Need a new wagon- any recomendations

[Devil]

If you're after a grunty wagon, you'll prefer the Legnum VR4 engine over the Sub's pooey turbo. Smoother, more torque, better midrange and no funny powerbands like the GT. (The turbos on the VR4 run in parallel, whereas the GT has sequential turbos. I've heard the primary turbos on the GT have a habit of pooing themselves).

On the other hand, I have a '97 VR4 Galant (sedan) for sale if you like
only 67,000km on it. Tiptronic

[Blakamin]

Mate !! ................ It's a shame you don't want auto .... I have had my crappy old (EA) falcon s/w (with a bench seat) for yonks ... approx 200,000k's ... and apart from redoing the radiator at 180,000 it has been as good as gold !! Takes all the shit I throw at it and just keeps on going ..... the damn thing will out-live me I reckon !! It's just topping the 280,000 mark now and will be getting a new battery for xmas but other than the usual tyres as needed but not as often as you would think, it just won't give up .... cheap motoring as I only paid $3,500 for it !!! ... :spudbooge

Built Ford Tough!!!!

[TonyB]

Have tried a few cars now. Autos have been ruled out as the wife hates them and I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to driving, if they could. We've tried Legacy Grandwagons, 250T B spec and standard, GT and GTB. And I had a go in a Mitsi Legnum 2.4 GDi yesterday. Does anyone here own one? Whats the engine noise like? The one I drove (99) rattled like a bloody diesel! The caryard claimed it was because it had 91 in it, and they need 96. BS or not? Loved the tiptronic though!

[FROSTY:Me]

Tony --gimme a yell sometime --021544251 I import cars and Ive got one or two legacy 250t's in stock.-read that as we specialise in late model suby wagons--Like a 2003 legacy gt tiptronic yumeee
Re the 1800gdi --my opinion--bloody nice to drive --but totally gutless

[TonyB]

A 2003 anything is going to be a little outside my price range. Plus you're in Auckland. I reckon a GT tiptronic would be yummy indeed!
The Legnumwas a 2.4 GDi. Still a bit lacking in grunt, but beggars can't be choosers eh!

[Devil]

Yeh, GDi is absolutely gutless, I too have driven the 2.4 and hated it. Prefer the older 2.5 engine.

My mechanics opinion is to steer clear of the GDi engines. Something about the plugs or something to do with the throttle bodies fouling up really easily.

Try a legnum VR4. Just dont bother with anything turbo with high k's

[TonyB]

Yeh, GDi is absolutely gutless, I too have driven the 2.4 and hated it. Prefer the older 2.5 engine.

My mechanics opinion is to steer clear of the GDi engines. Something about the plugs or something to do with the throttle bodies fouling up really easily.

After a VR4 most non-turbo cars would feel gutless I would think.
My limited knowledge of the GDi is that the injectors squirt directly into the combustion chamber. I've heard that they can get fouled up or something. Apparently GDi's also reburn their own emmissions or something. Anyway, I'll get a direct comparison tonight as I'm test driving a 2.4 GDi and an older 2.5 V6.
I think any VR4 in my price range will have done a few k's...

[onearmedbandit]

Tony, been a few days since I've been in contact sorry, been tied up. Nothing I can get hold of in your price range from the local wholesalers in 2.5 4wd Tiptronic, looks like you might be onto one anyway. I'm still keeping my eyes and ears open.

[Biff]

I've a Legacy 250T and the darned thing is so thirsty I keep getting the fuel gauge and the speedo confused. I've only had it for three months and I'm going to sell it after xmas. Another negative aspect is the fact that my left leg gets cramps after even the shortest journey due to the fact that I can't straighten my left leg out properly as the centre console and rear drive shaft bulge through the middle of the car encroaching into the drivers footwell.

On the plus side it has acres of room, nice cruiser and pokey. But man is it a thirsty S.O.B.

[TonyB]

Tony, been a few days since I've been in contact sorry, been tied up. Nothing I can get hold of in your price range from the local wholesalers in 2.5 4wd Tiptronic, looks like you might be onto one anyway. I'm still keeping my eyes and ears open.

No worries. Did you get the GT sorted out? So far it's the best car I've tried, but from what I can se it's gone anyway. Tried a GTB- loved it except for the wooden planks for seats and bone shaking ride. Tried a 250T B spec, nice car, but confirmed my dislike of autos. Tried a TS-R, not bad for a 2 litre, but the engine noise would drive me nuts pretty quick. A freind took me for a spin in his 2.0 Cefiro just so I could see what a newish 2 litre goes like.... not enough poke. Michelle has decided she likes white wagons- got a nice white GT? VR4?

[onearmedbandit]

Got a white VR4, are you 'adjusting' your budget Tony??

[Indo]

Thanks Motu, I'll give it a go. Do you know much about the 2.5V6 in the Legnums? What about the Tiptronic Auto?

I have a 99, 2.5 v6 Galant 24 wagon, which is the n.z version of the legnum. (i think anywahy). It has ample grunt, have had no problems with the tiptronic and it handles extremely well. Its done about 150,000 km now with zero problems. All ive replaced is the tires.

Compared to my previous holdens and fords its streaks ahead.

Try www.esanda.co.nz for a few cheap wagon deals.....

[TonyB]

Got a white VR4, are you 'adjusting' your budget Tony??

Can't remember what I told you. Are you prepared to move a bit? Remember it's cash. Signing the docs at lunch time tomorrow...
Haven't even driven a VR4- if it rides anything like GTB don't worry about it.

Indo- thanks for the tip. I was supposed to try a 2.4 GDi and a 2.5 V6 tonight. The GDi had a flat battery (take it home and jump start it in the morning they said!- no thanks) and the V6 hadn't arrived from the groomers Different car yards- neither of them Onearmedbandits (their cars go!)

[Jinx3d]

"Legnum" sounds like a kind of vegetable.
And Mitsubishis suck big time. And for those naysayers - next time you're following a smokey car on the road, most times it will be a Mitsubishi (or else a 323/Laser, 626/Telstar). Mitsubishis rings tend to let oil past as the kms get up, as do the valve guides on those other horrible cars I mentioned {shudder}.

Yeah, check this out.
My 1993 Mitsubishi magna wagon has 357,000 kays on the clock. Burns about 1 litre every 5000 kays and aside from a bit of noise from the timing chain and a whine in 1st shes a damn good wagon. I get mid 400's from a tank which costs about $50-60 to fill from bone dry. The back seats drop flat and I can sleep in it fine. (6'2)

2.6 litre motor so not overly endowed but then thats why I own a motorcycle.

If I had more money I wouldnt hesitate and buy a legnum, (the later model) but not till this one wont get a wof.

[Motu]

Well I'm with Vifferman - the smokers are certainly Mitsi and Mazda/Fords from the 80s,a lot to do with the poor breathing system,the Mitsi breathing system was almost a copy of the Hillman Hunter,straight onto the air filter,finding the filters wringing wet with oil was not uncommon.Those chain drive Magna's were the crappiest motor Mitsi ever made,and they have made more dud motors than any of the other Jap makers by far.Cracked blocks and timming chains,fumming like a steam loco,at least they don't break balance belts (???why have them???) which then jump into the main belt,taking out all your valves.Dumb move Mitsubishi,really dumb.

I've got 2 Mitsi's and love em - but both reserected from the dead.