Mitsubishi FTO - talk to me
Discussion
Morning all
I am looking for something a bit different, cheap, fun, inexpensive, with a bit of character and most importantly inexpensive to buy to go hillclimbing in. Road going series production cars up to 2000cc is the class I am looking at.
Had a bit of a brainwave re the FTO last night. I can look at the numbers and read the reviews, and a 2.0 V6 does sound fun. Manual essential.
My 2 big questions are 1). Handling - I have heard they are a nice drive with good turn in and only under steer when you really take the piss? Is this correct?
2). Im sure all sort of tuning options are available, regs won't allow me to go forced induction, but how much tuning can one squeeze in without ruining the things handling? Basically, is there room to up the power a bit before any gains are lost by ruining the way the thing drives?
3). The majority of the GP/GPX models seem to be autos/triptronic. My head says 'run away' if you want to go hill climbing. Am I being too judgemental?
Cheers in advance
I am looking for something a bit different, cheap, fun, inexpensive, with a bit of character and most importantly inexpensive to buy to go hillclimbing in. Road going series production cars up to 2000cc is the class I am looking at.
Had a bit of a brainwave re the FTO last night. I can look at the numbers and read the reviews, and a 2.0 V6 does sound fun. Manual essential.
My 2 big questions are 1). Handling - I have heard they are a nice drive with good turn in and only under steer when you really take the piss? Is this correct?
2). Im sure all sort of tuning options are available, regs won't allow me to go forced induction, but how much tuning can one squeeze in without ruining the things handling? Basically, is there room to up the power a bit before any gains are lost by ruining the way the thing drives?
3). The majority of the GP/GPX models seem to be autos/triptronic. My head says 'run away' if you want to go hill climbing. Am I being too judgemental?
Cheers in advance
Edited by Vocal Minority on Wednesday 6th May 08:38
Hi,
The FTO is a very underrated car and if you can get a good one snap it up.
Guess as you hill climbing condition wont be top of the list?
Mine's a manual and only tried the tip recently and couldnt get on with it. Dont think it would suit your needs as just cant see a high reving engine working with an auto. Its supposed to be the MK1 Boxster's unit, but to be honest I found it a gimmick.
They handle really well when setup with poly bushes and alignment. I think mine was better before I lowered it so you might want stock ride height or go the coilovers route, but the stock ride setup is good for UK roads.
Tuning wise the engine is as far as you can go, as near as 200bhp from a 2.0 v6 back in 94 is something else when you think of the rubbish we made do with here at the time. I think you can re-map and with a few tweeks maybe get another 20-30 bhp, but that would be your lot without going forced induction.
Its very top endie so youll have to keep the motor spinning for your needs?
Recommend a brake upgrade as a must of your really going to push it, otherwise good pads will do.
Hope this keeps your interest alive!!
Matt
The FTO is a very underrated car and if you can get a good one snap it up.
Guess as you hill climbing condition wont be top of the list?
Mine's a manual and only tried the tip recently and couldnt get on with it. Dont think it would suit your needs as just cant see a high reving engine working with an auto. Its supposed to be the MK1 Boxster's unit, but to be honest I found it a gimmick.
They handle really well when setup with poly bushes and alignment. I think mine was better before I lowered it so you might want stock ride height or go the coilovers route, but the stock ride setup is good for UK roads.
Tuning wise the engine is as far as you can go, as near as 200bhp from a 2.0 v6 back in 94 is something else when you think of the rubbish we made do with here at the time. I think you can re-map and with a few tweeks maybe get another 20-30 bhp, but that would be your lot without going forced induction.
Its very top endie so youll have to keep the motor spinning for your needs?
Recommend a brake upgrade as a must of your really going to push it, otherwise good pads will do.
Hope this keeps your interest alive!!
Matt
Vocal Minority said:
Morning all
I am looking for something a bit different, cheap, fun, inexpensive, with a bit of character and most importantly inexpensive to buy to go hillclimbing in. Road going series production cars up to 2000cc is the class I am looking at.
Had a bit of a brainwave re the FTO last night. I can look at the numbers and read the reviews, and a 2.0 V6 does sound fun. Manual essential.
My 2 big questions are 1). Handling - I have heard they are a nice drive with good turn in and only under steer when you really take the piss? Is this correct?
2). Im sure all sort of tuning options are available, regs won't allow me to go forced induction, but how much tuning can one squeeze in without ruining the things handling? Basically, is there room to up the power a bit before any gains are lost by ruining the way the thing drives?
3). The majority of the GP/GPX models seem to be autos/triptronic. My head says 'run away' if you want to go hill climbing. Am I being too judgemental?
Cheers in advance
1) Handling is great. They were very favourably compared with Integras back when they first appeared in the UK. The V6 is heavyish though and will understeer a bit if really pushed. Otherwise they're fairly sharp and nimble.I am looking for something a bit different, cheap, fun, inexpensive, with a bit of character and most importantly inexpensive to buy to go hillclimbing in. Road going series production cars up to 2000cc is the class I am looking at.
Had a bit of a brainwave re the FTO last night. I can look at the numbers and read the reviews, and a 2.0 V6 does sound fun. Manual essential.
My 2 big questions are 1). Handling - I have heard they are a nice drive with good turn in and only under steer when you really take the piss? Is this correct?
2). Im sure all sort of tuning options are available, regs won't allow me to go forced induction, but how much tuning can one squeeze in without ruining the things handling? Basically, is there room to up the power a bit before any gains are lost by ruining the way the thing drives?
3). The majority of the GP/GPX models seem to be autos/triptronic. My head says 'run away' if you want to go hill climbing. Am I being too judgemental?
Cheers in advance
Edited by Vocal Minority on Wednesday 6th May 08:38
2) There are f
k all tuning options to be honest. The V6 is pretty stretched as standard and it's hard and expensive to get any good gains.3) Get a manual only. They are considerably quicker off the line and in gear. Autos are common and crap to drive and the reason for everyone calling them the FTSlow.
Great cars though and a bargain. You get a lot for the money but not entirely sure it's perfect for what you want.
It won't be PERFECT for what I want.
What will be perfect for what I want will be a Clio 182. However there are already 3 Clios on the Midland Hillclimb circuit, and I am interested mostly in having fun and learning what its all about. An FTO will be interesting and break up the Clios and MX5s in the class, so hopefully be an appealing entry.
Thanks for the advice, it is very useful!
What will be perfect for what I want will be a Clio 182. However there are already 3 Clios on the Midland Hillclimb circuit, and I am interested mostly in having fun and learning what its all about. An FTO will be interesting and break up the Clios and MX5s in the class, so hopefully be an appealing entry.
Thanks for the advice, it is very useful!
Vocal Minority said:
It won't be PERFECT for what I want.
What will be perfect for what I want will be a Clio 182. However there are already 3 Clios on the Midland Hillclimb circuit, and I am interested mostly in having fun and learning what its all about. An FTO will be interesting and break up the Clios and MX5s in the class, so hopefully be an appealing entry.
Thanks for the advice, it is very useful!
In that case go for it. Far rarer, better looking (get a facelift), sound fantastic (genuinely) and should just about keep up with the 182s if you can drive well! What will be perfect for what I want will be a Clio 182. However there are already 3 Clios on the Midland Hillclimb circuit, and I am interested mostly in having fun and learning what its all about. An FTO will be interesting and break up the Clios and MX5s in the class, so hopefully be an appealing entry.
Thanks for the advice, it is very useful!
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff