TL AWD Magna VR info.

[MrNatural]

It's been a while since I've been here, have been without a Magna/Verada for a few years now, but very likely to get into another soon.

I've been looking at 2 VRs, both 03 TLs, both AWD.

One has the white fascia cluster with AWD motif, black cloth trim, standard non leather steering wheel, no "AWD" plaque on the gear shift surround and AWD MAGNA badge on the left of the boot lid and VR on the right side.

The other has black fascia cluster with AWD motif, beige cloth trim, leather steering wheel, the "AWD" plaque on the gear shift surround and MAGNA badge on the left of the boot lid and AWD on the right side.

Which is correct?

Thanks in advance.

[leadfoot6]

The second sounds like my 7/2004 standard spec AWD.

The first sounds wrong.

It should have a leather steering wheel.

These can show signs of wear after a time.

I am about to replace mine at 190,000km with a brand new "old stock" part.

It should have AWD on the gear surround.

Mine has the black fascia cluster.

Check that the odometer display on the first car is 100% legitimate.

If the steering wheel and fascia show signs of being altered, and in the case of the first car that is a distinct possiblity, it could have had what we call in the used car trade as a "haircut", i.e. a speedometer rewind/replacement with a fascia from a lower kilometer car.

Not being able to see the first car up close I could be completely wrong, but I would be careful.

[leadfoot6]

In another thread:

https://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/sh...=1#post1650507

here are some current images of a standard model TL AWD with correct badges and showing the correct leather steering wheel with some minor wear beginning to show.

[mcs_xi]

It's been a while since I've been here, have been without a Magna/Verada for a few years now, but very likely to get into another soon.

I've been looking at 2 VRs, both 03 TLs, both AWD.

One has the white fascia cluster with AWD motif, black cloth trim, standard non leather steering wheel, no "AWD" plaque on the gear shift surround and AWD MAGNA badge on the left of the boot lid and VR on the right side.

The other has black fascia cluster with AWD motif, beige cloth trim, leather steering wheel, the "AWD" plaque on the gear shift surround and MAGNA badge on the left of the boot lid and AWD on the right side.

Which is correct?

Thanks in advance.

Sounds like neither is a VR.

All TL VR cars will have the following;

Black cloth with dark blue and purple inserts,
White instrument background,
front foglamps and a lower mesh grill
The badges wlll have Magna on the left and VR (with AWD next to the VR)
Also look for the map lamps and red door lamps an VR gets.

All Magna AWD cars have a leather wheel. Perhaps the wheel was replaced in the first car because of wear.

[leadfoot6]

Here is a very brief "Carsguide" summary of 2003 TL VR AWD features.

https://www.carsguide.com.au/mitsubi...e/2003/vr--awd

A TL VR AWD would have been almost exactly what I was looking for about 4 years ago when I started looking for my Magna.

I could never find one exactly as I wanted, and had to settle for a base model.

3.5 years after purchase, I still love my car.

It has been exceptional.

[MrNatural]

Thanks for the info. I will keep looking. The first car is probably legit, just missing 1 or 2 bits. Maybe the steering wheel was replaced if the air bag went off..., the 2nd car definitely a Magna AWD, not VR.
Cheers!

[leadfoot6]

If the airbag deployed, that would have been due to an impact of at least moderate force.

It could possibly have been repaired if the damage was not too much, but there is a chance that it is(or should be) classed as a "repairable write off".

In the absence of accident damage, someone not familiar with disabling the SRS system for repairs has worked on the steering wheel, activated the airbag, and could not find a correct replacement AWD wheel, resulting in a non-standard base model wheel being fitted.

If it was not a car that had been covered by comprehensive insurance, and consequently not subject to assessment by an insurance company, it may have "slipped through the cracks".

These sort of cars are traps for the unsuspecting.

I WOULD STAY AWAY FROM IT.

[MrNatural]

It's an interstate car (not NSW). No history on RMS website. Which also tells me to back away...too many ifs for me. Thanks for feedback. Appreciated. ��

[leadfoot6]

I'm happy to help if I can.

P.S. My family owned a copper coloured VE Valiant sedan as per your avatar image.

I got my licence on it in 1978 on my 17th birthday.

In the quiet country areas of the South Coast, with my parents alongside, I started driving in on public roads well and truly(years) before I was "legal".

It helped to encourage my interest in all things automotive.

[an observer]

That's my rather tatty wheel in the pics.

Love to get a new one, but how much would it be?