Buying an FTO

Project_D · Post by **Project_D** » Wed May 18, 2005 4:02 am

Hey guys! I'm new to the forum. I'm in the process of buying an FTO. Just layed down the deposit. I'm gonna get RACV to check up on the car & get the Engine no, etc. to see if the car is stolen or under finance...

But since everyone here has gone through this process, i was just wondering if you guys can offer any tips/hints, things i need to be aware of, etc.

Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Wed May 18, 2005 9:09 am

Well you have already put down a deposit... lol... what can i say... can't say bad stuff as you wount buy the car

Nah, there is not much to say really, you seem to be doing the right thing, just the normal things to look out with the FTO.

Just make sure the previous owner loved the car

Have you got an insurance quote, cos they tend to be a bit much sometimes?

FTO338 · Post by **FTO338** » Wed May 18, 2005 10:56 am

Since you said RACV, I assume you from Melbourne, well RACV inspection are pretty much useless on domestic car, let alone imports. I had my first car (non-import) checked by them & 1 week later, the engine, transmission, & the radiator need to be replaced. The sad part is I haven't even drove the dam car for more then 200km.

My advice is to take it to a mechanic & put it up on a hoist, so you can really tell if thereâ€™s anything wrong. Lots of cars have covered up from accidents, & some of them did fine dam job too, but once itâ€™s on the hoist, everything will be reveal.

Where about are you from Melbourne? If you from S.E area, you can take it to SL Motorsports, & have them inspect it for you, as they work on lots of FTO by now.

Project_D · Post by **Project_D** » Thu May 19, 2005 3:19 am

Well i mean the deposit wasn't much so i don't mind losing it.

Yeah i'm from S.E. Melbourne. But the car is quite far away. I wonder if they come to look at the car? I'm prob guessing not only RACV do that. RACV said that they can't do on-site inspection & that i'll need to take it to their inspection centre.

You know of any areas near the Westside that works with FTOs? Thanks FTO338

pagan · Post by **pagan** » Thu May 19, 2005 9:20 am

if you need somewhere in the west you can try

C&D Motorworks
190 Duke st
Nth Sunshine,
Phone : 93127355.

they are Toyota and Lexus specialists but they have worked on many FTO's, including my own. there is all veriety of imports parked out the front of it, you cant miss it.

just ring and tell them you need an fto looked at to see if its screwed or good condition. they are very blunt guys so if its crap they will tell you its crap.

EDIT: sheesh hows my form... i didnt realise the post was so old, no doubt project D has already purchased the car by now lol.

Project_D · Post by **Project_D** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:39 pm

Yeah thanks for that! I'll give them a call tommorow.

Keep the posts coming guys! Much appreciated. If everything goes well then i should be picking up this car on Monday...

Slither · Post by **Slither** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:55 pm

Let me be the first to ask the important questions

Model??
Transmision??
Colour??

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:57 pm

Any pictures?

Make sure it's has a service history, and if it's close to 100k then make sure it has had a major service as that can cost around 1k...

remember also that there is hardly an fto without any accident damage. sometimes, a small thing body / panel wise can make a difference....

Also try and avoid rust... trust me...

And.... one thing i found when i was looking most fto's had oil leaks... so be sure to check that out, some times ppl clean it up before they show you i got around that by asking to see where it was normally parked...

Project_D · Post by **Project_D** » Sat May 21, 2005 6:00 pm

Hey guys!

Just got an inspection today at the mechanics. There were a few problems:-

Minor Engine oil leak from timing cover
Front Left Tierra is gone
Clutch 50% left (prob need replacing in the next 6-8 months he said)

Has any of you guys encountered these problems & what's the price to fix it? I told the seller I was gonna get back to em' tommorow & i really need help to finally come to the conclusion if i'm gonna buy the car or not. Thanks!

akuma3 · Post by **akuma3** » Sun May 22, 2005 3:23 am

seems like minor problem to me, at lease it's nothing major, most expensive one to replace probably the clutch only i would say lol

Project_D · Post by **Project_D** » Sun May 22, 2005 6:14 am

Yeah the clutch will be deadly! How much you reckon that baby would set me back?

Post by **Bennoz** » Sun May 22, 2005 11:19 am

Last clutch I had done was 4 months ago - admittedly I put one in with a heavier duty pressure plate, but it cost me $700 fitted.

(Im pretty good mates with the mechanic too..)