Fancy a FTO - what should I look for?

[mattman]

Trying to work through a few of the cars I hankered after when I was a kid.
About to sell my mk3 MX5 and noticed that the FTO can be picked up around 2k.
I know it’s not a rocket, but always fancied one and at that price I can’t lose too much if it goes wrong

Anything I should be looking for in these apart from rust?

[swampy442]

Theyve got best part of 200hp, theyre no slouch.

Generally rust, get the best spec you can afford and get the manual rather than auto (although they command a premium)

I was interested in one I saw on Marketplace with a spectacular red leather interior, but had some rot which put me off.

[Driver101]

Only the Mivec version has 200bhp.

I don't think you'll manage to find a good car for £2k.

[dudleybloke]

This could be fun if it's in good fettle.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285265918816

[pidsy]

GR’s are 1.8 4 pot and rubbish.

Ideally you want a GPvR - facelift with a nice spoiler.

GPX is the usual mivec car.

I’ve had both a GPX and a vR - great cars with real character.

Personally- I wouldn’t get one over here anymore. They rot, and basically fall to pieces.

If you really want one, I’d import one.

[pidsy]

https://www.ftooc.uk/

Used to be a very active and friendly club. Think it’s moved to FB now.

Had some great meets and tunnel runs with this lot.

[Japveesix]

Bumping just because I stumbled over it.

I loved both my FTOs and if I had the money for a cheap fun runabout I'd be hunting down a decent example again just because they're so unusual. And they look and sound brilliant for the price.

Get a manual mivec car or don't get one at all, ideally a facelift too as they do look much better. The autos are rubbish, the GR is fairly slow and the 1.8 is crap.

I don't suppose you'll get a decent one for £2k though, probably more like £5k from the odd few I've actually seen for sale recently.

Make sure it's not too modified as well, they can be made very chavy and very few mods add anything worthwhile to the car.

[TwinExit]

FTOs, much like the RX8, 350Z, and Honda Civic Type R's have become Facebook market place fodder

When you are looking at cars in the region of £2k before negotiations, I would go in assuming you are buying a banger / rolling shell. So budget time & money for that.

[Mabozza]

buy on condition and Rust!

I bought a decent one from a FTOC member nearly 20 years ago. even back then there were loads of snotters and rust buckets on the market.

[ZedLeg]

Aye, lots were rusting through 20 years ago so I imagine there are some dodgy repairs etc.

Take a magnet to test the panels if you go to look at one.

One of my mates had one years ago and it sounded good. Would have to be super cheap to be tempting these days though imo.