FTO Drivers Club, Western Australia

[newbie]

Hey guys,

I'm looking at buying a car and was thinking about the FTO GPX. So i got a few questions:

1) Being an import, hows the pricing of servicing and costs?
Is it just a lil bit expensive or riddiculosly expensive?
(If i need some parts i want to know if it will cost me shlt loads)

2) How hard is it to find spare parts?

3) Interested in the tiptronic, they any good? Performance wise and maintenance, serving, etc.

Basically i want to know if owning an fto will be hassle free.

Thanks.

[BASSULA]

parts are fairly easy to get... and servicing isnt that bad really....

this forum is also very good coz there is a fair few technical minded ppl in here that know the FTO motor very well...

I would say go for it..

oh and my g/f has a good GPX triptronic for sale..

[skare]

Mines for sale tooo

[RichardH]

> 1) Being an import, hows the pricing of servicing and costs?
> Is it just a lil bit expensive or riddiculosly expensive?
> (If i need some parts i want to know if it will cost me shlt loads)

It depends on how obsessive you are on servicing. Me, I spend a fair bit on maintenance. It doesn't seem to cost more than our junky old VN wagon (that has expensive bits drop off it regularly). The FTO's also never stranded me in almost 4 years, which is more than can be said for the wagon!

Some FTO parts/jobs are pricey....

- Cam belt ain't cheap.

- The GPX has manually adjustable tappets, which is a lengthy job to do. The GR, in contrast, has hydraulic lifters, but as there are 24 of the buggers, it's not a cheap job to replace them.


> 2) How hard is it to find spare parts?

I've not had any hassles, but then again, nothing's ever really gone wrong. Crockenberg Motors have always been able to order the bits they need.


> 3) Interested in the tiptronic, they any good? Performance
> wise and maintenance, serving, etc.

Manual is quicker - and more rewarding in my book! Easy to service, not much to go wrong. Did I mention it was quicker?


> if owning an fto will be hassle free.

It depends on how good the one is that you buy. If you buy a dodgy one that's been neglected, no. When you test drive, it's got to feel really spritely, sharp handling, no flaring automatic trans gear changes, etc. Drive a few, and find the sweetest!

Happy hunting...

- Rich

[newbie]

ok thanks for the replies,

am i correct to say that owning a manual should be less problematic than a tip? considering repair and servicing costs...

also, can u guys suggest any insurance companies? i'm only 20, and finding it difficult to get a quote below 1500.

one last thing, with regard to the electronic odometer in an fto, is it possible to wind these back? or are they always genuine readings.

thanks.

[richardh]

> owning a manual should be less problematic than a tip?

I think if you're planning on driving it hard, get a manual. If you do lots of crawling through traffic (and don't plan on thrashing the car), get a tiptronic. I've heard of the auto trans going pop, but don't actually know anyone it's happened to - so the chances of a good tip box giving up the ghost are probably pretty low!

The odometer is sometimes suspect - I think it's in the instrument cluster, so could in theory be swapped. Just get a mechanic to look at the wear and tear and see in the mileage is "realistic". Bear in mind a car that's stood still for years in Tokyo traffic won't be worn in the same places after 40,000km as an Aussie bush basher!

- Rich

[Zan]

Dunno if you'll have much luck finding insurance for less than $1500 given your age. You might have a better chance going through a broker to find the cheapest rates.
I've personally used Phoenix Insurance Brokers for my insurance, and they seem to be able to find a good quote. I believe they also get lower quotes from insurance companies compared to what we get.

As for a manual/tip I recommend the manual if you can find one. I've got a Tip myself and it's served me well. It's great in peak hour traffic and handy if you want to get a bit spirited. It hasn't gone belly up on me (touch wood) even after 1+ yrs of motorsport use. But a manual is a bit quicker and involves the driver more. It's a more rewarding drive IMO.

Anyway.. good luck shopping for your FTO.

[ling]

selling due to going home sale...... just spend 3500 on many things last aug selling at 16500k, yet negotiable... very very cheap and excellent condition....... interested reply to [email protected] this car is in perth wa.....