FTO Drivers Club, Western Australia

[Ragnarok]

Hey guys,
I dont own a FTO yet but jus thought i'd post to get some opinions on this FTO i spotted jus a few days ago.

Its a White 1998 FTO GX. Looks like the real deal, clean, and in great condition. Its pretty much a stock car I couldnt find any mods on it at all. And its a manual ^^.

The going price on da sticker for it was @ 29k, but the salesperson said if u aint trading in then the price is 25k? And as i was leaving hes like hypothetically wud u buy it @ 24k?

Sounds like a good deal to me. Mainly cos its the right color, new facelifted model, manual, great clean condition..oh and the extremely low ks (34ks on da clock).

Plz, give me ur opinions on the price issit really worth the money? Because i've seen some other FTO's arnd for 17k and even lower once..(15,500).

Thanks in advance,

[Daz_FTO]

Sounds alright - bit dodgey how he is floating around on the price though. I bought mine recently for 15,500. It was the 95 triptronic model though and had done 75,000k's, oh and no mods. Apart from that the car is awesome - very clean no probs to speak of. I was initially looking at a $20k car but thought that by buying one cheaper i had the choice of wheels and bodykit, etc i could attach to it for about the same price as the $20k car.
The guy i bought my car from took my 83 corolla as a trade... for $1200!!! it was a piece of crap, obviously he didnt care. offer him 22k for it and see what he says. Remember to be strong on your price - and be prepared to walk away...that gets you the best deal. The bloke initially wanted 17k for the one i bought so i reckon i did alright to bring him down 1500. They are a tough car to walk away from though

[RichardH]

Yep, for a 1998 model that sounds okay.

Take it for a drive, and make sure it drives straight. Check for any accident damage - the dodgy Aussie importers used to primarily by pranged vehicles at auction in Japan, repair them cheaply and then sell 'em here. I think the new import restrictions put an end to that practice though... Here's hoping!

- Rich

[ellusion]

I've just bought my fto from the same place as the one you're looking at so you can compare prices with my fto.

Its a WHITE 1998 GX also,
But tiptronic, with sunroof and Version R spoiler.

I traded in and paid $16,000 extra. My old car (civic) is worth $10,000 so basically i got this fto for $26,000 which is okay.

I guess if you pay any lower than $26,000 then you're getting a good deal.

[Guest]

Thanks for the help guys,

Woah at first I thought you bought the exact car I'm after until I checked with my dad to make sure it had no sunroof and was manual keke,

26k eh? hmm interesting..

If you dont mind telling me, where did you buy it? direct import? car yard? private sales?

[BASSULA]

the prices of FTOs may have gone up a touch since the new import scheme.. as I am not sure weather ANY of the workshops are yet setup to comply FTOs as compared to something like a skyline the amount of them is a LOT smaller..

Importing also does get you the car cheaper too.. but you do have to wait.. and if you are prepared to pay 25-26k for a late model FTO at a dealer imagine what you could get if you imported 1!!..

all in all tho it is up to you but to me 26k sounds a little bit steep... maybe its just me tho..

as richard has said.. take it for a drive and look over it really carefully and make sure it really is a nice and clean 1....

cheers

[ellusion]

I bought mine from cannington auto house. I'm sure thats the place you're talking about. When i went there, there were FIVE fto's for sale. 4 of which were all late models! Was surprised to see so many late models in one place.

Mine just arrived in australia last month with 40,000kms. I'm happy with it.

[Ragnarok]

Well I wouldnt mind paying a lil extra for a late model (97+) car as long as its worth the price, that being its accident free, clean, and no mechanical problems. I dont mind a few scratches / cracks here there as long they are minor.

ellusion, ahh icic so hows the car? is that caryard dodgy or they actually good importers? and when did you buy it? And yes I am talking abt dat very same place ^^

[elmo]

OK dont get me wrong but isn't that a little much for that model?? I mean i might pay that for a GPX manual but for a gx?
And as for Cannington Auto House??? they are OK but like all car yards they are a bit dodgy. I bought mine private through the paper, turns out that it was from Canington auto house anyway, the dealer was just pushing it through privately. He said he was just selling his wife's car, which doesn't make it illegal. (shame his wife was 70 odd and looked like she would have a heart attack in a GPX)....
Anyway, the cars cost about 15-18k to land and compliance here in aus. So anything above this is profit, thats why they can flash so many figures around.... Offer him cash and name any price you like with no trade and wave the warrranty too if it you wanna save big time. If they won't do what you want then give em your phone number and walk away, usually they will call back in a week and see if you are still interested.....

[elmo]

OK dont get me wrong but isn't that a little much for that model?? I mean i might pay that for a GPX manual but for a gx?
And as for Cannington Auto House??? they are OK but like all car yards they are a bit dodgy. I bought mine private through the paper, turns out that it was from Canington auto house anyway, the dealer was just pushing it through privately. He said he was just selling his wife's car, which doesn't make it illegal. (shame his wife was 70 odd and looked like she would have a heart attack in a GPX)....
Anyway, the cars cost about 15-18k to land and compliance here in aus. So anything above this is profit, thats why they can flash so many figures around.... Offer him cash and name any price you like with no trade and wave the warrranty too if it you wanna save big time. If they won't do what you want then give em your phone number and walk away, usually they will call back in a week and see if you are still interested.....

[RichardH]

I dunno... I'd expect to pay around that price for a good '98 model from a dealer... ABS as standard, facelift, etc. If it's a GX it should have the GPX 16" wheels (unless I'm getting my FTO history wrong, hehe), GPX spoiler, etc.

In the end, it all comes down to how good the car is...! Is it straight and not thrashed...

Good luck shopping!

- Rich

[ellusion]

There were some problems with my car but they are all getting fixed or have been dealt with. First of all, the left rear light had a crack.. so i just asked and got it replaced. Next, the rubber surround was missing from the tiptronic gear knob which also got replaced. After taking the car home i noticed that the left shock absorber was dry and made squeaks over speed humps etc. Still under warranty so getting it replaced this week.

I guess there were quite a few issues here and there but buying from a dealer meant i get warranty and so far it has covered every problem. I've been looking for an fto for over a year now so i guess i was expecting to pay the around the $25,000 for a late model considering they are rare in WA.

I'm gonna go for a service and get a list of problems on my car. I will then get those problems fixed under warranty (those that are eligible).

I'm happy with my car. Being a GX means it is EVERYTHING a gpx is minus the mivec engine. Sunroof and versionR spoiler made the price of around $26,000 quite fair.

[RichardH]

Sounds nice...! Are you coming along to MC Motorsport in October to show it off?

- Rich

[ellusion]

Show if off? I'm embarassed to knw that mine is a GX, missing a P and therefore now a GPX. I would love to go to Mc motorsport. I'm a P - plater, does that prevent me from going to MC motorsports?

[ellusion]

"NOT a GPX" i meant