Likes: Been a while for a Grade-A rant... As you know I'm selling my foxes (one gone, another to go) and soon all my spare parts and other fox related accessories. And I've done this once before but this time is very different.
It's an unhealthy habit for me:
It's a drug! I felt an overwhelming shame the last few times I put money in my 87, recently an $850 hood. On my way to pick it up, I was thinking "what is wrong with me, why am I doing this?". I sunk so much money into this car and yet I put 3,000km in just over 5 years. I put so much time into this thing, absorbing fuel, oil, rust particles, grime and god-knows-what and for what? I put like 6k into this car during the pandemic alone. I was obessive about it, always looking for a stronger high (more parts). I can't even take a shit without being on marketplace looking for parts or on lmr.com...
Driving for me sucks now:
My notch drives TIGHT, lots of power, handles better than my 2017 performance pack ever did. It's a foxbody that anyone would freaking love to own and I finally have something that is a blast to drive. That's what's breaking the camel's back right now for me. Driving isn't fun for me anymore. I'm scared to even break traction these days. Hell I rarely even break the speed limit now lol And this is the guy who LOVED breaking his own speed records on the 407 LOL. So if I drive like an old man now, what's the point in having a car like this? My ecoboost truck is more than enough power for what I do (I don't even like sport mode). I actually enjoy a short rip @ Boundary Road in my truck (off-road) than I do a rip in the fox these days.
Car shows:
I admit, I am sad that the big shows are canned this year (Thanks Chinese government). But thinking about it - car shows aren't that exciting for me anymore anyway. Walk around, hot as hell, watch people point defects and tell me "I should put the battery in the trunk" (which I did this year lol) and have the same conversations over and over again. Meh, I'd rather be in the pool, drinking some beer and talking about "good ol days" with close friends.
Family hates the fox:
The other thing is my wife hates the car, she loved the 2017 and is totally ok with me getting something newer (when the situation permits again). But we go for rips in the fox, she is visibly miserable in the thing with no AC and my kid is whining that there's too much wind sitting in the back seat lol And I just feel bad for torturing my family so I can row through gears. I'm spending time and money and being 110% selfish. I want to get back into music, mountain biking and other things we can enjoy as a family. We are getting a pool next summer, mix that with the hottub and general outside setup we have, it's much nicer to just be at home.
Community isn't the same anymore (not this one, mind you):
I witness a bunch of nonsense, to the point where I left ALL facebook groups save for my own and just generally stay away from those smaller car shows. There are people who can afford amazing mint foxes and the same people will put everyone down that doesn't have such a ride or if they feel you got "ripped off". They're more than happy to mess with your reputation based on their own ego, talk behind your back, post shit about you and your rides - who needs this? I don't judge my life based on how clean of a toy car I own. To be honest, I think it's stupid to put so much money on an 80's car like that. I'd put a little more and get something real nice like an R8, or Corvette or something worth driving (that's just me, no offence). But I'm not going to point fingers, my thinking is if you're happy, that's awesome! Thumbs up! I don't generally care - Just don't push your thinking on me or cause shit, and we be friends.
Can't get back into it again:
The positive thing is, once out, I'm out for good. I can't afford to build another notch like I have. I did the math, even with some used parts. It would cost between $30,000 to $37,000 replicate this car (which I'd sell for 20, maybe even 19.5). I don't have the money to do this all over again, and if I get back into a very high paying job - I won't be allowed to afford it anyway and I think (hope) I learnt my lesson.
Conclusion:
I loved my foxes, they will always hold a special place but it's time to look at them from a far and enjoy the memories I created in the past instead of trying to relive them. Circumstances forced to think about it like the cost, the addiction, some bad apples and the outcome is clear as day. Get out, enjoy life and try to be a better person by focusing on what's really important. Don't worry, I'll still rant and help people with fox related questions. My online magazine is being sold as well.
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Originally Posted by Armen
