1996 Mitsubishi FTO GR review from UK and Ireland

Early FTO's have issues with tappets, I had to change them - (all 24!), soon after buying the car, and it is an expensive and fairly major job. Listen for tinny tappety sound coming from engine.

Battery connections not the best, had to cut wire to expose better connection on copper wire.

Also if the battery is original, change it! It's come off a Nissan Micra and is not up to the job on the FTO.

Great car!!

Handles with an assured poise.

Power delivery is smooth.

V6 engine sounds wicked, especially when near the limit!.

Twin exhaust is the best, driving through tunnels is an event!

Manual is a lot better then 'automatic', believe me!!

Looks like a Jag from the front, and nothing else from the rear.

Brakes can be a bit iffy; they don't stop the car as sharply as you would like, or expect.

Insurance is something to watch out for, not cheap!

And the headlights are a little dim.

Other than a few points I could'nt recomend this car more highly, it's got the lot, looks, performance, reliability, good network of support on the web, MPG's also very good, considering it's a 2.0l V6.

It's a lot a fun to drive, I had a mk1 MR2- (road legal go-cart) before the FTO, and the FTO scrubs up very well considering it's a more conventional front engine, front wheel drive set up.