Opinions on FTO For Sale

[davema]

Hi guys (and girls),

I'm looking to buy a car for commuting (100km round trip each day), as my wife needs the family car now when she gives birth (December) - she doesn't mind what I get, so I was looking for cheap nice looking cars and found this:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=387207

So, questions:

1) What do you think? Is the price a bit too cheap? Possible problems?
2) What about Running costs - road tax will be expensive, but other than that, what does an FTO cost to run - servicing, mpg, etc...

Dave

[colm_mcm]

Tiptronics are less sought after than manual
Non-MIVEC V6 is less sought after than MIVEC
The car isn't too cheap IMO.

[Muad_dib77]

Not too cheap - not unreasonable either if the car is in order.

There's loads of FTO up for sale these days and that mean haggling is more of an option.

I'm assuming that you're wanting the Auto/TIP box as you'll be using the car a fair bit..

I'd look at this:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=739137

And haggle it down (if it's in order!) - yes the starting price is dearer but with a good haggle you'll get it down to something less strenous for the wallet.

As for running cost - same rule applies to all cars - trash it and it'll be hard on your wallet- petrol, tyres, brakes so forth.. Drive it like a taxi-driver and an fto will run extremely cost effectively..

If you're keeping it stock and taking it handy it wont cost you more to run than a Honda Saloon car from the same year.

[colm_mcm]

it wont cost you more to run than a Honda Saloon car from the same year.

What saloon did you have in mind? I only get 25mpg from my GPX Tip

[d_andrews78]

As for running cost - same rule applies to all cars - trash it and it'll be hard on your wallet- petrol, tyres, brakes so forth.. Drive it like a taxi-driver and an fto will run extremely cost effectively..

If you're keeping it stock and taking it handy it wont cost you more to run than a Honda Saloon car from the same year.

Yup I agree with that, I've a 94/95 GPX Trip, and the mpg is about the same as the 2002 1.8 Accord vtech. In fact if I'm doing short wee trips in the town the fto is the one I tend to use.

[CJ]

Welcome Davema (you're not Daves Ma by any chance are you?! - private joke NOI )

That car is priced just about right assuming everything is in order.

Tips will be slightly less fuel efficient than manuals but manuals are harder to come bty and usually command a premium pricewise. General servicing costs are no differnt from most other cars, in the case of parts etc, its usually cheaper to buy direct from the UK.

Have a good luck around before you buy, drive a few cars before you make any decision.

Good luck with the search.

CJ

[davema]

Wow, great forum - thanks for the quick replies.

Ok, so price seems koshir, what kind of things should I specifically look for when viewing an FTO (as opposed to any other car)? For example, is there any way to tell the condition of the gearbox (having never driven an automatic).

[CJ]

Check the colout of the transmission fluid, theres a dipstick on the top of the box. It should be a deep red colour, ifs its brown then it probably hasn'rt been changed in a while or has been boiled - not a good thing. When the gearbox oil has heated up (c. 15mins), take a look at the dipstick again, the oil should be in the 'Hot' area. Moving from park to neutral drive to should occur smoothly without too much of a jump, auto gear changes should also be smooth. Also try driving the car in tip mode, again, gar changes should be smooth.

You may hear a knocking noise from either the front or rear, most likely worn drop links or anti-roll bar bushes - not cheap to fix.

If you havn't read the buying guide, check it out here:

http://www.fto-ireland.com/buyingguide.html

CJ

[Sebastian]

i dont want to seem to strange but you could find cheeper than that

[pergau]

Where seb?

That's a 96 and its from a dealer so the price will be a little negotiable.

DavesMa go for a Tiptronic if you will be doing a lot of stop start driving and get a set of PIAA windscreen wipers and a good stereo and driving will be a pleasure.

[Sebastian]

there was one a couple of weeks ago with 2800 euros. private sale in cork
120k miles.( a damaged wing )

i mean you must be sure what you want , what you are looking for and how much are you willing to pay for that !

cheers

[PT FTO]

Davema, know this is probably the wrong section to raise this topic but my affiliation with the FTO may be coming to an end and I will be offloading my one v. soon.
95 GPX Tip, only 53k miles (84k kms) on her from new. I imported this myself two and a half years ago and have had no trouble with her. NCT till Jan 09. Make any reaonable offer and she can be yours........or anyone elses should they wish. Picture in my section of the album but now is bare-assed and relatively new 17"wheels on it.

[Dave]

Welcome Davema (you're not Daves Ma by any chance are you?! - private joke NOI )


CJ

Careful now!!