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kingo
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Advice?

Post by kingo »

Hey everyone

Just wanted some advice on my future purpose, got a few things to think about, and really need some current FTO owners advice :D

I just got an acceptance for a uni course change, so now ive got 3-4 years of human movement studies ahead (soo happy). I currently own a 93 180sx, stocko cept new turbo, and I really want to sell it and get a FTO to tinker with for the next few years of my studies.

Now some of the things im wondering about... most of the FTOs I see for sale are like 15 or 16k, 80 or 90,000kms, and id rather buy a car that still has under the 100,000kms mark. Hooowever, ive seen a few FTOs more in my price range around the 11-14k mark with say 120-150,000kms.

Now a lot of people have said to me the kms dont matter, especially if its been kept in good nick.. however over the next few years ill be driving 45 mins or so to uni 4 or 5 days a week, which will rack up a fair few kms, and im quite aware that FTOs depreciate in value leading up to the 180,000kms mark... which im guessing i will get to quickly driving 30-45mins to uni 5 days a week.

So is it worth looking seriously to buy one around the 120,000kms mark or more?
The example im looking at you can see here- http://www.carsales.com.au/please/carsales ... istance=25
and
http://www.carsales.com.au/please/carsales ... istance=25
(which is honestly both are a little out of my range)

The only thing really in my range guranteed at the moment is something like this -
http://www.carsales.com.au/please/carsales ... istance=25 ( but 160,000kms 8O )

Im not working at the moment, and when my course starts ill only be able to get something really part time or casual... which sucks but thats the price to pay of uni i guess... im trying to get a trade-in value for my 180 in the next week or 2, dont think it will be much, or with private advertising for that matter, maybe around 10-11grand... for the right buyer maybe - stock 48,000kms auto 180sx.. 12+grand im guessing..
So what do you think? Any advice for a guy lookin for his FTO? 8)

Cheers
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FTO338
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Post by FTO338 »

Hmmm have you check the Car for Sales section??

This one fit into your requirement very well

http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... pic&t=5854
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.
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kingo
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Post by kingo »

yeah i saw that one, replied, still a little too much for me to afford.
My main worry is is it worth spending 11 or 12k on an FTO with higher kms
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BuCkEt
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Post by BuCkEt »

Well you gotta remember that if you buy an FTO thats just under the 100k km mark you're going to need to do the big service and it's not cheap (1k +).

Oh, and this comes from personal experience, get a manual.

What's wrong with the 180sx that you need to sell it for?? It it's an SR then you'll almost definately be dissapointed with the go that an FTO has. Why not keep the 180sx (while still advirtising it) and use it to commute while you save up a bit more cash and then sell/trade the 180sx and get a decent FTO?

Also remember that the KM's on an imported car can never truely be trusted, especially not with FTO's were a simple dash swap will have you thinking your new toy is fresh when it's not.
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kingo
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Post by kingo »

yeah true, I forgot about the 100,000kms service.

Yeah the 180 is an Sr, but I dont think ill be bothered with something a lot less, I think ive had my share of get up and go. Nothing is really wrong with it cept a tiny smidge of paint off the front bar, I just really like the FTO style and have plans to touch up the looks and ICE for the next few yrs instead of running around in a turbo everywhere. Maybe its just me, but it feels like an n/a car like the FTO would just be more reliable in general than the turbo 180. Its too hard NOT to give it some when your in it
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SchumieFan
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Post by SchumieFan »

in the end mate, its completely up to you, youve already said as much as we can tell you, ill hang out for a month or 2 if i was you and see how much you can make x the amount the cars will droip in price... kev brought up a valid point (as always) but have you ever tried to track down a new dash cluster? its very hard, so i wouldnt worry about genuine k's at the moment, especially if its over 100 thou. i bought mine at 131XXX ks and its done me 1.5 years of fine motoring with only the air con pump packing up at the 150 mark, but these cars will go for 300 thou so if your looking to run it into the ground then i wouldnt worry about an extra 30 thou k's

just make sure its tidy and check for damage.... have a good look under the front, check the head lights to see if any repair job has been done to the plastic sruts on them, open the doors and check the welds to make sure they havnt been rewelded since factory (key sign of a side impact, as well as the boot and make sure the tail lights are flush with the rear end.

i stiull cant get over your prices though.... mine cost me 9G nearly 2 years ago!


good luck mate and welcome to the fraturnaty! :)
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dstocks
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Post by dstocks »

Having bought 2 FTO's now (and quite a few other cars in the past), my advice would have to be:

Dont limit yourself to something nearby if a better one exists elsewhere. Plane flights are generally cheap compared to the price of the car and the cost of a plane ticket is worth it.

Dont skimp, youll regret it. If a good one is going to cost a little more, save up. Otherwise, youll just end up spending your money repairing things.

Have a look at the buying guides listed on the URL below. There are a number of threads on the forum that cover this too (just do a search). Theyll generally let you know what to look for.

http://www.completefto.com.au/FTO_showcontent.asp?hid=112

Oh and one final thing - know your options. The FTO comes in quite a few different flavours and has a number of options (sunroof, abs, airbags, rear wiper, traction, LSD + more). Work out what you want beforehand as most of these are not easy to fit after the fact.

And good Luck. Hopefully well be seeing pictures soon!!!. Oh and congrats on the Uni acceptance.
Complete FTO (http://www.completefto.com.au/completefto.asp)
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    Nacho
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    Post by Nacho »

    Congrats on showing interest in the FTO. It's a real head turner! If you're looking for a bargain FTO that's not up for private sale, why not try a car auction?

    Some cars there are in reasonable condition and you can save thousands.
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    SchumieFan
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    Post by SchumieFan »

    This site should help you decide what FTO you want too...

    http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/mitsubishi/fto/
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    kingo
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    Post by kingo »

    Okay guys thanks a lot for all the helpful advice, ill keep working on what im after 8)
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    Nacho
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    Post by Nacho »

    Awesome man! Good luck with that! After you get your FTO get back on this site and come cruising with us. What state you from?
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