1987 Mitsubishi Magna GLX 2.6 EFI from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A very reliable car which has reasonable comfort and performance combined to make it a very good buy

Faults:

Although I have just recently bought it, the fuel gauge doesn't work, which doesn't matter that much as you can just read off the tripmetre to see approximately when you need to fill up (between 550 - 600kms on the 64 litre tank if driving it to it's maximum performance). There is quite an annoying clunking sound when shifting into third gear which only happens when shifting quickly, if someone could explain how to fix that I would be very happy :) Only one speaker works and it distorts very easily, which can be fixed by putting in a very nice sound system in which I will be doing shortly.

General Comments:

A very nice and generally cheap car. I bought mine off a grandpa which is reassuring as it was garaged all its life, well maintained and never thrashed, which is obvious by the immaculate condition it is in. The one thing I hate about it is that it has no power steering, which I very strongly suggest if you are going to buy one as it isn't very fun trying to park a considerably large car without power steering. Also make sure it has EFI or ECI multi as they call it, because without it, the car has no guts. Besides these things the car is very quiet and runs exceptionally well for the price and age of the car. It gets 0 - 100 in approx 14 seconds which is fairly average compared to my Brothers xr6 which comfortably gets there in 6-7 but I'm sure I will eventually get closer to 10 after a little work is put in.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd August, 2002

24th Aug 2002, 07:57

Update on the review posted.

Needed a recon alternator and a new thermostat a week after writing the review. this cost $350 which annoyed me, but there wasn't much I could do. After a recent test the car gets to 100 comfortably under 13 seconds with no mods. Still makes a clunking sound when shifting into third gear quickly... not sure why that happens?

7th Sep 2002, 21:59

The synchromesh on 3rd gear is probably cactus. This is normal for early Magnas. Unless the car has been driven either very little or with great mechanical sympathy all its life, it's going to happen. You can either (a) rebuild the gearbox or (b) live with it. I recommend the latter. :)

16th Dec 2003, 23:38

I have an automatic Magma 1985. Recently I noticed that it is dragging when yo are driving. It fails to go into lower gears. When you drive in 2nd gear it goes well, but when in drive, then the dragging starts. Any ideas?

1987 Mitsubishi Magna GLX 2.6 EFI from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

High performance, low cost

Faults:

Center console broke (common problem)

Clutch went after 280,000!!! (you can't complain about that!)

Back de-mister switch broken replaced with secondhand switch (cost A$2)

Back door lock broke.

Suspension rattle at 285,000 (still original suspension as well!)

General Comments:

As its my first car, it has taken all my punishment incredibly and despite not being the most popular car at school it has changed many peoples opinions about Magnas.

It can easily drag off most of my friends cars, so it has power aplenty.

The one thing I don't like about it is the gloomy interior that is pretty plain and boring, but is capable of housing a truly magnificent sound system which makes it more interesting!

On the space side of things though not up to the standard of a falcon of that time (XF and EA), will easily match any other car in comfort and space.

Handling is perfect.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd July, 2002

1987 Mitsubishi Magna SE 4cl from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Put your foot down drop it back to 3rd and drag any commodore you come across! NOT BAD FOR $500

Faults:

The doors rusted out.

Boot seal rusted out also a common problem.

Starter motor broken at 297000.

Alternator about to pack up.

Tape player packed broken on purchase.

Minor head gasket problem.

The water pump started leaks, I have rebuilt it.

Timing chains don't last.

It has noisy tappets. click click click.

High beam relay has broken and I cannot get to it behind the dash, not a common problem I shorted it out when I was playing around under the hood.

Air-con doesn't work very well anymore, need new gas. (not bad for an old farm car though)

CV and ball joints needed replacement.

Clutch leaks (has taken a thrashing)

Minor engine oil leaks.

Blows a fair amount of steam until it warms up.

Cracked manifold.

Dash speakers are not very good and one doesn't work.

There's something that rattles in my dash air vents.

General Comments:

Very quick, can leave my friends holdens for dead.

Lovely to drive, but a bit heavy to steer.

Get a fuel injected manual or your wasting your time.

Very comfortable inside with lots of buttons to play with (i have the SE model)

Good on fuel.

If looked after will last a very long time with 298000 on the clock it still gets up and boogies better than my best friends holden vk.

Not bad for a first car especially when the plan was to thrash it the ground, but it refused to die and I've grown to like it.

It doesn't handle as well as rear wheel drive so the trip to the shop can easily be mistaken for a rally qualifying session if you're not afraid to put your foot down.

It has a very comfotable and pleasant gear change thanks to the 5 speed sincromesh box that helps to clutter the engine bay.

It came with the original manual with a records of all services up to 140,000 km.

If you put in a CD player buy a good one or a stacker because it must be installed on a 45 degree angle in the console and will skip around town.

Very cluttered engine bay with sensors on everything, but when its all nice and clean it looks pretty impressive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th July, 2002

23rd Jul 2002, 04:37

Pretty funny review! I had a TN Magna with EFI and the 5 speed for a while, and I can vouch for the performance of it. I've since sold it to an 18 year old who was after something of a 'sleeper'. Provided you get one that isn't smoky or an auto, TN Magnas are about as much fun as you can get for around AUD$1,000. :)