Nath

I had a look at a low mileage 500bhp Sapphire last week. Are they a high maintenance car? It has all the receipts for the work done, GT30 roller bearing, Swedish plenum, 6 pots, coil overs, etc. I can get it for just under £8k. It's on standard gearbox and diff.

I'm really tempted to go for it but my head keeps telling me to get one running a stage 3 or thereabouts for ease of use and cheaper components for when it does go wrong. It will be garaged and used only on weekends and some sunny days during the week. I don't do track, drag strips, etc.

There's a few Cossy's for sale at the moment but nothing that really jumps out at me and none seem sensibly priced to me given the current climate (I would say that as a buyer though - wouldn't I?).

Not really sure what to do. Get a 500bhp that I won't use to its full potential or get a nice stage 3'ish. Ideally it would be nice to get a 3dr or Escos but I won't get one for that money. Decisions, decisions ....

JamesH

iTrader: (21)

Is it the Flint grey Saff that's been for sale ages, not run the engine in yet etc?

On a good GT30 engine it will kill std boxes

Rod-Tarry

Not much point of a standard box/diff with 500bhp it means you cant use the Power. Some say its OK but if you really have 500bhp & good torque it will simply destroy the box/diff.

cossie4i+

iTrader: (15)

I would say a 380bhp cossie is about the best for all round use.

Steve

Nath

James, it is that one.

Rod, if I did go for that one, I'd have it running 4 something for that reason. Not sure if it'd still be a handful for road use. I wouldn't be number chasing with it but it's nice to know you've got it if you want it. If that makes any sense.

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

Don't think I've ever been in a 500bhp Cossie actually.

However, if you're not going to use the power, and just want a nice weekend car, a Stage 3ish car is still a quick road car, so I think it would be better to buy a really nice one of those than pay out for an engine spec you're not going to use.

lukeytheduke

if u go for the 500bhp and u spent say 3k on gearbox and 1k on a diff im sure you would be able to sell it for 12k. Remember there arent many 500saph's about so it must be a good investment. Only prob is if u ever did come to sell, that not many people would have 12k to splash out on a rapid car. Just get it as an investment mate imo

Nath

I've only ever been in 2. Dave's Escort and Bruce's RS500.

380 is still very quick IMO and that's why i was thinking a stage 3. For the kind of money for the 500 it's making stage 3's look well over priced.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Just go for a stage 3 cossie.

Nath

Anyone know this one?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3016086.htm

gordyshreds

i think yo've answered your own question matey, you could get a really nice live mapped stage 3 tidy car for between 6k and 8k i reckon. personally i wouldn't buy a car that hasn't been run in. Could be hiding problems. Same as a car sold "not needing much work and should fly through MOT, just haven't got time!) . A well set up genuine stage 3 would be an awesome bit of kit

DAN400

iTrader: (3)

looks a nice car that , but them wheels are

huxley11

You will have the biggest smile on your face every time you drive the car. A standard gearbox will hold out for a couple of thousand miles, so become good friends with your local gearbox re-builder (£450). The diff will fall to bits in no time, so get that changed to a 7 1/2" unit (£1200 well spent). The engine would have cost more to build than the price of the car for sale, so it sounds like a good buy.

The components used in the engine build should be able to handle the power, and as long as you change the oil and filter regularly there should be no problems.

Reliability will be down to the way you drive her.

ajamesc

i dont think that one is for sale any more shore it belongs to a guy called clayton in basingstoke now

Gary F

iTrader: (1)

Something to take into account is, if it's a high revver you'll have to spanner check it at least once a month. Mine is forever working stuff loose

Captain500rs

If it ain't run in, how can you say it is 500 bhp? Big risk buying a car that ain't run in. Does the mileage match old mot's. If I remember that ad,it says gearbox needs a rebuild,only will cost £250 to sort or something along them lines. Why has it not been.done if it is so cheap to do. Big power stuff usually sells quick, think I would be asking myself why it has been for sale for so long. A nice well set up stage 3 cossie is a hoot to drive.

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

Are you nuts? Spending 4k on it increases the whole value by that amount? I doubt it'd sell for 12k.

Nath

Some very valid points, thanks

Yep, Clayton owns the car.

Fuck it, I might just bite the bullet, spend more money and get an Escort Cos. How's that for been indecisive

Hows this for £10.5k?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-FORD-...item2565fc187d

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

have you been dropped on your head young Nath ?

Nath

The wife would say so

RWD_cossie_wil

iTrader: (9)

4x4 Escort will feel very slow compared to a lighter 2wd saff..

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

saffs are worth fuck all buy a nice 3 door thats not fucked about to much with or a escort

Staffi

iTrader: (1)

Nath, i have a SIMPLE solution, buy Sticker Paul's saff, you'll not find much better for what he's asking believe me...

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

plenty folk think saffs are worth loads just now

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

i forgot about sticky's saff thats a cool car and probably the only one forsale on here worth the money its up for

road trip time Nath

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

back peddle/bum lick mode activated

ajamesc

lol not good ones and give it time as one day other than the rs500 rwd saffs will be the rarest of them all and go up in value

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

a little mabey lol but it is a really good one IF your intent in buying one lol

ajamesc

my mate works with him that clayton is very good mates with steve scott from a1 clayton had his cosworth fiesta but has now sold it to his mate i was told steve told him that saff has had a lot of money spent on it and said the engine is genuine!

Psycho Warren

iTrader: (5)

whats the point in a 500bhp engine you cant use?? unless of course its so you can say "ive got 500bhp" in the pub......

if you get the 500bhp saff, make sure you get RAC recovery package with it

R5FORD

iTrader: (1)

If its been built properly i cant see any probl with it being unreliable tbh

JonnyBravo

No matter how good the engine is the gearbox and diff could break at anytime.

As it's a a1 built engine I think it's best you didn't buy it

andy130

iTrader: (2)

i fought A1 were good?

R5FORD

iTrader: (1)

Obviously you have to address these items

lukeytheduke

Course it would mate. 8k for the car 4k for gearbox and diff. Someone would pay 12k for a solid 500bhp saff. But like i said there arent many of those people around at the mo

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

Why were you fighting?

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

lol no comment... I'm out

Psycho Warren

iTrader: (5)

you do realise thats WELL into escos money these days.


and to think, a couple of years back you could get tidy saph for £4k

JonnyBravo

They clearly build some good engines but I personally had one they must of literally thrown together. Shocking engine and they definitely knew about some of the problems before the head was fitted.

Not sure what Gav diamonds issue was with a1 but he now uses Scs

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

This 500bhp Saph could be cheap for a reason surely? I'd be very dubious myself, go over it with a fine tooth comb and even then I'd still be worried about buying it!

Better to buy a lower spec, really good car, than a rough big spec one, as the rough one will always want money spending on it.