Is an FRP the car for me?

Hi all, I'm a newbie and I know in this forum I'm going to get a pretty heavily biased response in favour of, but I'm hoping that some of you might be able to give me some genuinely objective advice without being clouded by your passion for, the FRP.

I'm approaching 30, have been passionate about cars ever since I can remember but for whatever reason I've never truly lived the dream. So the plan is to buy a small, FWD car but crucially one that is entertaining & involving. Obviously the FRP fits the bill on that front, and I love the looks too, but there is a downside... Car maintenance, even the simplest of things, is a no-go area for me, I'm just not built that way, so any work required will need to be done by professionals.

I've read on this forum & others that there are a number of common issues with the FRP - things which need repairing/replacing and which many members here are happy to do themselves but these are precisely the things I would have to get a professional to do for me. Yes I could spend more and buy a 'mint' example but things will still need doing over time. I guess I'm also looking for an estimate on what FRP ownership costs would be like with all work being carried out professionally.

So with all that in mind is the FRP the car for me or can anyone suggest some possible alternatives?

Appreciate your help & advice.

P.S. I'm in Newbury, Berks - are there any members nearby who would be willing to give me an FRP passenger/driving experience?

Cheers,

Tim

Hiya Tim...

Owning an FRP can be a real buzz... very exciting car to drive.. and quite an experience...

some of the mantanence ca be quite 'fussy' i'd say... but it need not be rediculous at all....

I look after a fair few owners brakes, for very reasonable money, as they can certainly add up to a few quid if it needs all doing at once... if they looked after properly, a yearly clean up is all that is required... (obviously changing parts like pads and discs when required)...

Most of the car has fairly standard maintenence.... ford have called it a day now with regards to stocking the FRP 'specific' parts, so these remaining parts are now in the hands of the ford clearance company.... Pumabuild also have a decent amount of parts too, should any accidents occur....

Good luck hunting around..

Chris
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for me it is a car to enjoy caring for.
If you have deep pockets and not prone to cutting corners then it may be a car for you.
The amount of extra TLC needed will depend on how you drive it, mileage intended per year etc.
Is it going to be garaged or not.
Etc.

Personally if you need to ask if it a car for you then your heart wont be in it enough to take the steps to care for it and deal with any quirks experienced, but then a test drive may just show you otherwise and that you do want one

I don't think there's many specialist parts to maintain; the brakes being the only exception.

An FRP will need the same kind of general maintenance as any other car i.e. fluids, filters, plugs, pads, discs, tyres, belt changes, rust treatment etc

After all it's just an oversized Puma at the end of the day no drive train differences or anything!