Just look at the cars interior and exterior condition; how well it drives and the condition the motor seems to be in. That's all that matters, the numbers don't.
Most, if not the very vast majory of FTO's with 80,000km and below on them (i'd really go as high as 100,000km and below, but that would upset a few people) have had there instrument cluster replaced with one from a wrecked low mileage FTO at some point. It's common practice for Japanese auctioneirs and exporters to do this..
ya its very likely...in the end you have to not concentrate on this...you re-sale is going to be sh*t anyway...look at how everything has been maintained and get some to check the engine/trans at the very least...if it looks good nice...regardless of the Kms its a safe bet.
e.g. my Fairmont has done 206,000 now..cos I drive this one to work...in great condition..trans/engine etc is working awsome stilll cos I have never driven it hard and mainted it well...the FTO like most cars will be the same...
Also check the belts (timing belt esp) and get some1 to take of the rocker cover and stuff and check the plugs/gaskets and look around the head...for any leaks etc...pretty standard stuff...I never really trust Kms...as a 130k car mainaned well is likely to be better than a 70k car trashed...also high kms can mean a lot of major work has already been done...which is good....but always expect the something will go wrong...after all u never know whats gonna happen and why the previous guy sold it.
My personal opinion is that low Kms doesn't always mean good buy...
That's a big call scarecrow. Not saying i don't agree. I got mine in 2002 with 56k on the clock. She's just clocked up 108k. I'd hate to think how many it's really done if it had been turned back.
Ive got one thing you can check, but it doesnt work in all cases. If the car has traction control, you should get a TCL Off light on the dash when you switch it off. If not there then the cluster has been swapped (I know this because mine has been). Standard clusters dont have this light.
Probably not going to help in most cases as Traction isnt that common, but it is about the only one I can think of apart from what has already been covered off above.
Jase wrote:That's a big call scarecrow. Not saying i don't agree. I got mine in 2002 with 56k on the clock. She's just clocked up 108k. I'd hate to think how many it's really done if it had been turned back.
Well i think scarecrow is refering to most FTO today. I got mine in 02 as well with 52k on the clock & now 82k.
And my interior & exterior looks like 2006
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.
i agree mind was imported in 2002 with 45k on the clock...now done 87k..my interoir isn't in "Chris" perfect condition yet...wait a few more months when I get the seats re-done!
I once took a mechanic friend to inspect an FTO for me and he told me that one of the main things you look at, is the keyholes and the pedals. It's very interesting to see a car that's only done 50000kms with very worn keyholes and pedals! I didn't buy that one!
But what happen to those like me, i drive it twice a day, but only 5km max per day?? And you get that a lot in Japan too. I think the theroy from your friend will only work on local cars. Plus lots of ppl like me have a aftermarket pedal, so you can't really tell the different either.
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.
My point exactly, it would have the same amount of scratch for those who just drive it twice a day too. But one might travel 200km while one only 5km per day. So if someone say to me my km is too low & its a wind back cause of this, i invite to my "tea room"
But like i said, i think its a good indication for a local car
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.
Kevs on the money...I do 100 kms per day to work and back...he does like 5. I don't normally drive my FTO to work, only my ford...so for ppl like me you don't do much over 10,000km per year - if that - in my FTO. I drive it only the wekeend.
Mines just about to hit 150,000km and the only problem it has developed is tappety tappets from a cold start. The interior (uh, apart from the stereo surround) is in mint condition. I sat in FTO's with as low as 30,000km on them while I was looking and none of their engine bays or "cockpits" came anywhere near as close to the condition this one was in.
Just think, a 95 model is now just over 10 years old, at 80,000km that's only 8 thousand a year. It's pretty unlikely.
Agreed. General, overall consition the thing to look for.
I know that I have said this before, but my car had 80k on the clock when we got it, and compared to others that we looked at, including one that had "50k" on the clock, it was like new. No rattles, seat side bolsters were still firm and unworn, steering wheel was basically un-worn, that kinda thing.
The "50k" car was worn to buggery and rattled like a.....something that rattles a lot.....
No way of really getting the history, just go with your gut instinct!
scarecrow wrote:Just think, a 95 model is now just over 10 years old, at 80,000km that's only 8 thousand a year. It's pretty unlikely.
Ignore the KM's and just look at the condition
Agreed...its not very common for sellers to be like me and only drive it occasionaly as a second or even third car. Overall condition is the most important..kms can indicicate what service work should have been done and a good thing for "selling" it later...however if your buying an FTO and hopeing to sell it for decent price...forget it..buy it for the love baby...not for the money!!
