My new toy!

[wolfy1988]

Hi all.

Well as some of you may know I decided I must have another toy this weekend.

So the hunt began. Trawled through numerous Celica's, MR2'even a Alfa GTV.

But settled on a FTO!

It's a GPX Mivec, which those of you who don't know, that means it's a 2.0 V6 with 200bhp with the rare 5pd Manuel.

I'm going to rabbit on a bit longer if you don't mind, its too dark to take pictures, tomorrow I promise!. So first impressions:

Cons:
The guy I bought it off Had it for 5 years and spent a lot of money on it. more recently he replaced the front struts which one of them feels like there is a bit of unwanted movement when hitting pot holes etc.Its quite noisy at cruising speed and has a fairly hard ride but certainly not uncomfortable.
If I was being really Picky I would say the pedals are far apart and there's even less space in the back than the Puma!

The center console surround is cracked and the alloys need reburbing and that's about it really.

Pros:
The engine really is the focal point, it makes a fantastic racket above 6k, you change gear at 7.5-8k. I was expecting it to be similar to my 1.7 Puma which has VCT but this punches MUCH harder and actually pushes you back in your seat. There is not a single rattle or squeak, the tyres are brand new and the paintwork for a car that is 17yrs old is amazing.

I will post some pictures tomorrow when its brighter out.

Apologies for the essay, I'm just excited!

JB

Edited by wolfy1988 on Monday 19th March 15:57

[Japveesix]

Looks like a decent example. I tend to prefer them with spoilers on but it still looks nice enough spoilerless

If you ever do need more room in the back for carrying things then the rear seat comes out very easily (mine is in storage in the attic) and then opens straight through into the boot, can be useful.

What exhaust is that on it, assuming it isn;t the standard one?

[wolfy1988]

Hi.

I much prefer it spoiler less tbh. I actuelly have the the spoiler just in case I decide to swivel my baseball cap

I think the exhaust is standard, I like the tiered protrusion (oo-err) reminds me of the e36 M3.

Edited by wolfy1988 on Sunday 18th March 20:24

[Stedman]

Can you update this thread please?

[Japveesix]

wolfy1988 said:

Hi.

I much prefer it spoiler less tbh. I actuelly have the the spoiler just in case I decide to swivel my baseball cap

If you don't want the baseball cap look you should probably get rid of the dodgy D'cuatro sideskirts too

I like the look of the standard exhaust as well actually, mine has a blueflame exhaust but it still looks very similar with the twin side exit. And black probably suits the spoilerless look better than some other colours

[bamberwell]

wolfy1988 said:

It's a GPX Mivec, which those of you who don't know, that means it's a 2.0 V6 with 200bhp with the rare 5pd Manuel.

[wolfy1988]

'Manuel will show you to your rooms - if you're lucky'

Hopefully the gearbox is less troublesome!

[wolfy1988]

Gave her the obligatory valet today, I belief it to be a bonding process myself.

I have to admit, I am delighted. I love the bassy burble it makes when you start it

Anywho, on to the Pictures:

Does anybody know what wheels these are? They say TR on the front.


Interior is in great nick apart from the center console surround is cracked.
The sound system has been upgraded too, Sony CD Player, Alpine Front Coponants and Pioneers in the rear, quite a bassy sound.


I need to polish those pipes and it has brand new Nankang NSII all round, no idea if there any good.


Jobs to do:

1) upon closer inspection, it turns out the struts are fine its just the The track rod ends are shot with loads of play. REPLACE
2) Center console is cracked. REPAIR
3) Steering Wheel. I hate it REPLACE for slightly smaller one.
4) Swap wheels front to back, due to slight uneven wear from Track Rod Ends.
5) Remove, sand down and respray wiper arms.
6) Replace Gearknob for a more modern feel.
7) Service to my standards.

What do you think?

Just a quick one of the girls together lol:

Edited by wolfy1988 on Monday 19th March 15:47

[Maty]

It needs the spoiler putting back on, doesn't suit without it.

My mum had one of these when I turned 17 (company insurance policy meant I could drive it as well!), net result, 6 points within my first 2 years and a test retake! Speeding fines weren't even that significant, 35 in a 30 etc etc, I just think the police took offence to stopping me and not having anything amiss i.e insurance. Despite that though it was brilliant turning up to college in it when everyone else had Fiesta's and Corsa's! Her's was a GPX in white with the awful auto box, for 200bhp it was dreadfully slow but made a fantastic noise. I always remember if you booted it just below 40mph it would kick down to 2nd and it felt like it really got up and went, in reality though it didn't!

Nankangs are a crap budget tyre,(read ditch finders). However if they are new I'd leave em on till the tracking is all bang on and then go use them up on a track day.

[mig25_foxbat2003]

I have NSIIs on the front of my E36 and can confirm that they are toilet - and the buggers are very hard-wearing too, meaning that they won't wear out so I can replace them with new ones!

[Riknos]

I've been tempted by these before, but it would have to be in white!

I'll echo the ditch the tyres - Use them up on a track day. And get the spoiler on, it looks weird without it, and not barry at all with it.

[Mastodon2]

Get the spoiler on it, it's clearly a car that was designed with the wing in mind and looks curiously mis-shapen without it. After all the cleaning up jobs are done I would stick a Jap cannon exhaust on it too, if you think it sounds good now you won't believe what you were missing!

[Andy_sx]

mig25_foxbat2003 said:

I have NSIIs on the front of my E36 and can confirm that they are toilet - and the buggers are very hard-wearing too, meaning that they won't wear out so I can replace them with new ones!

Just stick them on the back and do one huge eff off burn out, tyres dead and replaced and the inner chav has had its play for the year

Love the noise the FTO makes, just never personally got on with the styling

[wolfy1988]

Mastodon2 said:

Get the spoiler on it, it's clearly a car that was designed with the wing in mind and looks curiously mis-shapen without it. After all the cleaning up jobs are done I would stick a Jap cannon exhaust on it too, if you think it sounds good now you won't believe what you were missing!

I'm going to leave the spoiler off, I prefer it.

I have been trawling through Youtube, listening to all the differant exhausts and this is easily my favorite!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqKG51ZTLp8&fea...

[wolfy1988]

Going to a new home tomorrow

Lovely car but I just love the Puma more and this just never got driven.

What next.... something German perhaps?


I do rather fancy something RWD next.... e36 318is?

[0a]

As I was reading this thread I was going to post 'I bet it's not as nice as the Puma'... strange!

I like the colour of the Puma by the way. How are those arches though?!

[wolfy1988]

0a said:

As I was reading this thread I was going to post 'I bet it's not as nice as the Puma'... strange!

I like the colour of the Puma by the way. How are those arches though?!

The arches are perfect, I stripped the interior out on Monday and replaced all the speakers and gave the interior a good shampoo and I am very lucky in that there is not a spot of rust, even under the rear speaker bins!

God I love it especially now the Rainsports are bedded in, it's just sooo much bloody fun.

But I do need RWD and yes yes I know an MX5 would fit the bill quite nicely but they are overpriced over here in Dublin.

'What Car Thread' coming to you soon!

[jaik]

If the FTO didn't do it for you, I don't think an E36 would. I've got a 328i Touring and it's a fantastic car; comfortable, practical, reliable, quick enough for general pootling etc, but they don't have much character and they really show their weight in the handling.