FTO AUSTRALIA

ive read a few threads about both types, but none really addressed what i was after

ive driven manual my whole life. got my own car about 4 months ago (1.5L lancer ) it has to go, way too slow. compared to my parents Colt which is also manual but very fun to drive the lancer is a f**king pain in the ass to drive.

anyway, what are the 4 speed tiptronics like to drive? also stupid question but when you up shift with tiptronic how responsive is it? (and lol do you take your foot of the accelerator when you shift up, always wondered about that or just keep it planted at tap up a gear)

and ive also read/seen that the fto's tiptronic 'learns' the drivers shift times and adapts to it, how much truth is there in this? and can you actually notice it between 2 identical tiptronic fto's that have been driven differently?

in short plant foot and just shift no need to back off
they should shift quicker than you can a manual dont have exact times but should be less than a second
it depends what you like better man or auto? the auto does require more power via torque converter so lose around 10kw i think..... also go for 4spd over the 5 spd tip as i believe they are more reliable

The FTO is the most responsive automatic vehicle I have ever driven

If in good condition, they shift in a fraction of a second

As for strength, my 4 spd tip is still handling the 2.5 TT engine after 2.5 years. All I have broken so far is an axle, though my dif is on its way out.

Make sure they are serviced regularly (do as I say, not as I do. Haven't serviced mine for a while, waiting for it to fail so I can fully rebuild another).

There is nothing wrong with them, they are slightly slower than a manual, but that is also to do with gearing. All in all, they are a fantastic gearbox, designed by Porsche by the way.

In comparison to a 1.5L lancer and colt, you'll find the fto a fun and exciting car to drive

The tiptronic system in the fto (known as IINVECS) was also used in the lancers/magnas/galants/etc. My last car was a 1998 1.8L Lancer MR which has the exact same tiptonic system as the fto and it worked really well. Its based on the porsche's tiptronic designs and definitely changes quicker than a manual and will NOTICEABLY learn your gear changing behavior.

Koolio is right on the money there, another thing to add, on the drag strip these gearboxes are noticeably better. Removing driver error, the shifts are crisp, quick and smooth. I managed consistent 13.85x on 5 consecutive runs

Just thought i would ask a Question since i have been Creeping the Forums, looking for Info On 5sp auto or 4sp Auto, The FTO i have is a 4Sp Auto and when in D it does seem to shift Hard, and decides to sit in 3rd a lot of the WAY i mean while comming up to a set of lights and then waits untill dead stopped to SLIP into 1St again ahhh, so frustrating, do any of you guys know or have these same things happen, i cant say its a problem because it isn't slipping or making any un usuall noises but send me a thread back,

but yeah Koolio is on the money much more responsive gear changes troughout any ait compared to manuals

Mine used to hold third until almost at a dead stop when in drive. Could be a little annoying when cornering, although to be honest I mainly used the tiptronic to change gears.

I miss the tiptronic sometimes...

They all do that, drive it in manual mode if you don't like it

pearl_blu_fto wrote:Just thought i would ask a Question since i have been Creeping the Forums, looking for Info On 5sp auto or 4sp Auto, The FTO i have is a 4Sp Auto and when in D it does seem to shift Hard, and decides to sit in 3rd a lot of the WAY i mean while comming up to a set of lights and then waits untill dead stopped to SLIP into 1St again ahhh, so frustrating, do any of you guys know or have these same things happen, i cant say its a problem because it isn't slipping or making any un usuall noises but send me a thread back,

but yeah Koolio is on the money much more responsive gear changes troughout any ait compared to manuals

thats normal apart from hard changes try doing a oil flush on the box to rectify that issue

Reset your ecu by disconnecting your battery (about 5 mins) as the gearbox learns you style of driving. Once you have re-connected your battery take it for a good hard drive in "D". Remembering to brake hard into corners then fully planting your foot out of the corner. Failing that just use the tip all of the time like i do.

The oil will effect how quick it changes. Use the good stuff. Its expensive, but the box likes it a LOT more. Having owned both though, as good as the tip box is, I prefer the manual (by a long shot).

dstocks wrote:The oil will effect how quick it changes. Use the good stuff. Its expensive, but the box likes it a LOT more. Having owned both though, as good as the tip box is, I prefer the manual (by a long shot).

+1. In a car as pure as an FTO, it's nice to have the full driving experience. Having said that I had it in traffic, would rather take my Ford EB stationwagon lol.