Advice - Newcomer picking model.

[Wildhound]

Hi guys, I've always wanted to drive a Mitsubishi GTO because I think they're fantastic, and one day I will. Unfortunately they're not particularly practical and sit a fair bit outside my budget at the moment.

However, recently I've fallen in love with FTOs and, provided I pass my driving test on Wednesday (wish me luck ) I'll be buying one in the next couple of weeks. I've already got a very decent insurance quote.

There's a couple of things I've been wanting to ask though and obviously you would be the people to ask!

Ideally I'll be looking for a manual GPX, but they're rare and often expensive and I might not be able to find one in my price range (5-6k euro). Basically I'm wondering if the GR is as fun to drive or would I be missing out massively if I didn't hold our for a GPX? Or if I can't find a manual, how are the automatics? Are they much slower? Are they less exciting?

Obviously I'll get out and test drive a few before I buy, but hopefully you guys will be able to steer me in the right direction.

[Muad_dib77]

You're partially right GPXes are less common that the GR but they do come up for sale.. I believe there's a couple on carzone.ie and/or cbg.ie right now.

I myself drive a manual GPX and I love it to bits. I have test driven a couple of Auto GRs (both 4speed) and to be quite honest (NOI!) what put me off wasn't performance related I just need to have a clutch.

The transmission thing I guess is really down to the driving you do.. If you spend all day sitting in traffic - definately go automatic if you don't mind driving without the clutch - you'll still have the tiptronic mode for changing gears yourself..

With regards to performance it's a whole big can of worms that will undoubtedly result in many posts - so I'm gonna go ahead and link to the specs.

http://www.fto-ireland.com/buyingguide.html
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_FTO

I'd say the main difference from GR to GPX is the Mivec. The Engine-blocks are the same as far as I'm aware, but the top half is different.
GPX has the Mivec and GR doesn't. Speaking from personal experience I'm fairly sure I'd miss my mivec if it was removed - but again. It depends on your driving style - if you know in your heart that you're not going to be pushing the boat out - you might as well not get a boat..

There are other differences between GR and GPX as well - GPX brakes are bigger as far as I know - but those can be upgraded if you're in a hurry to stop.

If you want a rare beast - go hunting for a GPvR - not many of those around, they do crop up on occasion.
The Weight less, they have brighter headlights (HID),Strut Braces, LSD..

Anyways - hope I didn't make it hardere for you..
Try em on for size first, see what fits..

oh and good luck with the test..
http://www.cbg.ie/car.asp?make=Mitsubishi&modid=168

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... ars+%3E%3E


oh oh - Welcome to the site

[mcgon1979]

good write up Maud. Good advice to get you started on your search wildhound.

[kevinod]

Yup, good summary by Muad alright! There's lots of little differences here and there between the GR and GPX, as Muad mentioned the front brakes on the GPX (2 pot vs 1, and the discs/pads are slightly bigger but its a very easy upgrade, I've done it myself), I understand the rear roll bar is slightly thicker on a GPX... Have a prowl around http://www.camskill.co.uk under products/FTO and you'll see a lot of little differences here and there.

From my point of view, I have a GR, never got a chance to drive a GPX, but I'm more than happy with it. Depending on what figures you look at, its something like 170bhp vs 190bhp - unless you're pushing & timing it you're not going to notice the difference apart from this famed Mivec roar I've heard a lot about.

Sure the only way to go is drive one of each and see what you think yourself. Best of luck with your test in the meanwhile!

[mark]

When I went looking initially, I only wanted a GPX because you read on the net that they are 'the one to have etc,etc' and that's cool, we all want the best in life. I drove quite a few manuals and tip GPXs. Problem is, because they are the the more prefered they usually have higher mileage and more owners while if you went for a GR lets say, same great V6, a few less options (weight?) less mileage and possibly not driven as hard (wear and tear). There's really very little in the difference in the two, honestly whats 10-20 bhp or 500rpm?
Later, you hear that the GR has slightly faster acceleration than the GPX because the GPX is for higher-end speed which you can't really do here. Anyway, I couldn't get a really good GPX at the time I was looking so I tried a couple of manual GR's and my god I was soo surprised at the performance so I bought one, a good one. Nope it doesn't have Mivec when you look under the hood and most people will generally tell you that it's the 'sound' of Mivec that really does it for them. Next meet I want a go in a Mivec as I've forgotten what the sound is like, just to make a comparison!
GR Parts are generally easier to source in this country, while with GPX's parts you may be ordering a lot more from the UK and Sterling differences etc.
That's just my personal experience in terms of comparisons. They still look and handel the same, difficult choice in reality. What about GX,GP, GS?

[optical illusion]

Just looking around and GR's seem rare, what's the difference between them and a GX - there are loads of those around!

According to your buying guide they have the same spec!! (you also state that they are the most common... )

So why do ye keep going on about them?

[Wildhound]

Thanks for the input guys, I appreciate it!

To be honest I'm sure I'll be happy with ANY FTO. Especially considering I've been driving a Punto up until now. It's the looks and the style as well as the performance that have me excited, so I suppose it certainly would be stupid of me to worry over 20HP.

I suppose it'll come down to which one looks and feels the best for the best price when I'm out looking around. Driving test is in the morning, I hope to God it goes well so I can get out there shopping for a car right away.

I'll keep you posted, thanks again!

[miss-enzo]

i have a manual mivec GPX and i love it to bits would not change a single thing about it!! if u get one u will love it!!

[mark]

Good luck with the test. It's fair to say that no matter what we drive we all seem to love them so you can't really go too far wrong.

[mark]

Just looking around and GR's seem rare, what's the difference between them and a GX - there are loads of those around!

Mark wrote;
Strange last time I looked GR's were common and GX's were not. GX has I think 10bhp more and a couple of extras, I'm not an anorak!

According to your buying guide they have the same spec!! (you also state that they are the most common... )

Mark wrote;
Nope (but Gr's if that's what you mean possibly are as more Mivecs may have been crashed)

So why do ye keep going on about them?

Mark wrote;
"Them'' being GPXs That's because it's a forum and people talk about their cars

[kevinod]

Just looking around and GR's seem rare, what's the difference between them and a GX - there are loads of those around!

According to your buying guide they have the same spec!! (you also state that they are the most common... )

So why do ye keep going on about them?

The understanding I picked up from somewhere is that the GX has GPX spec (extras, trim level, front brakes(?), etc), but without the Mivec engine. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong!

You'll find there tends to be a little bit of friendly banter between GR and GPX owners - GR slightly more reliable, possibly faster 0-60 vs GPX with its Mivec and faster at the higher end.

The GR and GPX models are the most common, which is why they're talked about most, but the other models are excellent too of course!

[Wildhound]

Well I passed the test with only three faults! Two of them for not slowing down enough at junctions So now I'm officially in the market for an FTO - can't wait to start looking around!

[kevinod]

Nice one, congrats!! just don't get too cocky too quick...

[Muad_dib77]

Well I passed the test with only three faults! Two of them for not slowing down enough at junctions So now I'm officially in the market for an FTO - can't wait to start looking around!

Wahey - congrats!

[mcgon1979]

Nice one Laura!!!! hehe. well done.
actually has anyone done the driving test in an FTO? any problems? I did mine in an XR3i twice and failed. I thought I did as good as anyone could do. was stunned. even complained to the main guy in the dept. the the 3rd test in my dads new golf. wore a tie and shirt. (seriously). passed a worse test.

[mark]

nice one. good to see someone passing the test!

[optical illusion]

I didn't pass any test yet anyway McGon! HAven't even been called!

K, y'all confusing me again by bringing GPX's into it...

By 'them' Mark I meant GR's, not GPX's, that's why I was confused you see, as I thought GR's and GX's were pretty much the same.

Kev and Mark have kinda cleared it up for me now, but does anyone know the actual differences between a GR and a GX (and which is better )

[Muad_dib77]

To me it looks like GX took over from GR in 1997.. (as per the FTO article on Wikipedia).. So essentially GX would be a facelift GR..

Lads/Ladies Correct me if I wrong please.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_FTO

[mark]

Interesting about the GX taking place of GR if that's the case. The one difference that I can tell you is that the Air Mas Meter is different on the two, I needed to change my GR one and a 99 GX wouldn't fit it!
Like most FTO models the differences are really very small, it's so the Mitsi marketing dept could have some fun

[Wildhound]

My guess is it's probably more because the production numbers were so low that they wouldn't want to be making huge changes to the production line!

[mark]

Probably, the difference in an 'R' and an 'X' must of had the stenciling/typo shop worried

[Wildhound]

Ok so I went to look at this car: http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=717445 today and it's beautiful, but I have a few concerns that I'm hoping you guys can help me with.

Firstly, the battery was nackered, the brakes needed changing and so did the fan belt, but they said they'd sort all that for me if I was buying it. They also dropped the price to 4250 (but they won't be getting any more than 4000 if I buy it ).

The things that really bothered me:

There was a ticking noise from the engine when it started up (tappets?), which disappeared after it was idling for a couple of minutes.

The electric windows worked perfectly but they were a bit clunky when they started and stopped rather than smooth like in... modern cars. Is this normal for an FTO?

Finally, there was some damage to the paint on the driver side door. There was a scratch and all around it a sort of plasticy film had peeled back to reveal that the paint underneath was actually a more matt grey colour rather than a shiny one. What's the story with that!? Also the bonnet looked vagualy like it may have had some spray work done, which could indicate a crash?

I'm also ill-at-ease with the fact that they kept repeatedly telling me they took it as a trade in and that they didn't know anything about it, as if that was meant to be a selling point.

Any advice welcome? Am I being overly sensitive? I like the car itself as long as these things aren't particularly serious issues.

[Muad_dib77]

The ticking noise is very likely to be tappets - especially as it goes away after a short while.

With regards to the paint you'll probably need to get that panel resprayed.

Clunky windows is quite normal - mine were always clunky..

However that said make sure you get a warrenty..just in case it's not tappets.

[colm_mcm]

frameless windows like that are always clunky, Imprezas and 323f Mazdas are the same, Wouldn't worry about it.

[mark]

Tappets for sure! Window guides may be gone -this happens. You should follow your heart the moment you see the car in the flesh, you get a good or bad about it,
Check the gaps between all the body panels, if they are uneven it's been smacked a few times and repaired badly.
The FTO I find needs to be used and kept running a fair bit, they don't like lying up for any lenght of time, bits clog up and batteries will go flat. That been said, a good oil change, coolant, belts and a good drive and she could be grand but you already know the answer....