Late to the show here but I have info nonetheless.
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I own a 95 GR
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(V6
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~170bhp) the later rebadged GX had 180.
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The GPX had a shade under 200bhp and the 1.8 gs isn't even worth talking about, it's a dog.
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The V6 FTO's are very nice.
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They handle amazingly
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(Yes I was actually shocked coming from my MK1 with lowered/uprated suspension and poly bushes to find the FTO felt almost as sure footed in many situations).
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It's front wheel drive but doesn't often have trouble putting the power down because it's delievered smoothly rather than all at once
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(really starts to get on song after 4/5k).
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My GR is 1150kg.
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Fairly light and the bodywork sounds Tinny.
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They are most certainly NOT over-enginered like the MR2s
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(mk1/mk2) were, so not as good
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"quality" as toyota but hey, lighter weight is cool
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Performance wise, a Supercharged MK1
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(my other car) has no troubles trouncing it or out handling it, so a mk2 tubby
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(esp modded) would kill any FTO.
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Looks wise I love it.
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I prefer it to the MK2 looks except it's not got the cool midengine wedge profile, my MK1 makes up for that.
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The FTO is nice to go on longer journeys with, it get's looks from other drivers and appears a bit like an Aston Martin in people's rear view mirrors.
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So basically, it's a beautiful car
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(though some don't like the weird styling) and looks more expensive/more speedy than it actually is.
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Performance car wise it's no match for the dynamics of any MR2
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(being honest) and it's not got a lot of modding potential
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(certainly not cheaply anyway).
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Camskill
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(specialist) are looking at an SC kit but rumoured to cost around
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£3-£4k.
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You can also turbo it for around
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£5k if I recall
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(as the cars are worth around
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£3k average it's a bit of overkill).
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So I treat the FTO
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(Which is actually a car I share with my Girlfriend, bought mainly for her) as the sexy runaround with a good boot and some form of back passenger space.
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My Mk1 MR2 SC is my
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"toy" which gives me infinitely more grins and special feeling when i'm in it.
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Manuals are obv more desirable and a bit faster too
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(but still not much to worry about in a tubby/sc unless modded), manual boxes can be notchy.
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Tiptronic may not be as fast but it's very good nonetheless.
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I always drive it in tiptronic unless i'm in town then I just push the lever over into full auto.
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Tip tronic lets you hold the gear until
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~8k and this is when you truly appreciate the smooth acceleration and V6 Roar.
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If you have an NA mr2 of any kind
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(esp a heavier mk2 NA) then you will find the power in a V6
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(GR/GPX) FTO to be adequate/very nice
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(GPX in reality has little difference in speed/feel from it's 20bhp extra due to extra weight and other things).
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GP version R is the top model, stripped down a bit, lighter weight but with the Mivec
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(GPX) engine.
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It's funny that my MR2 won
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"Japanese car of the year" in 1984 and the FTO did it in 1994.
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Though in the FTO's case it was more for the clever gearbox tech and avantgard styling
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"fresh touring origination" concept than it was for it's dynamics and driver car appeal
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(which other cars would more readily deserve if that was the case).
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To end this long, probably over detailed/boring post I will sum up with I love the FTO, it's looks and it's drive.
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For a front wheeler it will suprise you with it's great handling
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(one of the best along with the ITR in it's day).
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If you go auto then using TipTronic gives back a lot of everyday control
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(sans clutch work of course) and allows you to rev it like a nutter
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(it loves it almost as much as the MR2s do) but ultimately Manual would be the way to go if you want to consider it as a real drivers car.
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I'm happy with it as tiptronic as that's part of the reason I bought it, I have the MR2 for my manual
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"racing" needs and the FTO when I want to be more civilised
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(but still nippy and eyecatching).
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If forced to choose though, I would always take my MR2
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*MODDED MK1 SUPERCHARGER* over the FTO for performance, handling and grin factor.
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---- additional
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----
All FTO's were originally imports.
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Never sold in the US either
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(they really want them over there but can't get them too easy).
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The above post is correct.
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~2000 Ralliart imported some officially.
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These are the facelift models
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(all FTO's after 1997 are Facelift) which has a revised front bumper
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/airdam that looks more exoctic but less compact
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(I prefer the pre-facelift as it suits better imo, more aston martin-ish).
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The GX was only available after 97 and is the facelifted GR
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(which wasn't available after 97) It has a couple of differences though.
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10bhp extra and a 5 Speed tiptronic gearbox as apposed to 4speed.
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If I was to recommend any FTO to interested people it would be either a GR or GX as they have seemed to hold up well compared to GPX
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(mivecs) which tend to blow their engines if neglected.
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In fact the specialists have said the SC kit is originally for the GR due to more reliable/stronger engine
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(less stressed to be precise as it's pretty much the same engine).
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There was also a limited edition in 95
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(IIRC) in Yellow with special LTD badges on the C-Pillars.
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GPVersion R has a different rear wing and coloured seats
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(typically blue cloth).
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Later cars had MOMO steering wheels std, ABS, Traction control etc.
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16" wheels as standard on all but GS or non Sports Package GRs
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(most GR's are sports package which makes them identical in trim to GPXs with the same alloys and full digital climate control/retract mirrors and what have you).
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Notes:
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If you buy an early model, and esp if it's a dark colour
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(black seems to be worst affected), remove the headlining inside and check for internal roof rust caused by stupid placement of frame adhesive by Mitsubishi.
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This can not show for years then suddenly bubbles on your roof mean
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£800 repair of roof section!
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Droplinks go frequently
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(front).
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Overall an extremely reliable car and a joy to own if looked after.
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And if you go easy on the throttle not too fuel hungry
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(no more than a MK1 SC anyway)