Page 1 of 3

Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:06 am
by ebmp19
I am looking at buying an automatic 1995 FTO GR. The car I am looking at has done 130,000KM. I was just wondering if there is anything in specific to watch out for when buying an FTO and also how much will services and things like that cost?

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:14 am
by phunkydude
http://ftoaustralia.com/v3/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=8085

Have a read through on the thread above.


Standard servicing costs are pretty much the same as other cars and very much dependent on the mechanic who charges you.
(spark plugs might costs more due to 6x of them and the rear plugs will took a while to change)

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:51 am
by ebmp19
What's the effective difference between the 4 speed tip and the 5 speed. The one I am looking at has a 4 speed which is meant to be worse. Does 6K seems like a good price to you? I think it's stock except the rims and the head unit.

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:52 am
by Taz
4speed is the better, 5 speed has too many problems.
imo 6k is too much for an auto GR with average km - you can get something much better for that price. Keep shopping - will be able to get a manual mivec if you look hard enough

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 1:08 am
by ebmp19
What do you think would be a good price for it? It's my first car so I don't mind too much if it's a mivec or not (obviously it would be nice if it was). My parents are not too keen on my getting a manual because it will 'distract me from driving'... so it might be better for me to get a cheaper auto GR and have more money for mods/repairs. I did go and have a look at a manual GR but it was a sh*t box. The engine sounded terrible, the clutch was pretty much dead, there was rust underneath the body kit and the window seals were ruined etc etc.

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 1:45 am
by spency
get a manual straight up, don't f**k around with driving an auto for a year or two. you'll be able to pick up a looked after gpx for around 5k these days, just MAKE sure you have it checked out by an FTO aus recommended mechanic first.

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 1:49 am
by ebmp19
Anyone know of one for sale? I can't seem to find any good ones. I'm willing to pick one up from somewhere within about 700KM of Canberra (like Melbourne or Sydney).

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 1:51 am
by spency
carsales.com.au
quicksales.com.au
carpoint.com.au
gumtree.com.au

our for sale forum may have something.

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 2:38 am
by ebmp19
Looked at all of them... :( There are quite a few for sale but most have near 200,000KM or sound really dodgy like - Might need new suspension to pass road worthy... How much difference does the mivec actually make?

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 2:44 am
by shadowarrior
A lot of 'enjoyment' factor if you really want to enjoy your car. Once you drive a mivec, you won't go back :)
Seriously, do not buy an auto, just get a manual. Fun to drive, has more power, and you are much more in control of the vehicle. Look around, don't rush when buying an FTO, and you should be able to get a looked after 95-96 GPX Manual around your budget.

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 4:40 pm
by Daniel2019
As aza told me the other day - you drive a manual. You just steer in an automatic :lol:

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 5:03 pm
by Astron_Boy
Daniel2019 wrote:As aza told me the other day - you drive a manual. You just steer in an automatic :lol:
Aza would say that.

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 5:44 pm
by aza013
Astron_Boy wrote:
Daniel2019 wrote:As aza told me the other day - you drive a manual. You just steer in an automatic :lol:
Aza would say that.
I do, as it is true! :twisted: .

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 6:39 pm
by Astron_Boy
Perhaps.
But most people here would never know... :lol:

Meanwhile, I use the tip for braking and overtaking on a daily basis (daily currently as I'm driving it)

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:30 pm
by dstocks
Meanwhile, I use the tip for braking and overtaking on a daily basis
and a blouse...... :P

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:31 pm
by Astron_Boy
dstocks wrote:
Meanwhile, I use the tip for braking and overtaking on a daily basis
and a blouse...... :P
:scratch:

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:33 pm
by Daniel2019
Tiptronics are for women?


I think that's where dstocks was going with that one haha.

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:42 pm
by Vectose
Women can't drive tip, only full auto. :troll:

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:49 pm
by Astron_Boy
Vectose wrote:Women can't drive tip, only full auto. :troll:
^^^
My wife is testament to this.

Re: Advice on buying an FTO

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 9:19 pm
by ObsidianRadio
Astron_Boy wrote:
Vectose wrote:Women can't drive tip, only full auto. :troll:
^^^
My wife is testament to this.
As is my girlfriend. :facepalm: