Newbie Questions

DUK35Y · Post by **DUK35Y** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:28 am

Hi guys i've just discovered your site and think it's fantastic. I dont own a FTO yet however i am looking to buy one now.

I was just wondering if you guys could give me an idea of what i should be looking for in these fantastic cars. I have read a few things to look out for such as bad air con and noisy tappets but are there any black flag items that i sould look out for.
I am looking for a 1995-96 GPX.
There are a a few on carsales that im going to have a look at.
also lastly How much and where in the Sydney area can i get good services done.

Just want to thank you guys in advance any help would be fantastic

Teania · Post by **Teania** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:25 pm

Welcome to the forums DUK35Y.

I get all my servicing done at Unique Auto Sports, Victoria Ave - Castle Hill Tel 02 9634 8000 (website www.nismo.com.au) From memory I think their basic service is around $200.00 (what you get & how much is listed on the site)...

Most car dealers should have the auction reports from overseas about the car. I was lucky with mine all that was wrong was some minor cosmetic damage and of course the aircon.... which I could live with, it took me a while to find the one I wanted though.

We are having a mini-meet this Sunday 28th, starting at Olympic Park at 12.30 - come along and meet us - there will be a range of cars and we can answer any questions (for details check the NSW Forum March Mini Meet).

Cheers
Tanya

DUK35Y · Post by **DUK35Y** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:56 pm

Thanks Teania it would be great to come and meet you guys and see some of what you are up to with the whole cruse thing but i cant do it this weekend so maybee next time. Thanks for the info on the servicing issues i am really in ore of this car, ive test driven 2 Auto versions in the last week and love it. I just really want to try out a manual before i make a decision there are a few around so it's just a matter of me finding something i like and runs well. When you talk of dealers having a history of the car if they dont does an NRMA inspection stand up to the same thing?

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 8:40 pm

mitsubishi and their tappet problems just make me shiver thinking about it

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:07 am

Because FTO's are getting old now, you have to be carefull of really everything... The problems that i'm encountering are just basic wear and tear, such as oil leaks and so on...

Another main biggy, depends how the car ends up in australia, some dodgy places wind the odometer back. I looked at an 95 fto with 45,000 km's on the odometer, and just by looking at the interior you could tell that's it's driven more, the seats were really really worn out...

I have had only one experiance with an NRMA inspection, and from a thread that i started earlier, it was advised to use Sydney Vehicle Inspections. I have never had an inpection done by them, but the next one i do will be them.

Both the NRMA and SVI, look at the panel work, and the condition of the engine, therefore from this and your own judgment you can work out if the car is good or not... even if there is no service records.

Just remember don't take the looks of the car into your heart, and get upset when it get's an inspection,and it turn something up. Inspections always turn something up. (Lesson learnt)

DUK35Y · Post by **DUK35Y** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 10:47 am

Thanks guys for that. Just thought i'd let you know that I am the new owner of a FTO its a 1994 model with about 70000 on the clock it's an auto but it was with out a doubt the best one i had seen in my travels. I took the chance to drive 4 FTO's on the weekend two manual two auto and of different ages and this one was just amazing. So now i just have to wait to pick it up on wednesday and try and sort out insurance the funny thing is this was the first on i saw and it drove the best.

Teania · Post by **Teania** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 10:51 am

Congratulations !!!!

We look forward to meeting you at club events in the future (the next scheduled event is Dyno Day on the 17th April.) We are also have a tri-state meet in June down at Mallacoota.... there are still a few places left if you are interested in joining us (cruise pack can be downloaded from the front page)

Who are you going through for your insurance?

Cheers
Tanya

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 10:55 am

wow.. so quick.. congrats..
Make sure you put some pics in the new members thread when you get it!

Also let us know how you go with insurance, do a search on insurance in the forums, and you will probably get a list of 10 or so companies to call..

DUK35Y · Post by **DUK35Y** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 2:32 pm

Boris wrote:wow.. so quick.. congrats..
Make sure you put some pics in the new members thread when you get it!

Also let us know how you go with insurance, do a search on insurance in the forums, and you will probably get a list of 10 or so companies to call..

Quick I dont know. Ive have been looking on and off for about 6 months but finally got up the cash to sort it out and finally grab one i think i was just lucky but only time will tell the NRMA inspection was top notch and picked up a few minor things which the dealer fixed staight away. As for insurance i am right in the middle of doing that now so I'll let you know so far "Just Car Insurance" seems the cheapest at 2grand but still got a few calls to make ill get back to you guys and let you know.

Teania · Post by **Teania** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 2:34 pm

Don't know if you have DAWES on your list - but they're pretty well priced for insurance.

DUK35Y · Post by **DUK35Y** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 2:52 pm

Teania wrote: Don't know if you have DAWES on your list - but they're pretty well priced for insurance.

Got a number for DAWES? I just rang Famous Classic and they quoted 1900 so thats the best yet the woman on the phone was like we can beat just cars, how about we beat them by 100 I went cool no worries i'll get back to you.

Teania · Post by **Teania** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 3:02 pm

www.dawes.com.au or 02 9144 6700

DUK35Y · Post by **DUK35Y** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 3:40 pm

No go for dawes I'm to young

Looks like i will be going with
famous they do want a bitthough. Photo's of the car where will it be driven/parked will it be to and from work to from work all that suff but i still recon it's pretty cheap NRMA were charging $1300 for my 2000 Magna.