1985 Mitsubishi Magna TM 2.6 Astron 2 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Underestimated bargain potential

Faults:

Clear was worn off bonnet, roof and boot when purchased, wearing paint.

Front rotors needed replacing at 190000kms.

Alternator let go around same time, with regulator, top radiator hose and radiator.

2nd throat gets "stuck" open when passing 4-4 1/2 thou revs, and motor chugs.

Water pump, CV joints and Torque Converter needed replacing at 192000kms.

Slight rust on passenger side front guard.

General Comments:

An extremely comfortable and quiet ride.

It gets driven quite a lot, and for a car that set me back $500, has held up quite satisfactory. After all repairs, and new tyres, the car has cost me around $1500.

In hindsight, I definately should have bought a manual, and probably a later model, with EFI. However, my future plans shall surpass anything a 2.6lt EFI engine could offer.

Sound System: In the car at the moment, is a pioneer 8500 deck, pioneer 6x9 2 ways in parcel shelf, 1x12 inch pioneer sub and 2x10 inch JBL's in boot. Am now looking at some splits for front.

Future Plans: Being one of only a handful of people who have realised the potential of this car, I am planning to turn this into an absolute stunner. I have purchased a 2001 model 3.5lt V6, 5spd manual, and am almost finished rebuilding it.

Also, I'm fitting brembo brakes, exhaust and in about another year or 2, depending on money situation, will be twin turboing the 3.5lt. :D.

Barbados Green is my paint colour of choice, and 17inch Trilogy's, my wheel of choice. Am still deciding/open to suggestions about the rest of the set up... feel free to offer advice/screams of horror.

To date, I have spent around $4500 on motor, transmission, brakes, wheel and tyres, and paint. Pretty cheap if you ask me... Please, any feed back would be greatly appreciated. Ciao.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th August, 2003

14th Nov 2008, 03:42

This is more of a question than a comment. I'm not that knowledgeable about cars, but I have a 95 Magna and was thinking of turboing it. Do you think a GTO's turbo manifold would fit the existing motor, and would the engine withstand the horsepower jump?

1985 Mitsubishi Magna Elite 2.6 astron from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A car for People Who like first class, but are on a budget

Faults:

The Automatic Transmission had to be Replaced.

Power steering Pump Leaks.

General Comments:

The magna Elite is a very Luxurious car, It has power windows, Power steering, air conditioning, Velor seats, Electronic/digital instrument panel.

The Car has reasonable power for a 4 cylinder.

Very Good for people who like to travel first class, but on a budget.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th May, 2003

1985 Mitsubishi Magna GLX 2.6 Astron II from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A fine vehicle with drag performance in mind

Faults:

A couple of distributors have died.

The automatic transmission blew and replaced with a manual about 3 years ago.

CV Joints go easily, but are easy to replace.

Dash tachometer flicks and flinches when idle-ling.

Constant wet engine bay, oil leak is somewhere.

The exhaust intake flap died so I replaced it with duct tape.

Engine rebuilt at 149800km, rings replaced, sleeve bearings and head reconditioned.

Replaced standard coil with bigger one and now the revs go up and up and up without that bottoming out feeling.

General Comments:

Comfortable.

Goes like a train when its warmed up.

Pulling power of a bull.

Red.

Easy to work with with the engine being the east-west type.

Retreads will do you fine on this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th April, 2003

14th Sep 2005, 23:28

The reason you have an oil leak is because on the rocker cover gasket there is a dead square edge. these edges are hard to seal, the same thing happened in my car, I took the gasket off, cleaned it and the grooves it sits, then added a small amount of silicon on the gasket, I have had no problems since, no oil leaks anywhere!

1985 Mitsubishi Magna TM GLX 2.6 Astron II Carby from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Good car if done up

Faults:

Continuous carby hassles, many new problems every week.

Alternator died at 196,000.

Radiator hoses have begun to corrode and die.

Ignition module left us at 198,000.

Break light stuck on.

CV's die easily.

Auto transmission needed reconditioning at 150,000.

Engine rebuilt at 184,000 because the smoke was rediculous.

General Comments:

Structure is tough as guts.

Nice smooth ride when the wheels are balanced.

Good fuel economy.

Have realized potential and have begun a program to turn into high performance beast.

Good amount of cabin and boot space.

If well maintained like mine wasn't it will last well.

For the first of a new line of motor vehicle it has stood the test of time well.

Acceleration and speed would be better with an EFI and 5 speed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th February, 2003