24th Aug 2004, 21:08
The review here is not about the TS it is about the TE which is far better than the TS and the commodore. A Magna handles much better than a commodore being front wheel drive it'll pull itself around a corner much faster without sliding out like the rear wheel drive commodore would. Plus being front wheel drive it will get its power to the ground much quicker.
17th Apr 2006, 23:20
Hop in a EL or VS, in fact any 90's Commo or Falcon and feel the 'quality' plastics. The centre consoles move and shake about whereas the Magna stays put.
Magna = japanese engineering, quality, longevity, refinement, style.
How many EL and VS do you see on the road in good condition with straight panels and intact bumpers?
Hardly any compared with Magna of the same age. And the Magna's in crap condition were probably not looked after by their owners, whereas a Commo and Falcon would just fall to bits without any assistance.
If you need anymore convincing, check out the Commodore and Falcon pages on here. Sure there are more reviews, but the proportion of positive to negative is more than the Magna.
Nuff said. It's a open and shut case.
19th Apr 2006, 01:39
The right side of the rear bumper on my 2005 Falcon is slowly increasing its gap between the panel its attached to, but is noticeable compared with the left side, it has been involved in no accidents. Also, the wagon boot does not a-line straight when closed.
19th May 2006, 08:25
I am going to look at a VE Magna tomorrow... Unfortunately it is white, as my parents cars are both white. I might save up some money if I get it, and get the colour changed...! I have looked at a VS, as my parents had one. I sat in a VE the other day, and found for the year it was made, that the Magna seemed much more better, and looked nicer. Now, I am a huge Holden fan, but from looking at buying my first car, I really think Mitsubishi is up there. Their quality...
I am yet to drive one, and hopefully will tomorrow if I like it, and will then be able to see what I think of the car as a whole.
Any ideas on a nice colour in the car? Does blue match?
Cheers.
9th Jan 2010, 20:20
I always get a good laugh when someone bags a car they bought as unreliable because they FAILED to have scheduled maintenance performed on the vehicle...
As for the Magna bashing, if it wasn't for the locally designed and built Magna, Ford and Holden would still be building us vehicles with the quality of VB Commodores and XF Falcons.
Magna introduced many firsts into the locally produced car market, which forced Ford and Holden to follow.
Things like 2 pack paint, power steer standard, ABS, traction control, climate control, power windows and seats, 5 star crash ratings, 3 year 100k km warranty, then 5 year 130k km warranty, plus many other small refinements.
Magnas of equivalent age of other locally built cars have always been better built, finished and have had better ride quality, handling and NVH levels.
Of course, there are those who will blindly continue to buy Falcadores because their dad did, holding up Wheels editorials and the fact that "it's a FWD Japanese car!!!" as excuses for not buying a better car...
Sad thing is, our "FWD Japanese car" will outcorner and out accelerate any similar trim level Falcadore.
27th Feb 2010, 07:46
Australians often like to back the underdog, but in the case of Magna's and 380's, the emphasis is on the dog. It's always amusing that people bash Holden/Ford and talk up their Magnas and Camry's. I hear it everyday, if you're happy with that good for you, and I'm sure around the lunchroom someone might buy into it, but don't expect people to actually believe you when you say it's far superior car in every aspect...
11th Mar 2010, 04:47
I recently bought a 1997 TE Magna and I LOVE IT! I have owned several Falcons and driven a 2006 Commodore a lot over the last 4 years, and I would choose my Magna any day over them all. I have had so many people tell me how crap it is, but I love it (although it needs new spark plugs so it stalls all the time when it's cold LOL!).
It's a 5 speed, dual fuel, executive and it's a fantastic car, very good on gas, and I have beaten a couple of cocky males (I am female) in their Commodores in it.
I used to have a 1991 Magna and THAT was crap, but the TE is awesome!
Stop bagging out Magnas, they are good cars.
20th Mar 2011, 07:16
Hmm... Depends really. The blue smoke is from the valve stem seals going hard. I myself drive a KS Verada, and keep it serviced regularly, and haven't experienced this problem, even with 220,000Km on it. Got a couple of mates who own VR/VS Commodores with terrible oil leaks. At the end of the day, I guess it comes down to whether you're happy with what you've got.
6th Jun 2011, 06:46
I have a 3.0 Litre V6 TE Magna that I have owned for 10 years now.
Having owned many different model Commodores and Falcons previously, I can say that this Magna has been the most reliable car that I've ever had.
The only repairs required outside of normal maintenance were the CV joints, and that was only because I left it parked up for about 4 months once without moving it.
It is 14 years old and it still drives beautifully, in fact after driving current model Falcons or Commodores, I don't mind getting back into the Magna. In some ways it's still superior.
25th Nov 2003, 13:43
I couldnt agree more with the above comment, I own a VS Commodore and I know several friends with TS Magna's and I find the commodore a much better car, I feel that the mechanics in the magna are inferior. How many TS's driving around these days are blowing blue smoke on take off? probably 5/10.. how many commodores? 0.