kit or?

Ugh, so confusing! can anyone help me please!!
Thanks in advance!

Is no way....a VRX is a sports with a body kit is how Mits made it, has VRX on seats and cluster and that is about it

Engine cover should have VR-X on it too. Does it have badges on the boot still? It'd be very unlikely for someone to whack VR-X badging on a Sports as well, most would just remove the badges if anything.

Engine cover, seat trim, cluster, badges, obviously the kit, those are the only ones I know of. Most reliable indicator would be the seats saying VR-X, I'd be surprised if someone would bother swapping out the seats just for that. Everything else is a cheap and easy straight swap. Also check the k's on the VR-X cluster match the book, that's another good indicator, low chance of someone finding a VR-X cluster with k's matching their service history.

I find it highly unlikely someone would go to that length to badge a Sports as a VR-X so if all those match it is quite a safe bet you're looking at a genuine VR-X.

Like Madmagna said, the VR-X is technically an option pack for the sports model.

Engine cover, seats and odometer will say VR-X. I believe that the VR-X had a chrome transmission surround on the autos, and the Sports was a black plastic. They also had different exhaust tips.

There's nothing on the VR-X you linked to in the other thread that looks suspicious.

Check the data Plate. VRX manual will have option code AD3, VRX auto will have option code AD4.

Engine cover, seats and odometer will say VR-X. I believe that the VR-X had a chrome transmission surround on the autos, and the Sports was a black plastic. They also had different exhaust tips.

I've seen unmodified Sports with chrome surrounds, I don't think that's much of an indicator.

I've seen unmodified Sports with chrome surrounds, I don't think that's much of an indicator.
I beg to differ, I just jumped on CarSales and checked out half a dozen Sports autos from 01-03 (so Series 1 and 2)... didn't see a single one with a chrome surround...

Alright, so look at the engine bay, identification plate, seats and cluster and body kit??
Anything else??

Will be looking at 2 of them tomorrow.
A TJ and a TL VR-X.
:)

The data plate which is next to the compliance plate will have the VRX option codes i listed stamped on it. If the option code is on the data plate and the vin number on it(data plate) matches the vin number on the compliance plate you're in business.

I beg to differ, I just jumped on CarSales and checked out half a dozen Sports autos from 01-03 (so Series 1 and 2)... didn't see a single one with a chrome surround...

Hmmk. Can 100% confirm they are at least on pre-TJ's, at least as a factory option. Maybe they got rid of it for the TJ or something, but it was absolutely at minimum an option, I have seen several.

my sisters old rock stock th sports auto had a chrome surround

Hmmk. Can 100% confirm they are at least on pre-TJ's, at least as a factory option. Maybe they got rid of it for the TJ or something, but it was absolutely at minimum an option, I have seen several.

TH Sports had chrome shifter surround and I believe it is an option on TJ, quite possibly option code C43...but don't quote me on that one.

Vin is not on option plate and I have seen many VRX without option plate stamp

Also in a 10 year old car many remove chrome shifters due to glare and others add it

In short, who cares if is a sport or VRX, both pretty much same car

TL have proper I'd in vin number

The data plate which is next to the compliance plate will have the VRX option codes i listed stamped on it. If the option code is on the data plate and the vin number on it(data plate) matches the vin number on the compliance plate you're in business.

So your saying the 'Data Plate'
is placed right next to the compliance plate, and if both of the vin numbers match up its definitiely a VR-X
??
whats the code that says its a vr-x ? Im a noob lol

Vin is not on option plate and I have seen many VRX without option plate stamp

Also in a 10 year old car many remove chrome shifters due to glare and others add it

In short, who cares if is a sport or VRX, both pretty much same car

TL have proper I'd in vin number


I care because im not paying the same amount for a VR-X if its only a sport with a few upgrades..
the VR-X holds its value..
The sports is only worth around 4 grand.. The VR-X is around 7-10 grand..
Big Difference..

I care because im not paying the same amount for a VR-X if its only a sport with a few upgrades..
the VR-X holds its value..
The sports is only worth around 4 grand.. The VR-X is around 7-10 grand..
Big Difference..

Are you serious? Thats insane

I care because im not paying the same amount for a VR-X if its only a sport with a few upgrades..
the VR-X holds its value..
The sports is only worth around 4 grand.. The VR-X is around 7-10 grand..
Big Difference..

While I see where you're coming from, the only reason you're seeing that large a price disparity I think is because the VR-X's are usually better taken care of, not because they're magic. They are obviously higher trimmed than the Sports but they don't hold any sort of pedigree value or anything like that, there are just more good ones than Sports. Assuming we're talking TJ, $10,000 is only for exceptional circumstances, usually at dealers. You'll see a lot more good condition GTV's (When they come up) at that price level, VR-X's tend to sit in the 6-8 category.

im picking up a tj S2 vrx for the price of a "sports" you just listed,

but if you want low K's your looking at 5-8K for a tj vrx

VRX worth around 7 to 10 grand, sorry mate you are waaayyy off the mark

A customer of mine sold his Yellow VRX about 2 years ago with only 100k on the clock, series 2, immaculate and full service history for 7 grand, that was as I said 2 years ago. I know of 1 immaculate VRX here on teh forums recently that went for around $4500. Know of plenty more that have gone for around that price in recent times

Remember a VRX is a Sports with a body kit, different wheels and VRX instead of sports in a few places. They are the same car mechanically........

No one is going to spend a grand on a body kit plus painting, seats, dash cluster, wheels, muffler just to get another 2 grand for the car, if it looks like a dog, sounds like a dog and smells like a dog......then it a dog!!!!!

I have been around these cars since they were new, I can tell you now that in the J series if someone got the car and did put these bits in the car that there is no way ANYONE would be able to tell, so given that if you ended up with a sports and went to sell it one day then you would be also in the advantage of this so called greater sale Value.

BTW, for 10 Grand you would get a tidy reallyart.

If you want a VRX that is immacualte, genuine and worth what is being asked for it, I think RodPolky is selling one, I know it is in SA but it is worth the trip if you are actually serious about a/ getting a good one and b/ getting a genuine one and finally c/paying good money

Dont get me wrong, it is a crying shame that Magna's are not worth much these days but it is a simple fact of life and lets face it, with about a day's work I could make any exec TE look like a genuine TJ VRX if I really wanted to (aside from the VIN of course lol)

Model's 2000-2001 Tj1 sports did not get the passenger airbag as standard (was an option), but the vrx did so if it is missing the passenger airbag it may be a way to tell its not a vrx.

That was the series 1, from the prices quoted I think he is unfortunately talking series 2 TJ although I have seen TL AWD VRX going for better money than 10k

Airbag is a good point however between the Sports and VRX for the series 1

For a VR-X with Low KM im looking around 8 grand.
The one im looking at tomorrow is a TL VR-X with 60,000km used as a sunday driver, garaged its whole life.
Full service history and is $8000.
New tires on it, ralliart rims.
Looks mint!

If all goes well with either of the 2 I look at tomorrow, ill be picking one of them up next week on wednesday. :)
both come with a RWC and I have purchased revs checks for both of them!
Im not really interested in the Ralli-arts, I dont like the body kit much.
And besides I can hook the vr-x up with a ralliart steering wheel for $160 as-well which is the only thing I want that it doesn't have.
:)

All the best with the 2 cars tomorrow, also dont for the love of god forget to get a ppsr search, this is the new national service that has taken over VicRoads, REVS etc etc, if you get the certificate then later security is lodged you are protected.

VicRoads no longer allows security checks and will refer you to PPSR

Also remember that the sunday driver cars can often be more hassle than the 200k old highway car as these often do a lot of short runs, ages between oil changes thus much sludge etc in the motor, have a good look inside and a good look at trans fluid colour. Unfortunately a lot of these occasional use cars only get serviced when the k's are up not at a time interval as such

All the best with the 2 cars tomorrow, also dont for the love of god forget to get a ppsr search, this is the new national service that has taken over VicRoads, REVS etc etc, if you get the certificate then later security is lodged you are protected.

VicRoads no longer allows security checks and will refer you to PPSR

Also remember that the sunday driver cars can often be more hassle than the 200k old highway car as these often do a lot of short runs, ages between oil changes thus much sludge etc in the motor, have a good look inside and a good look at trans fluid colour. Unfortunately a lot of these occasional use cars only get serviced when the k's are up not at a time interval as such

Yep, in the Carhistory.com.au report, it has a PPSR check in it :) For $32 its worth it for the peace of mind!
Also the guy assures me its been serviced every six months as its his baby, he recently went out and bought a new evo.
My dads a qualified mechanic so he will be the one checking all that type of stuff!
Ill post back here tomorrow of my findings
Thanks everyone for your help!! :)

The one im looking at tomorrow is a TL VR-X with 60,000km used as a sunday driver, garaged its whole life.
Full service history and is $8000.
New tires on it, ralliart rims.
Looks mint!

Sounds like a really good deal mate! At $8000 I would go for that for sure.


And besides I can hook the vr-x up with a ralliart steering wheel for $160 as-well which is the only thing I want that it doesn't have.
:)

Trust me, once you have one, that will NOT be the end of it. These cars are so easy and rewarding to mod.

Yeah, I might do some other stuff at a later stage but for now it will just be a sound system, some type of exhaust if it doesnt already have one (not too loud, I need to be able to hear my music) , and the steering wheel oh and possibly some rims later, but I like the ralliart ones already on it, plus it just had $1000 dollars of pirelli tires fitted to it :D:D:D
My brother has a kenwood sound system 7 inch head unit with twin 12 inch subs, capacitator and amps to go with it, all fit for a vr-x (he had one but it got written off due to some idiot flying through an intersection and taking him out)
He said I can have it for $500.. He bought it for $3000...
LOL SCORE!!
Its going to be the best first car ever!

Vin is not on option plate and I have seen many VRX without option plate stamp

Also in a 10 year old car many remove chrome shifters due to glare and others add it

In short, who cares if is a sport or VRX, both pretty much same car

TL have proper I'd in vin number

I stand corrected re vin number on the the option plate.
However, I've never seen a VRX without the relevant option code...maybe you've come across a few 'fake'/ 'upgraded' Sports?
Not that it matters of course, if it has all the features of a VRX and that's what you want it doesn't really matter if the factory added the extras or a previous owner did. It's not like we're talking about GTR's and XU1's ;)

Yeah, I might do some other stuff at a later stage but for now it will just be a sound system, some type of exhaust if it doesnt already have one (not too loud, I need to be able to hear my music) , and the steering wheel oh and possibly some rims later, but I like the ralliart ones already on it, plus it just had $1000 dollars of pirelli tires fitted to it :D:D:D
My brother has a kenwood sound system 7 inch head unit with twin 12 inch subs, capacitator and amps to go with it, all fit for a vr-x (he had one but it got written off due to some idiot flying through an intersection and taking him out)
He said I can have it for $500.. He bought it for $3000...
LOL SCORE!!
Its going to be the best first car ever!

I challenge that. My first car was a mint GTV. :P

I stand corrected re vin number on the the option plate.
However, I've never seen a VRX without the relevant option code...maybe you've come across a few 'fake'/ 'upgraded' Sports?
Not that it matters of course, if it has all the features of a VRX and that's what you want it doesn't really matter if the factory added the extras or a previous owner did. It's not like we're talking about GTR's and XU1's ;)

Sorry but if had even an inkling of how many cars I see weekely let alone over a period of time, remember that on average I purhcase 2 or more cars a WEEK for wrecking let alone all of the cars I have booked in. SO either there are more "fake" VRX out there (they must be like a Phase 3 GT in value to be bothered) or simply the VRX system was a little slack over at Tonsley

With the VRX OP, leave it, dont touch it. The VRX has a free fowing muffler, the engine pipe set up is more than sufficient as is the rest of the system. All you would be doing in replacing bits is wrecking a well tuned exhaust

I think he wants to change the exhaust so he can hear it, not for performance. :)

Sorry but if had even an inkling of how many cars I see weekely let alone over a period of time, remember that on average I purhcase 2 or more cars a WEEK for wrecking let alone all of the cars I have booked in. SO either there are more "fake" VRX out there (they must be like a Phase 3 GT in value to be bothered) or simply the VRX system was a little slack over at Tonsley

With the VRX OP, leave it, dont touch it. The VRX has a free fowing muffler, the engine pipe set up is more than sufficient as is the rest of the system. All you would be doing in replacing bits is wrecking a well tuned exhaust

Disagreed on the second point. My GTV, being that it has an identical system to the VR-X, has had the mid muffler/resonator removed and replaced with straight piping, as I've apparently mentioned a few times on here according to Pickles (;P). Having driven with it and a standard VR-X exhaust for quite a while I can say, while I doubt it does very much to actually improve performance, it has given it a more aggressive tone and a distinct growl when you give it the beans from about 2500rpm, while retaining the quiet tone at regular cruising speeds, and no drone. If you are going to do a mod, I thoroughly suggest that one. Otherwise, I do agree with Mal that the VR-X's sports muffler is very good, and aftermarket kits tend to sound ricey or too loud.

My service book says it's a VRX.....

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/mitsubishi-magna-2004-12971725?base=1216&vertical=Car&Range=Price:Min,Max~0.5&eapi=2&sort=default&cr=1&__N=1246%201247%201252%201282%204294964597%2042949 64374%201216&silo=Stock&find=vr-x|CarAll#

Buyers beware! This car is a piece of shit! its been bodged up and has had an accident down the whole right hand side.
The paint doesnt match! there are parts missing in the engine bay (headlight assemblys)
Inconsistent body gaps! A piece of the sideskirt is missing, its a piece of shit...
DO NOT BUY!!
Has oil on the back of engine also, no plastic covers underneath!
Its a bitsa!


On the other hand, the TJ I test drove was fantastic!
So I have put a downpayment on it! Lets say as of next wednesday I will be a proud owner of a 2003 TJ VR-X :)

IM SO HAPPY!!

By the way jesus it has some power! I nearly lit it up test driving it by ACCIDENT lol!

Guys, many are forgetting this is a tech thread, not a ride thread.

OP great you have found a great sounding car, awesome find by the sound of it in fact. Please do feel free to start a rides thread on the car as I think that the question which was initially asked has been well and truely answered.