Looking at buying a Mitsubishi GTO - Need advice
Discussion
Hi guys, this is my first post to PH although it probably wont be the last.
I have driven some nice-ish cars in the 2 1/2 years I've been driving, and easily done 100-120k miles in that period. I have owned a Hyundai Coupe 1.6l (I know, but I only passed 2 months before..), a Lexus IS200 (awesome car, loved it. Sold due to the ol' clutch judder though) and about a month ago, I bought a BMW 318i 2.0l. If I'm honest, I just don't like it. Too slow, feels like a tugboat, from what I can gather that's just how (stock) European cars tend to be. So, I am selling it and due to a recent job change, I don't need to do 100 miles a day anymore, nearer 25 a week.
I want to buy a nice toy. I loved the feel of the Hyundai, but I like the grunt of the IS200. I have been looking on autotrader.co.uk, and came across this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
As far as I can tell - which isn't much, to be fair, I've never driven an import - it looks pretty good for it's age. It was registered here in 2007, but I guess the N reg number plate relates to its actual age? I want to hear from a couple of people that have maybe driven these before, or know about turbo cars in general. Is this a fair asking price? Are there some things I should be aware of? From some things I have read they are apparently quite slow compared to other cars in its class. That isn't a major issue for me as I am 25 so anything that reduces my insurance is useful, it's still miles quicker than anything else I have driven before.
Thanks guys
I have driven some nice-ish cars in the 2 1/2 years I've been driving, and easily done 100-120k miles in that period. I have owned a Hyundai Coupe 1.6l (I know, but I only passed 2 months before..), a Lexus IS200 (awesome car, loved it. Sold due to the ol' clutch judder though) and about a month ago, I bought a BMW 318i 2.0l. If I'm honest, I just don't like it. Too slow, feels like a tugboat, from what I can gather that's just how (stock) European cars tend to be. So, I am selling it and due to a recent job change, I don't need to do 100 miles a day anymore, nearer 25 a week.
I want to buy a nice toy. I loved the feel of the Hyundai, but I like the grunt of the IS200. I have been looking on autotrader.co.uk, and came across this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
As far as I can tell - which isn't much, to be fair, I've never driven an import - it looks pretty good for it's age. It was registered here in 2007, but I guess the N reg number plate relates to its actual age? I want to hear from a couple of people that have maybe driven these before, or know about turbo cars in general. Is this a fair asking price? Are there some things I should be aware of? From some things I have read they are apparently quite slow compared to other cars in its class. That isn't a major issue for me as I am 25 so anything that reduces my insurance is useful, it's still miles quicker than anything else I have driven before.
Thanks guys
Thanks for the reply Purity.
If I'm honest I'm not as keen on the lines of the Supra. This is as much about me coming into the world of true performance cars as it is this particular car, I want to know the sort of things to look for and expect from this generally, I'm not going to be street racing or taking it on a track. I want a nice headturner for everyday use and want to know what I'm getting myself into.
Do you know anything about the GTO specifically?
If I'm honest I'm not as keen on the lines of the Supra. This is as much about me coming into the world of true performance cars as it is this particular car, I want to know the sort of things to look for and expect from this generally, I'm not going to be street racing or taking it on a track. I want a nice headturner for everyday use and want to know what I'm getting myself into.
Do you know anything about the GTO specifically?
Repair costs are one concern I have. What sort of things commonly go on them? As for working on the car, I'm not really able to do it so I'll be getting someone else for that. Again, speed isn't a selling point for me, ~300bhp is about my limit as far as affordable insurance goes. It's also hard to find a Supra in decent condition that hasn't been modified too heavily.
Looks like a nice example but may be 'slightly' overpriced for the age. Seems to have been well looked after and serviced but I'd check it over very carefully.
If you're good at spanner twirling they are pretty easy to work on. They certainly aren't slow and are capable of making a lot more power.
If you're good at spanner twirling they are pretty easy to work on. They certainly aren't slow and are capable of making a lot more power.
Hi, I own a 3000gt and I used to own a GTO Auto. The gt which is the Twin Turbo is a fantastic car. Mine is now 23 years old and like any car it has had problems but no more than any other "super" car. There is a very active free Owners Club which I would encourage you to look at, plenty of help and advice. Problems..... The gearbox output shaft can be a weak area, especially if you do drag starts. Timing belt kit needs doing at correct miles/age, not to bad do, I did mine in a day. Regular servicing is a must and if you get a good one, you WILL enjoy it, mine always gets attention, mostly good!
Before purchasing, ask one of the members to come and have a look with you, we are not experts, well I'm not, but we do know the problems and most of us are happy to help, for a few beer tokens!
Before purchasing, ask one of the members to come and have a look with you, we are not experts, well I'm not, but we do know the problems and most of us are happy to help, for a few beer tokens!
That is all good advice. I own 2 TTs and my 92 MK1 has been my daily driver for past 14 years, now has about 170,000 miles and still going strong, even on original turbos. In stock form these cars can be very reliable, much of the problems are due to ignorant modding. They are old cars so will need maintenance, cam belt, water pump and tensioner should be replaced every 60,000 miles, a cam belt failure will result in bent valves so make sure you have proof of when this was done, if not this should be the first job.
Iv often wondered what became of this one. I took these photos in mid August 2010 at Castelaine on the Route Napoleon. This one was in the car park behind the main hotel. It had a faded few months old parking ticket parking ticket and looked like it had been there a fair while. When i dvlad it, its got an export marker on it.
Would loved to have saved it. Any info anyone ?
When these were new, a woman lost control of her new red one on the Epping New Rd, at Buckhurst Hill, she went up a very high kerb, straight through a fence, then dropped about 10 feet into the rear garden of a very swanky house. I can still see in my minds eye, the back end of the GTO as the police attempted to pull it back out of the garden !
I love mine!
It makes a lovely garden ornament!
Had it for about 4 years, 1 year on the road, the last 3 sat on the driveway! It was a great year of driving and to date I have a large collection of 2nd hand parts that will eventually end up fitted to it so I can maybe one day enjoy driving it again.
Incidentally I have just bought a little peugeot 106 quicksilver as a runaround, this cost about as much as my fuel bill for a month was in the GTO, but I must add I have a Legnum VR4 too, so I am not completely free from the fear of impending expensive repair bills. Oh Joy!!
It makes a lovely garden ornament!
Had it for about 4 years, 1 year on the road, the last 3 sat on the driveway! It was a great year of driving and to date I have a large collection of 2nd hand parts that will eventually end up fitted to it so I can maybe one day enjoy driving it again.
Incidentally I have just bought a little peugeot 106 quicksilver as a runaround, this cost about as much as my fuel bill for a month was in the GTO, but I must add I have a Legnum VR4 too, so I am not completely free from the fear of impending expensive repair bills. Oh Joy!!
The one thing I will say about the GTO, is that if you are prepared to put the fuel in its lovely car to drive. It's no racing car, pulls very well on the straights but can feel a little vague in corners, but then what do you expect, the car is nearly 2 tonne's! If you want lightening handling buy a Caterham.
I will never sell mine, there's no point. It's worth so little money. Ive seen tatty ones struggle to make a grand before, and I'm a firm believer that, that is alot of car for the money.
I will never sell mine, there's no point. It's worth so little money. Ive seen tatty ones struggle to make a grand before, and I'm a firm believer that, that is alot of car for the money.
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