General => Lounge => Topic started by: DVP on July 24, 2009, 09:02:08 PM
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: DVP on July 24, 2009, 09:02:08 PM
The Plus is tucked away in a garage until Sunday for the Fords Unlimited car show here in STL so I have been driving the Cougar.
I dont miss it. The sloppy steering, the clunks, the heat, lack of power, and the fear of breakage. The seats are still comfortable!
I am losing the love for the car. I dont plan on getting rid of it but I dont feel like dumping money in it anymore. Maybe things will change after I stop driving it again.
Started to dream up a Terminator swap, mini tub, air bags, possible roll bar/ cage, just a clean, quality build. Only time will tell....
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: Beau on July 25, 2009, 02:11:33 AM
I'm getting to where I don't give a flying f*ck about the sport. It sits out there in my shop, while I lack money, or time, or else the will to work on it. Maybe I'll sell the thing...maybe not.
Feels as if I'll never get anywhere with it. I have absolutely EVERYTHING on hand to make it move under it's own power...yet...
Just seems as if I get bored with it.
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: RoyLPita on July 25, 2009, 08:15:42 AM
Since I have been able to find a buyer for my 97 Town Car. The XR7 that I am looking at is on hold.
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: vinnietbird on July 25, 2009, 09:20:40 AM
It took me 2 1/2 years to build my Sport,and not one penny came from my paycheck.It takes a lot patience,and you have to be resourceful when the funds are lacking.Trading,selling what you don't need to finance what you do need,and time.If I can do it,anyone can.
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: daminc on July 25, 2009, 09:29:21 AM
I never actually miss driving my cougars, They're just my toys that I have fun working on, and driving when I get a chance, maybe 10 times a year.
Like I said before, a whole tank of gas will last me a whole season of driving. (still have a 1/4 tank in the vert since march)
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: shame302 on July 25, 2009, 10:24:43 AM
Quote
I am losing the love for the car. I dont plan on getting rid of it but I dont feel like dumping money in it anymore. Maybe things will change after I stop driving it again.
Started to dream up a Terminator swap, mini tub, air bags, possible roll bar/ cage, just a clean, quality build. Only time will tell....
I hear this too often. How can you go from sick of a car no love to an easy 10-15K build?
To be honest with you, When i was younger no matter how much i wanted to build up a sweet car i was not in the correct place in my life to do so. I isn't for everyone. I lacked the stability, money and space to pull it off. I was always tinkering with a DD, another no-no. Wasn't till after I was well rooted in my job, had all things payed off, and could stay well ahead of the bills (6 months) that i could successfully pull of dipping into the car hobby. With now having a Wife and 2 young children along with a mortgage in a sucky economy, things are more of a struggle.
IMO, if you can't afford to keep a DD car running reliably then there is no room for a project car. A project car should generally never be a DD. If after 6 months to a year, despite trying to accomplish something with a car and nothing happens, maybe its time to send it along or store it for another time provided its not going to just rot away and be an eye sore.
It generally isnt a hobby where you can do things half-assed or on the cheap. Projects done correctly generally cost twice what you initially thought. You have to be honest with yourself. If you can't project the build, you probably arent at a time in your life where you can do it.
Take a look at the nicer well done cars on here. They are done by well established, stable people. Sorry if all that comes across as arrogant or dousche-esk.
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: DVP on July 25, 2009, 11:06:46 AM
Quote from: shame302;283711
I hear this too often. How can you go from sick of a car no love to an easy 10-15K build?
To be honest with you, When i was younger no matter how much i wanted to build up a sweet car i was not in the correct place in my life to do so. I isn't for everyone. I lacked the stability, money and space to pull it off. I was always tinkering with a DD, another no-no. Wasn't till after I was well rooted in my job, had all things payed off, and could stay well ahead of the bills (6 months) that i could successfully pull of dipping into the car hobby. With now having a Wife and 2 young children along with a mortgage in a sucky economy, things are more of a struggle.
IMO, if you can't afford to keep a DD car running reliably then there is no room for a project car. A project car should generally never be a DD. If after 6 months to a year, despite trying to accomplish something with a car and nothing happens, maybe its time to send it along or store it for another time provided its not going to just rot away and be an eye sore.
It generally isnt a hobby where you can do things half-assed or on the cheap. Projects done correctly generally cost twice what you initially thought. You have to be honest with yourself. If you can't project the build, you probably arent at a time in your life where you can do it.
Take a look at the nicer well done cars on here. They are done by well established, stable people. Sorry if all that comes across as arrogant or dousche-esk.
You speak the truth. That is why I bought the SHO. DD project car is not fun and a PITA. I am not planning on this build being done for around 10 years. By then who knows what motor will see the car.
I understand I am not in the situation at this time, which again is why I replaced the car with the SHO so I can store it and quit pretty much running it into the ground.
The Cougar is my first car, I bought is days after I turned 15m cleaned it for a year and a half while it sat in the driveway,the car I learned on, the car with all my high school memories. That car is part of my identity. Everyone knows that car and that its me. People call me if they see my dad is driving it to make sure I didnt sell it. You cant replace that. It might be the biggest POS to everyone else but its mine.
I think I am just getting discouraged because it is a long term plan and I am so disappointed with myself that I let me car get in that condition. Plus 10 years is a long time, and that is on the early side.
I guess the love for the car cant go away... after all the stuff I just said, no matter how much I hate it, there will always be that spot for it.
I STILL hate driving it though:D
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: Romeo2k on July 25, 2009, 04:17:45 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;283706
It took me 2 1/2 years to build my Sport,and not one penny came from my paycheck.It takes a lot patience,and you have to be resourceful when the funds are lacking.Trading,selling what you don't need to finance what you do need,and time.If I can do it,anyone can.
This is what i'm learning to do. For so long the T-Bird has been sitting without any significant progress... And its almost all because of lack of funds. Now i've got paypal up and running, I'm getting into selling on eBay and packing supplies are free and easy to get. So i'm hoping to have some Car Funds coming in the near future. :burnout:
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on July 25, 2009, 04:43:27 PM
DVP, I went through the same thing with my 20th. It needed rust repairs everywhere, almost a whole new brake system, suspension was real bad, interior for the most part was trashed, ect,,ect,,. So I parted it and got rid of the rest, and everyday since then I have been kicking myself in the ass for letting it go because it was better to have one, even in the condition it was in, then to not have one at all.
Shame302 speaks a lot of truth too. Having the space and funds and a seperate dd plays a big part. Thats part of the reason I let mine go. I have a wife, two kids and a house payment, and it just wasn't in the cards for me to keep dumping money into it and depriving my family of time with me. Just hold onto it and fix it up little by little as time/money permits.
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: ~AC on July 27, 2009, 08:43:44 PM
my bird is on its death bed. i told my stepdad to hook up jumper wires to the bird to start it.. as i walked back from the shed i see smoke coming from some electronics. i think its the starter solenoid b/c it was turning over but the battery was dead/dying. now it clicks, everything shuts off and its like it resets. im currently working on my MX-5, so i have no time for the bird. honestly i was trying to see if it would run to sell it hoping for MAYBE 800$. i dont know what all got fried and i figure if i can squeeze out 800 for it, how much would it cost me to fix it.
so, the plan is simple. im going to pull the engine and transmission, post here for parts like NOS headlights, and other things that people would want/need. i dont need the 7.5 open dif so i'd keep it on the car, get a uhaul car trailer and s it for whatever comes from it. body wise the only thing wrong with it is a baaaad gash/dent in the 1/4 panel right at the top of the wheel arch on the passenger side. i sprayed it with black paint to keep it from rusting but oh well. it would turn out to be a daminc project... im going to college starting aug 3rd for metal joining.. but i have to get rid of the car.
as for the engine, im going to do a HO conversion with a little bit of engine work.. sell the AOD which works perfectly.. and eventually drop it in the MX-5(.0L) with about 230-250hp and great reliability. that would happen after i buy a newer people mover car.
i dont want to do any of this really... i would like to keep the car but its got to be rotting right now sitting outside.. not healthy for it at all.. i can take pictures and you guys can pick parts off of it or something.. i need to get the MX-5 in order first. thermo switch/thermo stat, the cruise control, an auxiliary cig lighter for my phone.. plus much much more...
another 1987 Ford Sport Coupe bites the dust. :(
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: blu84302 on July 27, 2009, 09:46:25 PM
I will just add this.
"Keep on dreaming, cause when you stop dreaming it's time to die."
I haven't worked on my bird in 6 months. I can't find the time or money. However I still have dreams of one day having my T-bird back on the road in A1 condition.
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: HAVI on July 27, 2009, 10:13:11 PM
My car patiently sits.............waiting............til I can work on it again.
Aren't recessions fun???
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: Carl on July 28, 2009, 12:40:53 AM
Quote from: vinnietbird;283706
It took me 2 1/2 years to build my Sport,and not one penny came from my paycheck.It takes a lot patience,and you have to be resourceful when the funds are lacking.Trading,selling what you don't need to finance what you do need,and time.If I can do it,anyone can.
Very well put
That is how I have built my
84 Cougar 88 Turbocoupe and soon to simply restore my 86 Xr7
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: Watchdevil on July 28, 2009, 09:44:14 AM
I sold my 1985 Tbird several years ago because I never thought I would get around to restoring it or have the extra funds on hand to do so. Comparing it to the one I have now I realize it was in pretty good shape despite having 245,000 miles on it. Now I regret letting it go. I jumped right onto getting the 1984 Tbird from my step-mom because it was free and I did want something to tinker with while accepting the reality that it would be a long term project. I could not bear to see this car with it's solid good looking body go to a s yard and become lost in a crusher and shredder.
You certainly cannot rely on these as a daily driver during the lengthy process of restoring a vehicle. My 1984 needs a lot of work. It can be discouraging if you are looking for instant gratification. Reality is that usually these cars need so much work that it does become an expensive project over the long term. However, I could not bear to see the distinctive body style go to a crusher. I understand the passion people have for classic cars much older and I feel about this car like someone would a 1949 Ford.
Comparing the Tbird to cars of today, you have to accept that all aspects of engineering and refinement are much improved on modern cars, such as my 2008 Mustang. You can be spoiled driving a modern car and perhaps develop expectations that a much older car should be as good after a restoration. Comparing a 1949 Ford to the 80's Tbirds, the Tbirds are more refined but you will never get it to feel like a new Mustang. Owners of old 1949 Fords accept this as well. You just work to make it be the best it can be and appreciate it for what it is.
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: DVP on July 28, 2009, 04:27:35 PM
Back in the SHO and loving it.
Started dreaming up more ideas for the Cougar again.... Ill just say boost and soot....
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: 86XR7project on July 28, 2009, 04:32:57 PM
Now you need to make a sig with the SHO and Cougar sitting together :D
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: CatCarMan2012 on July 28, 2009, 04:50:16 PM
Sigh. I have resolved to sell both my project cars. I keep working/spending money on them like a dumbass however. Someone will get a nice deal when they finally go.
I have contemplated selling my DD and moving the Cat into the DD position. I want an older mustang or Type I VW Camper van. Perhaps an old F100 with a bench (my dog wants a bench seat). I wonder how good a of a DD a 302 with Cam, heads, headers, intake, exhaust, with gears will work. 12mpg, maybe? :punchballs:
The only reason I still have the SC is because it blew a radiator and I wont sell it non-running. I have to get the CAT up and running before I can move the SC into the garage for work. After that its only a craigslist post away.
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: ~AC on July 28, 2009, 04:54:36 PM
Quote from: Watchdevil;284201
You certainly cannot rely on these as a daily driver during the lengthy process of restoring a vehicle.
actually i found that my 87 bird was tempermental since it was my daily driver for my first car as well. it laid the foundation and basics i need to work on cars. if i had gotten my miata first, i prolly be one of those guys that get lost looking at a wiring diagram or something easy once you've had to mess with it over and over and over and over. also i never paid anyone to work on it, everything was done by me... and with my dad over my shoulder i never messed anything up... my step dad on the other hand... :punchballs: and he's a forklift preventive maintenance road supervisor (that cant drive worth a .)
i wonder if i could yank the motor and trans and sell the sport to someone that needs a parts car instead of the s yard.
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: Thunder Chicken on July 28, 2009, 05:17:53 PM
S'funny, I have actually recently thought about selling my car as well. It was a fleeting thought, mainly brought about by the fact that I'm not really happy with the way the suspension turned out. I went too far with stiffening and lightening, an it's too harsh and loud (I know, I know, I was warned). That and it's still wasn't my first choice as a Fox Bird (I'd much rather have had a four-eye Bird or 87-88 Cougar). I've also been longing for a real classic car, something out of the late 40's or early 50's.
However, I have decided not to sell it. Truthfully, I decided it the moment the thought about selling it entered my head. I spent too long trying to find it (even if it was not my top pick) and they're getting harder to find. I've also got far too much work into it. No, instead of selling it I will address the problems it has. This winter I hope look for an SN95 parts car, even if it's a V6 model (should be able to find a V6 one with a blown HG cheap), and transfer the front control arms, spindles, etc onto the Bird. I would of course use the rear axle shafts and brakes as well. This should take care of the rough riding bit. I also hope to dynamat the living daylights out of the car. That should take care of the noise. In addition, I'll be pulling the pedals out so I can modify the clutch pedal so it engages further from the floor. I just find the current setup too difficult to use well (it's hard to shift fast). And finally, I'll be doing the HO upgrade to the 5.0.
Once all that is done I think I'll be happy with the car.
I can certainly see how people don't enjoy using their project car as a DD. I did that with this car for about three solid years, and have done it temporarily too, when I blew the Volvo's engine in '05 and sold the Nissan this year. Trying to do work to a car you're relying on is not fun at all. That's why I always have a second vehicle now. And not having a garage doesn't make life easy for the Fox owner either. Before I bought this house/garage I didn't even feel like working on the car. Keeping it running was bad enough; modifying it, or doing work just for the sake of doing work, was rare.
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: DVP on August 01, 2009, 11:30:49 AM
Quote from: 86XR7project;284248
Now you need to make a sig with the SHO and Cougar sitting together :D
I keep meaning too but they are both dirty. Washing one car is a job, washing both would be a good 4 hour job.
One day I will though.
Title: I dont miss it...
Post by: 86XR7project on August 01, 2009, 01:27:41 PM