Importing an FTO

Taeivon_Rep · Post by **Taeivon_Rep** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:04 pm

Hi everyone,
I've finally got cash together to import an FTO through a company (Phoenix imports) into aus.
I wanna make sure its hopefully going to be in good nick, im chasing a 94 to 98 GPX and have a coupla questions!!
What are the differences between a 94 and 98 FTO GPX.
To best tell if its all good n kays seem genuine should i be looking really close at the engine pics and brakes? or the interior or both?

any other advice for choosing the one that should hopefully not come over broken?
Thanks in advance

bushido · Post by **bushido** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:16 pm

Anything before the second half of 96 is a series one, anything after is a series two. Only cosmetic difference is a different front bar. Series two tiptronics have 5 speeds and others have 4 speeds. Look at the import papers and the steeing wheel, gear nob etc, places where it would recieve a lot of human contact. Always a gamble buying a car you cant test drive.

Good luck

rock_it · Post by **rock_it** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:19 pm

Check J spec imports ... They have 3 at the moment... 8.9k to 13.2k ....

Also I saw a nice looking red one at Nagoya Motors the other day ...

Taeivon_Rep · Post by **Taeivon_Rep** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:28 am

thanks for the input guys!!
so i take it no differences in brakes or kw change in engines they remain consistant its just a cosmetic change as the years go up from series 1 to 2??

bushido · Post by **bushido** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:33 pm

Yeh. Performance difference come from the different model lineups. Each is designed with a different purpose

Post by **Bennoz** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:50 pm

Taeivon_Rep wrote:thanks for the input guys!!
so i take it no differences in brakes or kw change in engines they remain consistant its just a cosmetic change as the years go up from series 1 to 2??

There's no difference in the GPX range apart from some small suspension changes & cosmetics.
The GR range becomes the GX range post 97 & there are a few minor engine modifications that give the GX about 10hp more than the GR. Also have the same suspension changes as the GPX range.

Post by **dstocks** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:25 pm

The GR range becomes the GX range post 97 & there are a few minor engine modifications

Interestingly though, both the GR and GX were available at the same time in later models though.....Might just have been because they had some GR's left over maybe.

messy · Post by **messy** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:00 pm

Hey there, i imported about 2 years ago now - i avoided using a 3rd based aussie company..

try a direct sourcer who goes to auctions etc and checks cars himself.. Highly recommend: Mark Hocking www.mytrading.org

there are a few previous forum posts on the site with heaps of information on them

saved me a lot of money and i got a car i knew was tested in Japan and checked by an ex-aussie mitsubishi worker. I was able to specify exacts i wanted from transmission, km's, colour, condition (e.g. i got a auction grade 4.5) which all brings ease to mind from something you cant touch until you buy

just a thought if you have the patience

any q's just drop me a PM

Taeivon_Rep · Post by **Taeivon_Rep** » Fri May 09, 2008 9:26 am

Man its taking ages for the company to find what i want im chasing a FTO GPX 94-96 (early) manual with less than 100,000 kays
They seem to only be a able to find GPvR's!! How hard would it be a to put a GPX front bar and lights on a GPvR??
Its a bummer that the GPX don't come with LSD standard.. the GPvR does yeah?

rock_it · Post by **rock_it** » Fri May 09, 2008 9:44 am

Taeivon_Rep wrote:Man its taking ages for the company to find what i want im chasing a FTO GPX 94-96 (early) manual with less than 100,000 kays
They seem to only be a able to find GPvR's!! How hard would it be a to put a GPX front bar and lights on a GPvR??
Its a bummer that the GPX don't come with LSD standard.. the GPvR does yeah?

GPvR -----> FTW

Why would you want the pre-facelift bar ...

eThix · Post by **eThix** » Fri May 09, 2008 10:15 am

lol get the GPvR dude

Post by **I8A4RE** » Fri May 09, 2008 10:32 am

Nah im with Taeivon_Rep, i like prefacelift better. But in saying that get vR, its got the LSD and a few other extras and then when its landed just get an aftermarket front bar

eThix · Post by **eThix** » Fri May 09, 2008 1:01 pm

I8A4RE wrote:Nah im with Taeivon_Rep, i like prefacelift better. But in saying that get vR, its got the LSD and a few other extras and then when its landed just get an aftermarket front bar

well also if you got the GPvR less chance of Rust in roof, trust me GPvR will be the easier way to go

and i'm sure you could just trade fronts with some one? (if it works no idea!)

Post by **dstocks** » Fri May 09, 2008 1:10 pm

or more to the point if you get a facelift FTO, less chance of rust in the roof. The glue was changed in 96 I believe.

khunjeng · Post by **khunjeng** » Sat May 10, 2008 10:57 am

dstocks wrote:or more to the point if you get a facelift FTO, less chance of rust in the roof. The glue was changed in 96 I believe.

jgpvr ftw win if you have the choice.

Rust sucks arse, just fixed mine with re-sprey...costs more than the difference believe me.

Taeivon_Rep · Post by **Taeivon_Rep** » Sat May 10, 2008 4:38 pm

i see so just like in the case with any older model car bigger chance of rust with an older model vs new one. I'll shoot for a GPvR late 96-97 n just put on pre 96 GPX front on it.
How likely is it for say an auction grade 3.5-4 FTO 94-95 GPvR to have rust in roof.. Many of u guys had that trouble on purchase of a car in japan then bringing it back here to aus??

sublime19 · Post by **sublime19** » Sat May 10, 2008 7:30 pm

rock_it wrote:
Taeivon_Rep wrote:Man its taking ages for the company to find what i want im chasing a FTO GPX 94-96 (early) manual with less than 100,000 kays
They seem to only be a able to find GPvR's!! How hard would it be a to put a GPX front bar and lights on a GPvR??
Its a bummer that the GPX don't come with LSD standard.. the GPvR does yeah?

GPvR -----> FTW

Why would you want the pre-facelift bar ...

Not everybody likes the facelift

Kinda sticks out too much I dunno

khunjeng · Post by **khunjeng** » Sat May 10, 2008 9:50 pm

sublime19 wrote:
rock_it wrote:
Taeivon_Rep wrote:Man its taking ages for the company to find what i want im chasing a FTO GPX 94-96 (early) manual with less than 100,000 kays
They seem to only be a able to find GPvR's!! How hard would it be a to put a GPX front bar and lights on a GPvR??
Its a bummer that the GPX don't come with LSD standard.. the GPvR does yeah?

GPvR -----> FTW

Why would you want the pre-facelift bar ...
Not everybody likes the facelift Kinda sticks out too much I dunno

only pre-facelift onwers would say that! heheh facelift rocks.

mr-charisma · Post by **mr-charisma** » Sat May 10, 2008 10:03 pm

they're both good now STFU

lol

sublime19 · Post by **sublime19** » Sat May 10, 2008 10:51 pm

Hahaha.. actually the face lift is better than the stock bar, if your not gonna get a kit anytime after buying the car then spose the face lift is decent