Looking for my First FTO

[JD]

Hi All, I'm looking for my first FTO, have loved them since I saw them a few years ago and have decided to treat myself. Thing is I don't know what model to go for or what to look out for - any tips would be really appreciated!
Cheers

[CJ]

Hi JD

Welcome to our way of thinking
There are 3 main models you can go for:

GS - 1.8L - 125PS
GR - 2L V6 - 180PS
GPX 2L V6 MIVEC - 200PS

There are two gearbox types, manual and tiptronic, the latter being more common. Depending on your age and driving history, insurance can be expensive, see the following topic to get an idea of what others are paying:

http://www.fto-ireland.com/forum/phpBB2 ... =insurance

Regardless which model you go for, the FTO is a great looking. The GS is quick, but the GR and GPX easily outperform it in terms of acceleration and torque. After owning a GS and a GPX, I would recommend you concentrate on a picking up a nice GR or GPX. Cars with manual transmissions are generally more hightly sought after as they are marginally quicker than Tips and tend to be more reliable over time. That said, if you get a car that has been looked after, you shouldn't need to worry too much. Check out CBG and Buy and Sell regularly to get an idea of whats out there and what you should be paying. Us lot are here to help so ask away if you've any other questions.

Ciaran

[JD]

Thanks a million for that CJ.

I'm going to start looking at some of them at the weekend. I'll let you know how I get on.

If I have any questions, and no doubt I will, I'll post them here.

Cheers
Dave

[Kace]

Why don't you just join us tomorrow and you'll see a bunch at once - see meets section of the forum for the details.

[JD]

Hi All,

Couldn't get out today, Organising a birthday party for one of my kids tomorrow, so I'm sorry I missed it - Hope yee all had a ball.

Anyway, I have another question for the experts . I'm going to look at an FTO tomorrow but it has never had an NCT. It's a 2L, (not the Mivec)The guy tells me that he got it taxed a while ago and they said that they would send him out a form but he never got one. Is this unusual and should I be concerned. If this is the case what will I have to do to get it NCT'd if it's the right car for me?

Cheers
Dave

[Kace]

You cannot tax without a valid NCT so I would make sure that it has one or the other before you entertain this offer. Any mention about missing documentation should be met with a request to get whatever is missing before proceeding.

How did you get on anyway?

[JD]

The car is lovely. It is taxed, I checked out the tax disk and its legit. He said that when he went to tax it last year they said that they would send him a form for the MOT, but he never got one. It's taxed to November this year. I am seriuosly thinking about buying it - it's a really well looked after car.

I'm going to check out with the NCT people what I have to do.

Any other advice would be appreciated.

Cheers
Dave

[JD]

In my last post I said MOT - I meant NCT

[soc]

:shock: In my last post I said MOT - I meant NCT

Hey JD,

I assume it's a private sale, manaul or tip? If it's a tip make sure you find out the service history for the gearbox, regular oil changes are a must. Get some documentation as proof (if you can).

When testing the car try all the following (advice from my mechanic):

* make sure you start it when it's cold, this will show up any issues with the tappets - not a problem if if goes away when warm but some people can't live with the noise when the engine is cold and it costs about 500-700 euro to get this fixed.

* make sure you check the gearbox when it's cold - make sure changing from D to R is ok, make sure when in auto the changes are smooth.

* drive the car hard - accelerate hard (red line if you can) and make sure all the gear changes are smooth (not clunky, jerky changes) - try this in auto and tip.

* drive the car over some speed bumps and potholes - listen from heavy clunking from front or rear (this could be worn arb bushes or droplinks)

* get the seller to have the emissions checked and give you an official print out of the results - you could get into a nightmare if the emissions become a problem - could mean anything (worn valves, rings etc).

I'm sure there is lots more to look at but that's just the stuff my mechanic said to deffo check when I was looking.

[JD]

Thanks a million Shane,

I got it all checked out and all is well.

I bought it on Tuesday and it is a beauty , so I can now say I'm a genuine FTO owner. The car drives like a dream.

Thanks for all your help and I look forward to keeping in touch.

Cheers
Dave

[wenz]

CONGRADULATIONS!