Mitsubishi FTO Buying Guide
The Mitsubishi FTO is a two-door compact sports car produced by the Japanese carmaker during the years 1994 to 2000. Styling on the FTO is very aggressive which will give you the belief that the car will be very fast on the straights and go around corners quickly. The car won the prestigious Japanese Car of the Year award for the year 1994-1995, and the company celebrated the achievement by launching a limited edition FTO GPX model in Japan.
It got its FTO name from the Mitsubishi Galant Coupe FTO, produced by the company from 1971 to 1975. The term FTO stands for Fresco Turismo Omologato and is a mixture of Japanese and Italian languages. In the English version, FTO stands for ‘’Future Touring Origination’’. Originally, the car was only sold in Japan, but the popularity of the car led to a great number of imports by various countries, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many others.
This buyer’s guide is drafted after conducting very detailed research to include all the information you will need when considering buying this classic from Japan. The team at JDMBuySell has made sure that we answer all the questions you might have before you buy an FTO.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy to drive
- Great handling capabilities
- Available in three different engines
- Incredible sound at high RPM
- Very high quality build
Cons
- Poor fuel economy
- Expensive to maintain
- Linear acceleration
- High insurance due to import reason
- Lack of space makes the car less practical
Common Issues
The Mitsubishi FTO is a very reliable car with no major design flaws. However, the car is now 20 years old. Although there are some inherent problems, none are critical and can be easily fixed.
One of specific problem common in all FTO’s is a faulty central locking system and failing windows guides which make the glass jitter and results in annoying noise. You can still drive with these two issues, but you can also get them fixed quite cheaply.
The brake rotors on the FTO do get warped, and it depends on how often you drive the car to its limit. Normal city driving will extend the life of the brake discs, but if you intend to drive fast and participate in track days, then it is better to install a high-quality performance brake kit.
A hard-driven Mitsubishi FTO may produce a knocking sound when going over bumps. This is due to the worn anti-roll bar bushes. You should solve the problem as soon as possible to avoid damage to the steering system.
A couple of other common problems include the standard fit battery and air conditioner system.
Average Prices
The FTO is an old car, and since it is imported, its price will be higher than the actual value of the car. The price will depend on the condition of the car, year of manufacturing, engine capacity, and the number of miles it has driven. The data of a handful of cars gives you an idea that there will be quite a variation in prices depending upon many factors, and you can choose one that suits your budget.
Comparable Alternatives
There are not many direct competitors of the FTO, but it does not mean that it is the only car in its class and category.
Models and Specifications
1994-1997 Mitsubishi FTO Pre-Facelift Models
The first model of the FTO is an inline engine GS base model with 14’’ wheels and automatic climate control. GR is one step better than the base model with 15’’ wheels and a two-litre V6 engine. Both models are available in a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
The GPX is a limited edition model released with a batch of ‘COTY’ and limited to only 207 units. The FTO GPX is equipped with 16’’ wheels, a rear spoiler, side air dams and a MIVEC V6 engine as standard.
In 1996, a semi-race spec GP special model was launched with a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic transmission mated to a MIVEC V6 engine. The model was also advertised as GP version R at some dealerships.
Mitsubishi also launched a limited edition model with the Nakaya-Tune FTO package. The V6 engine powered all three models (GPX, GP, GR) along with an upgraded stainless steel silencer, brake pads, a carbon fiber lip spoiler and suspension fitted with Ohlins shock absorbers.
1997-2000 Mitsubishi FTO Facelift Models
Three years after the launch, Mitsubishi gave the FTO a major facelift with several visual and under-the-skin changes. The most notable changes are the new front bumper arrangement, changing two air intakes into one large single intake, and a full-width front-facing splitter.
The rear spoiler design was changed and looked more like the rear wing of a racing car. Under the skin, changes included upgraded suspension with significant changes to the geometry of suspension to improve handling and response.
The facelifted GS model was offered with 1.8L SOHC inline engine coupled to a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The GR model was powered by a 2.0L DOHC V6 engine, while the GPX model comes with a 2.0L MIVEC V6 engine and a 5-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
Mitsubishi later released GX sports and GX sports aero series models with a 2.0L DOHC V6 engine bolted to either a manual or an automatic transmission.
The GP R and GP R aero series models are very similar to GX sports but powered by a 2.0L MIVEC V6 engine.
The side-impact safety standards were introduced in July 2000 by the Japanese government. Due to a decrease in sales, the FTO line was then discontinued.
Production Numbers
Year Production Domestic Sales (Japan)
1994 9232 9232
1995 19629 19629
1996 3811 3811
1997 1994 1994
1998 1138 1138
1999 690 690 2000
FAQ
Prices for the FTO start at approximately $3,000 to anything over $10,000. But it’s not worth buying since you can get a clean Mitsubishi GTO, which is a much better sports car than the FTO, for $10,000.
Apart from poor build quality and safety concerns, Mitsubishi FTOs are cheap because the GTO is a much better and more available option. Both cars have similar engines and transmission options, but you get better build quality and performance in the GTO.
You can get an FTO from Facebook marketplace listings, Craigslist, and other used car websites. But you have a better chance of getting one on JDM car-specific listing websites. View our Mitsubishi FTO Ads for sale.
At the time of production, the Mitsubishi FTO didn’t meet the United States’ safety standards. But as of 2019, you can now import a Mitsubishi FTO to the United States.
Sources
- https://automobile.fandom.com/wiki/Mitsubishi_FTO#Main_Competitors
- https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/1995-Mitsubishi-FTO-Reviews-c9739#userReviewsListWrapper_header
- https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/mitsubishi/fto/fto-1994-2005/
- https://www.motorbiscuit.com/the-mitsubishi-fto-is-a-jdm-car-that-you-never-knew-existed/
- https://drivetribe.com/p/the-mitsubishi-fto-the-90s-mitsubishi-AY8bD6jST7W80gRJX4iV5g?iid=BlBIQaWFScGehx9oIHcm9Q
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_FTO
How to Import a Mitsubishi FTO
Read our ultimate guide, How to Import a Car from Japan.
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