My new S4s has let me down!

[pete]

3 hours ago, Stimpy said:

Then today I've been told my jobs's at risk - so I dont fancy a peek at the next chapter FFS

Surely best now to sell it,one less thing to worry about,and probably an enthusiast is the best person to work on it now as sent to a garage could be a money pit

[Francisco Franco]

Sorry to hear about your job fella

I just read through the whole thread..... owning this dog (they made the odd one or two) hasn’t been good for you mentally or financially

it’s a definite sell imo

ps I’ve made mistakes too.... the thing is to recognise a lost cause,  ie moneypit
good luck whatever you decide

 

[Barrykearley]

I’m not so sure @Francisco Franco this car could just need a head gasket, head skim and a clutch kit. That’s not a massive amount of work really. 

Dont make a knee jerk decision @Stimpy - be informed and have a clear methodology going forwards 👍

[Francisco Franco]

Agreed Barry, but reading back through the thread tonight, it seemed that getting the remnants of the old alarm system removed was a bridge too far at one point. 

 Running and maintaining a classic model is a real commitment, and you have to accept that it is nearly always at a loss over the long term. Of course there is nothing wrong with that and I know of no other car that is as thrilling to own, but we have to accept that unless you can throw enough money at it to get in front maintenance wise the car is always going to give you trouble
 

As you say Stimpy needs to have a good think..... there is also the option of leaving it in the garage (His own)  till the waters are a little less murky.

 

[Nelly]

Your second paragraph is spot on @Francisco Franco.  Its taken furlough for me to get back on top of mine and as well as the time its inevitably cost some money.  Being able to do the work yourself is a massive bonus, and I have had a crack at it but struggled, but thankfully had some local help to get me through.

My guess is the car was purchased in 2012/2013 so values will have gone up in that time which helps when you are investing in a project, assuming you have the funds to do so .

I think what has said been before stands - if you are not fully committed to the car, either financially or emotionally, you should move it on. It seems as though enough time has been wasted and in my experience that.s the worst thing you can do - when you come back to pick up the pieces, something else will also need attention.

I feel for you on the work situation, I had a similar scare last year and if that had come to pass my Esprit would probably have had to go. That may ultimately make your decision.  Like I said earlier, good luck whatever you do. 

 

[Stimpy]

Thanks lads, for the input - its all as valuable as gold IMO.

re: "if you are not fully committed to the car, either financially or emotionally, you should move it on"

When I made the financial commitment back in March @SW I was as eager as hell to see some use out of it this summer -- and that was the timescale.  So we started to go that way.  The car made it to the ramp.  Start with the 'main event' finishing with ticking off the MOT advisories as money permitted.

Then along came COVID and completely f****d it up.  In the meantime events out of SW's control (as I say - not his fault) has compounded the Covid thing so part of the problem is frustration that because of all this there's no progression to think of - you know, like a sort of running commentary of findings after that decision back in March so I can be in a place to say - from 'whoah, really?, lets sell it' to 'is that all?  lets fix that and spin her up'.  I realise the former requires some commitment and outlay regarding taking things apart but that was factored in - it was worth it.  Of course this hasn't happened.

 

As far as emotional attachment - I adore the thing and whenever I rarely see one my heart sinks that I'm not driving mine.  My current mindset is that if I sold it at a - lets face it - silly price and then I see another one on the road I'd have the same feeling but with 'I used to have one' in my mind too.

 

Plenty of recommendations to think of, names to remember, and the various views of what actually to do.  Also - if there's a turn-around at SW then what happened before March could be re-launched so to speak.

Thanks all!

 

 

 

 

 

[drdoom]

FWIW Stephen, in the early years(!) of my S2 restoration I was routinely anxious of getting the thing on the road, always hoping it to happen "this year, or next at the latest". I have been more at peace since letting go of such sentiments, now just serenely and productively getting it done with the view that it's on the road once the work is complete. There is a long history of Esprit owners' personal trials in working these lovelies into shape, some of it documented over on our TLF restoration threads. Find your own inner peace no matter whether the car is sold or persevered with, I know which was the better course for me.💪

[ramjet]

Banks prefer lending money to long term investments than fly-by-night things as well.  

[Barrykearley]

I really do hope you get the outcome you desire on this car.
 

Frankly some of the comments on this thread have been acidic and damn right petty at best - I’ve not enjoyed reading some of these posts. Not everyone on the forum is of that nature - so keep plugging away at the car and keep us posted 👍

[Stimpy]

I know what you mean but I tend to find it funny tbh

There are enough quality posts to find this site a great resource for info.  Very worth while being around !