Had enough of your osf?

[Vista]

I know the police are exempt the rule and I knew you're in the police. My point is that the police categorically do not have carte blanche exemption from this rule, it only applies in certain circumstances. And in any circumstance a 16 hour day is both unsafe and unreasonable

[Tall paul]

Don't give up on it mike, like mark said I'm sure a few of us Essex lot can help out at some point even if it's on the phone.

[stuartp]

I know the feeling - i'm in a similar boat (although not working quite so many hours thank god!) limited skills, very limited time, no comfy garage to work in and I tend to break more than I fix every time I try something.

 

Mine just won't start reliably (or at all at the moment) - I have spent loads on trying to sort out such a simple and vital part of running the car (and had several experts look at) but still it refuses to start properly.

 

It's stopping me enjoying the car and also holding off the real work that needs doing which is dealing with the bodywork

 

Had me thinking about selling up recently - still mulling it over

 

back of my mind says I should keep hold of it at all costs though - maybe you should too?

[brettp]

The scene is is the doldrums because the cost of living is ridiculous also the winter and no shows or particular events to try and get ready for

[EscortDan]

I feel the same, I have a small locku with no power, I have limited tools and limited time too, i do 200+ hours a month every month plus overtime and 6 days a week usually, sometimes it goes into double figures before I have a day off. i moved house and garage and I still have no time. I get bugged by a few of my good friends all the time to get on with it, and I know when I get stuck I can call on them and they will help me out and vice versa, and I think if i didn't have them around I would never get it finished or have the motorvation to get on with it.

 

There are a lot of good people on here that offered help and will gladly answer questions for you and give you the advice you need. Keep your chin up, have a little break from it and you'll miss it and want to open the doors up and give it a cuddle! Make a list of the issues your having with it and I bet with in a few weekends they could all be sorted out quite quickly!

 

Dan

[mk2 mike]

Stuart that's exactly what happens to me. I'd try changing a headlight bulb and end up snapping the grille in half! I'm just no good at car stuff. Washing the thing is about my limit! Problem is I have little or no interest in working on cars, or learning how to do it, I just enjoy driving them. I know some will say that maybe I shouldn't have an osf if that's the case as they'll always need to be maintained but as my first car was a mk2 owning one now does bring back lots of good memories and it does make me smile when I'm out in it. I think that's reason enough to have one!

 

Thanks for all your encouraging words, I've picked up all my toys and put hem back in my pram.

[monkeymoreton]

I think people that are not as knowledge able but still try and look after there car at a cost is more of a struggle than us lot that can fix our cars. I am glad you have found some enthusiasm in your escort again

[thrashermax]

I feel for you but glad to see you have a change of heart. The car won't lose any value... but the main problem is lack of use, this is most likely why she's playing up. If realistically you wont be able to use frequently and if it keeps playing up, you will end up hating it... Maybe selling and getting a cheaper sorted 4 door would be a compromise? My 1300e took me to Cornwall and back, I did 3,000 trouble free miles with the standard 1300 xflow on points ignition. You would still have a cool mk2 but with more money in the bank.

[knighty]

Stick with it Mike, once the winters passed and spring starts showing its face i'm sure you'll find a new enthusiasm. I'll throw my hat in the ring to help out too mate, for me this is part of the OSF scene. Between us in Essex there's enough skills and time to lend a hand when you need it  just keep us in tea and bacon rolls lol

[JOHN SAVAGE]

No.

 

Problem is I don't have time to tinker. I'm working about 16 hours a day 6 days a week. The other day I spend with my girlfriend 70 miles away from where the car is.

 

The car is in a lock up with no power, no lights. I don't have any tools or knowledge to fix anything. If I have any work done to it I need to use my annual leave from work to arrange people to come round. I have no more time off now till April 2014. Simple things that should take 30 mins like fitting bucket seats have taken me nearly two months and I still can't get them in. Its hemorrhaging cash faster than I can earn it. I barely use it. I've never let anything beat me before but this car is causing me more grief than I've ever known lol. I've just had enough of it.

 

Don't get me wrong, I love driving it (when it's working) and love the osf scene, I've met some great people through owning it but I've completely list any remaining interest I had in it. I spoke to the girlfriend about selling it today and she is devastated. I don't know what to do, I just needed to vent lol. It was either that or put a bucket seat through the windscreen!

if its geting you down that much flog it on and buy a newer old school ford and something you can use, you can always buy another when the time is right.

[deadly456]

I agree vista,i been working 70 hour weeks. Even though i do all those hours im not tired but dont feel like doing anything. CURE,4 hours yesterday and 2 hours today driving around in my MK1 ESCORT RS2000. NEVER FELT SO GOOD

[pintoboy]

keep it m8 i have had mine 3 years already and still a long way off you will regreat it m8  

[nik_plant]

I felt the same with mine a few years back, half done, didn't seem to be getting anywhere fast, spent all week at work and no time to do it, and no real budget, but last year set a deadline being classic ford 2013. If it wasn't done by then I was selling it. I got stuck in and was flat out on it for months, got it done the night before and had a pukka weekend at classic ford. I can't see myself selling my escort for a long time now. Tucked away for winter while I make a few alterations

[iandq]

just been out in the anglia to pick the missus up from work, big smiles and lots of turning heads, love it!

keep the faith!

cheers, ian.

[lead foot]

Yep , I am 18" disc cutter at the ready

[Herr Doktor]

I've said this before and I know I get boring ............. but I've done over a 1000 miles in my STANDARD Mk1 Camper this Summer and we didn't break down once !!!!!

 

 

I think so many people feel they have to run modified and "upgraded" cars these days and in my eyes unless you have it done by the pro's at huge cost they start to become unreliable.

 

Oh Man! This I CAN relate to BIG STYLEE!! I have a 1965 split screen camper, Porsche 911 Turbo engine and running gear, slammed to the floor, on hydraulics etc etc. It's a nightmare to maintain. When things go wrong [and they do... a lot] it costs a fortune in time, effort and money to fix. My "new" escort is going to stay as is!

 

Like you I'm no great fan of working on them but sometimes you have to else the local garage will charge you an absolute fortune needlessly! Driving them is great fun though eh?