Mitsubishi FTO

[JC]

Token Pic (1st image on google image search):


My brother is looking into buying one of these, they look quite good on paper (other than a small back seat) and look nice. Had a look through some buying guides for what to look out for, anyone on here have any input/thoughts/experience?

[sweep]

Apparently real world performance isn't as good as the figures suggest.

[MK2VR6]

Roof rot.

[Dan_betG]

a lot of noise, not much movement at all....

[MK2VR6]

Aug 4, 2014 12:24:57 GMT Dan_betG said:

a lot of noise, not much movement at all....

They do look very pretty though. Considered one a few times over the years, but never quite managed it. Most are semi-auto - finding a manual V6 would be the way forward I reckon. Roof rot was a problem in the earlier cars, but they sorted it in the later batch - was it 'p' plate onwards?
They look good when unmolested apart from lowerage. Big wings look fully chavtastic though.

[Dan_betG]

Aug 4, 2014 12:35:19 GMT MK2VR6 said:

Aug 4, 2014 12:24:57 GMT Dan_betG said:

a lot of noise, not much movement at all....

They do look very pretty though. Considered one a few times over the years, but never quite managed it. Most are semi-auto - finding a manual V6 would be the way forward I reckon. Roof rot was a problem in the earlier cars, but they sorted it in the later batch - was it 'p' plate onwards?
They look good when unmolested apart from lowerage. Big wings look fully chavtastic though.

Oh I fully agree and I have been tempted many a time, however the overall performance has put me off, you could pick up a celica/mr2 etc for the same money and it would be more fun

[qwerty]

Supposedly handle very well, worth searching for a manual. Cheap. Volvo S40 coilovers should fit.

[JC]

Thanks for the replies, forgot to respond earlier. He wants an auto actually, so his mrs can drive it - so no worries there. I'd suggested Celica but IMO the FTO looks nicer. I think all MR2s are 2-seaters aren't they? He needs 3 or 4 seats on occasion, and the FTO has that (even though they're tiny!)

We went to have a look at it tonight, it does have roof rust, a couple of dents and minor rust spots, and the front driver side chassis rail is corroding a bit, but other than that it looks good to me. No tax unfortunately so couldn't drive it

[Maxxxer]

GPX mivec is the one to go for - 197bhp, tiptronic box. Only had a passenger test drive in one but they are pretty quick (although as suggested not as quick as you might expect; I'd imagine a Civic Type R would have it licked with the same power).

A mate of mine had the 178 bhp GR version; not quite as manic as the GPX, more of a grand tourer.

Oh, and good luck finding a manual one; when he was looking (admittedly a few years back, mind) they commanded a premium over the auto/semi auto's - they're rare in the UK, and as such were going for over a grand more than the standard GPX.

And to be honest i found the Tiptronic to be pretty good on the occasions i got to drive it (not to mention the fact that the auto box was braver to the redline than the owner when pressing on - redline in every gear..!)

[JC]

Thanks. It's the GR that we went to see. There's another FTO for sale nearby, but listed at £500 which I think is a bit too (suspiciously) low. I think he's gonna go for this one (insurance permitting) Really looking forward to taking it for a test drive myself once it's taxed and insured!

[tomti]

Personally I can't stand them. No real reason just nothing about then I find remotely appealing.
My mate swapped his mk2 escort for one years ago. It was a 1.8 semi auto and the headgasket went after 3 weeks. That's the only dealings I've had with one though

[DavidB]

I think they're lovely looking cars, but they're nothing special underneath really.
There's loads for sale for cheap at the moment, you may as well get the GPX.

[homeforsummer]

Drove one several years ago when I was looking for something interesting and brisker than the Fiesta I had at the time.

Tested a GR V6, the non-MIVEC one. Not as quick or peaky as the MIVEC but mechanically it's one fewer thing to worry about. Had the tiptronic - didn't get to fully open it up, but as 1990s auto gearboxes go it seemed like a good one, throttle response was good and it shifted cleanly.

Good seats. Naff plastic interior but the layout is good and with the surprisingly curved front screen it's quite a unique view out the front. Like a less extreme Stratos, or so I'd like to think!

Didn't buy that particular example as it had emulsified oil on the filler cap and I didn't fancy changing the headgaskets on a V6 so soon after buying it. But I'd still consider owning an FTO if I could find a good one - it's just a fun, unique coupe.

[JC]

My brother bought it in the end. Spent saturday cleaning and polishing etc and a few repairs, looking quite nice now, actually pretty jealous. Want one too!