Mivec Engine???

Richo2003 · Post by **Richo2003** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 8:22 pm

Hey Guys and Gals,

Been thinking of getting an FTO for a while and finally had the chance to go and test drive one this arvo at a dealer in Coburg.

I drove a 95 GPX, Mivec, Manual and I must say the drive was fantastic. I have been reading this forum for a while and wanted to know.....

I took the car up to 5500 revs and there was a sure difference in the exhaust note...sounded awsome but I didnt feel much more power. Should there be a definate difference??

Also there was a 'winding' sound coming from the engine, didnt sound bad but I just wanted to make sure this was normal. The sales guy said it was the Mivec but you know, those guys will say anything to get a deal.

They wanted $26000 for it which I think is a bit pricey, what do you think?? It was standard apart from the exhaust.

Any help would be great.

Cheers

Michael.

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 8:53 pm

you won't feel a massive shove in the back (like the urge of a turbo) when the MIVEC kicks in... it's only very subtle (other than the change in tone from the engine) but you will certainly feel that the power does not taper off as the revs rise... when the secondary cams kick in, the car continues to rev strongly without 'dying off' so to speak...

how kms has the car done? $26K sounds quite pricey, but if it's in a mint condition then try to haggle your way through (most imports at car yards are waaay overpriced IMO).

dannyboyau · Post by **dannyboyau** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 11:31 pm

way to much for a 95 GPX for that price i would expect a 97 GPX

ftoboi · Post by **ftoboi** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 2:29 am

$26,000?!?! could easily get a 98 GPX if u wanna import it yourself, thats what Geoff from prestige motorsport told me... pity that the new import laws have cocked everything up, couldnt be bothered waiting 4-5 months for my car to get on the road. 95 GPX Manual... wouldn't pay more than 19k for one. buy it privately and with the extra 5-7k you can go psycho with mods

Richo2003 · Post by **Richo2003** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 2:41 am

thanks guys,

been a great help. I would love to buy on privately but i have got a trade and cant be bothered waiting to sell it.

Cool about the Mivec, it did seem to want to keep going after 5500 so it must be working.....

what about the winding in the engine?? is this normal.

The FTO wasnt in mint condition and the strange thing was that on TradingPost it was 19990 but when I asked for the price at the dealer it was $26990, think they might have been trying to jam me.

Oh well there are more out there.........

Going out 'hunting' again tomorrow........heres hoping.

M.

thecook · Post by **thecook** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 3:31 am

f**k the dealers
$26,000 for a fto might be an alrite price a few years ago
but now, $26,000 is a rip off!
even if u sell the car to the dealer now, u wnot even get as much money back as u would from selling privately.....

engine winding sound? like its screaming? that would be the mivec
it should gradually get louder,

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 4:15 am

thIS joint in Coburg that you went to is along Bell St right? I think it used to be called MSA Imports or something... (now known as JSA if i'm not mistaken). My friend bought a Z32 TT from MSA 2 years ago and it turns out to be a friggin' lemon and the after sales service was crap as... (i think he dealt with someone by the name of Pejman or something stupid)

I'd be careful with them if it was me... besides, yeh i agree $26K for a '95 FTO is a pathetic rip off and like you said, it's not even in a mint condition... faaarken dodgy arseholes!

I'D NEVER TRUST ANOTHER USED CAR DEALER AGAIN

andy · Post by **andy** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 11:49 am

I bought my GPX manual about two months ago privately. All the ones I went to see were 16-19K.

I saw / drove quiet a few dogs before I found mine, but it was worth the wait. It's not the kind of car you buy overnight - unless you want to pay big money to a dealer.

Next time you test drive one, I'd wind it right up to the redline (once it's warmed up) to make sure everything is ok. Maybe ask the owner if they mind first, but who owns a MIVEC and doesn't understand the pleasure of an 8K redline run? If you're used to driving a commodore or similar it sounds wrong to rev that hard, but these cars are designed for it!

Completely agree that there is no big kick just a continued pull, but the sound does totally change around the 5K mark, especially with an exhaust system on (coupled with an air filter it's a beautiful thing!).

elmo · Post by **elmo** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 3:57 pm

you need to go to redline in at least first three gears to understand mivec.
The real kick in the ass is felt when you redline second, whack it into third, and the mivec howls all the way to....... damn forgotten how fast it goes in third, been that long since i had a drive. (think its 160 odd)
If you get the change right will be in mivec straight away, thats when you feel the power. Will be doin 100 odd before you even look for third.

Richo2003 · Post by **Richo2003** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 6:10 pm

Yeah,

I am going to have another look around through the week......see if I can go for another test drive in one. Want to at least test two to compare any differences.

This dealer I went to was on Sydney Rd, didnt know there was one on Bell St but by the sounds of it I will keep away.

Does anyone know any other dealers around Melbourne?? At the moment I am just searching Trading Post, CarSales.com.au and Carpoint.com.au trying to find ones I like.

Next one I drive will definately be redlined........Supposed to let them warm up for 10minutes or so arent you??

Seem like a gr8 car, now all I gotta do is get one haa haa.

Cheers

M.

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 7:56 pm

You could also try the following:

1. Tokyo Motors @ Sunshine/Braybrook
2. Kamikaze Motors @ Nunawading
3. Mondo Motors @ Cheltenham
4. Leisure Vehicles @ Bayswater
5. Carizma @ Abbotsford

personally i've lost my faith on any used car dealers but since you're shopping around, you might as well see what they have in stock.

D-TRAIN · Post by **D-TRAIN** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 8:18 pm

Richo, did you tell the guy you were going to trade your car in? Try not to disclose that until they ask you, or till the very last possible moment. If you did, he was probably trying to jack the price up a little to make a little $$.

But yeah that price is abit steep for a 95 GPX, but you can't compare prices between dealer and private. Private is definately cheaper.

Good luck mate. If it's any consolation, took me nearly a year to find mine!!

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 8:38 pm

the dealers would usually negotiate on price and the very first thing they will ask when you start to negotiate is "are you trading in your car?"

..but yes you're right - don't let them have the idea that you are intending to trade-in, that way when they give you a price you can wind your way down from there...

and don't be soft! ...anything that you're not clear of, ask us!

Richo2003 · Post by **Richo2003** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 11:45 pm

Heya,

yeah I did tell him i was trading the car before I got the price. I sent him an email this arvo asking what was going on. Basically I sold cars for 9months so I know what things are worth and put a deal to him. I dont want to be jerked around and waste anyones time.......

I want to get one before September so I am trying to look around ASAP.

Just want to make sure I get a decent one, not a lemon......and also with someone who I dont think will screw me over if I have any problems.

Thanks for all you help guys, its great to know there are people out there who give a rats.

Do many people have cruises down this way???

Cheers

Richo.

thecook · Post by **thecook** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 12:35 am

theres a dealer on warrigal rd..... cant remember the name
the last time i went there, they had HEAPS of skylines, supras, ftos, 300zx's, soarers..... but that was back in april...
theres also one on old sydney rd i think, next to the toyota dealer, i think its called coburg... my friends dad owns that toyota dealership

rxboy · Post by **rxboy** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 8:06 pm

The dealer on Warrigal Rd is called Mondo's Motors. It's together with a whole bunch of other dealers on the same giant lot close to the intersection of Warrigal rd and Keys rd. Another dealership I know of is City Link Motors in Campbellfield. Got mine for a great price from them.

thecook · Post by **thecook** » Tue Aug 19, 2003 2:34 am

dealers are rip
i dont think their ads include gst!

only good thing bout them is that they offer warrantys

rio · Post by **rio** » Thu Aug 21, 2003 10:12 pm

$2600 ?? damn .. i sold mine for $15000

JagerMarty · Post by **JagerMarty** » Sat Aug 23, 2003 11:27 am

Cook & rx,
there's a dealer 2 doors down from Mondo called Cars Unlimited, got my GPX from them after having it checked out by RACV & friends.
They had 6 FTO's on the plot when I bought (feb) and seemed as fair as dealers can be. Had a car to trade and wanted an FTO fairly quickly.

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Sun Aug 24, 2003 3:41 am

thecook wrote:dealers are rip
i dont think their ads include gst!

only good thing bout them is that they offer warrantys

funny, i was always under the impression that all advertised prices must include GST in accordance to the law...???