Discussion
I'm sentimental at the best (worst?) of times, and when it comes to cars letting go really isn't my strength. I was in part spurred on to write this after seeing a recent JayEmm video in which he references the Top Gear episode with the segment about driving dad's car. Led to me to think about the fact that, althgough perhaps a little extreme in me, the tendency to hold on to things is common in the car community as can be the regret of letting things go later on (damn you, past self). This seems especially so with things like a car that belonged to a parent, and I've heard a few petrol heads say that if only they could have kept such a car then they would have. Well, here I stand at that juncture, trying to make that call; can I keep it (practically, yes I can. . . so, perhaps *should* I keep it)?
Backstory; I developed my love of cars from years watching my dad trying to keep our Morris 1000 on the road, and trying to get involved. This wasn't a hobby. It was the mid to late 80s and we couldn't afford a new car, or even vaguley new car. My dad spent hours under the Morris no matter the weather just trying to keep the family on the road. I grew to love it that way; this thing that needed us as much as we needed it (plot twist; I've recently been offered that car back, too). Psychologically important narrative ark - one day we finally managed to get a nearly new car, and this was the pinacle for my dad's working class aspirations. It was 2002 and the car was a 4 year old Focus Ghia with 5k miles on it. That car has done everything for us, since. My dad died in 2010 and I inherited the car. He showed the first signs of being seriously ill in the car, and pulled up, got out, and collapsed on the pavement. Maybe I should have taken that as a sign that the car was cursed. At the time I was able to frame it as a sensible decision to keep the car; free transport! It was small solace, of course. Deep down I knew the risk - if I keep it, it'll only be harder to get rid of it. I should pull the plaster off, and stop delaying the inevitable. But I'm stubborn and sentimental, and also able to justify such decisions at the time by making them sound rational. Here I am; the car ended up being in part my coming of age car, it saw me through two relationships and to marriage, my first child, my aimless teenage drives hundreds of miles to clear my head, my education, training, and work. It's at 180k miles now. I always wanted to see 200 if not 300k.
I've put a lot into it, too. I've got a lever arch file for it that is full so I'm starting a second one. Front subframe, professional dinitrol treatment, cavity wax. . . way too much to list. Almost every job cost more than the value of the car. But time has caught up with us. The back end is wonky (bushes shot, broken spring) and the sills have disintegrated behind the plastic covers. There's a lot more, as well as stuff that I've paid for but that's been done badly. . only for me to find out quite some time later.
I was advised by one of the few garages that I trust to get a winter hack and to spare the Focus another cruel and salty winter. So, I started looking for something. Then, a thought; what if I test myself. If I get something that I actually quite like and see if that weans me off the Focus. Slim pickings, indeed. I was essentially looking for a car I could really enjoy for winter hack money. I upped the budget a bit. Still, couldn't find anything. It had to be from the late 90s to early 2000s. I see this as the apex of automotive engineering; I could write a whole essay on that but that would be a *long* tangent and not all that relevant. Cars like the Elise, the S2000, the Civic Type R, even the MK1 Focus was an era-defining design for me. I *prefer* driving older stuff, but I can't pretend it's objectively better. The turn of the century produced things that were safe enough, quick enough, clean enough, reliable enough - the French even managed to make cars that didn't rust (well, not much). Things were analogue enough, and not yet overburdened with tech, mass, size. A new narrative ark in design took over then, heading towards cars as white goods. Anyway. Low milage civic type R's were no longer attainable in the budget. Then I saw the Shed article on the Toyota T Sport. Found one. Bought it.
And. . . I actually really like it. It's the first time I've driven a properly special naturally aspirated engine. The 8200 redline is fantastic. My car isn't standard, but I don't know all the details yet. Coil overs for sure, larger ARB, I think something changed with the gear linkage, stainless exhaust. It seems to fix the problems identified in the reviews; it sounds fantastic but isn't in your face, not too rolly-polly, the gearchange is superb even if the ratios are interesting. It's comfortable and well-built. Yeah, it is a bit too thirsty for me. I've fixed a few niggles and it's a really nice place to sit.
So next I need to decide; do I keep my winter hack (which is far too nice to use as a winter hack and really I need to find some way of preserving it) or do I enjoy it for a few months while the Focus is put back together? The Focus gives me 90% of what the Toyota does, I think. Most of the time I don't use the Toyota's performance. They are both analogue enough, though the Focus probably cinches it on handling (well it did, once upon a time - I have sepia-toned memories of how well it handled when it was all sorted). The Focus has hydraulic steering and is simpler and easier to fix - doesn't even have ABS! The Toyota only has 69k miles and it shows, it also has a better gear change. They both have fantastic immediate cable-operated throttle responses.
Dads have a lot to answer for.
I'd love to hear other people's stories, of regret or otherwise; did you sell something sentimental and feel okay about it or regret it? Or did you keep something and are glad that you did or has it been a pain?
Now, about that Morris.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/oCdHxMju.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/5gop7dV3" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/5gop7dV3.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/5gop7dV3" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/5gop7dV3.jpg)
Backstory; I developed my love of cars from years watching my dad trying to keep our Morris 1000 on the road, and trying to get involved. This wasn't a hobby. It was the mid to late 80s and we couldn't afford a new car, or even vaguley new car. My dad spent hours under the Morris no matter the weather just trying to keep the family on the road. I grew to love it that way; this thing that needed us as much as we needed it (plot twist; I've recently been offered that car back, too). Psychologically important narrative ark - one day we finally managed to get a nearly new car, and this was the pinacle for my dad's working class aspirations. It was 2002 and the car was a 4 year old Focus Ghia with 5k miles on it. That car has done everything for us, since. My dad died in 2010 and I inherited the car. He showed the first signs of being seriously ill in the car, and pulled up, got out, and collapsed on the pavement. Maybe I should have taken that as a sign that the car was cursed. At the time I was able to frame it as a sensible decision to keep the car; free transport! It was small solace, of course. Deep down I knew the risk - if I keep it, it'll only be harder to get rid of it. I should pull the plaster off, and stop delaying the inevitable. But I'm stubborn and sentimental, and also able to justify such decisions at the time by making them sound rational. Here I am; the car ended up being in part my coming of age car, it saw me through two relationships and to marriage, my first child, my aimless teenage drives hundreds of miles to clear my head, my education, training, and work. It's at 180k miles now. I always wanted to see 200 if not 300k.
I've put a lot into it, too. I've got a lever arch file for it that is full so I'm starting a second one. Front subframe, professional dinitrol treatment, cavity wax. . . way too much to list. Almost every job cost more than the value of the car. But time has caught up with us. The back end is wonky (bushes shot, broken spring) and the sills have disintegrated behind the plastic covers. There's a lot more, as well as stuff that I've paid for but that's been done badly. . only for me to find out quite some time later.
I was advised by one of the few garages that I trust to get a winter hack and to spare the Focus another cruel and salty winter. So, I started looking for something. Then, a thought; what if I test myself. If I get something that I actually quite like and see if that weans me off the Focus. Slim pickings, indeed. I was essentially looking for a car I could really enjoy for winter hack money. I upped the budget a bit. Still, couldn't find anything. It had to be from the late 90s to early 2000s. I see this as the apex of automotive engineering; I could write a whole essay on that but that would be a *long* tangent and not all that relevant. Cars like the Elise, the S2000, the Civic Type R, even the MK1 Focus was an era-defining design for me. I *prefer* driving older stuff, but I can't pretend it's objectively better. The turn of the century produced things that were safe enough, quick enough, clean enough, reliable enough - the French even managed to make cars that didn't rust (well, not much). Things were analogue enough, and not yet overburdened with tech, mass, size. A new narrative ark in design took over then, heading towards cars as white goods. Anyway. Low milage civic type R's were no longer attainable in the budget. Then I saw the Shed article on the Toyota T Sport. Found one. Bought it.
And. . . I actually really like it. It's the first time I've driven a properly special naturally aspirated engine. The 8200 redline is fantastic. My car isn't standard, but I don't know all the details yet. Coil overs for sure, larger ARB, I think something changed with the gear linkage, stainless exhaust. It seems to fix the problems identified in the reviews; it sounds fantastic but isn't in your face, not too rolly-polly, the gearchange is superb even if the ratios are interesting. It's comfortable and well-built. Yeah, it is a bit too thirsty for me. I've fixed a few niggles and it's a really nice place to sit.
So next I need to decide; do I keep my winter hack (which is far too nice to use as a winter hack and really I need to find some way of preserving it) or do I enjoy it for a few months while the Focus is put back together? The Focus gives me 90% of what the Toyota does, I think. Most of the time I don't use the Toyota's performance. They are both analogue enough, though the Focus probably cinches it on handling (well it did, once upon a time - I have sepia-toned memories of how well it handled when it was all sorted). The Focus has hydraulic steering and is simpler and easier to fix - doesn't even have ABS! The Toyota only has 69k miles and it shows, it also has a better gear change. They both have fantastic immediate cable-operated throttle responses.
Dads have a lot to answer for.
I'd love to hear other people's stories, of regret or otherwise; did you sell something sentimental and feel okay about it or regret it? Or did you keep something and are glad that you did or has it been a pain?
Now, about that Morris.
Edited by morgenja on Monday 6th September 21:25
Edited by morgenja on Monday 6th September 21:26
Edited by morgenja on Monday 6th September 21:45
Edited by morgenja on Monday 6th September 21:50
Edited by morgenja on Monday 6th September 22:10
Edited by morgenja on Monday 6th September 22:11
Eyersey1234 said:
That Focus looks lovely. Rare to see one on a S reg these days.
Thank you. It is quite a flattering shot of it, but it does remind me of how fresh the design was and how it could look if I pour some more money into it.The fact it's a 1998 car makes me want to save it, too. A Ghia without abs, and with rear windy windows and 14 ich steelies. Feels almost pre-production, and although it has rusted it's not been in the typical places of the latter cars. Also had the engine shared by the escorts and Mondeos rather than the plastic topped zetecs of most Foci; only slightly different but I find it interesting.
carinaman said:
Does the Corolla not have hydraulic PAS too?
It's the bushes at the back that give the Focus that acclaimed handling.
Those Corollas can corrode around the sills too.
Yes, the handling on the Focus is shot at the moment! Not a fair comparison.It's the bushes at the back that give the Focus that acclaimed handling.
Those Corollas can corrode around the sills too.
Corolla is very clean now but I know sills would suffer. If I kept it I would get it properly treated and fill the sills up with dinitrol. The arches are immaculate which sealed the deal for me, I think. As for the steering, I might have made a mistake there, I'm not sure!
A well written and enjoyable read. It brought back thoughts of some of the bonkers car purchases my dad made. But some were just wonderful. From the bright (repainted) yellow ex ambulance from the 50s/60s to the 68 Vauxhall Cresta PC. With huge bench seat and 3 speed column change. And my favourite a Vauxhall VX4/90 in bright green. I loved that he would allow me to flick the overdrive switch on top of the gear lever. Anyway thanks for the memories.
carinaman said:
I'd be happy to be proved wrong, but I doubt an early noughties Corolla has ePAS.
It seems those Corollas have gone up in price.
Your dad got to own and drive a great daily that really moved the game on. Now you do too.
I was perhaps reading too much into the feel of the steering, which the reviews got right; it is a bit numb. The Focus has amazingly communicative steering for an economy hatch.It seems those Corollas have gone up in price.
Your dad got to own and drive a great daily that really moved the game on. Now you do too.
macp said:
A well written and enjoyable read. It brought back thoughts of some of the bonkers car purchases my dad made. But some were just wonderful. From the bright (repainted) yellow ex ambulance from the 50s/60s to the 68 Vauxhall Cresta PC. With huge bench seat and 3 speed column change. And my favourite a Vauxhall VX4/90 in bright green. I loved that he would allow me to flick the overdrive switch on top of the gear lever. Anyway thanks for the memories.
I loved being regalled by my dad about the cars he had, and how I wish he'd been able to keep a couple! Big Citroen, once a Cortina 1600e through work when he got a sales job (Ski yogurt, I think), and a Bond Equipe. He fell on harder times again before I was born, so the focus was like getting back there. He always wished he could have had a Jowett Javelin.morgenja said:
macp said:
A well written and enjoyable read. It brought back thoughts of some of the bonkers car purchases my dad made. But some were just wonderful. From the bright (repainted) yellow ex ambulance from the 50s/60s to the 68 Vauxhall Cresta PC. With huge bench seat and 3 speed column change. And my favourite a Vauxhall VX4/90 in bright green. I loved that he would allow me to flick the overdrive switch on top of the gear lever. Anyway thanks for the memories.
I loved being regalled by my dad about the cars he had, and how I wish he'd been able to keep a couple! Big Citroen, once a Cortina 1600e through work when he got a sales job (Ski yogurt, I think), and a Bond Equipe. He fell on harder times again before I was born, so the focus was like getting back there. He always wished he could have had a Jowett Javelin.These sort of threads are normally an excuse to lavish money on a completely mediocre heap that was only interesting when new to the ten-year-old who was being driven around in it. However the Focus is a great car, well worth keeping going IMO.
I have a feeling that Corolla may be electro-hydraulic PAS - the steering moves when you turn the ignition on, but I don't think it's full ePAS at that era. I've driven a standard 1.8, pretty decent for what it is.
I've not really been that sentimental about cars, & my parents never had anything interesting. I tend to buy a car for what it offers, and replace it when I can find something that does what I want better. Not having lots of parking enforces a level of ruthlessness! Having said that, my RX-7's purchase price doesn't even make the podium of its most expensive bills, and I did consider selling and then decide to keep it - but that was more because of how it drives than because of its history with me.
If your dad was a Ski Yogurt salesman, you may be interested in this twitter thread about their marketing in the 70s & 80s https://twitter.com/garius/status/1421064916434366... (& the poster is generally worth a follow).
morgenja said:
Thank you. It is quite a flattering shot of it, but it does remind me of how fresh the design was and how it could look if I pour some more money into it.
The fact it's a 1998 car makes me want to save it, too. A Ghia without abs, and with rear windy windows and 14 ich steelies. Feels almost pre-production, and although it has rusted it's not been in the typical places of the latter cars. Also had the engine shared by the escorts and Mondeos rather than the plastic topped zetecs of most Foci; only slightly different but I find it interesting.
I can understand you wanting to save it, it will be nice to read more about it once the work is done. I'm on my 2nd Focus, I ran a 07 reg Mk2 1.8tdci for nearly 3 years which I loved, only got rid as it needed a new clutch but I got the impression it was going to start being one bill after another, I picked up a 15 reg 1.5tdci Titanium 2 weeks ago which I am really impressed with. The fact it's a 1998 car makes me want to save it, too. A Ghia without abs, and with rear windy windows and 14 ich steelies. Feels almost pre-production, and although it has rusted it's not been in the typical places of the latter cars. Also had the engine shared by the escorts and Mondeos rather than the plastic topped zetecs of most Foci; only slightly different but I find it interesting.
These sort of threads always make me feel old - my Grandad had a split-screen Morris 1000!
The recent Top Gear episode about Dad cars was one of their better ones, but still made me feel old.
But I just can't get excited about new cars any more with so much reliance on electronics, etc.
Both of my current ones are from the mid-2000s with N/A engines, manual gearboxes and hydraulic PAS, but even they have a bit more tech than I really want with drive-by-wire accelerators, DTC and various other acronyms.
But in your situation I just wouldn't be able to part with the Focus!
The recent Top Gear episode about Dad cars was one of their better ones, but still made me feel old.
But I just can't get excited about new cars any more with so much reliance on electronics, etc.
Both of my current ones are from the mid-2000s with N/A engines, manual gearboxes and hydraulic PAS, but even they have a bit more tech than I really want with drive-by-wire accelerators, DTC and various other acronyms.
But in your situation I just wouldn't be able to part with the Focus!
Near the end of his days, my dad had an immaculate low miles 1963 Ford Corsair 1500. Not being in huge demand,these weren’t worth much -£3k ish at the time- but as I had a mk1 escort I sold the Corsair. Now wish I’d kept it, as it was a lovely relaxing thing to drive with a huge boot!
morgenja said:
Then I saw the Shed article on the Toyota T Sport. Found one. Bought it.
And. . . I actually really like it.
I know SOTW is mostly written for entertainment, but it's cool that an online article like that has opened your eyes to a car you might not otherwise have considered. I hope Mr SOTW reads this and feels a little glow of satisfaction this morning.And. . . I actually really like it.
It sounds like it has worked out really well. Now you get to preserve your Focus and all the history that goes with it, AND you've got an interesting hot hatch that's a nice compliment to the Focus.
morgenja said:
The fact it's a 1998 car makes me want to save it, too. A Ghia without abs, and with rear windy windows and 14 inch steelies. Feels almost pre-production.
It's crazy how much people's expectations change. The Focus was a really well-equipped car when it came out in the late 90s, but still had 14" steelies on the top of the range model!In your situation, I wouldn't be able to part with that old Ford. I understand the sentiment.
For me, the hardest one to rid myself of was my old X-Type. It had so much wrong with it, it was presenting me a bill well into 4 figures to repair. I had a big emotional attachment to it, I had it 5 years, which is the longest I've ever kept a car. It was my first Jag. It was the first car I bought because I wanted it, not because I had limited choice. It also saw me through two relationships, and at one point, it was the only thing I owned. The reality is, it was on 160k, shot turbo, rot, needed a suspension refresh etc etc and I made the decision to sell it to a breaker for £600. As soon as it was sold, it was like a weight lifted and I was able to start shopping for a new car.
It was the idea of giving it up that was effecting me, more than actually getting rid of it. I still wax lyrical about what a good car it was for me, but I am in a better position for not having it.
For me, the hardest one to rid myself of was my old X-Type. It had so much wrong with it, it was presenting me a bill well into 4 figures to repair. I had a big emotional attachment to it, I had it 5 years, which is the longest I've ever kept a car. It was my first Jag. It was the first car I bought because I wanted it, not because I had limited choice. It also saw me through two relationships, and at one point, it was the only thing I owned. The reality is, it was on 160k, shot turbo, rot, needed a suspension refresh etc etc and I made the decision to sell it to a breaker for £600. As soon as it was sold, it was like a weight lifted and I was able to start shopping for a new car.
It was the idea of giving it up that was effecting me, more than actually getting rid of it. I still wax lyrical about what a good car it was for me, but I am in a better position for not having it.
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