1988 Mitsubishi Magna Exec 2.6 carb

Summary:

Built Well and Reliable despite its initial reputation.

Faults:

Alternator Replacement at 100K.

Transmission to Motor main seal.

General Comments:

Super Reliable car for its age.

Has showed little deterioration in its mechanicals and body parts for an old car.

Timing Chain tensioner can be adjusted and make the car run like new again.

Super quiet at 100km/h and above.

Large interior.

Economy is not great around town, but good on Highway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th January, 2008

1988 Mitsubishi Magna Elite 2.6 ECI Multi

Summary:

S@*t of a car

Faults:

Well being the first time I've ever bought a second hand car, I didn't know what I was up for.

First, the CV joints started clonking at 178500km's, and the automatic choke, well that's a big joke, because I work at 3:00am in the morning, I have to go to work in the cold, and it takes all hell to start it, and it usually takes 5 batteries to make it start!

General Comments:

Nice roomy station wagon, which has all the wizz bang technology I need.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th April, 2006

1988 Mitsubishi Magna Executive 2.6 Carby 4 cylinder

Summary:

Don't waste your time with this piece of Mitsubishi crap

Faults:

I am only driving it as a replacement car while my skyline is receiving performance modifications. My mechanic has lent it to me. It had it's 3rd engine rebuild at 230000km and needs another one.

Auto transmission is very rough.

Takes 10minutes+ to start of a morning, regardless of temperature.

Rough Body.

Shock absorbers are buggered.

Don't know what else is wrong cause I've only had it 3 days, but I'm sure there is a lot more wrong with it.

General Comments:

This is the slowest, most uncomfortable car I have ever been in. I did a rough 0 to 100 time and am guessing somewhere in between 14-16 seconds. Awful town car. It constantly wants to change gears. This car has a lot of under steer made worse by the fact that the shock absorbers are in need of replacing. I can't wait to have my skyline back.

The Magna seems to be at least 10 years behind technology of most other cars like skylines and falcons etc.

If I were you, don't ever waste your money on one of these pieces of crap. Purchase a skyline instead.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st October, 2004

2nd Mar 2005, 03:26

I have a Magna TN Exec EFI wagon, 1988. Cost $650 AU with 200,000 km. Mine is fine, but the auto trans has gone at this mileage, just like several readers mentioned - it is down to poor design, but can be replaced for $900AU or so, and some transmission shops can tweak the electrics to make them last forever. Worth spending out for a new transmission it for my otherwise immaculate car, but not worth it for rougher examples. The engine blocks are supposed to crack, too - any examples?

1st Mar 2008, 09:19

We have just bought a 1988 Mitsubishi Magna off Ebay for $700 and apart from a few materialistic things from age & wear and tear that can be fixed, it has absolutely no mechanical problems. Fuel usage is fantastic, smooth ride for it's age, quiet, absolute luxury when you've done it hard & driven a piece of garbage for so long. On avg it has done around 13000km/yr. It has had 2 owners both elderley maybe this is why it runs so well as they have constantly had it serviced and not driven it hard. Anyway, what an absolute bargain for us!!!

15th Sep 2010, 06:48

I don't think this review does the Magna justice. I have driven one for years and can tell you with decent care the Magna is a great car.

My fuel economy is great but I have EFI. The car has always started first go, no matter what conditions, and never broken down on the side of the road.

A close family member had a Skyline and compared to this it was totally crap. Rubbish fuel economy, heavy steering and the computer broke down all the time. Her car wasn't maintained and by the sounds of it neither was this Magna.

With a little care any car has the potential to do good, but it's all in the owners' hands.