To FTO or not to FTO

[oodLes]

Okay here's a quick idea: Style, Performance, Features.

Rate each car on each, out of 10.

When you look at it, the FTO wins in every department. You're not going to find ANY other car with the same amount of features, style and performance as the FTO. I'm really really glad I got one, and you would be too if you got one.

As a simple comparison, consider a new Mazda MX5 (a guy in one couldn't keep up with me in the bends, and I was babying it at 4500rpm). It has less power than the FTO, a slower 0-100km/h time than the FTO, and costs 41 grand! The FTO is also one of the better ones to comprehensively insure because of its FWD status and slightly lower power, as well as it not being a turbo.

Hope that helped.

[payaya]

Okay here's a quick idea: Style, Performance, Features.

Rate each car on each, out of 10.

When you look at it, the FTO wins in every department. You're not going to find ANY other car with the same amount of features, style and performance as the FTO. I'm really really glad I got one, and you would be too if you got one.

As a simple comparison, consider a new Mazda MX5 (a guy in one couldn't keep up with me in the bends, and I was babying it at 4500rpm). It has less power than the FTO, a slower 0-100km/h time than the FTO, and costs 41 grand! The FTO is also one of the better ones to comprehensively insure because of its FWD status and slightly lower power, as well as it not being a turbo.

Hope that helped.

The MX5 is a brilliant car. You cannot compare most sports cars to the MX5.

A lot of people on his forum say, compare a car to its competitors, your comparing a small 4 cylinder to the FTO. Do you find it fair for the Mazda 3 MPS to be compared to a FTO???

If you want the FTO for its solid package go for it. Never buy an FTO for performance. It goes alright, but not against the turbo or Big CC cars.

If you want balls, go a WRX, Supra, GST-T etc. All turbo and power is easily obtainable.

Go for a rise in one of the above cars, you'll be drawn to its power. The FTO is pretty quick for what it is, but power in the above vehicles is just addictive.

[sublime19]

If you want balls, go a WRX, Supra, GST-T etc. All turbo and power is easily obtainable.

Go for a rise in one of the above cars, you'll be drawn to its power. The FTO is pretty quick for what it is, but power in the above vehicles is just addictive.

................

"If you want balls", what's that supposed to mean?

And thank you so much for pointing out the obvious.. I don't think anybody has ever bought an FTO for the power of it, and just cos u buy a wrx or supra or a gtst doesn't mean you have balls........

The reason why people would buy those cars that according to you we don't all have the "balls" to buy:
1) You're part of the small minority that actually likes those cars for what they are and appreciate and respect other owners.
2) You're part of the vast majority that just wants to jump on the bandwagon, just to impress your friends who have narrow minded views and look down on any cars that aren't as fast your WRX, supra or a gtst.

FTO owners didn't but them just cos they can't afford "faster cars". They just want the car that appeals to them the most.. whatever the reason may be. I was going to buy a S15 just before I bought my FTO, even though i'd wanted an fto since I was 14.. but a little change in mind got me shifting towards something with more power. I was a hairline away from buyin it, but then drifted back the fto and I'm so glad now that i didn't buy a S15 or else I never would have known what I missed out now.

In the end.. I know what you're saying but please realise that people buy FTOs not expecting them to be the fastest. People modify them and throw bucket loads of cash on them, purely because it's a pleasure working on a car that you want to work on.. even though you might spend $30,000 to be outdone by another car, that's not the point.. the point is that you've customised it to your hearts content.

That's what you call having "balls".

[mr-charisma]

For once, I actually agree with Sublime lol

...Mostly...



Before I got my FTO I did a lot of research! I would suggest that you go and have a look at a lot of different cars before you settle on an FTO, and then, even after you have settled on buying an FTO, you will still need to go and have a look at a lot of different ones before you buy - don't just settle on the first ricey looking GPX that you find - it might be better to buy a stock standard FTO with low KM's and do extra mods yourself.

First of all, jump on www.carsales.com.au or www.carpoint.com.au or similar, and even grab a few car trader magazines. Firstly you need to decide whether what you want is a.) Power b.) Handling c.) Looks nice d.) Price e.) Rear wheel drive/front wheel drive/4WD

There are plenty of cars out there which are either one or the other, powerful, or look good and if they're both, you usually pay through the roof for it. I looked at seriously getting a few cars before I decided on my FTO - Supra, 300zx, 200sx, Pulsar GtiR, Rx7, Corvette and Porsche 924/928 among others, some I didn't like the look of, some I didn't like how they drove.... So you really need to test drive & find out what you're best suited to.

FTO's have got some decent power though, and look awesome, AND very cheap for what they are! (IMO) which is why I decided on getting one -It is something I wouldn't change if I could go back and do it again.

P.S. - Mazda MX5's are a girly little matchbox car & should not ever be compared to an FTO. Don't ever buy one, unless you're planning to make it into a go kart.

P.P.S - Don't ever buy a WRX or Skyline - (r33,r34 lol). :S
Supra's are pretty cool though & was gonna get one until I found my FTO, which was almost half the price, and looked twice as good You should be able to find an FTO for under $15,000 with full comp insurance, but unless you buy the older model Supra's you won't get it for less than $15k

[khunjeng]

buy and FTO...

but dont come back on the forum in 2months talking about u need a turbo...

[SchumieFan]

P.S. - Mazda MX5's are a girly little matchbox car & should not ever be compared to an FTO. Don't ever buy one, unless you're planning to make it into a go kart.

P.P.S - Don't ever buy a WRX or Big Ugly Soap Box Racer - (r33,r34 lol). :S
Supra's are pretty cool though & was gonna get one until I found my FTO, which was almost half the price, and looked twice as good You should be able to find an FTO for under $15,000 with full comp insurance, but unless you buy the older model Supra's you won't get it for less than $15k

The average australian IQ is plummiting!

[FTO338]

This is entertaining: lol:

Why do people assume FTO is cheaper on insurance because it’s a N/A? I pointed this out before, a member who now drive a 05 WRX (he brought it when it was new) is paying less for his insurance.

I drive a new supercharged Euro and my insurance is $700 less then my ex FTO.

For an 11yrs old N/A car that is pretty cheap to buy these days, the insurance is ridiculous.

This is a FTO forum after all, if you going to ask us what we think about it, I guess you always going to get a majority bias answer, try that in the MX5 or the WRX forum and u get the same of course.

If you running on a low budget, I suggest you buy something that will give you a lower running cost.

[khunjeng]

the insurance on my FTO is more than my soap box. same place, same year...roghly same purchase price

[frozenwaffles]

he he R33 GT-st rocks!!!!
espcially with 3.5" turboback exhaust, FMIC, GFB Stealth FX BOV, Apexi POD....
yay for BOOST!!!
but i do miss my FTO GPvR...
i want both!

[sublime19]

lol damn man havnt seen u post in a while! And the first and last time i saw u was on the tragic passing over of your FTO (to the dumpster haha) jkjk i shouldnt laugh but good to see your enjoying your skyline

[khunjeng]

Here is a comparision of an FTO agianst other similar cars in this months edition of Hot4s 3 mag combo....

[frozenwaffles]

hey sublime and friends, yeah i havent been around much. well actually i have but been flat out working, i was without a car for 3 months and well its been a hectic year!
hope you guys are all well and hope to go on a cruise with you guys very soon...

[payaya]

If you want balls, go a WRX, Supra, GST-T etc. All turbo and power is easily obtainable.

Go for a rise in one of the above cars, you'll be drawn to its power. The FTO is pretty quick for what it is, but power in the above vehicles is just addictive.

................

"If you want balls", what's that supposed to mean?

And thank you so much for pointing out the obvious.. I don't think anybody has ever bought an FTO for the power of it, and just cos u buy a wrx or supra or a gtst doesn't mean you have balls........

The reason why people would buy those cars that according to you we don't all have the "balls" to buy:
1) You're part of the small minority that actually likes those cars for what they are and appreciate and respect other owners.
2) You're part of the vast majority that just wants to jump on the bandwagon, just to impress your friends who have narrow minded views and look down on any cars that aren't as fast your WRX, supra or a gtst.

FTO owners didn't but them just cos they can't afford "faster cars". They just want the car that appeals to them the most.. whatever the reason may be. I was going to buy a S15 just before I bought my FTO, even though i'd wanted an fto since I was 14.. but a little change in mind got me shifting towards something with more power. I was a hairline away from buyin it, but then drifted back the fto and I'm so glad now that i didn't buy a S15 or else I never would have known what I missed out now.

In the end.. I know what you're saying but please realise that people buy FTOs not expecting them to be the fastest. People modify them and throw bucket loads of cash on them, purely because it's a pleasure working on a car that you want to work on.. even though you might spend $30,000 to be outdone by another car, that's not the point.. the point is that you've customised it to your hearts content.

That's what you call having "balls".

What I mean by balls is driving along and feeling the rush of the engine. I love motor racing, go karting I like the sense of speed and pull. Go for a ride in a GTR and the feeling you get from being in one is what I call balls. I dont want one to just fit in, but from the shivers it sends down your spine when driving it.

"buy and FTO...

but dont come back on the forum in 2months talking about u need a turbo..."

Exactly! Too many people on these forums are coming back to obtain that little more power to go that much quicker!

[khunjeng]

having balls means a number of things:

1. your a ugly chick who compensates by being a total bitch
2. kinda confused regarding your sexuality
3. got a fast car that is not a ricer..
4. got a ricer which is actually a fast car

[Layzie_]

Hey guys had a look at a few '95 fto's at dealers over the weekend.

Any tips for buying from a dealer? Is there anything i should be specifically looking out for? Any big failures at around the 100k km mark? I've read ABS is optional, is there any way of telling if the car has abs other than slamming the brakes on during a test drive? Any other options i should look for?

One other thing, anybody wanna direct me to any reputable dealers in sydney that might have and fto or two. I've had a look at the hume hwy lansvale and parramatta rd. any other hotspots?

thanks

[sublime19]

ok.. stay away from dealers all together. They just buy the cars from private sellers, slap on $4k on top and sell it off.

Check out private seller cars, if you like one, negotiate the price down a bit, then get a State Roads or NRMA checkup, will cost u $179 through State Roads and they'll come down, do a full 2 hour checkup and give you a full report on the car and whats good/bad about it and what will need fixing etc etc.

Just don't buy it from a dealer unless u like wasting extra money and are too lazy to look around

[jonowong]

ok.. stay away from dealers all together. They just buy the cars from private sellers, slap on $4k on top and sell it off.

Check out private seller cars, if you like one, negotiate the price down a bit, then get a State Roads or NRMA checkup, will cost u $179 through State Roads and they'll come down, do a full 2 hour checkup and give you a full report on the car and whats good/bad about it and what will need fixing etc etc.

Just don't buy it from a dealer unless u like wasting extra money and are too lazy to look around

or the bank wont give u finance for what ever reason

[FTO-101]

DDDAAAAAAMMMMMMMNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!! This thread has gone on for too long just buy an FTO or "and FTO" and get it over and done with

[SchumieFan]

Any tips for buying from a dealer? Is there anything i should be specifically looking out for? Any big failures at around the 100k km mark? I've read ABS is optional, is there any way of telling if the car has abs other than slamming the brakes on during a test drive? Any other options i should look for?
thanks

There are (possibly 3 depending) small black pipes with colours on them right at the back of the engine bay going into the throttle body assembly, from memory red is TCL (if it has it) yellow is abs and blue is for something.... brake booster i think

other option is to check the fuse bay for a fuse in the ABS slot. OR you could slide the air con unit out and see if there is a ABS ecu behind it

or just jam on the anchors