FTO AUSTRALIA

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.asp?id=283366588

This is on Trademe and was offered to me for $4500; appears to be un-modified. I have always had a dislike for WRX's, though I have always had huge respect for STI's given how fantastic they are.

What are your thoughts? What version would it be? VIII STI?

comon muppets; someone must have something for me XD

What issues would I look for? Apparently you can tell if it is genuine STI by the VIN:

VIN: 7A8GF090799022815
Reported stolen: No
Reliable odometer: Yes
Imported with structural damage: No
Water/fire damage: No information on the record of any flood and/or fire damage

Security interests
No security interests lodged against this vehicle.

Seems too good to be true; anyone know anything about them? I believe it is stock as a rock (which is what I am after).

Asked here too:

http://www.clubsub.org.nz/forum/index.p ... w.html#new

But the posts are few and far between...

Yeah... cause we're heaps big into Rexes over here at FTO Australia

Bennoz wrote:Yeah... cause we're heaps big into Rexes over here at FTO Australia

Comon mr. prez, I'm asking because I trust the opinions here, and someone must know...

I'm not getting rid of my FTO so you don't need to think I am betraying the marquee; I want something with balls and that is also good for getting up the ski fields (let alone the marked increase in space).

spoke to one of my collegues who had a WRX STI 2001 model. He said that the older versions of the STI would be selling for normally 45000 not 4500. he doesnt believe there is a difference with the VIN between normal STI and WRX's. in saying that, have you thought of calling subaru direct?

not much help, i know.

Cassf88 wrote:spoke to one of my collegues who had a WRX STI 2001 model. He said that the older versions of the STI would be selling for normally 45000 not 4500. he doesnt believe there is a difference with the VIN between normal STI and WRX's. in saying that, have you thought of calling subaru direct?

not much help, i know.

Thanks Cass, it's appreciated; I do IT for the auto industry and have asked our Subaru clients, waiting for replies.

EDIT!

My country has a habit of changing manufacturers VIN's to our own proprietry VIN system, which buggers up all identification via VIN. I have a Subaru Dealership client looking into it for me at the moment.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/registr ... n/vin.html

Particularly:

A VIN issued by us looks like this:

A VIN issued by a vehicle manufacturer looks like this:


Looking at the VIN:
7A8GF090799022815

It would appear that this was issued by LTSA in 1999

common issues are

=Gearbox not very strong neither is OE clutch after couple launches its putty

=Replace belts ASAP as front crank seal very prone to leaking and will drip on cambelt causing snap

=Overall they are reasonably good car if like them but expect lots of small things to constantly need recitifying

=they have tendency to need air flow meter being replaced and throttle control unit always needs cleaning

=My best mate has one back in CHCH and I spent almost every weekend fixing something on it

As for price thats bout right rembering in NZ these are extremely common and cheap
Also being a wagon it doesnt handle to great (I used to eat mates one round port hills)

vipfto wrote:common issues are

=Gearbox not very strong neither is OE clutch after couple launches its putty

=Replace belts ASAP as front crank seal very prone to leaking and will drip on cambelt causing snap

=Overall they are reasonably good car if like them but expect lots of small things to constantly need recitifying

=they have tendency to need air flow meter being replaced and throttle control unit always needs cleaning

=My best mate has one back in CHCH and I spent almost every weekend fixing something on it

As for price thats bout right rembering in NZ these are extremely common and cheap
Also being a wagon it doesnt handle to great (I used to eat mates one round port hills)

Cheers mate; I actually tracked some onfo down on it; turns out that it is a VERY good imitation... not genuine. FLAG THAT sh*t!