FTO Drivers Club, Western Australia

[LUDEantics]

Hi to all! =)
I'm very seriously considering purchasing a 94 FTOgpx tip. But before I do, I thought I might ask all of you, current owners, what I should look out for and check prior purchase. Are there any hidden or common problems that I should have ironed out before I buy one?? (Should I request the cam belt to be changed before purchase??)

Any help would be most appreciated. =)

With a bit of luck Im having a look at a 94 GPX tip on monday.......apparently it has only done 60k (black)........and if all is well I will most probably look at buying it. Its priced at about $18,900 (reasonable I think) and is yet to be owned by anyone in Aus.

[marke]

If you think the car HAS done 60k then don't worry about replacing the cam belt yet, its not relaly due till 100K and i doubt you will be able to get the dealer to replace it before you buy.

Problems are generally minimal, support here in Perth is pretty strong now for any type of work that needs to be done on the FTO.

Make sure that the read suspension isn't making knocking sounds (droplinks). if it is, get them replaced before you buy.. check for panel damage, its rare to find one that hasn't been panel damaged (pull back the boot carpet near the corners at the back and see if you can see any spot weld type marks.

Seeya

Mark

[LUDEantics]

Thanks heaps for that Mark.
I will make sure to check the things you have mentioned. This will be my 3rd set of wheels and Im hoping its 3rd time lucky! =)

Thats the main reason for why im requesting tips and hints. Im after a car that will be pretty much free of any major hassles. And if there are any........i want to get rid of them prior to buying. Fingers crossed.

[RichardH]

Take a manual GPX for a drive as well, and compare against the tiptronic box.

The manual is quicker, and speaking personally (mine's a manual) I'm happier with the simpler gearbox. If it goes wrong, it won't be as pricey to sort out. Of course, you could always get a warranty that might save your wallet.

Also, older tiptronics are 4-speed, I think - newer ones (1997 on?) are 5-speed. There is the odd 1997+ car around...

Look for accident damage front and rear... Paint overspray on the black rubber, the spoiler fixing screws and other places paint shouldn't be. Most FTOs I've seen (including mine) were bought in Japan as damaged vehicles and then fixed up... some better than others. Paint quality is the main deal, unless it's a really ham-fisted job.

What else? Hmm. Worn shocks... Bounce the front and rear, and ensure it doesn't keep bouncing.

Ask if the idle speed controller (stepper motor) has been replaced. The old models had dodgy aluminium housings that acted as heatsinks - fried the coil, and the car wouldn't idle at even rpm. If it's a '94, it's probably already died and been fixed with a decent replacement (bakelite housing).

Make sure there's a plastic pack in the boot with the jack stuff and a funny hexagonal extender thingy - this is a MIVEC spark plug remover, as they are recessed too deep for a standard socket set to reach. Not essential, but a pain if you don't have one and you want to do work yourself.

As Mark said, listen for funny knocks front and rear - things like droplinks, bushes can be worn. Not a big deal, but at least you'll know that it needs doing.

Check the aircon to make sure it blows cold.

Central locking can be a bit dodgy. The passenger side should lock/unlock in unison with the drivers side. If it doesn't, it's broke.

Listen to the engine once it's warmed up. If it's extremely 'tappetty', then for a GPX the valve clearances will need manual adjustment. For a GR, they are hydraulic lifters. There are 24 of them, so it's a fair job to sort out. I think the GPX recommendation is every 40,000km for this job.

And if it's straight from a dealer, the tyres will very likely be horrible, cheap, hard, crap rubber (Champiros or other dross). As it's getting towards winter, budget for some decent boots. Toyo Proxes T1-S, Pirelli P7000, etc. etc. etc. Those dodgy tyres will have you sliding badly in the wet. Scared the pants off me back when I got mine!

Phew!

Don't for a minute get scared off by the above list... This was everything I could think of. In 3 years of owning my '95 GPX, I've not had more than a $50 claim on my full dealer warranty. It's been a fantastically reliable car.

But a '94 model is now 9 years old, so just be aware of that.

Good luck!

- Rich

[Fred]

The other things I can think of.... are the electrical stuff.... make sure they work properly....

- Power windows
- Power mirrors
- Antenna
- Sunroof if applicable

Have a drive at a low speed and listen for any funny noises.... of course dont turn on your music

Also take it for a run on the highway/freeway and do the same...

Check the engine bay is clean and not rusted.... also check for oil or water leaks.

Now you can play with your music

Let us know how you go....

Happy hunting

PS - Come join us for the FTO lunch and/or Bunbury cruise.

Fred

[LUDEantics]

Thanks Fred, Rich and Mark, for your valuable feedback. At least now I have a decent idea of what to keep an eye out for, before I dive in and purchase an FTO.

Have had a bit of misfortune since my last post.
My jinxed Prelude was reversed into this morning and is now in need of a little TLC from the boys at the pannel shop.
I tell you........I've had a bit of a horror month with my LUDE, which for almost 2 years hadn't missed a beat. Quite sad really.

First the timing belt disintegrated while driving, pretty much destroying a perfectly good motor.

Then last wednesday my driver's side window was the recipient of someone's fist/foot...........and this morning while quietly chilling in the driveway, minding its own business......it was reversed into .... damaging a pop up headlight, bumper and bonnet.
Not bad ha?

But hey........what can you do. Its obviously time to move on to bigger and better (and faster) things........like an FTO gpx!
_________________
Will never own another red car. =)

[Fred]

Sorry to hear that... hope things go smoothly from now on...

As for getting an FTO... have you check out the Auto Trader website? (www.autotrader.com.au) They have 12 listed, thought I mention it to you.

All the best on Monday...

Fred

[Zan]

I'm a little late to this thread but the only issue I've got and not mentioned would be rattly windows. Mine was squeeky quiet when bought but over time has started to rattle.

I'll get around to fixing that soon (window guides just need adjusting I think). I've also had idling problems which will be sorted out with a new stepper motor.

Apart from that it has been quite a good car to own.

Good luck.

regards,
Zan.

[BASSULA]

I could try and tell you faults.. but I dont know ne.. or ya could buy me calibra.. hehe