Faults:

My previous Chrysler Valiant 1962 S model CAR WAS BOUGHT FOR $900 AND DRIVEN FOR 31 YEARS AS OUR FAMILY CAR. During this time the car was continually upgraded and looked after, was always garaged, and I became a car club member to keep it in excellent condition, spare parts etc. The car was sold 2 years ago for $20000 because I cared for it.

Wisdom - Learn a little mechanical knowledge, paint and rust repairs, and get help through your enthusiasts car club. Cars don't need to be a throw away item.

The Magna 1985 TM was designed and made in Australia to replace the Valiant model. It is smooth to drive, and after the faults were rectified, I find the car reliable. The car has high kilometers on it, going through 2 second hand cylinder heads, and now a Taiwan new repro cylinder head, new radiator, and the engine runs quite cool.

Never touched the air con, it's fine.

2 transmissions in 15 years.

1 timing chain set at 280000Km.

Replaced power steering unit.

General Comments:

Who in the States knows about these cars as this?

These Magnas were car of the year in 1985, and outshone the Ford and General Motors products with luxury standard products when the other 2 makes had to be bought as add on accessories. Adequate power and roomy for a medium sized car. Air con, power windows, added driving lights, comfortable seats, weather shields and rear window sun shade. Insurance is a cheap $160 per year.

Well kept in tune, the car is reasonably economic, and you don't need to lead foot it with a little care.

Do I need another car? Well no, not unless the wife dingles it.

Car manufacturers don't like me. Local auto parts shops like me, because I put money back into my local economy, buying parts, and with local manufacturing of parts if possible.

An Australian made product to be proud of, made by Australians, and they were exported to South Africa, New Zealand and of course Japan.

Faults:

Auto Transmission self destructed at 18000kms. New one under warranty.

Timing Chain started to rattle at 22000kms.

Auto Transmission slipping again at 36000kms, replaced bands under warranty.

Auto Transmission, electronic overdrive malfunction - stuck in 4th gear. Gearbox replaced again under warranty.

Timing Chain rattled again at 64000kms, replaced chain guides. $845.

Motor started to use oil at 85000kms.

Engine overheated and blew cylinder head gasket and warped head at 92000kms. Head Replaced.

Motor started blowing smoke after this and using more oil.

Engine fully reconditioned at 118000kms.

General Comments:

Mitsubishi should have refunded the purchase price to anyone who purchased an early model Magna. The Auto boxes were a joke and the Astron Engines, terrible in the Sigma were even worse in these Magnas. You would have thought they would get it right after 12 years of problems.

A good Astron engine is an exception to the rule; most I have heard of rattle, smoke and overheat causing futher problems at very low k's compared to other cars.

Very hard to understand how Mitsubishi Engineers could possibly design such a troublesome drivetrain; and not rectify it after so many years of complaints and warranty claims.

The earlier model Chrysler Galants were a far better car; having the Saturn motors which were far more reliable and performed nearly as well. This motor dissapeared with the GJ Sigma base models.

My advise, don't touch one. Buy a Toyota. Traded it on a new Camry in 1996, never looked back.