The Ford Capri Laser Page

That's lost interest with their Capri?

After many new parts I can't be bothered to get it out for a drive, and no real enjoyment even when I do drive it Just seems like I'm always waiting for the next thing I need to replace

Don't know if it's the current situation, lack of shows, the often crap weather when I do plan to use it, or it's just time to move on

To be honest I've got like that and that's why it has taken so long to get the Laser on the road and I still have the 2.0S to get recommisioned and MOT'd and the 3.0S needing a complete rebuild and renewal of almost every panel.

What with the Capri's, the Fiesta MK2, mum's old polo (which is still really useful at times) and also having taken on the large 95 year old house with big garden (really hate gardening) I just seem to have gotten to the point I couldn't give a fig about the lot of them. I think things would look better if I repaired the 2.0S and the Fiesta, both of which don't need too much work to get back on the road and then sell them both and the Polo needs to go as well really.

I feel like that sometimes, especially when you fix something and then its just something else, or continually tracing problems for years. It can become a reinforcing cycle too. Can only be broken by going out for a good drive and then parking up somewhere and looking at it

Hi Andy,

I know exactly how you feel, check out the link below mate

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=51531&p=353663&hil ... es#p353578

Wayne

I must agree with all the above , I was going in to hospital to have two bones removed in my neck when we got ( LOCKDOWN )
And from there it’s all gone tits up . I would say Andy you have done more miles then all of us .
Boris has said it will be all over by xmas did I say xmas know boris did
When I was reading paul g post I thought you said I have taken on 95 woman I thought Christ that will do your back

Let’s hope it’s a bleep and we will all be back to normal soon .......


One good thing that has kept me going is I have not seen the mother in law since February ( always look at the positive side )

andyd wrote: ↑Sat Jul 18, 2020 2:16 pm That's lost interest with their Capri?

After many new parts I can't be bothered to get it out for a drive, and no real enjoyment even when I do drive it Just seems like I'm always waiting for the next thing I need to replace

Don't know if it's the current situation, lack of shows, the often crap weather when I do plan to use it, or it's just time to move on

I think the lack of enthusiasm we're all feeling is the lack of shows and, until recently, the inability to even go out for a drive.
I reckon we'll all be keen to get started again next year, and when we do we'll all be as enthusiastic about our Capris as we've ever been.

Andrew.

Andrew 2.8i wrote: ↑Sat Jul 18, 2020 5:07 pm

andyd wrote: ↑Sat Jul 18, 2020 2:16 pm That's lost interest with their Capri?

After many new parts I can't be bothered to get it out for a drive, and no real enjoyment even when I do drive it Just seems like I'm always waiting for the next thing I need to replace

Don't know if it's the current situation, lack of shows, the often crap weather when I do plan to use it, or it's just time to move on

I think the lack of enthusiasm we're all feeling is the lack of shows and, until recently, the inability to even go out for a drive.
I reckon we'll all be keen to get started again next year, and when we do we'll all be as enthusiastic about our Capris as we've ever been.

Andrew.

Think a lot of us have had these feelings this year, the weirdest year I've experienced and dont want see anything like it again. As you've both said it's the lack of shows coupled with restricted driving, which is why I'm doing the Cheddar gorge run tomorrow. I enjoy driving my daily as much as driving the Capri but still get a kick out of it. Hoping to enjoy that spark like I did last weekend after far too long a break. Stick with it Andy

Understandable Andy, its been a strange year. there was always the chance of it being an anti climax after the 50th year last year but obviously the rug has been pulled from under us big time since then. I was working from home for 10 weeks so no travelling, no dressing in a suit everyday and potentially more time to do one or two things and I couldn't really be arsed be it cars, garden or what. The usual reasons and incentives for doing stuff wasn't there. I too k the 2.0 off the road in March and didn't cover it as there were odd jobs that needed doing like an exhaust change. I didn't get around to ordering the exhaust until 5 weeks ago and its still sitting in the shed and the car is looking a tad neglected. But I'm sure the mind-set will improve once its possible to meet a few friends and do more 'normal' stuff even if it is next year.

Thanks for the replies, it seems to be a common thing at times.

I bought it for near top money and have sunk another few £000 in new parts and labour and some spare service items etc.
I'm near the point where the car won't be worth what it owes me, and having only driven it 650 since October 2018 it will be SORN again soon I'm not getting enough use from it to justify the costs, and kind of used to it being an expensive ornament now. As I said above the last few times I have driven it I've not felt the same as I did previously! It feels like I've got a big red weight around my neck that I need to move on from

A decision will be made soon, but whatever happens I will still be on here and arranging the usual meets etc, and still attending car shows one way or another

andyd wrote: ↑Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:49 am As I said above the last few times I have driven it I've not felt the same as I did previously! It feels like I've got a big red weight around my neck that I need to move on from

I still think that in a few months time you'll feel as excited about your Capri as you did when you bought it.

If you do decide to move on, is now the right time to sell anyway?

Andrew.

I can see where folks are coming from & as has been said, I think its the lack of meeting up with folks & sharing our cars, our experiences, swapping ideas, helping people to find spares & generally socialising with people who have a shared interest, regardless of what make & model of car. For me personally, this is why I enjoy the shows, not to go pot hunting as my dad calls it ..... but to socialise with fellow enthusiasts & friends. Friends I would never have met if it wasn't for our shared love of Capris

On the back of last year specially with so many good shows & the 50th anniversary events, it gave us all reasons to get off our arses with dates to aim for, whereas this year lethargy has set in. Its the same for me with my motorbike, I haven't ridden it nearly enough this year either.

Hang in there folks, as Captain Toms says, tomorrow will be a good day

Glad you started this thread. I've been so depressed and uninterested in life of late. Every time I sit down I go to sleep. I thought it was just me but it's reassuring to hear other folks are feeling the same. The Capri isn't my only interest. I normally have so much to do. But all of a sudden the whole lot was taken away from me. OK; there's plenty to do round the house; just don't feel inspired to do it.

But I couldn't dream of the Capri going just yet. In some ways it's been my salvation. I've kept it going throughout lockdown and had my spirits lifted by some lovely early-morning drives in the sunshine on near empty roads.

All I can say is hang on in there everybody. There's got to be an end to this some day.

I know what you mean I think this whole situation has been tough on everyone. It has been quite depressing as barely leave my house anymore as now working from home until at least Christmas, but likely to be a permanent thing. I have lost interest in doing my house and garden at the moment. Spent ages leveling the garden off and now can't seem to kind anyone to do a patio, lawn and drainage for me (don't turn up, do turn up and don't bother quoting or do a quote and then ignore me when I try to discuss it with them with in terms of the different options - usual shit). I have only just bought my Capri as I wanted to regain interest in something again as my project car is a little bit of a money pit at the moment (although have spent the last few days working on it). I didn't really want another project although the Capri does need a few things doing which I wasn't aware of of which has annoyed me a little as looks like a new fuel tank might be need unless there is a slim chance it can be fixed.

One thing my work colleague said on the phone the other day is that she felt like she is loosing her social skills at bit and it kind of dawned on me I felt a bit the same. There isn't really much of 'shooting the shit' with anyone as much as before like at work (now being home based) and when I do go out it all social distancing.

I will be glad when there are some car shows to go to and hopefully some music concerts again soon to break to monotony of everything a bit.

Sorry to hear this Andy but totally get where you are coming from.

Having said this I been having a great time working on B112 during lock down and getting lots of jobs done and indeed it's going I to Tickover on tues for more bits and piece done

I’ve felt the same as everyone else, even considered selling my projects and calling it a day with cars!

How long have we got to enjoy them anyway?

Was reading an article by Quentin Wilson who asked, as the air got cleaner during lockdown will legislation stop our hobby altogether soon?
He doesn’t think electric cars will be mainstream for at least 10years, so will still need to rely on petrol until then...but my worry is ploughing money into my car then it all being a waste...unless I use it daily which will be expensive.

What will happen to these nice classics then?

I’m still looking at the classifieds though and notice your lovely 2.8 being for sale, as a nice white mk2 3.0 Ghia caught my eye on the same site!

Yours should sell quickly I think, and you can always buy another later on

Pas28i wrote: ↑Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:18 pm
How long have we got to enjoy them anyway?

Was reading an article by Quentin Wilson who asked, as the air got cleaner during lockdown will legislation stop our hobby altogether soon?

Doubt it. Plenty of poshos have classic cars too. Older and historic motors will probably still be on the road.

andyd wrote: ↑Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:49 am
A decision will be made soon, but whatever happens I will still be on here and arranging the usual meets etc, and still attending car shows one way or another

And don't forget the Capri owners lament paradox....... Literally 100% of everyone I've spoken to, on the road, in the park, down the pub (back when there were pubs..), on line and especially at petrol stations, every one of them shakes their head, has this crestfallen, far away look in their eye and says some variation of "I regret selling mine."

You have been warned!

Sorry to hear that some of you guys are feeling down and/or not feeling the Capri love at the moment. Lack of motivation or interest can be attacked in various ways though, would take too long to get into that here, it is a personal unique thing for each person anyway.

But as regards to the Capri, personally I've loved the lock down period (feel bad saying that with so many having lost their lives) and the slower pace of life and all the extra time. I have been enjoying my Capri tinkering too, I treat the necessity of having to mess around and fix the next problem as simply a part of the whole old car hobby. Yes it can get you down but I love the feeling of elation when you actually fix it.

I drive mine very frequently which might make a difference to some if you can get out more. I often use mine the same way that I used to use my bike as a kid, simply just go out to play in it, just when I feel like it, even a drive around the local streets for an hour in the evening makes me feel great. So maybe try that?

Keep calm and Capri on

But we all have hobbies/interests which we move on from, there is nothing wrong with leaving it behind if you feel that you have been there, done that, and don't wish to anymore, nothing wrong with that at all. And new hobbies are always fun, and that is the key word I think.

Major_Tom wrote: ↑Mon Jul 20, 2020 9:30 am Plenty of poshos have classic cars too.

And that could be our saving grace actually. Seems popular with the powers that be, those in Parliament making laws and rules for us all, for example.

After spending 3 months WFH I'm now back to work 3 day's a week and I have to say thank God for that, continually WFH definitely affected me, no motivation, moody, snappy, lazy and just generally feeling like shit as one day blurred into the next, I changed a camshaft on my car over the weekend and it took every ounce out of me to get off my arse and get out there and do it, in fact it took my partner to say talks cheap, money buys houses! now ffs get out there and do it.

I never realized work played such an important part in my life, not just money but structure too, I won't be moaning about going to work anytime soon!

Wayne