I've taken the plunge...

[CJ]

...and gone and bought myself a 2001 Galant VR-4 Type-S @ auction this week. I've been lusting after one for a while so I said 'Ah sure, why not?!' I really wasn't all that hung up on the gearbox type and bought a 5-speed tip. As it happens, the tip is quicker to 60 (5.9sec) than the manual!

How does this affect my future FTO-Ireland involvement you might ask? Well I'll be putting my GPX on the market in a month or so, I never thought I'd sell this car! Blood, sweat, tears and a pile of cash have gone into the car over the past five years but the time has come to move on and thats that.

Heres the twist - I've also been on the lookout for a car for the missus and bought a manual 99 GX to keep the VR-4 company on its long journey to Ireland! While I tried to convince her to use the GPX day-to-day, she was having none of it and demanded a manual. So the net result is I'll be running a 280bhp 4WD equiped sports saloon with direct access to an FTO - everybodys happy

Once I know that cars are safely on the boat I'll be sticking the GPX up for sale. I think its only fair that I give Colm the opportunity to shift his in the interim

You won't get rid of me that easily...

CJ

[Sebastian]

what's happening with this site
it affects the owners.


fair play to you CJ , cant wait to see the Galant in the FLESH
any pics with the GX?

[Bernard]

Why not stick the Galant engine in the FTO?
Now that'd be the best of both worlds...

[CJ]

Why not stick the Galant engine in the FTO?
Now that'd be the best of both worlds...

Agreed, goodbye MIVEC, hello wheelspin! If I'm honest, I just couldn't be bothered with the hassle, if I had the facility do undertake a transplant myself, I'd certainly consider it.

The combination of AYC/ASC/4WD in a sports saloon appeals to me right now. Along with the RX-7, the VR-4 is a car I've wanted to own for some time. Now is the time to get the car on boat to ensure the July deadline is met - same for the FTO in fact.

No decent pics at present Seb, its a passion red GX in standard trim - how long will that last I wonder!

CJ

[CJ]

I don't think the pics do the cars justice but here goes:

FTO GX manual (Aug 99), 92k kms, standard





VR-4 Type-S tiptronic (May 01), 97k kms, Tein suspension, Ralliart exhaust





CJ

[Sebastian]

No decent pics at present Seb, its a passion red GX in standard trim - how long will that last I wonder!

CJ

i was 99% sure it's a red one

[CJ]

i was 99% sure it's a red one

This is the second red manual FTO I've come across in two 2 months of checking auctions daily, the vast majority of facelift cars seem to be either white or black (esp 99/00 cars). I didn't have a lot choice in terms of colour - I was told it had to be red

CJ

[Myfeckin FTO]

Good choice of cars - The VR4 will certainly be different - the Type S has all the bells and whistles and I expect it'll be plenty fast. Its a serious street sleeper. I'll see you on the 1/4 mile!

If you can you should hang onto the FTO untill the new one arrives and do some transplanting - Wheels, exhaust, leather interior, steering wheel - even the kyb's and apex springs, ITG etc should move across - you know you're gonna end up having to do it anyway. Will then start to make sense to sell the present FTO for market value. Otherwise you will be end up giving away your FTO (with €K's of mods) for 7K.

[Bernard]

Does this mean we'll be seeing Mrs. CJ on the forum soon?
Come to think of it, I suppose this make you an FTO widower?

[CJ]

Does this mean we'll be seeing Mrs. CJ on the forum soon?
Come to think of it, I suppose this make you an FTO widower?

Unlike Mr. CJ, Mrs. CJ doesn't waste half her like on web forums but you never know. FTO widower? What do you think!

If you can you should hang onto the FTO untill the new one arrives and do some transplanting

Yes I've thought about it, depends on the interest levels at the end of the day. In saying that, I'd be depriving someone of a well sorted FTO

CJ

[Myfeckin FTO]

If you can you should hang onto the FTO untill the new one arrives and do some transplanting

Yes I've thought about it, depends on the interest levels at the end of the day. In saying that, I'd be depriving someone of a well sorted FTO

CJ

If they're not from this forum - then Feck 'em! Sell the FTO as is on here and without the mods on carzone.

[colm_mcm]

Loving the Galant! you know I have quite a thing for VR-4's!

[adrian]

Oooohhhh, sweet motor(s)... that VR4 rocks. It's major on my list as well as"cars to own" some day. I have had my eye on this one for a while now, been for sale 4 months though:
http://www.torque-gt.co.uk/cardetails.php?c=6

When do you think they will be on the boat??

Maybe you'd sell your FTO to me to get me back into ownershi again

P.S. What auction site do you use??

[Myfeckin FTO]

Oooohhhh, sweet motor(s)... that VR4 rocks. It's major on my list as well as"cars to own" some day. I have had my eye on this one for a while now, been for sale 4 months though:
http://www.torque-gt.co.uk/cardetails.php?c=6....

Yumm! - I've seen quite a few of these with BBS alloys - really suit the VR4. Mods don't suit this car - It needs little else really as its a Q car.

[colm_mcm]

Figuring out the climate control on the VR4 won't be too tricky!

[Bernard]

Gorgeous car alright, I'd be inclined to swap out that steering wheel though

[CJ]

When do you think they will be on the boat??

....

P.S. What auction site do you use??

I've been told start of Feb all going well.

I use www.nikkyo.gr.jp , they're pretty reputable with lower fees than most. You can talk to the lads via Skype and get the auctions sheets translated handy enough (they should really start translating the auction sheets online, most of the exports end up in English speaking countries). I also signed up to IBC Japan to get another perspective, while the same car will be displayed on the different sites, sometimes you can get additional info or pics which can be useful in terms of setting your bid level.

On a seperate note, VRT rates for both cars dropped quite a bit after the new year, this gave me a bit more choice and at the same time allowed me to come in under budget.

CJ

[elaine]

Best of luck to both of you with the new cars another girl owner

[kevinod]

Good luck with the new motors CJ, it'll be hard to part with the GPX I reckon.

Out of curiousity, is insurance much different for the VR4?

[belfastman]

ere.... cj.....ill buy ur leather seats,stick my cloth ones in yours

[Sebastian]

yeap CJ if you want to sell the mods separately .. dont be shy and tell us

[CJ]

Out of curiousity, is insurance much different for the VR4?

Can't remember the exact figure but it was abou 600 quid or so i.e. aboout 150 less than what I'm paying on the FTO (QD).

CJ

[Kace]

Now is the time to get the car on boat to ensure the July deadline is met - same for the FTO in fact.
CJ

Does the July deadline apply for cars that are not new ? Or are the VRT penalties applied to EVERY car imported to Ireland Irrespective of age ?

[Daz]

Is the something in the bloody water over there everyone selling up???

...
While I tried to convince her to use the GPX day-to-day, she was having none of it and demanded a manual.
CJ

I'm suprised you just didn't just go the manual conversion route cus as you have said in another post your FTO is sorted and you might have to go thru all that again, would have been cheaper to do a conversion, plus you know the cars history for what your 5 years and didn't you buy it of a mate??? and he owned it awhile or was that the GS?

I agree with some of the others swap over what you can yes it will drop what you'll get for it but save you a bundle in the long run.

Daz...

[ftolam13]

Gorgeous VR-4 wish i had one. good luck with ur new car