FTO or MX5

[angryS3owner]

Well it's another what bargain thread, however it's not for me...

£3k is the budget and the FTO seems to be the favorite so far but trying to find a manual GPX that's not been bdised by some chav is proving tricky. If the FTO is a total failure then an MX5 that's as new as possible and a 1.8 would be second best.

Oh and the other thing, this is in the thames valley as it'd be handy if it was a local car, nearly went to sunderland to look at one but that's already sold!

Can anyone find a bargain? Or is John R actually pretending he's got a job

There's a pint in it (or ten) if you find a car that gets bought...

[VerySideways]

Try and beat this one down?
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/MITS...

Or how about this one, well under budget:
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/MITS...

[john_r]

At work with no laptop as just brought crackberry with me today!

There is a very nice looking clean MX5 for sale round the corner from me... Don't know price or mileage but is on a drive in a section of retirement bungalows. But that could be good or bad!

I'll have a wander tonight with the dog and have a look...

[motorbreath]

This has a combo of the 2, FTO 'with mx5 bonnet gas props' hows that for a winning combo?!?! Shame its been modded and all the rest, its just 10 pints sounded quite appealing!

Edit:

Would of helpped if I inclded the link!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1997-MITSUBISHI-FTO-GPX-MANU...

Edited by motorbreath on Wednesday 15th July 13:14

[Robatr0n]

I've driven a chavved up GPX and thought it was a POS but that car was a dog which would explain why they seem to get some pretty good write ups.

A friend of mine had one which was good for 350bhp with the help of NOS.

[Robatr0n]

Here's a link to the FTO/OC for sale section.

[John D.]

MX5 is a much cooler car than an FTO. Thats all I have to say on the matter

[LilCat]

I am with John...

MX5!

[Robatr0n]

Oh yeah forgot to add, I'd take the MX-5 over an FTO any day of the week.

[VerySideways]

+1 on the MX5 vs FTO debate, FTO sounds nice but that's it. MX5 is better in every other respect.

[angryS3owner]

I didn't drive it but I was actually quite impressed by an FTO that we went out in with 190k on the clock. Nice noise and engine (shame it was battered and abused on the outside).

If a newer, nice 1.8 MX5 could be had for similar money then I suspect it would come down to which car is nicer...

So feel free to post up nice MX5s as well...

[Greg964]

Robatr0n said:

Oh yeah forgot to add, I'd take the MX-5 over an FTO any day of the week.

Me too, no question (and yes i've driven them both!)

[Turbofun]

+1 for the MX-5

Great fun to drive, they are very reliable and you will get a good choice of cars ! Most of them are much loved cars and driven by mainly sensible people. Plus they would have typically maintain to good level. I would guess they are cheaper to insure and run.

[john_r]

Probably get this for £3,500 or a bit less:

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200...

[kiwifraser]

john_r said:

Probably get this for £3,500 or a bit less:

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200...

Nice find John.
Beats a 'slightly mundane in comparison' FTO hands down.

[angryS3owner]

Have all of you driven MX5s?

Anyway she'd like an FTO is she can find a nice one (hopefully going to see one tomorrow), and that MX5 is nice but realistically over budget.

[VerySideways]

I've driven a fair few MX5's and i once drove a couple of FTOs. Admittedly they were the tiptronic version but it wasn't a car i would ever recommend for anyone. Apart from the engine sounding like a smooth, balanced, small-capacity V6 the rest of the car was a massive disappointment. Handling, brakes, interior, etc.
It's woefully underpowered too, i find it very hard to believe the claimed stats.

MX5 is unquestionably a better car at any price - i'd rather spend £1k on an early 1.6 MX5 than £2k on any FTO.

But that's just IMHO...

[bmw2002]

You'd get a nice E30 for that sort of money

[john_r]

angryS3owner said:

and that MX5 is nice but realistically over budget.

OK then: 1999 Mazda MX5 for £3k

[john_r]

Nice enough, but that interior is , but compared to the MX5 they've not aged well... imho.

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200...

Also, a lot of cars were clocked when they were imported as it was/is very easy to do, so I'd take the mileage on the one above as total bks unless they can prove the mileage before and after import...