Advice on FTO I've seen

[kevinod]

Guys,

I'd appreciate any thoughts you might have on an FTO I drove this morning. First one I've driven, a 1.8 tiptronic, 95.

Drive was smooth, handles pretty nicely, couldn't really push it much driving it just around town but seemed fine. Gear changes were smooth, so seems ok from that point of view.

It has a/c, but while I was waiting for the guy to get dealer plates for the test spin I went playing with a few of the buttons, they don't work when the car was in Parked gear, engine running? Once we were driving they worked fine, that normal??

Problems on the car, the radio wouldn't turn on, I guess related the 6 CD changer cartridge wouldn't eject, maybe no power going to it. Also the electric windows didn't work, you could hear the motor working away inside the door but no movement from the window. Also, there's an alarm installed but it didn't work either. A few scratches here and there on the body work that will need to sorted too.

Anyone know of anything from that that would concern? Pricewise it allows scope to spend a few quid sorting out problems, putting alloys on it.

While I'm writing, the one other concern I have on the car is the boot size... I'm in a band, play bass guitar, so for some gigs I bring my speaker cabinet (size 23" x 20.5" x 19" roughly). Fits nicely in my Xsara but not going to get into that boot, unless I can take the spare tire out? Didn't get a particularly good look at the shape of the well there, anyone have any thoughts? I assume the back seat can be leaned forward?

Kev.

[CJ]

It has a/c, but while I was waiting for the guy to get dealer plates for the test spin I went playing with a few of the buttons, they don't work when the car was in Parked gear, engine running? Once we were driving they worked fine, that normal??

No its not normal, as long as the engine is running all electrics should work

Problems on the car, the radio wouldn't turn on, I guess related the 6 CD changer cartridge wouldn't eject, maybe no power going to it. Also the electric windows didn't work, you could hear the motor working away inside the door but no movement from the window. Also, there's an alarm installed but it didn't work either. A few scratches here and there on the body work that will need to sorted too

The stereo should be easily fixable. Replacing electric motors for the windows will be tricky unless you get a pro to do it. Remember that if the sratches are bad, the entire panel will need to be resprayed i.e. €€€

Anyone know of anything from that that would concern? Pricewise it allows scope to spend a few quid sorting out problems, putting alloys on it

Going on the information you've given, I would walk away from this purchase. If you can get the garege to fix all of the bits, then thats a different story. There are plenty of good cars out there, its just a matter of time til you find one. Make sure you drive a V6 engined FTO as well, you'll regret if you don't!

Didn't get a particularly good look at the shape of the well there, anyone have any thoughts? I assume the back seat can be leaned forward?

Removing the spare tyre (spacesaver) and boot floor isn't going to liberate a whole lot of space, the rear seats don't lean forward, you would have to remove them altogether.

Ciaran

[soc]

I assume you're buying from a Dealer. What kind of warrantly is he offering?

To be honest I agree with Ciaran. It doesn't sound like the previous owner (or the dealer for that matter) looked after the car.

1) Electric windows will be a female dog to fix if you DIY and AFAIK the motors are pretty expensive. I would seriously question anyone who could drive around in a car with leccy windows and not get them fixed before selling the car.

2) Radio not working could mean any number of things, maybe a lose connection or maybe it's dead. The CD changer being jammed should not affect the radio - I have a std 6 cd changer in my GR and it is also jammed but the radio and tape work fine! Btw, I was advised not to bother getting the cd changer fixed as the chance are it will just break again.

So that would be €300 odd for a new cd changer / head unit.

3) a/c should work when the engine is running regardless of what gear you are in. Are you sure it is a/c too? A lot of dealers try to pass off climate control as a/c - sure I even though the c/c was a/c until Dean corrected me! Btw, a/c could also be pretty expensive to fix.

I reckon that if you include a full service (engine + gbox oils, check all belts, coolant change etc) plus all the things you already have to fix then you could be looking at having to spend over €1000 already after purchasing the car

And more important than all the above - if the previous owner (and this dealer) didn't really look after the car (as it appears) then you could be taking a big risk on something else (more major) going wrong with the car. Not worth the risk IMHO.

Finally - as Ciaran said, you should really drive a V6 as well so you can see the difference. It is massive. Just ask Dave.......

[CJ]

Are you sure it is a/c too? A lot of dealers try to pass off climate control as a/c - sure I even though the c/c was a/c until Dean corrected me!

Don't be confusing the man
Climate control is air conditioning, the difference is that the system is able to control levels of humidity and temperature to create an ambient environment. Manual\standard aircon (as in the GPvR) gives you much less control over your environment.

Ciaran

[Speedyboy]

The car defenitely doesnt sound loved, When I bought mine there wasnt one scratch on it, decent stereo, FSH, Decent alloys, Front brake disc's were upgraded and a few other bits and piece's,

You should try find one that someone loved and it will make the difference!!

Good luck with the search

[kevinod]

Thanks for the replies! Always good to get some objective opinions on this kinda thing.

When I it would mean I have an FTO in a couple of days its pretty tempting to just jump at that one, (he was talking about 5k but came down a little) silver and all which would be my ideal colour, but for just a few hundred more I could actually import a 2L manual.

The garage aren't offering any warranty, selling the car 'as is'. They actually want to sell to trade but because they're trying to free up some space to get building work done out the back were willing to do business that way.

The idea of fixing it up is appealing too, but from what you guys are telling me it might be a bit more hassle than I hoped it would be.

I think I'll give this one a miss, will have to wait another while before I can get my hands on an FTO.

thanks, much appreciated!
Kev.

[Speedyboy]

Try to buy with your head, I know its really hard when you want a car badly and you realise you could drive away in it, ive been there a few times before,

I was lookin this morning and I seen a manual GPX with a few decent mod's ie Double Din stereo, New steering wheel and it would cost you about €5400 landed, Although you would have to wait a few weeks for it to come in.

Have you looked in the the importers yards down the docks in dublin, there can often be bargins picked up there.

R

[Ivan E]

I think you are falling into the first time trap that a lot of us do. I had a similar experience and it was better just to walk away. There was too many bad signs about that car and unless you're a mechanic it seems like too much hassle.

One in good condition will come up. They always do and most owners do look after them as most have actively gone looking for them.

[Dean]

Are you sure it is a/c too? A lot of dealers try to pass off climate control as a/c - sure I even though the c/c was a/c until Dean corrected me!

Don't be confusing the man
Climate control is air conditioning, the difference is that the system is able to control levels of humidity and temperature to create an ambient environment. Manual\standard aircon (as in the GPvR) gives you much less control over your environment.

Ciaran

Yup. An AC will just blow the cooled air, a CC system will blow that cooled air until the car reaches that temperature set on the panel.

Both still have an air conditioner and still should work before purchase of the car.
Check to make sure the AC radiator is ok or even there at all. They are hideously expensive to buy (main dealers anyhow) ie €900 to replace my crunched up one.
To be honest an ac i think is required in an FTO, the internal space is too small and needs to be regulated in temperature somehow, I noticed due to the shape of the car air never blew into my windows, it just blew past them.
I wouldnt personally buy it unless it is super cheap. even then...

[kevinod]

Thanks for all the replies guys...

Probably the worst possible ad for the car, but if anyone is interested in checking it out for themselves it was in Turners Cross Motors in Cork. Doesn't appear on any of their lists or their website so don't look there, was right in the far back corner when I saw it.

Price first quoted was 5k but came down a few hundred pretty quickly.

Kev.