FTO Drivers Club, Western Australia

[mlb]

Ok so Im seriously considering buying a 97 FTO GPX but Ive heard that its really hard to get parts for any FTO and these have to be imported. Is this true? and have you had a lot of difficulties with this in the past?

thanks

[Fred]

I have own my baby for over 2 1/2 yrs now and haven't had much problem *touch wood*. It really depends on what parts you need. It may take a couple of days if you can get it from your local mitsubishi car yard or a few weeks if it has to be imported.

You can source parts through Skippers Mitsubishi (probably quite expensive) or you can try to find similar items through Repco. Otherwise, Northshore Mitsubishi in Sydney (FTO specialist) can get them for you in a few weeks time.

For services, Crockenberg Motors in Welshpool can pamper your car.

May be Rich or Mark can lend a hand.

Cheers

Fred

[marke]

Parts are generally not a problem. Its not a matter of not being able to get a part, but in a worst case scenario that you might have to wait a few weeks for it to get flown in form Japan. As FTOs have become quite common over the last few years (rare as hens teeth when I got mine 2 1/2 years ago) there is always a few in wrecking yards Australia wide so if you need anything really urgently you can generally get it (for reference see www.partslocator.com.au) and do a search for FTOs.

You should only ever need to use these type of resources if you encounter an unforseen circumstance, for example, on Australia day some **** smashed my drivers side window after fireworks. I found a replacement second hand window here in Perth and got the window replaced only a few days after it was broken (covered by insurance for FREE, yay).

For general servicing requirements all you need can be found here. The 93-98 Galants (though never brought over here in volume) come with a 6A12 powerplant (same as FTO GR/GPX/GPvR) so spares like stock air filters, oil filters etc etc can all be found at marlows/repco.

If you need any more assurances, just ask

Mark

[RichardH]

I've had mine since mid-2000, and it's not been a hassle getting parts... although some "discretionary" chasing of hard-to-get components has occurred from time to time.

Granted it's a bit more work if you want to do it cost-effectively. Places like Northshore Mitsubishi in NSW say they can supply everything, but are an absolute last resort - they charge like wounded bulls. $850 for an oil temp gauge and sender. Riiiiiight...

Better to ask around, and find good alternative suppliers here in Perth. I've used all of the following, and the parts have been straightforward to get, and cost no more than for your average performance vehicle...

Wilkinson Suspension supply King springs (and can probably supply dampers too). Replacement air filter from Filter Supplies in Welshpool. Oil filter from Repco. DBA brake discs from Perth Brake Parts. Various belts, fuel filter, brake pads, bushes, from Crockenberg Motors. Odds and ends from Kempy's in NZ and a few Aussie wreckers.

A '97 FTO eh? Facelift nosecone, ABS as standard... nice!

- Rich

[Daz_FTO]

I recently grabbed myself a 95 GR and love every driving minute of it... I have had to replace a couple of minor parts and found that alot of people freak when they here you mention FTO. An example of this was with a Steering Rack Boot i needed to replace. I called smash repairers, Mitsubishi motors, etc...all saying i doubt we stock that part - for all you who dont know what this boot is - it is a little bit of rubber very common to all modern steering systems. Anyway - i dropped into this repairer one afternoon and asked him for the part - he said sorry mate i doubt we have it...I dragged him out to have a look and he said geez, yeah we have those. I quoted a part number to Mitsubishi motors - they wanted $60, this bloke wanted $12. Only parts that are difficult to source - panels and windscreen. Engine parts, and other assorted goodies - not hard at all, just get a person to look at the car - they think Jap import and no chance when you mention FTO to them, unless they have seen them before. Hope this helps - BUY THE FTO!!