1995 Mitsubishi FTO GR from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing has gone wrong with the car so far.

I have added 17" wheels, new steering wheel, lowering springs, security arrangements(!), headlamp upgrades, de-badged.

The car looks twice as expensive than it actually is. Interior looks great too although it is built cheaply. The driver's seat does not even have a tilt mechanism to enable someone to get in the back - very annoying for even throwing the odd bag of shopping on the back seat!

Steering wheel adjusts up/down but not for reach.

My car, like many, is not fitted with ABS, in hindsight, I should have spent more time searching for one that did.

The handling is superb and the chassis is beautifully balanced. I have fitted lowering springs and 17" wheels to mine, and although the ride suffered slightly, the cornering is even sharper.

If buying one, look for as many 'extras' as possible. They were sold as a basic sports car with a very long options list. Look out for ABS, traction control, sunroof (very rare), rear windscreen wiper(!).

Choice of gearbox is personal taste - the tiptronic that I own is superb. Automatic for chugging about in town traffic, flick the gear stick over to enjoy clutchless manual changing... great!

Fuel consumption is surprisingly good, 30 mpg should be within reach if you are not a nutter!

You can also get great support, help, and advice from a good owners club and active internet chat forums.

If you are shy, buy another car - people have a tendency to point and stare...

Good review I love the fto I just wish they made a rear wheel drive version this would have been better for traction also there is never any mention of how much parts cost or how much it costs to service does anybody know?

The parts are usually not anymore expensive than 'normal' car parts. e.g. I have just got replacement front brake pads were only £22. As the engine is almost the same as the Gallant, parts are easily obtained. However, many Mitsubishi dealers still won't willingly touch them because of their 'grey import' status. Look around for a decent FTO internet forum (JCars is good), which offers an excellent base of information and friendly advise.

Don't be put off an FTO because of a fear of expensive parts - it's a myth. Just be sure, as with any other car, you check it well before buying and you will be rewarded with something rather special...

Stephen.

Hi there, my FTO does have a tilt mechanism on the drivers seat and also would just like to add that I have looked in making my Turbo FTO a 4WD, but the cost is very high a lot of work needs to be done, relocating the fuel tank, relocating exhaust etc big job really not worth it in my opinion. As for FTO parts in Australia they are very expensive even 6times that of any other import.

Thanks For your time check out my review if you get the time. 95 FTO GPX tiptronic, Australia Turbo :)

I'm the original poster of this review, and I still have my FTO after 3 fabulous years. I've just spent over £500 on it getting a new timing belt (crucial every 60,000 miles), new tyres, new brake discs, and a general service. Its also just passed its MOT with no problems.

My biggest issue is that I can't see any other car on the market that comes anywhere close for performance & looks, yet is also affordable.

This just confirms what a great buy my FTO was in the first place!

Stephen.

I had my FTO GPX for one year now. Parts don't seem to cost too much. Put my only problem is the performance. Fitted a HKS exhaust system which makes it sound awesome, but its not that quick. Wish I got a manual version now. Sure it's down to gearing as it does 80 mph in second gear. Great looking car tho and will do 140mph. Handling is sharp, but not as good as my old car (Mazda MX3 V6). Also is drinks petrol like no tomorrow. Costing me about £50 a week. Back and for to work (20 mile round trip) and a bit of driving on the weekends. Apart from that what a head turner... Well worth it. Have to save up for a RX-8 now.

Surprised at your comment on heavy fuel consumption. I regularly can get around 30mpg, which for a 2 liter V6 is pretty spectacular. Maybe I don't drive it as enthusiastically as some other people! I also like the new RX8, but it's a 4 door car (even if they try and hide the rear ones) so its not on my shopping list.

I'm currently looking at a Nissan Skyline, Toyota Supra, and Mazda RX7 to replace my FTO. (The 'evo' and 'scooby' are just not pretty enough). Am also waiting for an older 911 to turn up, this is my dream car...

Stephen.

Just an update on my original review...

I have now purchased a Toyota Celica GT4 (1995 model). Its amazing! Performance blows the doors off the FTO. 0 - 60 in 6 seconds, although fuel consumption is apalling (around 22 MPG even if you're good!).

The Celica however, is still nowhere near as pretty as the FTO, with the GT4 having a much more brutal & aggressive stance. The FTO is truly stylish and is an exceptionally hard act to follow... I miss her :)

Stephen

I had my FTO for at least three years I was very happy with this car the only thing is that the trip tron tic gear box is not good as I wished, but so far I am really happy.

Hi there I am about to embark on purchasing an FTO and was wandering if people could point me in the right direction regarding insurance companies, I am 24 and have 6 yrs experience no claims.

Any advice would be great, ly appreciated.

Cheers.

Neil.

Try Adrian Flux insurance, search google for their number. I'm 25 with 5yrs bonus, driving a GR 2.0 V6 FTO for £700 per annum fully comp with bells and whistles - not bad in my opinion. Also, have to say, I've had the car a week and I'm in love, WHAT A MACHINE!

The Fto can only be described as sex on wheels!

The number of people who stare as you drive past is great! Makes you feel like you are driving a Ferrari.

I'm never letting my FTO go. Only advice to wanna-be owners is check out the roof for rust. small spots of rust come through from inside on early models and are expensive to fix.

The Car is truely awesome to drive.

I do have to agree there quite nice looking cars, but for the money you can get an mr2 which look nicer and are faster the only downside is you loose 2 seats I have a mr2 turbo and its VERY fast, didn't cost too much to buy and gets the looks, I'm not dissing you lot as I said I like fto's in fact I'm selling my car and thinking of buying one (i need back seats) but I'm just saying there are other cars out there!

I do agree with most comments thus far with the exception of the last. I have just sold a fantastic car and am essentially downsizing. The transition has been remarkably pain free... lucky enough to get a good model and the performance figures reasonable.

I considered many other cars before financially commiting. As regards the MR2 it looks OK and enough room for blowdryer and straightening irons in the ample boot. The Celica GT4 looks better, but as regards "blow the doors off" a difference of approx 0.8 seconds is hardly worthy of mention. Comparitivly Tip tronic Vs Manual may even narrow margin further. If you are a super snappy racing driver pro then argueably the 0.8 margin would remain constant, but I think not. So far it has been great sounds fantastic and the interior much more inspiring than my BM blue and red dials versus orange... no contest.People stopping and staring all the time and the sound... FTO owners we salute you.

WDM.

Hello. I'm looking to buy the FTO, but I want a sports car, but I don't want to be filling it up with petrol every second (i don't drive fast well rev cars loads)

Will this car be OK for me, it looks amazing and is soo nice to drive.

I don't want to buy a boring normal car (Astra, coursa and so on) but at the same time I don't want to spend all my money on petrol..

Try Money Supermarket for insurance mate; they found me fully comp for 500 quid, which isn't bad seeing as I'm 24 with three years no claims!

Just wondering; does anyone know the 0-60 for the GR manual?

And the 0-60 for the GPX tiptronic?