1996 Mitsubishi Magna Altera review from Australia and New Zealand

Auto transmission is very clunky and jerky - a common problem in this model Magna.

Timing belt snapped, which then broke the water pump and then did the head gasket, all before the temperature gauge got anywhere near overheating! Expensive...

Auto boot release failed (fixed by dealer at no cost)

Strange rubbing/clunking noise when turning left when cold.

CD player failed (radio still works)

Overall, a very competent and quiet car, far superior to similar era Commodore, Falcon or Camry.

Very quiet (so quiet, in fact, that if you have the stereo going, you can't even hear the head gasket blowing...).

Reasonable fuel economy, although not as good as I had hoped.

Shocking resale value at the time, although this has improved slightly in the last couple of years (well, not by a lot, but a little nonetheless).

Very smooth and refined, apart from the auto transmission on mine, which is a rather common problem of this model.

Make sure you get the timing belt changed according to the service schedule (and make sure your dealer follows the schedule). Mine didn't, and it was an expensive lesson.