GPVR manual, opinions please???? Hot or Not??

[gary d]

How would you rate a gpvr manual, I currently have a 95 GPX tip 4speed, this is the first automatic car I have owned and to be honest am a little disappointed. I miss the driving experience of a manual thus am considering upgrading to a gpvr man is there much difference performance wise between manual and tiptronic or would I be better off buying a different car e.g. DC2 INTEGRA, 200SX S14, IMPREZA STI5??? really like the look and indivuality of fto, but after owning for just short of a year now starting to lose it's wow factor

[Myfeckin FTO]

How would you rate a gpvr manual, I currently have a 95 GPX tip 4speed, this is the first automatic car I have owned and to be honest am a little disappointed. I miss the driving experience of a manual thus am considering upgrading to a gpvr man is there much difference performance wise between manual and tiptronic or would I be better off buying a different car e.g. DC2 INTEGRA, 200SX S14, IMPREZA STI5??? really like the look and indivuality of fto, but after owning for just short of a year now starting to lose it's wow factor

Perhaps you should consider test driving a properly sorted Manual Mivec - GPX or GPvR - I've driven both and theres not much difference - condition is much more important.

From experience in 1/4 mile sprints the manuals tend to be quite a bit quicker and more involving.

[CJ]

now starting to lose it's wow factor

This will happen with all cars, FTO included.

Test drive a manual and bring it for a good spin before making up your mind. The manual is more involving but the tipronic makes for an effortless driving experience - horses for courses.

CJ

[gary d]

Perhaps at the next meet someone will volunteer to demonstrate a sorted manual GPVR/GPX capabilities and give an informed opinion of the state of my car??

[TopCat]

Perhaps at the next meet someone will volunteer to demonstrate a sorted manual GPVR/GPX capabilities and give an informed opinion of the state of my car??

I thought the very same thing when I was changing car (admittedly it was a GS I had, so more down on power again). I got a spin in a GPvR and a GPX... I now own a GPX!

P.s., before I get a verbal spanking, that is not a reflection on the GPvR. I would equally have gone for a well sorted GPvR if it I had found one at the time.

[gary d]

starting to consider converting my tip to manual as she is a GPX, has anyone undertaken this if so whats involved/what parts do I require? I'm reckoning on new rev counter, pedal box, gearbox c.w. linkages and gearknob? what alterations need done to the ecu?

[TopCat]

Have a search. I know Rory (Steelroe) undertook this job on Chris' GPvR when his tip gearbox went, and IIRC, put up some some advice.

Yeah, here it is http://www.fto-ireland.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8611

I'd imagine its a big enough job though, and if you could sell your own, there are some absolute bargain manuals out there at the moment. Personally, thats what I would do.

[colm_mcm]

unless your FTO is a minter with lots of non-transferrable mods, or the gearbox is shagged, then it's not worth doing a conversion

[gary d]

I see your point, just spent £290 0n blue flame exhaust old one is shagged so couldn't refit if I was goin to sell and car has a reasonably sorted interior black leatherette seats white dials, facelift momo wheel etc. a new car would have to have a similar spec or better, really don't like the standard cloth seats in fto or s/wheel for that matter

[gary d]

hi topcat just read steelroe's guide to a manual conversion sounds like a bit of a ball breaker, not one to be undertaken on the driveway. My car is my daily driver so couldn't afford it to off the road for long! maybe I should just quit my whingein and enjoy the car I have an opinion shared by my other half, she'd rather I spent the money on buying her a FORD PUMA

[fatboyfat7]

Have a search. I know Rory (Steelroe) undertook this job on Chris' GPvR when his tip gearbox went, and IIRC, put up some some advice.

Yeah, here it is http://www.fto-ireland.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8611

I'd imagine its a big enough job though, and if you could sell your own, there are some absolute bargain manuals out there at the moment. Personally, thats what I would do.

Love the way you typed that Tom, as if you were fliking through the site while typing the message, 'ah look, here it is...!'

Anyway, TBH honest man I really dont think its worth doing a conversion on a 95 GPX. I was without mine for awhile when i did it but I dont regret it. Personally i dislike Tip boxes immensely (queue abuse from Dragonheart and CJ) but its a personal thing. Before the Tip box went i was incredibly disappointed about the SEMI auto box. Im like yourself, i enjoy manual driving. And the whole arguement about being able to do this with a Tip doesnt work for me. I dont care what anyone says, its just not the same!
And as already said, theres great value out there now. Id say try a manual and see if your 'more inspired' by it, i was!

[Dragonheart]

No, no abuse chris, thats your personal opinion and you've said 'personnally' in your post, its not a blazing statement about tip boxes in general which others have put forward before.
Some people prefer manual, thats a natural fact, just like some prefer full auto.
Each to their own.

[gary d]

yeah even the engine note of a manual sounds better as it changes tone with each gear change. I,m told you should'nt use the auto box for engine brakeing or you risk overloading the torque conveter! I dont think even if funds permitted and I could afford a modern hyper car thats I would go for the flappy paddle gear shift option thats all so popular today. I like to keep things old school. my brother in law and I are restoring a 79 CHEVETTE HS 2.3 (his car) maybe thats where the influence comes from![/quote]

[gary d]

I reckon i'll stick with the car i got for a year or so bide my time and get the scoob I want by which time the chevette should be finished and i'll need something to show it a clean pair of heels on the twistys que the STI5. funds permitting maybe i'll give the fto to the missus instead of that puma she wants as i'll inevitabley end up driving her car at some stage! I can allways borrow my mothers MGTF in the meantime if i fancy driving something manual or heavens forbid my mates ROVER 75!!!

[Dragonheart]

Chevette, sweeet....

[gary d]

oh yeah sweet she will be so far we have reshelled her, full hsr wide arch kit rear wheels are wait for it 13x10!!, roll cage, paint scheme will be silver with DTV graphics. as for the engine lightened and balanced crank twin 45's etc still under development. project has been a long road with numerous setbacks, hope to complete within a year or so. when I first took my brother in law for a run in the fto he compared it the chevette performance wise, he must have a memory like an elephant as it was last on the road about five years ago! will post some pics of chevette and my fto soon

[optical illusion]

P.s., before I get a verbal spanking, that is not a reflection on the GPvR. I would equally have gone for a well sorted GPvR if it I had found one at the time.

No offence taken, the look on your face when mivec kicked in that night said it all

The only prob I have with my gpvr gary is that the springs are very hard and some small things I like from the gpx e.g. folding mirrors, climate control are missing. I can't imagine them being too dissimilar...

You can come in a spin in mine any time just wear a sports bra!!!

[colm_mcm]

The look on your face when mivec kicked in that night said it all

Am I the only one that think that sounds filthy!

[gary d]

Cheers optical I will take you up on that offer hope to see you at the next meet. A/C not currently working on my car hoping it just needs a regas, as for the mirrors I think they're a bit of a gimmick but my misssus thinks its cool she wants me to tie them in to the central locking. need to replace the drivers side lock motor as it's starting to play up may as well kill two birds with one stone.