FTO AUSTRALIA

Hey guys,

due to the lack of 97 onwards FTOs in Aus I have decided on importing my own fto.

Can anyone recommend any good importers?

Any good or bad experiences with importers?

Is there a guide to importing an fto?

anything to look out for? such as making sure the fto isnt a stolen one from Japan or it is two half cuts joined, etc etc?

thanks

benny

if you want to import a GPX, get someone like Geoff from Prestige Motorsport or Craig at J-Spec to hel you find one from the auctions. Auctions are safer in that they have checks to ensure the car has been released by the original owner (hence it's not stolen).

be advised that for all imports after '96 you must foot in an extra $480 into the std compliance fee for factory seatbelts... add to that the price of tyres, RWC, rego, delivery towing (if req'd) hell perhaps even battery (i assure you, it's no joke). at the end of the day, you're looking at nearly $3500 all-up just to comply it alone ready for rego - this is from personal experience.

also if you car came with any goodies (ie: nice head-unit, gearknob, bucket seats, wheels etc), there is no accountability whatsoever if they go missing. basically they'll be pointing the finger at each other and take no responsibility for the missing items. harsh, but true and there is nothing you can do about it...

i've had my share of good & bad experiences with the importer/complier but i won't name names for legal reasons. but if u do decide to take that option, be prepared to take risks... You've been warned!

Hi - sorry to be the bearer of bad news - according to the SEVS new import rules - apparently the FTO built after 01/1994 cannot be imported!! well - can be imported but not get compliance to be registered - might want to check that one out before getting 2 excited!

check it out here:

http://rvcs-prodweb.dot.gov.au/

Manual

Ok sorry - my mistake - i dont know much about FTO models so bare with me - apparently the FTo model code DE2A cannot be imported anymore unless it is younger than a 94 model - apparently!!

However hte FTO model code DE3A is ok to import - does this make sense?? or am i just talking crap - check out the SEVS reg on the link in my above post.

Manual

Yeah the DE2A would be the 4 cylinder GS FTO. It uses the 4G93 motor which can also be found in the Mitsubishi Lancer.

I don't think there were any FTO's made prior to 1994, therefore it is the whole GS range that is not eligible for import under the new SEVS rules.

It seems to me that the 6A12 motor is enough of a difference to justify importing the FTO.

M@

its because GS doesn't meet BHP requirements for low volume imports

the new import rules are basicaly in effect now and this means signifcant changes. any modifications made to the car have to be removed ( this includes mag wheels after market exhaust you even have to have the brake pads changed if they arent mitsubishi parts) all this i have been told by a complier and these guys wont be doing it any more because of the extra cost. So if you buy a car in Japan make sure it is stock standard with no modification or the cost of complying the car could be extremely expensive, and by the way the modified parts have to be destroyed by the compliance company. But now you dont have to change the seat belts any more. Make sure you see the auction sheet and go for a grade 4 and check the chassis number matches the auction sheet. I am sure all the importers would explain this to you when you contact them.

that was some top info

any more people?

benny

Hmmmm does this new rules apply to all types of import cars, I mean like cars from Europe, U.S & Japan.

I got told u can still brings in 993 shape 911 Turbo Porches (Bug's Eye) even though it's identical to the Aus spec, but not the 996 shape (Tear Drop)

if the car is fifteen years old you can bring it in umder the fifteen year rule. i am not sure about which cars you can bring in under fifteen years old but i will put a link below to the list, but if it is under fifteen years you must have an import approval and some one must be willing to comply it and supply a compliance plate. The list of cars that companys have done the testing on and have government aapproval to import and comply is at this website http://rvcs-prodweb.dot.gov.au/ and you must click on the link Register of Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles

I recommend that the first thing you do is to find a compliance centre that will be able to do your compliance under the new scheme.

Ultimate performance imports, www.upimports.com.au is a good place to start. These guys do all the compliance work for prestige imports in Melb, and I think that they do some for J Spec as well but I'm not sure on that. They also offer the same service as prestige and J Spec in terms of buying from Auction.

I was speaking with Chris from U P Imports last week about what the changes meant for the compliance guys. Bascially...

All compliance work must now be done under ISO specifications (ISO is a government system for ensuring a specific set of standards for ensuring quality of work).

This means that the compliance centres must get approval for the compliancing of each different type of car. ie they have to do an R33 Skyline and have it inspected and get all approvals, then they'd have to repeat the process for an FTO, Supra, 200SX, etc.

As you can imagine with anything to do with government this is not cheap and involves lots of paperwork.

Some compliance centres will simply go out of the compliance business.
The remainder will probably build up slowly the types of cars that they can comply. ie each month they'll do a new car type until they have a broad range.

Something to keep in mind if you are importing your own car.

I'd expect that the price you'll pay for your car will be fairly cheap as there will be little demand from Australia at the moment.

Your compliance price will go up though, I've heard as much as $5000 but I'd check this out for yourself.

Be prepared to wait and wait and wait and wait.

If your after a post 97 you might have to sit tight for a while waiting for one to come along.

Than after you've managed to buy one the painful process of waiting really kicks in.

Allow at least 12 weeks after buying at auction before you expect to have it on road.

I'd expect that the price you'll pay for your car will be fairly cheap as there will be little demand from Australia at the moment.

in a way, yes and no... just because there is less demand from australia, don't forget that aussies are not the only ones bidding for cars at the auctions in Japan... why? because you are also up against some stiff bidding competition by the poms and japs themselves... (in case you don't realise)