The Irish Mitsubishi FTO Owners Club

I just put a deposit on this

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=555757

I agreed to pay the asking as long as they do the timing belt plus a full service (including brakes, haldex, gearbox, etc).

The car is a UK import but is a 1 owner car in excellent condition with a full service history and it comes with a 12 months parts and labour warranty.

The problem is my wife doesn't like the interior (particularly the colour), she thinks the leather is too cracked and she even isn't keen on the colour. Basically she wants a black car with black leather....

What do YOU guys think - forget that you may not like the TT's or that you think they're a bit girlie... what about the interior colour, what about the exterior colour?

Feel free to tell it like it is

Oh yea, I only have a 300 euro deposit down and I am prepared to walk away if my wife puts up enough of a fight.... so I'm very keen to get unbiased and independant opinions

I'm not such a fan of the TT as I was when they came out but I know two people who bought the 225bhp models within the last year and they think they're the best car they ever had.
I don't know whether that is a good price for a 2001 model but if it is I say 'GO FOR IT'.
It's even got a 'drivers air bag' twice and congrats on having a wife who's into black leather. Black would look better though!
Not sure if I was any help

I like the exterior colour, but then again i have a soft spot for metallic blue. I don't see a problem with the interior. I've always thought that those TT's were way overpriced both new and second hand, that said they seem to hold their value well -assuming they actually achieve their asking prices. I'd expect a dealer to return the desposit as long as you have not lead him too far up the garden path.
Really you should have known better than to make a decision like that without seeking approval from the boss.
What price do you put on a quiet life? the car looks ok to me, but if the boss isn't happy I'd keep looking until you find something that meets her approval.
Note this is my advice to you. On the other hand if it was my my gf I'd tell that it was my car and my money -he who pays the piper calls the tune -I like it and I'm getting it -end of discussion

IMO if your happy with the price and quality get it, the colour seems fine to me ( inside and out ) had it been green or luminous orange id see her point, turning down a car in good condition that you like, at a good price, on the basis of colour is a bit pedantic. Im sure after a couple of spins in it and a few admiring looks and comments the colour will grow on her.
Hope it works out.

btw Divorce is always an option

Cheers for the quick replies guys -

I kinda knew you guys would be thinking along the same lines as myself - blue paintwork with grey leather (which is actually darker in real life - more like graphite) isn't exactly "out there" and my primary concern is the overall condition of the car - I have a mechanic heading out on Monday to give it the once over so if he's happy then I'm happy.

@ Mustang I hear exactly what you're saying - problem is I'm a total sucker when it comes to my wife... still she has a lot of time for my mechanic mates opinion on cars so maybe after he's seen it she'll be ok...

The exterior looks nice! Interior is very dull - but the Germans nearly always are.. it's all about efficiency with them..

Would you consider looking for a different suite perhaps from a wrecked TT - do a simple swap over?
If you do a retrim the you will literally have new leather under yer bum...that'd be nice too..

Muad_dib77 wrote:The exterior looks nice! Interior is very dull - but the Germans nearly always are.. it's all about efficiency with them..

An fto owner calling a TT interior dull -pot, kettle, black, etc. (I realise you have modified your interior, but I am talking about standard trim)
I got a spin in a TT with black leather interior a while back, I thought it looked quite nice....

Mustang wrote:

Muad_dib77 wrote:The exterior looks nice! Interior is very dull - but the Germans nearly always are.. it's all about efficiency with them..

An fto owner calling a TT interior dull -pot, kettle, black, etc. (I realise you have modified your interior, but I am talking about standard trim)
I got a spin in a TT with black leather interior a while back, I thought it looked quite nice....

LOL Yeah - you're right.. The FTO interior is beyond dull... it's - it's - it would improve by being removed!

NOI - The TT interiour could be really nice with a few mods too - the only thing that really doesn't do it for me is the grey seats...grey seats are for "beigists"

Don't want to sound like a stuck record but if it was my money - I'd go the extra 2-3K and buy this - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=545146

The TT is a nice machine - but I feel they are overpriced for what they are - its the badge snobbery thats keeping their values high - but you get less car for your money. If you're really keen on a TT then go for it but there are better examples for the money in the UK - you should consider importing yourself.

Theres a 225 TT for sale in a London dealer for 12,995GBP - you'd have it in the country for a couple of grand less than the car you are currently looking at - Black with black leather sports interior, heated front seats, digital climate control, CD/Radio with upgraded Bose surround sound speakers, XENON headlamps, traction control, brand new 18" RS alloy wheels - http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/ca ... searched=Y

Myfeckin FTO wrote:Don't want to sound like a stuck record but if it was my money - I'd go the extra 2-3K and buy this - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=545146

I'd have my concerns over the resale value / saleability of the auto Z, otherwise not a bad choice

Mustang wrote:

Myfeckin FTO wrote:Don't want to sound like a stuck record but if it was my money - I'd go the extra 2-3K and buy this - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=545146

I'd have my concerns over the resale value / saleability of the auto Z, otherwise not a bad choice

I dunno - I think it has the power and torque to carry off the Tip box. I would have considered a tip only I want to be able to run the Z in a 1/4 mile. It is cheaper to start with than a manual as well so I don't think the resale value would be hit that hard - I think a Tip/Auto better suits a larger capacity engine for 99% of the day to day driving even a committed petrolhead like myself does.

I prefer the black leather myself, and there is certain colour leathers I'd draw the line on but the grey isn't bad. Did you mention its a bit cracked though? That'd only get worse and you'd have to replace it anyway after a while, so something to think about.

R u guys a 2 car family or is it just this one? I'm thinking 2 car family, if she doesn't like it she doesn't have to drive it!

She looks good and clean in the pics, and as Mustang said the colour is good too.

Never driven a TT, and never driven a 350Z, so can't comment on which would get the nod. note to self, do more test driving!

Once again, thanks for all the replies....

@MfFTO - the 350z is nice but the combined cost is too much for me right now, by that I mean I could justify stretching to 29k but not the 1k+ for tax, 1.3k for insurance and the mpg. Especially as the TT is only gonna cost me 560 for tax and 675 full comp for insurance.

I hear what you're saying about importing from the UK but to be honest I'm too lazy. Plus I'm steering well clear of anything with larger aftermarket rims - I drove a very clean black 225 yesterday evening from carsource but the 18" RS4's absolutely ruined the ride and the tramlined all over the place - it's the 2nd car on 18's I've driven and the 2nd car which had a very poor ride....

Anyway I'm cooking something at the moment which might also involve this

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=552465

soc wrote:Anyway I'm cooking something at the moment which might also involve this

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=552465

Top Car, where I bought my 2 Citroens! I got a letter from them last week (6 years since I bought a car there and they're still mailing me! ) and apparently they're moving closer to Cork in the near future, there was talk of a pre-moving sale going on.

Just did a search for the Audi on their website (www.topcarnewmarket.com, a bit slow to open) and it didn't show up that Audi...

It is on the garage site though... talked to the sales guy (Trevor) and there might be a deposit going down

soc wrote:Anyway I'm cooking something at the moment which might also involve this

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=552465

Does look a much more resolved looking car than the first one - Surprised to hear about the 18inch rims - they look but if they affect the handling and ride that much then its not worth it. I'd also keep an eye on what tyres any 18" shod TT is running as well - you can't put cheap and nasty rubber on a car like that and expect it to ride and handle ok.

My 2 cents

TT - classic design and always will be. I don't think the new shape is a patch on the old

I'm sure the 225 is great to drive, but I could never have one for 2 reasons :
1. No back seats (to speak of)
2. No boot (to speak of)

Agreed a sale on the black TT from Newmarket motors in cork - deposit down and should be collecting the car over the next week or so....

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=552465



@Kace - the you're right about the back seats - makes the FTO look like a limo But the book isn't too bad...

soc wrote:Agreed a sale on the black TT from Newmarket motors in cork - deposit down and should be collecting the car over the next week or so....

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=552465



@Kace - the you're right about the back seats - makes the FTO look like a limo But the book isn't too bad...

Congrats - I reckon its a better buy than the first TT you were looking at.
Ideal spec, interior and colour. Wouldn't mind taking a look next time I'm in Dublin.

Myfeckin FTO wrote:

soc wrote:Agreed a sale on the black TT from Newmarket motors in cork - deposit down and should be collecting the car over the next week or so....

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=552465



@Kace - the you're right about the back seats - makes the FTO look like a limo But the book isn't too bad...

Congrats - I reckon its a better buy than the first TT you were looking at.
Ideal spec, interior and colour. Wouldn't mind taking a look next time I'm in Dublin.

Cheers, I should have the car by the 20th - I'm in Austria until the 16th. I'll trade you a look for a spin in the 350z

Myfeckin FTO wrote:
Congrats - I reckon its a better buy than the first TT you were looking at.
Ideal spec, interior and colour. Wouldn't mind taking a look next time I'm in Dublin.

100% Agree. The colour & interior makes a difference......looks way better. Happy motoring