FTO Drivers Club, Western Australia

[RichardH]

Karen turned around on Mother's Day and said, thoughtfully, "You know, I think I would like a new car".

Translation:

"I can't stand that wagon one more minute. Get me a new car RIGHT NOW. NOW DAMMIT. Why aren't you reading the Motor section yet?"

Fast forward to yesterday morning. Karen's eating her cornflakes. Motor section open in front of her.

"Dealer selling a Magna AWD Sport. Tiptronic. 7000km. Good price?".

I look. Hmm. Yes. Good price.

All wheel drive eh? FTO stylee tip gearbox, FTO stylee climate control. Let me think about it. Okay, I've thought about it.

I bundle Karen off to work, Katrina off to her Nanna's and take a little trip. Three hours later Karen gets a set of keys to a flame red 2003 Magna Sport AWD.

"It's pretty red, isn't it?", she said, looking out the window last night.

A moment's contemplation, then... "It's pretty sporty looking, isn't it?".

Pause.

"God, it's so red."




I think she likes it!!

- Rich

[BASSULA]

Lets just hope it is as good as the FTO...

sounds like you made a good choice...

FTO AWD conversion maybe.. haha

cheers

[vlad]

Do the twin turbo magna conversion

Then put that into the fto, than add the AWD.

[RichardH]

Hmm... all I have to do is tell Karen I'm lightening the Magna so she gets better fuel economy.

- Rich

[RichardH]

Well, what a saga.

We found some serious cracks and spot weld failures in the boot of the red Magna. It was in the dealership when we spotted it, so it didn't have to go far to get taken back!

It had only 7,000km on the clock, but...
- Stress fractures around spare tyre well bodywork.
- Torn up mudflaps, dents on underbody.
- Loads of different types of rocks up in the spoiler recesses.
- Very worn original front tyres.

Here's why, we think. The owner's manual has MOTORCADE written on it. It was advertised on the website as a 'dealer ex demo'. And here's what a search on 'mitsubishi motorcade' came up with...

"Mitsubishi Motors is inviting the people of the Clarence Valley to attend the company�s 2003 Motorcade and personally drive the newly-released Magna/Verada.

The travelling motor show spends nine months visiting almost 70 rural venues in five States. It features an exhibition of 15 Mitsubishi passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (see attached press release) all of which are available for obligation-free test drives. "

So this AWD Magna was the village bicycle of the Mitsubishi travelling circus....?

Shame. It was a beautiful colour. Flame red. mmmmmm....

We've just swapped it for a 'boring silver' one. Yay. Another silver car!!

17,000km on the clock. We saw it 'as is' when it came off the truck this morning, bugs and all. Took it for a drive. It'll be ready for us next week.

New one is in great nick, no evidence of country bush-bashing duty, rallying, Evil Knievel 50-school-bus jumps, lunar explorations, turning into a James Bond submarine.........!

- Rich

[RichardH]

I should add...

It's a testament to the strength of the vehicle that I could not tell any difference in chassis rigidity/driving between the Motorcade example and three other AWD Sport examples we test-drove.

They all felt tight, straight and solid.

All in all, this experience has made us *happier* with the choice of vehicle! If you can take a Magna out to dozens of country towns, whore it out to every mad bush-bashing off-road test driver in Oz, and still not tell the difference behind the wheel, that bodes well for long term ownership!!!!

- Rich

[Paladinu]

Before i had my FTO i had a normal 2002 MAGNA sport (no awd) and their bloodyquick (7 sec to the 100 with decent treds you would be surprised how crap the originals are)/roomy/comfy/ if i was forced to buy a family car it would be my choice again!

[payaya]

bad point, the FWD is faster!

[RichardH]

Might be faster in a straight line once it's off the mark...

...but I'm not noted for my love of straight line driving!!!!!!!!!

But what Karen and I really care about is that the AWD feels so damn stable under power. Pulling out onto a busy wet road is just point-and-go.

We pick up the new 'un later this week. Looking forward to it!

- Rich

[RichardH]

...and the saga draws happily to a close.

We just picked up our "replacement" vehicle. Same car type, but silver. Just like our other cars!!

It drives bewdifully. 17,000km and in pristine condition. All the body parts are securely connected to all the other body parts.

So it's time to sell the faithful VN wagon at last. Oh dear. How sad. Never mind!

- Rich