Possible Legnum owner. Just after some advice :)

[d1pstick]

Hey everybody. My name is Jason, and I joined up to check out everyone's experiences with Galant VR4 and Legnums. I've just had my second not at fault car crash, and it's highly likely that my r32 will be written off. I've also formerly owned a GC8 WRX that was written off thanks to someone not giving way.
I was searching for something around $10,000 with plenty of room (my girlfriend runs market stalls andwould love some space for all her gear) but still a bit of power. Fuel consumption isn't too huge of a deal, since I live in a small town and my 32 was horrible on fuel anyway, so I Legnum would probably be more efficient . Out of all the turbo wagons I've looked at (Stagea, Legnum and Legacy GT, the Legnum came out on top in price, looks, performance. The only thing I've heard is that parts can be hard to source, and they can be a pain to work on. That doesn't bother me, since I do most of my own work anyway.
So I'm off to do some reading around the forums, but if anyone could leave me some helpful advice on why or why not to DD a Legnum, that would be awesome.

Cheers.

 

[Poita]

Get one!

I have had a bro-in-law who has had all 3 series of Stagea and IMO the Legnum is nicer than all of them and heaps more fuel efficient.

The only difficult part I have found is the rear tailgate struts. Can order them but expensive, but managed to find a local place than can rebuild them for fairly cheap. General service/repairs parts a very easy to get and there are a number of people on here that can get you just about anything you want new or second hand.

General servicing is easy, but as far as the more time consuming stuff I give it to my mechanic (a member on here, Jonson), so I have no idea if its hard or not but a number of people seem to do a lot of their own stuff.

There is a few nice examples on here in the for sale section...

Cheers
Pete

 

[naughtika]

why not = lack of bolt on aftermarket stuff

why = cause of the space, AWD, comfort, performance

 

[BFun]

Parts are relatively easy to come by nowaday.

I use my legnum as my daily and it's served me well so far. A few things to be aware of are; the shocking turning circle, the fuel economy (you already know this) and the bulk of the thing. I came from an old celica and lancer so I wasn't used to such a big car.

Other things to be aware of (that other's will probably be able to explain better than me) are:
Automatic transmission problems
Leaky stock BOVs
Cracked radiators

 

[d1pstick]

Thanks for the quick replys.

@Pete: I've always been a Nissan man, but I agree with you on the stageas. I've always been a Nissan man, but the only Stagea that REALLY interests me is the Autech 260rs. And not only is that way out of my price range, I wouldn't want to DD anything with an RB26...

@Christian: I considered the lack of bolt-ons, but it's about time I buy something with decent power to start with, and leave it stock. I'm pretty much over getting pulled over and searched. Living in a small town, the Police have their eye on everything and get pretty bored....

@Ben: Good to hear they make a good daily! I think I'm ready for a wagon, Half my family owns wagons roughly the size of a Legnum, and I adjusted to those pretty quickly. And I've heard the horror stories of 6-point turns, but I think that's something I'll have to live with .

And you made me remember about transmissions. I've always been a manual man, but it seems that they're hard to find, and AYC wasn't an included feature with later model manual cars. And after searching around a bit, you can find a later model AT with AYC, lower KMs, all around cleaner condition for the same price as an early model manual. Are the autos terrible? And would the tiptronic make up for having to choose one if it made more financial sense?

 

[BFun]

I've got a FL manual with AYC (need a pump though... make sure you check that before you buy it). They're out there, just gotta look around a little.
Get it tuned by Steve, even if you want to keep it stock. More power and better economy, for a great price too.

 

[Poita]

Fuel economy is a very subjective thing... mine gets better than my Magna and I'm very happy with that, but other members get figures that make your eyes water. Heaps of info in the fuel consumption thread or causes and fixes.

I don't have a problem with the turning circle, but I came from a big FWD so anything is nice LOL

As fas a as a wagon goes they are quite compact. They actually less boot space than the Lancer wagon with the back seats up.

The biggest issue as has been mentioned is the lack of easy bolt on performance parts, but an exhaust, intercooler, 3 port, fuel pump and tune will see you 180-200kw at the wheels with a beautiful torque curve. Much more than that and it starts getting expensive and your options are limited, though a number of people are working hard to fix this.

 

[qball]

The auto are fine but you need to do some preventative maintenance to ensure long term reliability. If you search for Auto trans there are threads relating to it. You can also fit the Evo X flappy paddles if you like. Autos are also down on power compared to the manuals: for example when my car was auto it made 170kw @ wheels, i converted it to manual then made 200 @ wheels with exactly the same mods. As far as i know all the later facelifts in manual came with ayc.

 

[VOLK]

These should keep you busy
http://ozvr4.com/forums/showthread.php?11-INDEX-Look-here-FIRST
http://ozvr4.com/forums/showthread.php?6799-Cyber-Scriber-s-guide-to-Galant-Legnum-common-problems
http://ozvr4.com/forums/showthread.php?9330-The-most-important-thread-on-the-forum.-MUST-READ
http://ozvr4.com/forums/showthread.php?4889-Staged-Upgrades
http://ozvr4.com/forums/showthread.php?7229-Legnum-Galant-Production-Info-HELP
Welcome aboard.

 

[GLen20]

Hey Jason, I got myself a Galant bout 6 months ago after looking forever at them and there's really only 2 things I don't like about it.
The embarrassment when people watch you trying to park after 4 goes (it's a 4WD people...they just don't turn ok) and for me, it's a pain to get in and out of. The steering wheel isn't reach adjustable and I have short arsed legs. The seat side bolsters get in the way a bit. Minor really.
I'm still getting used to how a car this size goes around that corner that fast.

 

[d1pstick]

Thanks again for all the advice, guys. I'm pretty much sold on a Legnum now. Just have to wait a while longer for insurance dollars. Stuck in the Barina until then....sigh.

 

[jungle]

WElcome Jason,

Like most have said, they are many positives. I've come from Nissans, S13,R32 GTS-T, 32GTR all modified to varying degrees. I'd pick the Legnum every time. Why, ride quality and when the tuned a few mods like cooler and upped boost the things really fly. Not massive top end, but shitloads of torque from about 2000rpm. I liken it to driving a V8. You don't need to rev them to go infact anything >6000 is a waste and you should be changing gears.

Fuel economy, varies depending on driving style and the O2 sensor and tune ( See Steve from TME) The tune really wakes it up.

Plus is so sooooo not cop bait, in fact most people don't know what it is and think its a magna wagon

All depends on what you want really. If you can, take one for a drive. Ride does change depending on the suspension and you can get them to handle with some simple mods and alignment settings.

Your girlfriend will like the room and you will enjoy the deceptive pace these can have.

 

[d1pstick]

It's finally happened! The insurance claim has been made and just talking to them, since my 32 is less than $10,000 they'll probably just write it off. I've spent the last few weeks going through the forums, and all your comments learning about the Legnums and as said before, I'm pretty sold.

The only thing that's turning me off is the AYC service. I live a fair way away from anyone I'd consider an "Evo specialist", and people are recommending getting the AYC serviced by no one else but an expert. IS there any reason it can't be done by myself? I'm not really keen having to drive my car up to Sydney every few thousand KM for a service. Apart from that, I'm ready to start looking....

 

[Rabit]

I picked up my Legnum from the importer just over a year ago and its been a buz since. I have done a few mods, Trans cooler, bigger fmic, fuel loop and one of Christians COP set ups. I had TME Steve do a tune on it a couple of months ago and picked up about 3l/100k reduction in fuel consumption and a very noticeable improvement in power delivery. I don't drive it every day as I'm retired but I have done 24000k since I picked it up. Love it to bits and couldn't recommend one more.

 

[Size1]

Hi Jason,you could always get a type V series 2 which has no ayc.

 

[VOLK]

Evoscan + appropriate cable + the guide on here = You can do it yourself.

 

[naughtika]

Jason, once you've serviced the ayc on your own.. you'll be like.. 'is that it?'

go get one already!

and welcome!

 

[d1pstick]

Well I disappeared for a little while, but I'm back! After many legal battles with various people, I finally have my pay-out! They gave me $8000 for my r32 which may be falling a bit short for a manual Leggy, but I may throw in a little more (and risk getting murdered by the missus) for the right car. I've seen a few with low-ish kms which I intend to check out but if anyone has or sees anything for special, I'll appreciate you letting me know! There might even be a case of beers as a finder's fee

These are the particulars I've been looking at. Thoughts?

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mitsubishi-Legnum-1996/SSE-AD-2239321/?Cr=3

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mitsubishi-Legnum-1997/SSE-AD-2243102/?Cr=6

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mitsubishi-Legnum-1996/SSE-AD-2214542/?Cr=2

 

[qball]

I'd say check any of them out but you should be able to get one for 8k or under. Good 2000ish models are only getting 12000 if that

 

[Akys]

no offence to the seller of the first link but it doesn't come with recaro seat.

where abouts are you at? those cars you linkied up are scattered all over nsw