500bhp or stage 3 Cossy
#1
500bhp or stage 3 Cossy
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 ....
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 ....
#5
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.
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.
#6
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From: Norfolk Drives: Couple of Fords
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.
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.
#7
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
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#8
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.
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.
#10
#11
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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
#13
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.
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.
#14
i dont think that one is for sale any more shore it belongs to a guy called clayton in basingstoke now
Last edited by ajamesc; 31-07-2011 at 10:38 AM.
#16
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.
#17
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
Are you nuts? Spending 4k on it increases the whole value by that amount? I doubt it'd sell for 12k.
#18
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
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
#19
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-ESCORT-RS-COSWORTH-GREEN-/160624810109?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2565fc187d
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-ESCORT-RS-COSWORTH-GREEN-/160624810109?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2565fc187d
#25
#26
#27
#29
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-ESCORT-RS-COSWORTH-GREEN-/160624810109?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2565fc187d
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-ESCORT-RS-COSWORTH-GREEN-/160624810109?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2565fc187d
Last edited by ajamesc; 31-07-2011 at 12:31 PM.
#30
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
if you get the 500bhp saff, make sure you get RAC recovery package with it
#31
If its been built properly i cant see any probl with it being unreliable tbh
#34
#35
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
#37
#38
and to think, a couple of years back you could get tidy saph for £4k
#39
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
Not sure what Gav diamonds issue was with a1 but he now uses Scs
#40
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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.
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.