What's wrong with Magnas?

[MonoJoker]

I suspect there's not much chance of getting serious debate here on the
subject but here goes :-)

Going to trade in the Cressida on something a bit newer and I've noticed a
few 2003 Magna AWDs for sale around $20K. Are these a good buy for the
money?

From what I can gain reading on aus.cars the main problem people have with
Magnas are:

1. They're ugly
2. The company is in financial difficulty and may not survive
3. Due to 1 and 2 the resale on Magnas will suffer
4. A rather prolific troll here drives one and constantly goes on about how
great it is

Overall 1 doesn't bother me as I don't think they look that terrible. The
one I'm considering at the moment is black and lacks the spoilers and other
ricey accessories which I find a refreshing change from many of the
Falcadore/Magrys out there.

2 concerns me only from the point of view that it will be under a factory
warranty of about 2 years but even if Mitsu moves offshore completely I'll
still be able to get non-dealer servicing? That's my plan from day one
anyway.

3 probably isn't an issue as I plan to keep the car for 3-5 years by which
time the resale won't be particularly great anyway. And at this point
buying one gives me a bonus over the more popular Commodore/Falcon.

Other than that are the Magnas a bad car?

Thanks
LT.

[Diesel Dog (not Damo)]

MonoJoker wrote:

>
> From what I can gain reading on aus.cars the main problem people have with
> Magnas are:
>
> 1. They're ugly

The TL models yes

> 2. The company is in financial difficulty and may not survive

Yes

> 3. Due to 1 and 2 the resale on Magnas will suffer

Yes

> 4. A rather prolific troll here drives one and constantly goes on about how
> great it is

Especially yes and how boring he drones on about em too.

>
> Overall 1 doesn't bother me as I don't think they look that terrible. The
> one I'm considering at the moment is black and lacks the spoilers and other
> ricey accessories which I find a refreshing change from many of the
> Falcadore/Magrys out there.
>

> Other than that are the Magnas a bad car?

Not really but rather a Subaru Liberty AWD over a Magna any day. Buy one
or don't its up to you.

--
Regards Dan

[sheik yerbouti]

On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 07:21:14 GMT, "MonoJoker"
<monojoker@bigjobbies.com.au> wrote:


>
>Other than that are the Magnas a bad car?
>
they're outdated. last few revisions have only been a few changes.

[MonoJoker]

"Diesel Dog (not Damo)" <esrakcussangam@thisaddy.com.ax> wrote in message
news:h7qEd.72$8X2.3743@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
> MonoJoker wrote:

<snip>

> > Other than that are the Magnas a bad car?
>
> Not really but rather a Subaru Liberty AWD over a Magna any day. Buy one
> or don't its up to you.

I realise that but I'd like to make a more informed choice, hence my asking
for some ideas here.

Will check out the Liberty as an alternative - hadn't even thought of it
before.

Thanks
LT.

[Forg]

Diesel Dog (not Damo) wrote:
....
>> Other than that are the Magnas a bad car?
....
> Not really but rather a Subaru Liberty AWD
> over a Magna any day. Buy one or don't its
> up to you.
....

The issue, however, is cost. He said he could get a 2003 Maggot for
$20k; you'd be looking at something more like 1999-2000 before you got a
Liberty, and then it'd be the not-exactly-overpowered 2.0. OK, I reckon
the Liberty would be better screwed together, but you do have to look at
what you get out of the car; and remember that the AWD Magna was faster
than the auto version of the just-superceded Liberty B4 (ie. the "high
performance" turbo version ... it was just too laggy) in the Wheels comparo.


--
---
Forg! -DUH#6-

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[Noddy]

"MonoJoker" <monojoker@bigjobbies.com.au> wrote in message
news:K1qEd.112825$K7.48304@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

> From what I can gain reading on aus.cars the main problem people have with
> Magnas are:
>
> 1. They're ugly

They certainly are.

A great many people find the current shape Magna to be an attrocious looking
car, and I personally think it's one of the ugliest looking things I've ever
seen.

> 2. The company is in financial difficulty and may not survive

They'll more than likely weather the storm, but there'll always be support
around for Magna's and other Mitsubishi products.

> 3. Due to 1 and 2 the resale on Magnas will suffer

Resale on Magna's has *always* suffered, thanks largely to Mitsubishi
themselves taking too long to update their bodies, and for continually
having new car "sales", which kills the value of used models.

Being the ugliest car available in Australia at present also helps :)

> 4. A rather prolific troll here drives one and constantly goes on about
how
> great it is

I personally wouldn't let that bother me.

Magna's are a very good car for the money, and have been the best used car
bang-per-buck around for some time. They're put together a tad better than
your average Falcadore and also tend to be bit more reliable and nicer to
drive. They are, however, a *very* ugly car, and if the company does fold
it's going to be worth next to nothing in a very short time.

--
Regards,
Noddy.

[Diesel Dog (not Damo)]

Forg wrote:

>
> The issue, however, is cost. He said he could get a 2003 Maggot for
> $20k; you'd be looking at something more like 1999-2000 before you got a
> Liberty, and then it'd be the not-exactly-overpowered 2.0. OK, I reckon
> the Liberty would be better screwed together, but you do have to look at
> what you get out of the car; and remember that the AWD Magna was faster
> than the auto version of the just-superceded Liberty B4 (ie. the "high
> performance" turbo version ... it was just too laggy) in the Wheels
> comparo.

Yeah point taken but you could fix the lag in the B4 with some mods.
Pity there aint no twin turbo version of the 3.0B models. :-/ Or jam a
V8 init. :-p

--
Regards Dan

[Julian Edgar]

"MonoJoker" <monojoker@bigjobbies.com.au> wrote in message
news:K1qEd.112825$K7.48304@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>I suspect there's not much chance of getting serious debate here on the
> subject but here goes :-)
>
> Going to trade in the Cressida on something a bit newer and I've noticed a
> few 2003 Magna AWDs for sale around $20K. Are these a good buy for the
> money?
>
>

Yes, an extremely good buy. The advantage of the 4WD is only really apparent
when the cars are driven very hard (or it's snow, etc) so in normal use
there's not a lot of advantage over the 2WD car. But when you drive them
hard, or it is slippery, boy are they ever good. At their current used
prices they are one of the all-time bargain handling buys of my lifetime.

Julian Edgar

[Graham W]

MonoJoker wrote:
> I suspect there's not much chance of getting serious debate here on the
> subject but here goes :-)

I'll answer you completely seriously.

> Going to trade in the Cressida on something a bit newer and I've noticed a
> few 2003 Magna AWDs for sale around $20K. Are these a good buy for the
> money?

I don't really know enough about them and what else is available at that
price to comment. If you can get a similar Camry at the same price, I'd
regard it as a better risk, but there is no AWD Camry in this country.

Given depreciation from new is a big issue with Magnas, I would expect
(but don't know for sure) that it's probably a pretty good price for
what you get, disregarding the badge on the boot.

If you intend to hang on to it for many years, then the difference
between depreciating $20k to $2k or to $4k ten years from now is pretty
trivial, so I wouldn't be too put off by the depreciation relative to
another $20k car. If on the other hand you like to keep your cars just a
couple of years, I'd be really really careful.

> From what I can gain reading on aus.cars the main problem people have with
> Magnas are:
> 1. They're ugly

Thats for you to decide. I don't like the "bathtub" feel sitting inside
the 1996 to current shape Magna. The new front doesn't really bother me,
since I can't see it from the driver's seat.

> 2. The company is in financial difficulty and may not survive

I think it's unlikely they'll vanish without a trace, but entirely on
the cards that like Nissan 13 years ago, they'll become importers only
within a few years. Like Nissan, I don't see parts supply becoming a
problem.

> 3. Due to 1 and 2 the resale on Magnas will suffer

I don't know how much the poor depreciation reaches beyond the first 2
or 3 years. See my comments above, if you want ten years out of it, the
difference may be whether it's worth $2k or $4k at the end, which is
pretty trivial.

> 4. A rather prolific troll here drives one and constantly goes on about how
> great it is

Oh ignore him, he's a twit. Serialpest's endless rantings have more to
do with his own innadequacies than to do with cars. He can't bear to
agree with the majority. I don't automatically stand in line to agree
with the rabble either, but unlike him I don't disagree with them just
to disagree.

> Overall 1 doesn't bother me as I don't think they look that terrible. The
> one I'm considering at the moment is black and lacks the spoilers and other
> ricey accessories which I find a refreshing change from many of the
> Falcadore/Magrys out there.

Compared to other cars for the same price, does it do what you want and
look like something you can live with?

> 2 concerns me only from the point of view that it will be under a factory
> warranty of about 2 years but even if Mitsu moves offshore completely I'll
> still be able to get non-dealer servicing? That's my plan from day one
> anyway.

Servicing isn't going to vanish. Even Leyland managed to maintain a
parts and service organisation well into the 1980s, though the only
thing they built here after 1978 was a few Mokes. If whats left of
Mitsubishi can make money out of service and parts then they weill even
if the rest folds.

> 3 probably isn't an issue as I plan to keep the car for 3-5 years by which
> time the resale won't be particularly great anyway. And at this point
> buying one gives me a bonus over the more popular Commodore/Falcon.

Then it sounds like the car for you.

> Other than that are the Magnas a bad car?

No, they're just not the car that more than a small fraction of the
market wants. As I keep hammering away at Serialpest, they're a
commercial flop because they're not what people want. I've never tried
to tell him they're an intrinsically bad car, just that they're a
commercial disaster.

Whether thats because they're not rear wheel drive, or they have the
wrong brand name on the bootlid or the window sills are too high is
something I am sure Mitsubishi marketing have spent a fortune trying to
find out. Certainly their current advertising suggests they think most
of their problem is nothing more than a bad image in the market, as a
result of past inadequacies.

[budgie]

On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 18:26:29 +1100, sheik yerbouti <delbo21@yahoo.com> wrote:

>On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 07:21:14 GMT, "MonoJoker"
><monojoker@bigjobbies.com.au> wrote:
>
>
>>
>>Other than that are the Magnas a bad car?
>>
>they're outdated. last few revisions have only been a few changes.

which really means the older ones are nearly the same as the current fugly ones
- but older (and not as fugly).

[Cartman]

"sheik yerbouti" <delbo21@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ifb4u09oa5rumjdnj8lpaitjint9ad9rfq@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 07:21:14 GMT, "MonoJoker"
> <monojoker@bigjobbies.com.au> wrote:
>
>
> >
> >Other than that are the Magnas a bad car?
> >
> they're outdated. last few revisions have only been a few changes.

Like the VY Commodore :P

[Cartman]

Hey,
I have owned pretty much one of each generation of the Magna (at least) so
here goes nothing.
"MonoJoker" <monojoker@bigjobbies.com.au> wrote in message
news:K1qEd.112825$K7.48304@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> I suspect there's not much chance of getting serious debate here on the
> subject but here goes :-)
>
> Going to trade in the Cressida on something a bit newer and I've noticed a
> few 2003 Magna AWDs for sale around $20K. Are these a good buy for the
> money?
Yes. You get a pretty good car for the money. They are built well, perform
well (more grunt than a bog standard Commodore of the day) and fairly easy
to get bits for.
> From what I can gain reading on aus.cars the main problem people have with
> Magnas are:
>
> 1. They're ugly
The TL is ugly. If you dont like the TL, the TJ also came out in AWD and is
a much much nicer looking car.
> 2. The company is in financial difficulty and may not survive
The company may close manufacturing operations in Australia, but at worst
they will become an importer. Much like Nissan in the 90s
> 3. Due to 1 and 2 the resale on Magnas will suffer
Resale on Magnas has always suffered. If you are going to keep it 5+ years
then I wouldnt be too concerned about it.
> 4. A rather prolific troll here drives one and constantly goes on about
how
> great it is
>
> Overall 1 doesn't bother me as I don't think they look that terrible. The
> one I'm considering at the moment is black and lacks the spoilers and
other
> ricey accessories which I find a refreshing change from many of the
> Falcadore/Magrys out there.
>
> 2 concerns me only from the point of view that it will be under a factory
> warranty of about 2 years but even if Mitsu moves offshore completely I'll
> still be able to get non-dealer servicing?
Can you still get non-dealer servicing for a Nissan? Yep.
That's my plan from day one
> anyway.
>
> 3 probably isn't an issue as I plan to keep the car for 3-5 years by which
> time the resale won't be particularly great anyway. And at this point
> buying one gives me a bonus over the more popular Commodore/Falcon.
>
> Other than that are the Magnas a bad car?
>
No they just cop it because of the Boulay crafted front-end, the fact they
aren't a Commodore or a Falcon and the fact that alot of people are scared
of FWDs.

Frankly, they are a better built car than the Commodore and Falcon. They
last longer then a Commodore or Falcon and they are cheaper than a Commodore
or Falcon because they arent terribly popular.

> LT.
>
>

[Diesel Dog (not Damo)]

Cartman wrote:

>
> Frankly, they are a better built car than the Commodore and Falcon. They
> last longer then a Commodore or Falcon and they are cheaper than a Commodore
> or Falcon because they arent terribly popular.

Im yet to see a Magna reach 500,000 on the clock :-p


--
Regards Dan

[sheik yerbouti]

On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 12:32:44 +1100, "Cartman"
<magnaboy@westnet-dot-com.au> wrote:

>> >
>> >Other than that are the Magnas a bad car?
>> >
>> they're outdated. last few revisions have only been a few changes.
>
>Like the VY Commodore :P
>
well the difference is that the VY is still based on a newer, older
model than the 'current' magna, but yeah :)

holden have an excuse tho, they are full-bore on the VE, while
mitsubishi aren't holding many cards. i think they are not long for
this country.

[sheik yerbouti]

On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 12:41:10 +1100, "Cartman"
<magnaboy@westnet-dot-com.au> wrote:


>The company may close manufacturing operations in Australia, but at worst
>they will become an importer. Much like Nissan in the 90s

i woulldn't be so sure, mitsu japan are in as much trouble as the
local arm. daimler are about ready to pull the plug from what i have
read.

[Diesel Dog (not Damo)]

sheik yerbouti wrote:


>
> i woulldn't be so sure, mitsu japan are in as much trouble as the
> local arm. daimler are about ready to pull the plug from what i have
> read.

Chrysler-Daimler already pulled the plug on them.
--
Regards Dan

[Cartman]

I am yet to see a VN+ or EA+ to do so either without a major rebuild.

The other problem with the Falcon in particular is rust.
"Diesel Dog (not Damo)" <esrakcussangam@thisaddy.com.ax> wrote in message
news:wdGEd.201$w_3.1611@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
> Cartman wrote:
>
> >
> > Frankly, they are a better built car than the Commodore and Falcon. They
> > last longer then a Commodore or Falcon and they are cheaper than a
Commodore
> > or Falcon because they arent terribly popular.
>
> Im yet to see a Magna reach 500,000 on the clock :-p
>
>
> --
> Regards Dan

[Cartman]

At present I have been told they are being kept afloat by the Mitsubishi
group of companies.

If you do some research on the Mitsubishi Group you will know that they have
the finances to keep flogging the dead horse that is Mitsubishi Motors :P
"sheik yerbouti" <delbo21@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8dc6u0tlkaithb2468pg5fuf9p6hsmfqp5@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 12:41:10 +1100, "Cartman"
> <magnaboy@westnet-dot-com.au> wrote:
>
>
> >The company may close manufacturing operations in Australia, but at worst
> >they will become an importer. Much like Nissan in the 90s
>
> i woulldn't be so sure, mitsu japan are in as much trouble as the
> local arm. daimler are about ready to pull the plug from what i have
> read.

[Cartman]

"sheik yerbouti" <delbo21@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:edb6u0dhihb81sk0qbblbokecglgniqg9k@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 12:32:44 +1100, "Cartman"
> <magnaboy@westnet-dot-com.au> wrote:
> well the difference is that the VY is still based on a newer, older
> model than the 'current' magna, but yeah :)
>
The engine is what lets the VY down. The V6 is *so* old it isnt funny. Good
to see the VZ replace it.
> holden have an excuse tho, they are full-bore on the VE, while
> mitsubishi aren't holding many cards. i think they are not long for
> this country.
Mitsubishi's next largish car (PS41) is being developed at present. The
money is already there for it.

[Kieron]

On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 07:21:14 GMT, "MonoJoker"
<monojoker@bigjobbies.com.au> wrote:

>I suspect there's not much chance of getting serious debate here on the
>subject but here goes :-)
>
>Going to trade in the Cressida on something a bit newer and I've noticed a
>few 2003 Magna AWDs for sale around $20K. Are these a good buy for the
>money?

Handling, performance, build quality etc are very good, its one hell
of a car for 20K. The only negatives are the styling and resale, if
you don't mind the looks and are keeping it for 3-5 years then i'd
suggest its a damm good fit.

Mrbishi won't suddenly dissapear so your warranty won't be a problem
and anyone can service the thing, i'd say go for it.