FTO AUSTRALIA

Hey guys, 17 year old from Melbourne, hopefully picking up my '96 GPX by next month Keen to get to know everyone! Also, I've been searching far and wide for aftermarket taillights for the fto but cant seem to find any actually for sale...there's pics of them all over, but do they really exist? -.-"

Thanks, and hello again

Welcome to the club. And they are called Project F lights.

Any clue where / how much I could pick some up?

You can't. They are a rare part from Japan, with a limited production can't just be ordered off eBay or bought from super cheap. The only way your going to find them is if someone is wrecking a car.

Or be lucky enough to find some on Yahoo Auctions Japan.

Where abouts are you in Melbourne?

WTTC!
expect to pay large sums on money for the project F lights as well

WTTC

Another Mexican to join the club

I'm based in the northern suburbs, and that is rather disappointing the tail lights were my only issue with the car, they just don't appeal tu me, everything else is simply perfect!

Yep, taillights are the only thing that dates the car really. The impact can be lessened by changing colour or the rear bar.I have a set of Project F's in the garage and was also making a custom set, but once I changed the colour to blue, decided to stick with the stock ones. Havent got a rear picture in the blue yet, but here is the aftermarket bar.

Tints also make them more subtle, but I believe illegal over there?

i really like that rear bar, too bad it really only suits quad tips.

Wow dstocks, that is a nice bar! I get what you mean, my issue is that the car in looking to get its red. I've also seen some Kaze lights or something, wasn't sure if they were stickers or not... Any ideas on those?

From memory they would be the light covers:

That's the ones! Type 1 look mighty fine haha, are these available or are they also extra hard to find?

i really like that rear bar, too bad it really only suits quad tips.

The left side of the bar is not cut out by default. There is a line you follow to give you the quad tip cutout. That way, it works for both

That's the ones! Type 1 look mighty fine haha, are these available or are they also extra hard to find?

Hard to find and also illegal as they partially cover the reflector in the light. You can get the same effect with a vinyl sticker - buy a sheet and cut out the holes

I see. Alright, might I get your help with something else then? The fto I'm looking at passes rwc and is registered already in Vic, but after having a look at the guys service reports, there's a few items that keep popping up. They are:
-Alternator not charging at idle
-Indicator switch broken
-Handbrake ratchet not holding
-Rear engine mount split
-Engine oil leaks
-Timing belt to be done at 200k km, car is currently at 179k, so this can wait a while.

Anything on that last look major to you guys? I know the engine leak could be anything at all, but I have nearly 0 mechanical knowledge haha. If i could get a rough cost too, that would be lovely, I do plan on taking it to my mechanic to get it checked out in the coming weeks, but it wouldn't hurt to get a rough idea.

-Alternator not charging at idle

I would say this is a bit of an issue as it might indicate the alternator is on the way out and alternators are a bastard to swap over. Youd be looking at $600+ for new alternator + fitting, so check it out

-Indicator switch broken

You should be able to get a 2nd hand one for $100 or less. May take a little searching around, but dont see this as a huge problem.

-Handbrake ratchet not holding

New handbrake - $25 + postage (ive got a few in the shed). Not a big problem to fit.

-Rear engine mount split

Might cost you $100 all up. Not a big issue.

-Engine oil leaks

This could be a bit costly, depending on where the oil leak is coming from. Id find out a little more about this one

-Timing belt to be done at 200k km, car is currently at 179k, so this can wait a while.

This should be noted. Isnt a problem as such, just a cost you need to be aware of.

Alrighty... might be able to knock a bit off the price then, after all that! Do you think $4000 is a bit pricey for the car? It's on carsales, heres the link: http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... AD-2397366

He has it listed for $4300, but I've already negotiated it down to $4000. Given the alternator issue, I might try to go even lower, though I'm happy with $4000. Seem reasonable? Since it has had quite a few interior upgrades as well as sound system, rest seems stock. Fairly clean too. Thoughts?

4K is a reasonable price as long as there arent things he hasnt listed. Make sure the check for rust in the roof.

Will do. I went through the 'Things to look for in an FTO' thread before, wrote down a whole heap of questions I'm gonna be asking the guy haha. I've already asked about import papers and service books etc, he has the import paper, but no servicing books, he does however have receipts and invoices for all services he's done to the car since he bought it ~2010, which he emailed me. Apart from that, just have to go arrange a meeting time now, and get it checked out at the mechanics