The Irish Mitsubishi FTO Owners Club

by **Mustang** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 11:05 am

First up I’d like to say that I have a lot of respect for the Nissan Skyline.
It’s reputation speaks volumes. When I think skyline I think big big performance, excellent handling, bullet-proof reliability, and given the right budget and tuning, potential for enormous power outputs. A genuine ‘budget’ supercar capable of wiping the floor with the type of motoring exotica affordable to millionaires only.
Much respect.
But this reputation is built on the GT-R 2.6 twin turbo.
The 2.5 turbo is no slouch either :!:

(before the skyline contingent on this site have a go at me) :wink:

So when I looked at the full model line up I was surprised to learn that there is a normally aspirated 2L model available. And surprised even further to see the power outputs. R33 130bhp; R34 155bhp. Pretty under whelming stuff. And would easily be dispatched by an FTO (V6). My vision of the skyline has been tarnished.
Ignorance is bliss.
Just hope I never get challenged on the road by one…is that a 2L :?:

in which case I win (just)

or is it a 2.5 /2.6 turbo :?:

in which case I get my ass kicked -big time :oops:

by **Dave** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 12:31 pm

the GT-R's are extremly obvious, especially the R34, and the GT-S's aren't too far off, the 2L ones just won;t look the same in my opinion, unless they spend some serious cash on transforming the look to the GT-R/S....

by **Speedyboy** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 1:01 pm

Ive seen a few non turbo skylines for sale through importers and dealers in Dublin, As usual the lowest spec cars in the auction end up in Ireland!

Youd easily know if it was a 2.6 TT GTR becuase it has much wider wings and a more agressive front bumber,

by **Myfeckin FTO** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 1:05 pm

I've been in Japan a couple of times - there is a hugh amount of standard 4 door and 2 door basic 2 litre Skyline models on the streets - quite a similar situation to say the basic 1.3 Lancers and the EVO's over here. You really won't confuse them - the GTR's stick out like a sore thumb.

When you say Skyline on this side of the world you automatically think GTR as this is the only model sold officially in the UK. Have to say though the turbo'ed GTS is a fast machine - very tuneable as well - a well tuned one would give a GTR a run for its money - RWD as well so lots of fun to be had.

There is obviously nothing to beat a GTR though - but they are savage money new - over twice the price of a GTS in Japan.

My favorite is the R32 GTR - here is one for sale at HP Imports in Waterford at the mo for 11.5K - that is some performance for the money.

http://www.freeads.ie/Debranding/Motors ... sp?ID=1575

by **Mustang** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 1:27 pm

MfFTO wrote

When you say Skyline on this side of the world you automatically think GTR

That's exactly the way I perceived the car.
Don't meet too many skylines on the road anyway!

quite a similar situation to say the basic 1.3 Lancers and the EVO's over here

Far too many of those 1.3's with body kits trying to pose as EVO's.
Same can said for the impreza, just look in the B&S, the majority of the cars are 1.6 with turbo body kits.
Stealth cars, I respect i.e. downplaying the performance (such as your escort cossie with a diesel badge).
But pretending to have something you don't is just wrong, a bit sad, let's face it!

Saw this program on men & motors. Based in Australia or New Zealand. This guy had a heavily modified skyline pumping out 800bhp. Used it for drag racing /standing 1/4 mile. Went through clutchs for sport.

Mustang

by **soc** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 1:57 pm

Mustang wrote:Same can said for the impreza, just look in the B&S, the majority of the cars are 1.6 with turbo body kits.
Stealth cars, I respect i.e. downplaying the performance (such as your escort cossie with a diesel badge).
But pretending to have something you don't is just wrong, a bit sad, let's face it!

This is one of my pet hates - tarting up a slow car so that it looks fast - but I think that's because of the stereotype that goes with these cars. Lets face it most people who take this route are the barry-boy racers who drive like idiots and generally have no respect (of course there are exceptions so no offence to anyone with a slow car made look fast who drives careful

)

It always makes me laugh my ass off when I see the likes of the 1.3 civics, 1.0 micras and 1.3 starlets with massive wheels, blacked out windows and massive exhausts. Not to mention the golf brigade with lexus style lights (which I really hate), massive wheels and dodgy neons (the reason I'm staying subtle with my golf).

And the worst of the all (as mentioned above) - the fakers..... 1.3 lancers kitted out as Evo's and 1.6 impreza's kitted out as WRX's. Always makes me cry "Tosser" when I see a car add which proudly descibes the 1.3 lancer as an Evo lookalike.... why do people think that's something to be proud of????

by **Caroline** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:16 pm

There really isn't a huge difference in the looks of the 2.5turbo and the non , be it 2.5 or 2.0. When I was looking for my one I spotted a lot of really good looking ones that had nothing under the bonnet and vice versa. They must have had the option to put sportier bumpers/wheels on them in the factory.

The GTR is a savage machine but my GTT is fairly fast and you can have great fun with RWD. Obviously a GTR would be my ultimate dream but for the difference in price is it really worth it.

Got mine last week.

Here are some pics - enjoy!!

http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=57
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=58
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=59
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=60
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=61
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=62
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=63
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=64
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=65

by **kevinod** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 12:23 am

Caroline wrote:There really isn't a huge difference in the looks of the 2.5turbo and the non , be it 2.5 or 2.0. When I was looking for my one I spotted a lot of really good looking ones that had nothing under the bonnet and vice versa. They must have had the option to put sportier bumpers/wheels on them in the factory.

The GTR is a savage machine but my GTT is fairly fast and you can have great fun with RWD. Obviously a GTR would be my ultimate dream but for the difference in price is it really worth it.

Got mine last week.

Here are some pics - enjoy!!

http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=57
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=58
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=59
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=60
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=61
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=62
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=63
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=64
http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/attachm ... hmentid=65

Congrats, looks excellent, not as pretty as the FTO

but there's something about it that you just know there's some power under that bonnet! Have you tested sb's pace off the lights yet? :wink:

#59 isn't working, rest were though. Hopefully catch a look at a meet at some stage! Any big plans for things to do with her?

Kev.

by **Myfeckin FTO** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:27 am

Caroline,

Is that a Tip box I spy in the Skyline?
How does it drive in comparison to the FTO?

MfFTO

by **Mustang** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:30 am

Caroline wrote

There really isn't a huge difference in the looks of the 2.5turbo and the non , be it 2.5 or 2.0.

That's what I thought!

Sweet car Caroline...Was wondering how long it would take you to join the thread :wink:

Color and reg noted. I'll know to get out of the way if I see it in my rear view mirror.
Did you buy locally or import it yourself?
Time to change that avatar......

Mustang

by **Speedyboy** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:00 am

Yeah it is a Tip Caroline was really impressed with the FTO tip box .....
The funny thing is VRT is way less in a Tip cari obviously there not in demand so the omsp is lower

It has change buttons on the steering wheel as well but best to just leave it in 2nd :twisted:

Its much quieter and more refined than the FTO and doesnt feel THAT much faster but the speedo goes up an awful lot faster! Especially between say 80 and 110 its moves like an FTO at full chat in 2nd

by **Myfeckin FTO** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:14 pm

Nice looking engine bay as well -

BTW - Did the stereo go missing on the trip from Japan? - this seems to be a very common occurence.

by **Kace** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 10:03 pm

What a great understated looking car. A touch of refinement about it alright. Thankfully it doesn't have the huge high tech boyracer spoiler on the back.

The only things I don't like are
- the interior - very grey and could do with some spicing
- those little orange lights on the front. You shoud see if you can get some clear replacements

What a beauty ! I would like one of these myself.

by **soc** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 10:33 am

Caroline wrote:
Got mine last week.

does yours have that HICAS system (rear wheel steer)? Just been reading on the uk gtr forum about some guy who lost the back end of his car while driving in a straight line in the wet. They reckon the HICAS system had a wobbly which resulted in him losing the backend and totalling his car. Some of the guys reckon you should disable the HICAS system as it's known to go crazy sometimes..

check out http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/upload/showt ... ge=1&pp=15

by **Speedyboy** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 10:53 am

Yeah Caroline's has HICAS (Shes pretending to be busy in work so ill answer for her)

TBH I read them stories with a pinch of salt I remember a lad with an FTO in the uk posting on a Forum that he put the car in Park and it THEN lurched forward abouit 10 foot into a tree and we should all be careful becuase his friends brothers sisters uncle told him it was always happening to tip FTO's :roll:

Standing water can do funny things to the driven wheels of any car and its very easy to blame the car when you have a spill.

Hicas is amazing at low speeds the car and do a U-turn in a tiny area

Thanks for pointing it out though !

by **Mustang** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:02 am

Speedyboy wrote

TBH I read them stories with a pinch of salt

I'm with Speedyboy. It's always the car at fault -brakes, suspension, tyres..etc. If it wasn't, then who/what could you blame?
Never a case that the driver is: driving too fast, driving like a lunatic, driving beyond their abilities, not taking account of road conditions.
Just listen to professional race drivers....they always blame the car, and they must be right...they are professionals after all :wink:

by **Caroline** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:04 pm

Myfeckin FTO wrote:
BTW - Did the stereo go missing on the trip from Japan? - this seems to be a very common occurence.

No, I knew it had no stereo when I bought it. the last owner must have had a nice one that they wanted to keep.

It is really different to the fto to drive. The engine feels so un-strained. You have so much power and it feels like it could do so much more. Only revs to 6 - it bothered me in the beginning but I dont even look now, I just sit back and relax!!

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