RichardPON

After a LOT of soul searching, and plenty of adding up figures, I've decided to break my saff.

Now I know a lot of people are gonna think I'm mad for breaking it when I could go outside and turn the key right now, but to be honest, I've had enough.

I've got sat outside, a lovely track prepped saff of real reliable and solid spec, and to be honest, I've lost heart in it. To track the car as much as I want to is going to cost me near on 3-4k a year, and I can't be bothered with spending that kind of money.

I also can't have a car sat out there that has no other purpose than to go for track use, and maybe a few shows, so for at least six months of the year, it's sat in a garage.

I've done the Ford show scene for a long time now, and to be honest, I find the static shows very dull. A polished sierra holds no real interest for me whatsoever - it's only about the track. Having looked around, I've realised that I can have as much, if not more fun, in something that wont cost a lot to buy, and will set my back about a tenth of the cost of maintaing the cossie.

I will miss it, but writing down a list of the pros and cons didn't make easy reading - it was very one-sided. I haven't come to the decision lightly, and I've literally not been to bed as I've been up half the night thinking about it, as it's been a huge part of my life. Unfortunately now, it's more of a hinderance than an object of enjoyment, so it's time to cut my losses and run.

This is not a for sale post, but EVERYTHING cossie related will be going. I'll put a post in the parts for sale forum at about 3 p.m. with the spec (pics and spec can be seen in my restoration post)...........

Got to say thanks too, to NeilS and Porkie who were both good mates, and up for a lengthy chat last night - cheers lads for helping me come to the correct decision.

I'll still be around on track days in a different car next year but I obviously wont be around the Ford scene as much.

Feels like breaking up with a girlfriend Gutted, but it's got to be done...............

Anonymous

Fully understand your reasoning mate, i wouldnt ever pick a cossie as first choice for a trackday toy either TBH!

Hope you hang around the forum still though!

AlexF

but for making the decision finally.

Its what you want to do, you've been thinking about this for months.

To ease the pain, tell ya what, I've give you 5k for the lot!!


































no bugger!




Alex

Stavros

Totally understand your point, and though my own car will be able to be used far more, i feel in the same mood as you, just cant be bothered anymore and wished id done a different idea i got now which would be a lot more fun and less to worry about...

Cam

One more of us and one less of "them"
















Seriously its a hard decision to take but I don't think you will regret it.

R4N SS

iTrader: (6)

fookin hell rich - its a decision only you can make.

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

"Phil" ,
At least do ND in it first .

RichardPON

Ran - I sat down last night with a lot of paper, a pen, and a calculator, and the money involved was fookin scary!

wildheart

iTrader: (4)

Know what you mean,
Wish i'd never bought a cossie for a track car

Had just as much fun in the RS1800 at Combe than in the cossie (well almost).

Cola

Were? Why, are they both dumped now?!

Well tis a sad decision but hey ho. I see your point. My car doesn't get half the use it should, but I couldn't bear to part with him now he's back out.

As I said to DaveyBoy the other day I've had him for five years now. Sadly it's the longest relationship I've ever had

Off topic, don't suppose you fancy popping by for a couple of beers and *cough* the BB final *cough* tomorrow night? lol

RichardPON

Phil? - Thanks

I'll either sell my track pass for National Day, or I may actually do it in the MR2

RichardPON

Big brother final? Are you kidding me? (I'll be round )

Stavros

I did that pen and paper thing and if you REALISTIC you will do what I did and want to just stop there and then, the money is stupid.

Esp as my other idea i fancy I totalled up at the same time and it went to LESS for the whole project to an awesome spec than it did to just FINISH the feckin GTR

Gooey

Leaving the Ford scene as well when I sell the 2000, I ve just generally lost interest in the whole Show scene and need something a bit more practical with the kids.

Sorry to hear you re selling the Cossie Rich, I ve been there and its gut wrenching to let it go, even worse when a mate owns it















BTW, Dom aint really a mate, I just pretend cos he ll cry otherwise

Cola

lol - coolio. We'll be home ALL night

R4N SS

iTrader: (6)

rich, im too scared to add mine up and i havent even prepped it for track yet (altho im now getting the urge after Ford Fair).

Think a nice cheap track toy is what is on the cards, but will need to sell the cossie first.

PM how much you want for ND track pass and what day is it on.

It's Czech Mate

Well done for coming to the correct decision and taking it on the chin

Adam_BlackRS

I think i might join ya Rich

RichardPON

Matt - do I know you? If not, why the fuck are you making jokes about me?

Not in the mood today thanks.

Turbosystems

iTrader: (5)

More like you are in a mood today thanks

Rab

Get yourself a track tool. Like mine

Rhys

I've been like that the last couple of nights mate of thinking what to do with my cossie, sell, break or keep. Its not an easy decision


Good luck with what ever you choose to do PON

Oranoco

Gutted Rich mate but it seems you've done the calculations and a lot of thinking and come up with the solution that fits you best.

Hope you stick around on the BB and we'll still see you at shows and meets.

Just promise me you won't be buying any of that Subaru rubbish

The Rapid 1

Hi Rich

It aint as hard as u may think

after all when did u last use it, how many times u used it etc , u know, u done the paper work

sold mine got the 8 series, now am seriously thinking about ditching that

Can i really justify the running costs of it just for a car

am getting a nice little 1.8 ghia X escort for next to nothing, could be the final nail in the coffin to me WASTING any more money on these lumps of metal, after all they are meant to be there for US not us being there to keep them running

GOOD DECISION BUD


Steve

rsnissan

iTrader: (9)

Good luck, sensible decision all thing considered

Westy

iTrader: (1)

If mony wasnt a problem then a cossie track is the one but on a buget etc its hard to draw the line...

I am seriously considering getting rid of the S2 but after 6 1/2 years of owing it, I would sell for a ridiculous loss.. so am still very unsure

Your making the right decision IMO and only one that you yourself can make... From reading your posts, you love track days so a nice fun/reliable car will do you fine Rich

Neil S

iTrader: (1)

Glad you've come to a decision - nobody can make it for you dude!

I'm sure you will regret it at some point, but IMO you're making the right choice. It's a real shame to see it go without you ever having driven it in its current spec, but hey!

Neil.

PS Cheers for the kind words!

RichardPON

The thing is Westy, a cossie track car costs a fortune to run at my spec.

Front discs are Ł190 each per side, and I go through them about every three or four track days!

Money isn't really a problem, but it is a major issue, and like Steve says, I don't get giood value for money out of the cossie on track. Fun per pound just isn't there....

Westy

iTrader: (1)

fair comment Rich

190 a side I personally couldnt justify that.. Its a real shame that you wont be on the track at national day tho.. Was looking forward to seeing the car But at the end of the day... you got to do, what has to be done

JAP CRAP

Pete,

Rich, shame mate what are you thinking of getting next then??

Was a nice looking saff, its a shame its being broken. A pic for anyone who hasnt seen it...



I still think 18's look too big on saffs though

Anonymous

Yeah did ya - funny i was thinking the derbyshire stand had cars on it that i organised and attended - not like our group to back stab and start crying about static show's is it.

It's Czech Mate

Calm down dear!

If you're that tetchy about it still why post it on here till youre totally happy about it

Since when has knowing anyone stopped you being fucking rude and taking the piss in the past.

On a brighter note...your resto thread is probably one of the best and most entertaining threads i've read so make sure you do a good one on your next track car please

justin.e

Rich,
had a think about this some time back Rich as super unleaded for the sapph is a four hour trip dont happen often as I bring back loads in the end I ended up buying a scort as well your probably doing the right thing hope all works out for ya

Tony Ryan

Hi Rich ,

sorry mate , youve made the wrong decision ! If its all done , use it if only to put a FOR SALE notice in the back window , nothing sells a car quicker than people seeing it do well on a track .
Also this post should be made a sticky or archived or something , your Resoration posts on this car were the most READABLE , LOGICAL & EASILY UNDERSTOOD thread ive had the pleasure to look at , youve just likened the decision to splitting with a Girlfriend and i agree that when you take these tasks on you need as much COMMITMENT ,PATIENCE & LONGVIEW .These cars are more than track toys , they get in your blood and should not be taken on lightly unless you have these attributes, oh and money & somewhere to keep/work on it , & a Trailer , & some mates to help out etc...

regards
Tony

RichardPON

Tony,

Okay, but going by your criteria, I don't really have somewhere to store it properly, I've sold the Brian James, and I've lost interest in it.

I also don't think I'm gonna get half as much by selling it whole........

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

Tony, Richards ability to post a good thread sadly doesn't earn him any money... (although I think he would make an excellent free lance journo ) and thats whats needed to complete and run the car. EVEN if he did get it finished and had the wonga to run it then he is still unsure whether is the right car... so I think he is making the right decision at this point in his life.

Also these cars make more money in bits than they do as a whole, thats a sad but it is a fact. A RACING car does obviously go for more and sell easier when its successful but not a trackcar in my experience.

Also Richard has ALOT of new and unused bits which would rapidly decrease in value, wear out or even BREAK if he starts tracking the car.

CraigN

rich pm sent

il have your aeroquip and fuel pump setup

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

Also Tony, Rich only does about 2-3 Trackdays a year... the rest of the time the Saph would just sit there, coz its nasty, smelly and too fast to enjoy properly on the road in my opinion. Where as If he gets something like a Caterham or Elise he can also enjoy a Sunday afternoon drive, or get it out of a evening and get the wind in his hair down some country lanes

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Which is why it is best to always keep a Cossie as a road car - best of both worlds (albeit a compromise for both) .

Tony Ryan

Understand all those points Lee, and have taken them on board, it was more a cautionary Tale post for others who have contemplated doing this , i ran the post past Rich before posting as its intended to be inflammatory and put people off if they haven't thought it through .
Remember you build these things for fun , they have no financial value other than the sum of their parts , of course it wont be worth what you spend on it , that seems to go unsaid tho !