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Buying FTO 160 000k's what to look for

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:31 pm
by tiger858
hey its a 1995 model 160 000k's all electronics working and tappets replaced what price should i be looking for going for inspection tommorow what are the main things i should be looking at? thaanks all :)

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:38 pm
by xj265
roof rust :evil:

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:49 pm
by Dan25
First thing to look for is a search button :roll:

There are plenty of guides on what to look for throughout this site.

WTTC, by the way... ;)

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 7:47 pm
by tiger858
yeah ive read im just wondering what to look for in high k's vehicles as most i think are written for around 100k's is there any way without a macanic that should give some idea of whether its been thrashed or not

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:34 pm
by col2560
all the usual things, dirty oil, exhaust smoke, rough idle when cold, ask for service / spare parts reciepts, scrubbed tyres, loose steering, etc. cant you find a lower klm car? there's usually plenty around.
how much is it selling for??

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:19 pm
by tiger858
its selling for 7k and if i find a lower k's one i wont have enough for insurence and other things

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:29 pm
by Dan25
its selling for 7k and if i find a lower k's one i wont have enough for insurence and other things
Then, to tell you the truth, maybe you shouldn't be in the market for an FTO right now mate. Why don't you save your money a bit longer and buy a decent one? Seriously, what are you gonna do if you buy this one with 160 000k's and it falls apart on you? Parts can be quite expensive too...

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:44 pm
by tiger858
yeah but my current car is falling apart (vn holden) and i currently need a new car so if i dont blow it on this car ill blow it on another is 160k really that high

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:49 am
by koolio1234
tiger858 wrote:yeah but my current car is falling apart (vn holden) and i currently need a new car so if i dont blow it on this car ill blow it on another is 160k really that high
160,000km can be high for an fto if its been mostly thrashed throughout its life. Just keep an eye out and make sure you inspect it thoroughly.

Dont get too attached to it, if you find something suspicious, look elsewhere.

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:05 am
by Shahrez
well my car is on 201 kays, and so far ive changed these items

1. Clutch kit - due to previous owner being a noob clearly - never had a problem after i changed that in 5 years
2. Starter motor - typical
3. Battery
4. Waterpump and timing belts

and apart from that, no problem whatsoever, so it does really depend on how well it has been taken care of! good luck!

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:32 am
by tiger858
thanks guys for all the help its got no mods so im hoping that its been driven fairly sensible thanks

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:10 am
by Grue
Where bouts are you? Maybe someone on here knows the car, or might even give it a look over for you if you ask nicely? (and are buying the beers!)

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:01 pm
by tiger858
its being sold in north wollongong its on carsales :D

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:33 pm
by Grue
Interior and body do look in good condition going by the photo's. And doesn't look like anything's been done to her at all. So could well be in luck.

Yeah, like xj265 said, check the roof for possible rust bubbling. Doesn't effect a lot of FTO's, but absolute bitch if it's you.

Apart from that, do what you'd do with any car that age. Listen to the engine from cold - if they've had tappets done then she should sound ok. Check out those receipts from the servicing every 5000km that they're claiming, to see what's been replaced mech-wise.

Maybe invest in an AA check or similar? Can check brakes, shocks, springs etc etc that you'd have trouble getting to.