mitsubishi FTO

[eatdrinkfeck]

i didn't do anything really as this was close to the centre if town, but he was really going for it, seemed to pull away very quickly - i think they are alot lighter than the 2 though?

does anyone know anything about these as i quite like the look of em?

[Greddy-Matt]

I had a play with a white modded one of these a while ago, I didnt have any trouble keeping up with him but no idea what model it was, they look good and sound pretty throaty plus you have the option of the V6 too but alas front wheel drive

[toxo]

Plus the option of the weirdass INVECS2 Porsche auto gearbox which supposedly 'learns' your gearchange points via a tiptronic style system. There were 2 straight 4's and a V6 from what I remember, 1.8 and 2 2.somethings. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_FTO.

I am trying to blag one of these at the moment, I work at a University and an ex student has left one here... I think it might be quite fun!

[V8Killer]

I've got a FTO as my current run around. Brilliant little car. Definately lighter then the MR2 and its noticeable, the build quality (chassis) is rubbish. Autobox is excellent, ie self learning thing, but i dont think its quite as sophiticated as the Porsche boxes.

There are 3 engines, the 1.8, 2.0 V6 and 2.0 V6 MIVEC. The V6 engines sound lovely. I've just put a K&N on mine for a laugh, it doesn't half make a throaty noise...ala M3 styleee!

The V6s have great pulling power from low down too. Doesn't feel your accelerating all that quick due to the long gears, but once you look at the speedo, you doing 80-100 in no time!

Still even the top of the range FTO GPvR is no match for a tubby.

[The TVIS Kid]

The fastest one, gpx mivex is around 180bhp. The auto's are supposed to be a lot slower than the manual and even those only get to sixty after 7 secs. They are more a match for an n/a than a tubby.

[Scotster]

Are we talking imports here? The only ones i know of are the V6 GPX auto and V6 GPX manual both of which have just shy of 200bhp. Thats UK models though. I don't know anything about imported ones.

Very surprised with the Parkers specs. 197bhp yet the top speed is only 120?? 0-60 around the 7 seconds so that sounds about right but the top speed has to be wrong surely? Is it geared funny or something?

Here is the link

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/dat ... eriv=19186

Scott =op

Edit, just had a read and found out they were limited to 120 but could actually get to 149 with a delimiter chip. Thats more like it.

[Scotster]

The fastest one, gpx mivex is around 180bhp. The auto's are supposed to be a lot slower than the manual and even those only get to sixty after 7 secs. They are more a match for an n/a than a tubby.

Auto is almost 9 seconds according to this

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/dat ... eriv=19187

Scott =op

[Andy Champ]

they look good and sound pretty throaty

Throaty? B****y noisy if you ask me. The FTO made my shortlist before I bought the '2, but it was noise that really knocked it out - I don't really think I could live with that much volume on a long trip.

Andy

[JohnnyC]

i think they are alot lighter than the 2 though?

The mk2 is typically around 100kg heavier than most cars it's size

There were 2 straight 4's and a V6 from what I remember, 1.8 and 2 2.somethings.

As V8Killer has already stated, one inline 4 (1.8 litre) and two V6's (both 2 litre).

The fastest one, gpx mivex is around 180bhp. The auto's are supposed to be a lot slower than the manual and even those only get to sixty after 7 secs. They are more a match for an n/a than a tubby.

GPX is around 197bhp. Auto GPX's have an official time of 9.3 seconds to 60mph, manuals at 7.3 seconds. So the manual is around the same as as rev1/2 NA.

[Scotster]

The fastest one, gpx mivex is around 180bhp. The auto's are supposed to be a lot slower than the manual and even those only get to sixty after 7 secs. They are more a match for an n/a than a tubby.

GPX is around 197bhp. Auto GPX's have an official time of 9.3 seconds to 60mph, manuals at 7.3 seconds. So the manual is around the same as as rev1/2 NA.

I've got a parrot



Scott =op

[JohnnyC]

I've got a parrot



Scott =op

But now they'll believe you cos I said it also

[Hellboy]

My friend Phil has a Rallyart Mivec 2.0 V6 and its a great car,

SLow (compaired to my Turbo) but rapid up against most other cars and has a sweet front wheel drive chassis, oh and that small V6 revs so cleanly to 8200RPM every day! Love it!

[Greddy-Matt]

Well I dont know what exhaust the one i had a play with had, but it was loud/deep enough to rattle the windows in my 2 [/quote]

[steve b]

Not that common are they, I only once hd a play with a mivec one down in Portsmouth in my old n/a rev2 dual carriage way which was about evens then off the lights, I was brutle side stepping the clutch and left him easily. The mx5 would make it look like its in reverse as would a mr2T i'd have thought.

[toxo]

Are we talking imports here? The only ones i know of are the V6 GPX auto and V6 GPX manual both of which have just shy of 200bhp. Thats UK models though. I don't know anything about imported ones.

I'm sure someone told me once that they were never actually sold in this country, so every one that you see is an import. Not sure how much truth there is in that though

[JohnnyC]

I'm sure someone told me once that they were never actually sold in this country, so every one that you see is an import. Not sure how much truth there is in that though

They were brought in eventually in very small numbers by Ralliart/Mitsubishi/Colt or whatever they call themselves sometime between years 2000-2001. I believe all of these 'official' cars were GPX's (MIVEC V6). Cost around £24K IIRC.

[Sharpfish]

Late to the show here but I have info nonetheless.

I own a 95 GR (V6 ~170bhp) the later rebadged GX had 180. The GPX had a shade under 200bhp and the 1.8 gs isn't even worth talking about, it's a dog.

The V6 FTO's are very nice. They handle amazingly (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). 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 (really starts to get on song after 4/5k).

My GR is 1150kg. Fairly light and the bodywork sounds Tinny. They are most certainly NOT over-enginered like the MR2s (mk1/mk2) were, so not as good "quality" as toyota but hey, lighter weight is cool

Performance wise, a Supercharged MK1 (my other car) has no troubles trouncing it or out handling it, so a mk2 tubby (esp modded) would kill any FTO.

Looks wise I love it. I prefer it to the MK2 looks except it's not got the cool midengine wedge profile, my MK1 makes up for that.

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.

So basically, it's a beautiful car (though some don't like the weird styling) and looks more expensive/more speedy than it actually is.

Performance car wise it's no match for the dynamics of any MR2 (being honest) and it's not got a lot of modding potential (certainly not cheaply anyway). Camskill (specialist) are looking at an SC kit but rumoured to cost around £3-£4k. You can also turbo it for around £5k if I recall (as the cars are worth around £3k average it's a bit of overkill). So I treat the FTO (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. My Mk1 MR2 SC is my "toy" which gives me infinitely more grins and special feeling when i'm in it.

Manuals are obv more desirable and a bit faster too (but still not much to worry about in a tubby/sc unless modded), manual boxes can be notchy. Tiptronic may not be as fast but it's very good nonetheless. I always drive it in tiptronic unless i'm in town then I just push the lever over into full auto. Tip tronic lets you hold the gear until ~8k and this is when you truly appreciate the smooth acceleration and V6 Roar.

If you have an NA mr2 of any kind (esp a heavier mk2 NA) then you will find the power in a V6 (GR/GPX) FTO to be adequate/very nice (GPX in reality has little difference in speed/feel from it's 20bhp extra due to extra weight and other things). GP version R is the top model, stripped down a bit, lighter weight but with the Mivec (GPX) engine.

It's funny that my MR2 won "Japanese car of the year" in 1984 and the FTO did it in 1994. Though in the FTO's case it was more for the clever gearbox tech and avantgard styling "fresh touring origination" concept than it was for it's dynamics and driver car appeal (which other cars would more readily deserve if that was the case).

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. For a front wheeler it will suprise you with it's great handling (one of the best along with the ITR in it's day). If you go auto then using TipTronic gives back a lot of everyday control (sans clutch work of course) and allows you to rev it like a nutter (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. I'm happy with it as tiptronic as that's part of the reason I bought it, I have the MR2 for my manual "racing" needs and the FTO when I want to be more civilised (but still nippy and eyecatching).

If forced to choose though, I would always take my MR2 *MODDED MK1 SUPERCHARGER* over the FTO for performance, handling and grin factor.

---- additional ----
All FTO's were originally imports. Never sold in the US either (they really want them over there but can't get them too easy). The above post is correct. ~2000 Ralliart imported some officially. These are the facelift models (all FTO's after 1997 are Facelift) which has a revised front bumper /airdam that looks more exoctic but less compact (I prefer the pre-facelift as it suits better imo, more aston martin-ish). The GX was only available after 97 and is the facelifted GR (which wasn't available after 97) It has a couple of differences though. 10bhp extra and a 5 Speed tiptronic gearbox as apposed to 4speed. 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 (mivecs) which tend to blow their engines if neglected. In fact the specialists have said the SC kit is originally for the GR due to more reliable/stronger engine (less stressed to be precise as it's pretty much the same engine). There was also a limited edition in 95 (IIRC) in Yellow with special LTD badges on the C-Pillars. GPVersion R has a different rear wing and coloured seats (typically blue cloth). Later cars had MOMO steering wheels std, ABS, Traction control etc. 16" wheels as standard on all but GS or non Sports Package GRs (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).

Notes:

If you buy an early model, and esp if it's a dark colour (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. This can not show for years then suddenly bubbles on your roof mean £800 repair of roof section!

Droplinks go frequently (front).

Overall an extremely reliable car and a joy to own if looked after. And if you go easy on the throttle not too fuel hungry (no more than a MK1 SC anyway)

[Porl\'\']

I've been seriously thinking of an FTO as my next car. I really like the styling of them and reading about abit the good handling is really appealing. Also, the ones i've seen driving about locally all look in tip top condition which is very appealing (no rusty arches )

but there is also the dream of the lancia delta

Porl''

[Jaspa]

I had a play with a white modded one of these a while ago, I didnt have any trouble keeping up with him but no idea what model it was, they look good and sound pretty throaty plus you have the option of the V6 too but alas front wheel drive

That wasn't on the 217 was it?

[Speedy]

but there is also the dream of the lancia delta

Porl''

You must really love that rusty stuff