After a hard week of searching. I finally found a car, now I'm just finding out some of the fioner details about it but the car should be payed for by Monday.
So here are the specs I know so far:
1996 FTO GPX
Black
Manual
58,000km (with service history)
Keyless entry
CD player
Here is the pic:
When I get some more pics and stats I'll post em up. So have a look and tell us what you think
Though, what is the price that they're asking for it?
Just a few things to consider when buying it..
Insurance - Do a search through the forums for recommended insurance companies and just for peace of mind, submit a web application or call for a quote from the best ones.. and find out excesses for your age / rating bracket. (Some companies require you to have a 2 point engine immobiliser and alarm system on the car)
Mechanical - Check the logbooks to see what problems there have been with the car already, this should give you an indication of whether or not the car has been thrashed by its previous owner or not. Things to check that should be mentioned in the logbooks as being done in previous services are mentioned on this site: http://funky-fto.co.uk/index3.html
You will find a list of other things to look for if you do a google search on the internet for "things to look for when buying a used car" or something similar. Some of the most common problems with these cars are:
Alternator (After about 10 years) Cost to rebuild is around $200 - $400 Depending on the work that needs to be done
Timing Belt - Needs to be changed after around 80,000 kms
Noisy Tappet's.
Central Locking problems.
Noisy rear suspension (Worn anti-roll bar bushes).
Rattling glass due to badly adjusted/worn window guides.
Poor brakes, standard discs prone to warp very easily.
Feeble battery, slow turnover, dimming lights on revving.
Faulty air conditioner, recommended to be operated weekly as it is self lubricating.
Badly done de-restriction on Tiptronics can cause 'unusual' behavior.
Non-MIVEC cars being passed off as MIVECs.
Anyways, take a printout of the things to check on your car when you go to inspect it, and if there seems to be anything suss about it, its probly best to get a mechanic to go out and look at it rather than to buy a lemon.
Good luck with it mate FTO's are a great car, & you'll have heaps of fun with it
EURO wrote:I thought you wanted facelift model? or changed your mind?
Yeah I did want a facelift model. But then this came up so...its in fantastic condition with low kays, and its a Manual!
just make sure its exactly what you want only reason i say that is that if a facelift model does come up in a few weeks you dont want to be kicking yourself for not waiting.... just a thought anyway as I know your not in a huge rush to get one.
Thanks for that champ!(mr_charisma) Btw the car is actually in Japan. So no chance of me inspecting it. Though it has been thouroughly inspected and a mechanical inspection will be done in the next few days.
Already done the whole insurance thing. Got heaps of quotes
Last edited by OC on Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
EURO wrote:I thought you wanted facelift model? or changed your mind?
Yeah I did want a facelift model. But then this came up so...its in fantastic condition with low kays, and its a Manual!
just make sure its exactly what you want only reason i say that is that if a facelift model does come up in a few weeks you dont want to be kicking yourself for not waiting.... just a thought anyway as I know your not in a huge rush to get one.
Yea even being 16 does have its advantages. Anyways, having a look around the auctions there are not any manuals avalible!
there will always be more auto in japan then manuals.. but they are around...mine is manual, and i just waited till the right one came around at auction in jap.
EURO wrote:there will always be more auto in japan then manuals.. but they are around...mine is manual, and i just waited till the right one came around at auction in jap.
Doenst really matter anymore. I'm happy with that car.
OC wrote:Do most or all of you FTO owners get lotso looks from passer byers? Do the FTO's still pull the looks?
Yeah, most of the time. Kids love it, I've had a few shouting "Woahhh!!" and "Go FTO!" (I have a whitness for the last one I have a tip so it sucks when they ask you to do a wheel spin
OC wrote:Do most or all of you FTO owners get lotso looks from passer byers? Do the FTO's still pull the looks?
Yeah, most of the time. Kids love it, I've had a few shouting "Woahhh!!" and "Go FTO!" (I have a whitness for the last one I have a tip so it sucks when they ask you to do a wheel spin
The chicks love it too
Not that I encouraging people to do it, but you can still do a front wheelly with a Tip if you want heehehehe with an anti-lift kit, you can have much wheel spin as you want without torque steer
Or just get some bold tyres & use the handbrake ehehehe
DISCLAIMER: The above text is the personal opinion of the author and does not represent the indisputable truth. The author is not responsible for any deaths, injuries or mental illness caused by the above statments.
FTO's are a great car, & you'll have heaps of fun with it
even being 16 does have its advantages. Anyways, having a look around the auctions there are not any manuals avalible!
I have a tip so it sucks when they ask you to do a wheel spin 
