What shall I do with this Harrier?

[dalmarshall]

As some of you may have seen I have recently bought a Harrier

 

It's quite a nice one, quite standard which is what I was looking for but now I have it I'm finding it a bit er...........boring!!

 

I can't believe I just said that after looking for months to find it but now I have a couple of options as far as I can see

 

1. Sell it and buy something else

2. Mod it!

 

The reason I say sell it is basically money. I'd want a x flow with a bit of grunt, this alone doesn't come cheap, then there's all the other bits and bobs that will need doing to accommodate it ie, lower the servo tower or fit remote servo.

Then it needs a front spoiler, lowering, LSD etc, then I'll be feeling the love

 

So what do I do?

 

If I sold it I'd have 12.5 - 13k to get something else with the spec I want, maybe a decent spec 4 door and loads of change to get a nice S1 Turbo aswell (just a thought)

 

However, if I start putting money into the Harrier it's gonna be standing me in 15-16k or more

 

I know you don't get back what you put in with regards to ££ but it would be easier to sell, no, it'd be more satisfying to DIY, no................arrrrggghhh

[frankthefencer]

Don't mod it!!!!

Sell it and mod something else in my opinion.

If I had a harrier it would be proper standard.

Is it silver or white dal ?

[dalmarshall]

White mate, there's some pics on here somewhere but I don't know how to post them From my iPad!

 

See that's another predicament, I know it's frowned upon to mod a nice std car. Sometimes I think sell it and let someone else enjoy it as a standard car and hold out till something else comes along, or sod em, it's my car and I'll do what I want.

 

I think modding it will devalue it, that's where my problem lies I think, Spending loads to make it worth less!

[bigbadsquare]

Swap it for my 1600 sport , comes with a 1700 x flow for you to put in

[1.1_Mk1]

Mod it in the right way and keep as true to the original as possible so as to be able to return to standard and it should hold value shouldn't it?

[garyv6100e]

I have never seen the point of buying a "special model" Escort then modifying the arse out of it like buying a mk1 Mexico and shoving in a cossie lump in it or flat fronting an RS2000.Their are not a lot of genuine standard cars out there and the market for these type escorts seems to be strong.

The mods you want to do are not excessive and could be reversible, just keep all of your standard bits for the future in case you decide to sell but its your car your money do what you think is best for you.

[Rally Pack 2000]

Mod it in the right way and keep as true to the original as possible so as to be able to return to standard and it should hold value shouldn't it?

 

I agree with mneame, modifying a car doesnt have to mean all out or take away any of its originality. It seems like a perfectly original example but its probably as loose as all get out. Replacing all the bushes. Front and rear stabilizer bar bushes (I think Harriers have a thin rear one from the sport?) Leaf spring bushes, track control arm bushes, rack bushes even the rear gearbox mounting bush. Change the springs but not lowering it more than an inch so as not to make it look slammed and some nice Gaz dampers front and rear. Pop on a quick rack (easily reversible if needs be but looks perfectly standard) And last a nice Quaife ATB. It will transform the car you will think its a different motor altogether. Any potential buyer would look at them as sympathetic upgrades and totally in keeping with the car itself.

 

PS Garyv6100e - I dont understand it either, Here in Australia MK1 RS2000s are rare as they were never sold here. I would probably swap my Twincam for one if I had the opportunity. I have only ever seen 2 in my life and one of them the guy bought a non turbo Pinto Cosworth off me that friends and I had built to do weekend club stuff. Lovely car, Lovely Engine but not Lovely together.

[sidpf1972]

12 to 13 k for an ave condition harrier sounds a bit strong to me if someone offers that kind of dough I would sell

[theloudboy]

I don't know what to say dal you was so happy with it on the day it arrived, you already know what I think but I do what I want with my motor and don't care what others think about modding a mexico but if you want more grunt after watching me and mike on sunday I guess your gonna have to sell shame cos the harrier is wicked.

[Tall paul]

Sell it dal if your not happy, you will not enjoy driving it as much if you keep it and are always thinking about what ifs.

 

Get a nice clean 4 door and mod the fook out of it and still have 3-4k left in your pocket. My opinion obviously.

[Posse]

I have some nice wheels that will look good on it 

[The Transplanter]

As some of you may have seen I have recently bought a Harrier

 

It's quite a nice one, quite standard which is what I was looking for but now I have it I'm finding it a bit er...........boring!!

 

I can't believe I just said that after looking for months to find it but now I have a couple of options as far as I can see

 

1. Sell it and buy something else

2. Mod it!

 

The reason I say sell it is basically money. I'd want a x flow with a bit of grunt, this alone doesn't come cheap, then there's all the other bits and bobs that will need doing to accommodate it ie, lower the servo tower or fit remote servo.

Then it needs a front spoiler, lowering, LSD etc, then I'll be feeling the love

 

So what do I do?

 

If I sold it I'd have 12.5 - 13k to get something else with the spec I want, maybe a decent spec 4 door and loads of change to get a nice S1 Turbo aswell (just a thought)

 

However, if I start putting money into the Harrier it's gonna be standing me in 15-16k or more

 

I know you don't get back what you put in with regards to ££ but it would be easier to sell, no, it'd be more satisfying to DIY, no................arrrrggghhh

I have a similar predicament with a non Ford appreciating classic that I own, only 250 built and its totally original and even in its original paint!

 

But I feel I need to modify it as, as you say its a little boring! But have decided to do nothing as I can buy a std one to modify if I choose. I think im going to sell mine as I feel I have nowhere to go with it, but know I would never find another as good, so the decision is hard.

 

On the other hand I have another that is one of only 2 built and that WILL be modded to death as the original is to 80's for my liking!

 

Im guessing im not helping much lol, but if I were you, I would keep the Harrier and do the reversible mods, they are very well spec'd anyway, so suspension, brakes and engine work would be totally acceptable. just dont go linking it or doing other chassis mods

[Mrs O/H/C]

Bloody ell, quite a dilemma

[Daz271]

Hey dal, i wondered if you were gonna be happy with a standard harrier after having 200bhp in the mk1, i personally think the car would be nice with 7" RS alloys, a hot crossflow & lowered etc BUT like you said your gonna have  £16k-£17k in it by the time it's done, and then it would probs only fetch £13k-£14k if you decided to sell it, and that's if you can sell it? Most people chasing harrier's seem to want standard spec?

 

If your not bothered about it being a harrier you could probably build a mk2 to the same spec for £10k? Is it worth the extra 6-7k extra just to have the harrier??

 

A 4 door + a s1 is a good option too, I have been thinking along the same lines myself, 2 very usable car's, get a good solid clean ghia for say 3-4k, tune or change the motor, coilovers, brakes & wheels etc, all done for £7k ish?

 

I'm in the same sort of pickle with my harrier, i kinda want to keep it but i have a full zetec setup sitting here, i also dont like the harrier stripes so if i put the zetec in and remove the stripes it's just pointless having  a harrier?? 

[gwtaylor22]

I'd swap my 1600 sport in a heart beat for a harrier

[turnover]

Sell it and buy something modified

[dalmarshall]

 

 

Thanks for the input guys and gals

 

I think its pretty obvious that ive done a wrongun and the reason behind me getting this car comes down to all the money and trouble I had with my GT. I had put so much into it and when I thought id finally cracked it and got it just how I wanted it bit me on the a@$e and got itself another problem.

 

I hadnt the time or the knowledge to put it right, nor was I in a position to give someone else a load more dollar to do it for me so my theory was to get something standard which i'd have half a chance of tinkering myself with the help of a Haynes manual!!

 

As much as the Harrier is a really lovely car it doesn't excite me at all. 

I need twin carbs, an LSD, loud and low

 

Shame, you live and learn eh!!

 

 

 

 

 

[SmokeEm]

Honesty is a gift mate! Sell to a bufty and buy a 7k runner and spend 5k making it yours.

[damian1969josh]

mod it , chris on hear has a harrier with a st engine slammed to the deck and it looks the bees   twin carbs lower nice cam and keep the bits you take of which can always go back on.  these cars are made for driving not looking at, get it done... 

[thrashermax]

Sell and get something to mod and make your own. This way you've had the best of both... I.e. the experience of owning, driving a harrier then driving a modded individual car to your spec. I often hanker after a genuine Mex but deep down I know it wouldn't be for me. I like to drive and enjoy my twin 45s, lsd, 1700 xflow and mk4 recaro seats too much.

 

Get a mk1 with tuned 2.1 pinto... Enjoy it then swap mine for it when you're done.

[In The Pit]

The problem is what if you spend another £4/5000 modifying it and you still find it boring, you would have wasted time and money and devalued your car.  If I was you i'd sell it and buy a MKII either 2 door or 4 door that's already modified and as you say with any money left over get something else as well.  That way if it's still not what you want you could sell it on and won't have lost time/money.  MKII's with mods are easy to find it's the standard cars that are getting few and far between (for all models particularly the non RS ones).

As Daz271 said he has a Harrier but doesn't like the stripes and wants to go for a Zetec whats the point in having a special edition, I agree with that. 

Yours looks a lovely car and i'm sure you could sell it on easily.  As others have said if you do decide to mod it stick to the reversible mods.
 

[Savvi]

Sell it ........... I really cant see what the hype is all about with Harriers ? As far as I remember they were an end of line thing when the Mk3's were coming out, where they used up all the parts left over and badged it up to make it sell ?

 

 

Buy something different mate and mod it how you want it, does it have to be an Escort though ? I know of a Mk1 escort bubble arch van shell for sale or perhaps an estate, 100E's are up & coming few nice sorted ones around for 1/2 the money of your Harrier.

[dalmarshall]

Sell it ........... I really cant see what the hype is all about with Harriers ? As far as I remember they were an end of line thing when the Mk3's were coming out, where they used up all the parts left over and badged it up to make it sell ?Buy something different mate and mod it how you want it, does it have to be an Escort though ? I know of a Mk1 escort bubble arch van shell for sale or perhaps an estate, 100E's are up & coming few nice sorted ones around for 1/2 the money of your Harrier.

 

I guess a big part of the harriers appeal is its rarity, and it's a sporty one. There was also the linnet and goldcrest but they weren't sporty and seem less desirable, almost forgotten!

 

I will get another escort, possibly another mk1 2 door

[mk2 mike]

I totally get Harriers, i love them. Vw did the same thing at the end of the mk1 GTi run with the campaign model, making it uber desirable now.

 

I think the fact you're even thinking about selling speaks volumes dal. If you were happy with it you wouldn't dream of selling. My thoughts would be sell it and get one to mod as you want it. No point modding this one and take away its originality and loosing money. I'd mod an rs2, but not a Harrier. You'll get a decent 2 door for half the price and can fill your boots with that! At least you've done the harrier thing now. Don't know until you try!

[rallyesport04]

we all hunger for something buy it an turns out it dont float your boat done it a few times cossies kit cars an boring fwds an i had more fun in a 1700 mk1 escort if i was in your shoes i would sell that valueable harrier an either build or buy somthing that blows your mind that looks similar to the harrier there must be something the harrier has you like or you woulnt have brought it try to replicate that harrierness in your new venture with good spec running gear an i think you might be on a winner