2000 Mitsubishi Magna Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the Mitsubishi Magna and 380 from 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 as a used buy.

These big Mitsubishi family cars have a well-deserved reputation for being smooth and refined and in its early days the Magna made Holden’s Commodore and Ford’s Falcon rather ordinary in the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) stakes.Mitsubishi Verada was the name given to upmarket versions of the Magna and is sometimes regarded as a different model, though in reality, it’s just a Magna with plenty of extra kit stuffed inside.All were built in Adelaide. The first Magnas were very much Australian products, later they became more closely allied to Japanese Mitsubishi models. The Mitsubishi 380 was based on an American Mitsubishi model and was larger and plusher than the Magna.This once successful line of cars came to an abrupt end in April 2008 after slow sales of the 380 caused Mitsubishi to pull out of Australian manufacturing. In hindsight if the company had simply called the 380 the next generation Magna, the Adelaide factory might still be in operation today.Body types are four-door sedan and five-door station wagon in the Magna/Verada, but the 380 was only built as a sedan. Rear-seat width isn't quite as good as that in Commodore and Falcon, but the Mitsubishi’s seats can handle three adults in reasonable comfort.The big Mitsubishis have reasonably good handling for family cars, with the 380 feeling nice and sharp on the road. Engine performance from the old-style four-cylinder 2.6-litre engine is reasonable, but only just. The later four-cylinder models had a 2.4-litre unit with a much-improved design.Four-cylinder models slowly declined in popularity over the years and were finally removed from the Magna range in 1999. Those on the used-car market now are likely to be near the end of their lives, though it must be said they are tough old units. A 3.0-litre V6 engine was released in the Mitsubishi Verada in 1991 and the Magna in 1993.It was joined by a 3.5-litre V6 in some upmarket variants in October 1996. The bigger engine gradually spread to the rest of the range. In the later-model Magna Sports and VR-X, the 3.5 engine has additional power over the standard unit. The Mitsubishi 380’s 3.8-litre engine is a stretched version of the 3.5-litre unit.There is good torque throughout the normally used zone of the rev range and the 3.8 is very pleasant to sit behind. Magna is offered with a five-speed manual gearbox, but the great majority of the original cars came with a four-speed automatic. A sequential shifting was first fitted on four-speed Magna Sports models from September 1997.An advanced five-speed automatic transmission with a sequential shifter is fitted to the sporty variants sold from August 2000 and made its way to the other models over the next couple of years. Mitsubishi 380 came with a five-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual gearbox.The auto was by far the most popular and the manual could be a problem to resell in years to come as the number of drivers interested in doing their own gear changes continues to decline. Mitsubishi’s Magna offers the extra traction of all-wheel drive in some sports variants to give the car a real sporty feeling.These all-wheel drives are a real pleasure to punt hard and fast and keen drivers love their feel and grip. But they were never popular and could be hard to resell. These big Mitsubishis are spacious in their under bonnet area so servicing is relatively easy for amateur mechanics to carry out. Make sure to get a professional mechanic for safety-related work. Mitsubishi continues to operate strongly in Australia despite no longer being a local manufacturer. Spare parts for cars up to 10 years old are still carried by Mitsubishi dealers. Prices are generally reasonable and we seldom hear of any real availability problems. Insurance charges are usually moderate and most companies charge much the same for four and six-cylinder engines. There may be an increase in the premiums for the Sports model if the driver is young and/or inexperienced.WHAT TO LOOK FORRust is seldom a problem but in a few cars it gets into the bottom edges of the doors, boot lid and or tailgate, and the fuel filler flap. Look for signs of damage to seats, carpets and trim, including inside the boot. Examine the top of the dash panel and the rear parcel shelf for faded, or cracked, plastic caused by constant exposure to sunlight. Automatic transmission problems have dogged these Mitsubishis but troubles are less frequent in newer models than in older ones. Watch for an automatic that shifts gear when it doesn’t need to or suddenly shifts into neutral of its own accord. Look at and feel the front tyres for uneven wear, which can indicate front suspension problems. Check the paint and bumper bar around the exhaust tailpipe for an oily film, indicating engine problems. Make sure the brakes pull the car up in a straight line and that ABS, if fitted, sends a pulsing back through the pedal on hard application. Don’t forget to check your mirrors first!CAR BUYING TIPWhen checking out a car aimed at the family buyer make sure to spend plenty of time looking over the back seat and the luggage area. 

Despite being condemned over the years as being boring and bland the Mitsubishi Magna stands out as one that can deliver cheap, reliable motoring.  If they had their critics, they also had their fans, and those who bought Magnas, like the TH, generally became hooked on them.  The Magna is no longer on the market, but there are plenty of them still out there on the used car market, and they can make good buying.MODEL WATCHThe TH Magna was the third makeover of the third generation Magna first released in 1996.  By the time the all-new Gen 3 model was launched the Magna had acquired a reputation for being a steady and sure choice, the sort of car appreciated by people nearing their dotage. But the new Magna was an attempt to rid itself of this baggage and broaden its appeal to younger buyers.Where previous models had been chunky with generously rounded curves the new model had sweeping lines and more athletic proportions.  So sleek was its shape that it was the most aerodynamic car made in this country.It was wider and longer than the outgoing model with increased front and rear legroom and more boot space, but the sweeping roofline attracted quite a deal of criticism for its negative impact on headroom.The new Magna also featured frameless windows and slim B-pillars in an effort to create a more airy feeling inside, but it wasn't enough to quell the critics who slammed the grey trim and high waistline for making the cabin seem dull and generally depressing.When the TH update model arrived early in 1999 it boasted a more aggressive grille, revised rear, updated interiors, and new wheel covers and alloy wheels.  Gone by then was the four-cylinder engine that had been offered in previous models and Magna buyers could only buy a V6.A 140 kW 3.0-litre single overhead camshaft V6 was available in the entry level Executive model, but the rest of the range boasted a 3.5- litre V6 that had performance peaks of 147 kW and 300 Nm.Buyers could choose between a five-speed manual and a four-speed auto, with most choosing the auto. As with previous models the final drive was through the front wheels.The TH also introduced a number of innovations to the local market.  It was the first Australian-made car with ABS anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce distribution (EBD), and the first to offer Traction Control.It also had air-conditioning as standard, a trip computer and an integrated anti-theft alarm.  The model line-up kicked off with the Executive, followed by the Advance, Altera LS and Sports.IN THE SHOPThere are few reports of troubles with the TH Magna, which backs up the claims that it's pretty well bulletproof.  Most reported problems can be traced back to a lack of maintenance so   check the service history of any car on sale. This can be neglected in cars as old as the TH as they can pass into the hands of owners who are sometimes unable to afford proper servicing.Remove the dipstick and take a look at the oil, if it's black and dirty take a closer look at the service record.  You're likely to find oil leaks around the engine and these could require fixing for a roadworthy, so take them into consideration.Take note of the way the transmission shifts, particularly note any hesitation or reluctance to shift gears, and rule out any car that shows a problem in this area.  Inspect the front driveshafts for damage to the rubber boots. Walk away if any damage is found.  Not all engines in the TH range were LPG compatible, so make sure the engine in your chosen car is if you plan to convert it.IN A CRASHThe base Executive model didn't have airbags, but all other models in the TH range had dual front airbags.  All boasted ABS anti-lock braking with the new feature of Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).AT THE PUMPMitsubishi claimed the 3.0-litre V6 models with do 6.6 L/100 km on   the highway and 9.0 L/100 km around town; it also said those with the 3.5-litre V6 would do 11.0 L/100 km around town and 6.8 L/100 km on   the open road.  Road testers reported the 3.5-litre V6 would average 10-13 L/100 km.OWNER'S SAYOf all the cars Damien Hamilton and his wife have owned, and they   include an HSV3800, a Nissan 200SX, a Toyota Corolla, three Toyota Camrys and two Toyota Aurions, the 1999 TH Mitsubishi Magna Advance   they recently sold stood out for reliability. In the eight years they owned it they had it serviced by the book and didn't have to spend a   cent on anything else. Everything from door seals to buttons to fuel economy was as good as new! The wear and tear was minimal on things   like brakes and tyres, the tyres easily lasted over 100,000 km each   time!! Admittedly, they say, the car was plain to look at but that   was the only negative, in all other respects it was exceptional and   it's a shame they are no longer made. In Damien's view Toyota's   "bulletproof" reputation is unjustified, particularly when compared   to Mitsubishi and the Magna.LOOK FOR. Sweeping looks. Bland interior. Good-sized boot. Smooth V6 engines. Good driver. Well-built and reliableTHE BOTTOM LINEGet past the name and find a strong, well-built, reliable and   affordable car.