FTO for my BRO

[NineOneSeven]

Hey chaps,

Cannot anyone offer some advice on the purchase of a Mitsubishi FTO?

My young brother likes them and I know nothing of Japanese cars, only German ones i'm afraid.

Are these good cars? Whats the one to go for? Budget is 3k.

Will he have problems insuring an import?

[Gizmo535]

They're quick, come in 400 different varieties but mostly the GX (mediocre) and GPX (loony).
Front-wheel drive.
All imports, no UK ones.
Generally driven by yoofs who don't want E36 3-series coupés.

[mat205125]

From the ads I've seen, the auto versions are a lot more common than the manuals. Manual is quite rare I think.

[NineOneSeven]

Thanks gents... front wheel drive (shudder). I knew that but I am sure he won’t mind.

However it drives quite well by some of the accounts I have had. Still don’t know anyone who owns one.
So 2.0 V6 is 180bhp, which will be useful.

Is it a hatchback?

Can you actually
squeeze any mates in the back at all?

Reliability?
Handling?
Alternatives?

[FezzaDezza]

I've had an FTO GPX manual for 5 or 6 years which has been a great car, tis now been driven by my missus and she refuses to give it back !!

Have a mate who also has a GPX Tiptronic and can confirm that the manual is a good bit quicker than Tiptronic (think its about 1 sec 0-60 which is a lot!) as we drove each others back to back.

You can get 4 people in the car (even 5) but its a bit of a squeeze. Standard brakes are a bit poor but uprated disks and pads are pretty cheap and sort the problem. The standard induction system is pretty restrictive also and a free flow ITG filter will add an extra 8-10bhp for not much money.

Have a look at the owners club forum for more details:-

http://www.ftooc.org/phpbb/

Cant really comment much about what to look for as I bought mine with 12,000 miles and was not that old and I've had very little go wrong with it. Cold idle problems are quite common however but its usually just the stepper motor which is an easy fix.

As for handling I would say its excellent, I have slightly lowered and stiffer springs fitted but even standard its far superior to the vast majority of FWD sporty motors I've driven.

Edited by FezzaDezza on Friday 28th March 17:12

[_Batty_]

NineOneSeven said:

Thanks gents... front wheel drive (shudder). I knew that but I am sure he won’t mind.

However it drives quite well by some of the accounts I have had. Still don’t know anyone who owns one.
So 2.0 V6 is 180bhp, which will be useful.

Is it a hatchback?

Can you actually
squeeze any mates in the back at all?

Reliability?
Handling?
Alternatives?

i have a cheap one for sale due to it being Cat C'd.
see the classifieds for details (red GR) or here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by _Batty_ on Friday 28th March 17:02

[NineOneSeven]

Hey thats a great link and good advice.

Is it hatchback?

This was his fave car at Uni when we used to play Grand Tourismo, he whupped everyone and anyone in it.

Funny thing this will be his first performance car but he needs alittle practicality.
He could afford an M3 but it does nothing for him. The only car he feels an afinity with is the FTO.

any other advice appreciated.

[FezzaDezza]

Nope, not a hatchback though the boot has a pretty decent amount of space in it.

Very different car to an M3 and suspect an FTO will cost a lot less to run.....

[MrFlibbles]

I'd say the rear seat space is limited.

You might fit gazboy in the back but anyone who isnt vertically challenged struggles. Its doable, but not comfortable.

[NineOneSeven]

It just seems to make so much sense. For the money I can't fault it. He only hoofs himself and sometimes 2 children and a ladies.. I am sure he can squeeze them in the back there.

Its quite a nice car. The GPX seems like the one to have.

Where's the best place to insure these things? Will regular insurance companies cover an import?

Whats the driving balance like on this car. The front bank of cylinders seem to hang well over the axle line.

[MrFlibbles]

NineOneSeven said:

It just seems to make so much sense. For the money I can't fault it. He only hoofs himself and sometimes 2 children and a ladies.. I am sure he can squeeze them in the back there.

Its quite a nice car. The GPX seems like the one to have.

Where's the best place to insure these things? Will regular insurance companies cover an import?

Whats the driving balance like on this car. The front bank of cylinders seem to hang well over the axle line.

I found insurance to be quite expensive - I think it ended up costing more than my Mr2 Turbo.

Handling is sweet, ont of teh best FWD this side of an Integra IMO.

[FezzaDezza]

If you join the owners club at the link above, they have discount with some insurance companies who specialise in imports. Can't remember what my insurance was as its now in the wife's name but don't think it was that bad.