Buying an FTO?

ScottyTav · Post by **ScottyTav** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 9:45 pm

Hi guys, I just want to ask a quick question. I am thinking about buying an 96 Mivec FTO in manual. I just went for a ride in it and it seemed to go OK but it was raining at the time so I didn't get a true feel for it. What I did notice is how bumpy it was. It has 16" Volks on it and was fairly harsh. Is that normal or was it just this car?

I have found out it is going to cost me over 2g a year to insure and so will a Skyline r33!

Now I have had a 200SX before and liked the performance. Do you think I will be happy with a FTO? I can get the Black FTO for $14,000 or should I buy a Skyline for the extra 5-8 grand?

Thanks guys!

BuCkEt · Post by **BuCkEt** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 10:16 pm

I'm assuming your 200sx was turboed.

You don't really buy an FTO for performance, in your case you would be taking a step down in the power department.....probably gaining some in the handling department.

And DEFINATELY winning in the appearance area

I too was looking at getting an R33 GTS-T.......after driving both I took the FTO.
Why?

Skylines are like buttholes......everyone's got one.
Just the looks people give you when you drive by in an FTO (even stock ones) is amazing. I knew that the GTS-T would eat an FTO for breakfast but that didn't bother me one bit. I know two R33 owners who both think my car looks nicer than theirs.

Ultimately it depends on what you're after. If it's performance then you will probably end up disapointed. If it's a small unique car that you're after.....then the FTO is for you.

FTO338 · Post by **FTO338** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:24 am

Just a quick one mate, that $14k FTO, is it GR or GPX, there performance different between them on paper (Non Mivec vs Mivec). In the "real world" it depends on the driver.

ScottyTav · Post by **ScottyTav** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:37 am

It's a mivec and is in perfect condition. The owner just needs to get out of it

Is the ride that harsh on all of them or do you get used to it? Is it that bad? As I said before, I didn't take it for too much of a drive because of the rain.

HiRAEdd · Post by **HiRAEdd** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 7:07 am

I wouldn't have thought 16s on stock suspension would be that harsh, if it's lowered significantly, then I'd expect it to be bumpy.
I guess the obvious thing to do here, is go and test drive a few more cars. You'll get a feel for what's more normal and besides, it's not generally the smartest thing to do to buy the first car you see. That being said, I bought the first one I drove, but I have owned one before and I'd been watching the market for quite some time

Post by **smorison** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 8:07 pm

the FTO comes with stiff suspension standard (and you'll really notice it cornering compared to other cars)... after market suspensions make it even better in the handling areas.... the problem is that the side effect is a bumpy ride...

whilst i haven't owned a gts-t i know my car goes around the track faster than midly modified ones

ScottyTav · Post by **ScottyTav** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 6:12 am

The ride was really harsh on the Black one. The shockies must have been stuffed. My new silver one is excellent. I love it.

BuCkEt · Post by **BuCkEt** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 11:30 am

Stephen.....your car goes around Wakefield faster than GTS-Ts???

You sure??

FTO338 · Post by **FTO338** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 11:53 am

He did said mild modify, so it could be just filter or exhaust. But then it depends on the driver of the GTS-T.

SilentBob · Post by **SilentBob** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 12:38 pm

BuCkEt wrote:Stephen.....your car goes around Wakefield faster than GTS-Ts???

You sure??

thats open to interpretation

At Oran park his car was definatly quicker around the track than the GTS-T's out there at the same time, but this wasnt with steve driving

But on a track, i definatly think the handling aspect helps the FTO considerably....