Tips - newbie here, I want to buy a FTO

[Gracie]

Hi everyone, I am new.... I wanted to get some tips from you about buying a FTO...

I live with my parents and although I can do what I like with my money, I did try and get a 2nd opinon from them but they wern't too keen as they think maintaince is a big problem- since it is an imported car, they think that if it breaks down, finding the parts for it will be hard. What do you think?

More questions....

When I need to service the car or if I have an accident, will any mechanic be able to fix the car?
How can I make sure that the car that I buy doesn't have a lot of hidden problems?
How much should I be paying for one, if I am looking for an under 100,000 kms, GPX and tiptronic FTO?
Insurence... where best to get?

Basically I am pretty clueless at this whole thing and I don't think being a girl helps ... please do make any suggestions that you think would be valueable

Thanks!

[Boris]

First of all, welcome to our club. Where you from?

To answer your worries, I had a similar "discussions" with my parents, but mine were along the lines of the age of the car... To battle this "factor" i got 3rd warranty from ASWN, because I bough mine from a dealer.

FTO's do require a little bit more money then your everyday barina... regarding part availability, most parts that do break down (alternator, starter motor) are pretty much readily available, if you live in a large city.

If you live in a small town, or plan to drive interstate heaps, then I wouldn't be driving my FTO, as even if a tyre goes down you will be left on a space saver.

Not many parts are interchangable, only some some parts from the Lancer, and Galants... there maybe others..

Now, Mechanics. It all depends on what your getting done. I have pretty much two mechanics, one that is close by, that does servicing, and one a fair bit away, that does technical stuff. It all depends on the mechanics experience.

Hidden Problems. Hmm. Every car will have one or two hidden problems, the only thing to do is get a mechanical inspection, and carefully look at the car. An important aspect is the service history of that car, which basially determines the condition of it. I'm sure once you find a FTO if you decide, some member here might be willing to check the car out.

Because the FTO, is almost 10years old. There will be problems, and these problems are very common in all cars. Such as Starter motor etc.

Another thing to remember, is that 100,000 is major service time, which can cost up to 1,500. (timing belt, cam seals) etc.

Regarding Insurance, use the search function at the top, it has this icon ... You will get heaps of info by searching.

Now, I can go on forever here, if you have any more specific question we are here to help.

Oh, for an FTO, that has say < 80,000km, tiptronic, and is in pretty good condition. my rough guess would be, anywhere from 15 - 17... Under 15 is cheap... If it's lower then that, I will be asking my self why.

FTO's, are very good value for money, and after 10 years, they still turn heads.

Boris

[D-TRAIN]

Ahh memories, buying an FTO

First of all, genuine parts are usually harder to come by than your average non-import cars as Mitsubishi don't usually stock these parts readily. So, if you're involved in a prang and would like genuine parts, the parts would most likely have to come from Japan. Having said that, there are a lot of places now, including wreckers that have good second parts, or aftermarket ones.

In terms of service, any competent mechanic should be able to do it. Some better than others of course. But depending on where you are, I'm sure somebody on the forums have their recommended mechanic they can advise you to go to.

Before you buy the car, do what you would any other and get it professionally inspected.

For a 100gs GPX Tiptronic, you should get one around $16,000 (private sale). Dealer prices are generally much higher. It also depends on the age of the car i.e. what year model. But for this spec, it'll most likely be a 95-96 model.

In terms of insurance, you would have to do the ring-a-round. Just Cars, Famous Classic Insurance, Dawes are some of the companies you can try. This should be one of your first steps to buying an FTO, as insuring an grey import is relatively more expensive.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

[HiRAEdd]

...they wern't too keen as they think maintaince is a big problem- since it is an imported car, they think that if it breaks down, finding the parts for it will be hard. What do you think?

FTO's are pretty good really. Mostly you can get parts at Repco or specialist importers. The exception is panel damage, that can get expensive.

When I need to service the car or if I have an accident, will any mechanic be able to fix the car?

In short, yes. Personally, I use a specialist FTO mechanic on the Gold Coast, however, he's no more expensive than any other mechanic I've ever been to, cheaper in most cases.

How can I make sure that the car that I buy doesn't have a lot of hidden problems?

Check it out in person and/or have someone that "knows cars" check the car out, an FTO owner is preferable. If you found a car, you can probably ask on this forum for someone to check it out with/for you. Also get an NRMA/RACQ/etc. check done on the car. This is a must. There are some common problems to look out for in FTO's (as with any car), any knowledgable FTO owner is familiar with these or a search on the net will return a list of sites that document what to look for.

How much should I be paying for one, if I am looking for an under 100,000 kms, GPX and tiptronic FTO?

Depends on the year, check out carsales.com.au, carpoint.com.au, drive.com.au and that will give you an indication of the price range and what is reasonable and what isn't. If you find one you like, post it here and get some opinions on it.

Insurence... where best to get?

Depends on your age. There are plenty of posts on here about Insurance, do a search ( http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... ile=search ) and you should find them.

[Jono]

hi gracie,

The best advice i can give you is to get a member to have a look at the fto u want to buy. Some members in this club know the FTO back to front, and know what to look out for.

if you can tell us which part of the city u live in, then u might be able to get some help from some of the members....

I bought my FTO about 3 years ago, no problems whatsoever, except the usual (alternator and starter motor).

[Ad]

Welcome - I'm in the same boat - currently looking for a GPX for my wife. Have to say the guys & gals here have been nothing but helpful - to the extent that one qld member has kindly checked out a car for me (I'm in vic), and looks like I might be trying to coerce a SA member to do the same ...)

All the best with finding a car

Not to want to freak you out, but I have had a lot of trouble finding a car in good condition and with a service history. So far I've looked at 17 cars, only two owners could provide service history of their time of ownership. Though based on what others have written, this is a pretty typical experience.

Don't be scared off by that - just be prepared it may take a while to find a good car.

[Jono]

service history can be ok if there are no receipts,

in my case, i service my car every 5k Km's with new oil and filters. so there arent any real receipts for the service.

And every couple of services, i bring my car to my freind mechanic.

If you ask the owner about what oils he she was using and what has been replaced... u can get a fair idea of what the car's condition is like and how the owner treated the car

[ruchi]

A lot of them won't have service histories because many of them will be owned by enthusiasts who do the work themselves. Even though they won't have a service history to show you, there's a good chance that it has probably been looked after better.

The FTO is now old enough that the condition of individual cars should be self evident. i.e. after around 10 years, the difference between a car which has been looked after vs. one that hasn't should be evident by the way it looks, sounds and drives.

Rather than asking the owner for receipts ask the owner for information about the car and see what they say. There'll be quite a different response from someone who loves and cares for the car than from someone who hoons it or doesn't take car of it.

The only caveats I'd put on this would be: if the car has done over 100K to site evidence of the 100K service, given it is so major, and if serious, get a full detailed mechanical inspection from someone who knows what they are actually doing.

[Gracie]

Thanks for your replies, they are really helpful, I will keep it in mind when I go FTO hunting

I am in Sydney! I don't think anyone that has replied me is from Sydney though!

I have looked through those web sites and I have found this one that I like, but when I called up the girl she didn't seem to know much about cars! I asked her why she was selling it and she said she is getting married... which can be true, but the previous owner was getting married too and that why she sold it!

Now, I don't want to be buying this car then getting married ....

[ANBU_fto]

WELCOME TO THE CLUB!!!!

make sure when you do purcise an fto.... try to find one with a factory sunroof.... you wont regret it...

[Teania]

Welcome.

I've had my FTO for nearly 2 years now. Had no trouble getting parts - although everything is of course a little more expensive than a "common" car - such as barina or something.....

Mechanic, a lot of us use Unique Auto Sports at Castle Hill. They know FTO's pretty well - and I know some people use Hills Motorsports also located at Castle Hill (haven't been to them though......)

You should come along to some events, great chance to look at different types of FTO's and ask us questions - we'd be more than happy to help you out.

Regards
Tanya

Tanya (teania)
Club Secretary

[mrx]

That would be best for you really. Come along (even this Sunday, in fact) to the Xmas get together and ask all the questions you like, have a poke around etc.

I know it sounds basic, but take a few for a drive. When we were getting mine (notice how that changed from "we" to "mine" there ), there was one that had a "genuine" 50000k's on it, but the seats, carpets and steering wheel were worn like it had done 250000! Remember, many of the so called genuine low km's are anything but that.

The FTO is, however, a fairly well put together machine. It really is relaible, as are most modern cars so long as they are serviced. You have to remember, when they were new they were not exactly cheap, so they did have quality built into them.

There are heaps of guys (and gals) in Sydney if you needed anyone to go shopping with you. I don't mind volunteering their services .

Things to look for would be the engine seals - weeping any oil, noisy suspension dut to worn bushes etc, clutch slipping, etc. Also check the engine bay and boot for any sign or accident damage. Rust should not be an issue.

Actually, if you can find one that is just over 100k's, and have evidence of the major service, and if it is in as good condition as one that is (say) 85k's, there is a strong argument for going for the one that has had the major service done.

Oh, and get a manual. None of this girly mamby pamby two pedal things. Push bikes have two pedals, not cars!

Oh, and how old are you? Don't recall if you said. Insurance is expensive if under 25.

[scracy]

Hmmm my car must be mamby pamby?

[Teania]

One thing you can be sure of .....

Scracy - your car is in NO way namby pamby

[smorison]

Oh, and get a manual. None of this girly mamby pamby two pedal things. Push bikes have two pedals, not cars!

put it on the track tough guy!!!!!


haha and scracy i could smoke you anydays...







as long as i have a 5 second head start lol