Mitsubishi Magna Problems

THE Camry is a good choice. It's a reliable model and won't cost an arm and a leg to run. I would also consider the Nissan Maxima A32, which fits your budget, and don't forget the Mitsubishi Magna. You will get a later-model Magna for the same money.

THE Magna goes well on LPG, but you need to decide how long you will keep it before committing to spending the money on the conversion. Sure the rebate will reduce the payback time, but you still need to keep it for a couple of years before you start saving money on your gas bills.

MANY tyre people and defensive driving instructors recommend you run a higher pressure than shown on a car's tyre placard. As you say, it makes the ride harder, but the handling is better, the steering more responsive and fuel economy improved. I wouldn't go any higher than 36 psi.

LIKE all Magnas, the all-wheel-drive model was underrated. It handled well and had good performance, but was thirsty. You're right, the rear three spark plugs were long-life platinum ones awkward to replace. They should be replaced every 90,000km.

GENERALLY the Magna is a good, solid and reliable car, a good choice for a driver starting out. Because they're getting old now, there is a greater chance of problems occurring, but the Magna isn't any more likely to have a problem than any other car. You're better off buying an auto. They're easier to find because more of them were built, and the resale value will be better.

IT SOUNDS like a fuel problem rather than an electrical one. Make sure the battery is still delivering full cranking power, then I would have the fuel-pressure regulator and fuel pump checked.

LIKE all carmakers, Holden advises against converting their cars to LPG unless the engine has been modified by the factory. But there are plenty of LPG specialists who will convert your car to dual-fuel. Impco has an excellent dual-fuel system for the 5.7-litre V8 using Sequential Gas Injection.

THE Civic is generally a reliable and well-built car that should be cheap to run. As far as your trade-in goes I would think you would be offered about $2500 for the Magna.

THERE is really only one way to do it so it doesn't happen again and that's to remove the headlining and have it re-installed. Any trimmer can do it. If you don't do it properly, it will only come adrift again.

GO FOR one of the reputable brands when selecting a system, such as Impco, Sprintgas, Apollogas and Vic Autogas Supplies. If you go for a dual-fuel system and follow the recommended protocol of regularly running it on petrol to lubricate the valves and valve seats, you shouldn't have any trouble.