I’ve seen a few people on here who have said things a long the lines of “I wish I never woulda sold my pinto†or “if anyone has seen one with the VIN (insert VIN #) I’d like to buy it back†so I wanted to get a few opinions.
I’ve recently seriously considered selling my pinto. I have no time to work on it, could use money, and would like a new project. I’ve worked and reworked and modified that car for about 10 years now, and except for putting in a v-8, I’ve done all I’ve wanted. It’s got some small problems that I just don’t have the energy to fix. (windshield wipers, inspection, some floor pan rust, a new mystery fuel issue)
It’s a good car, and fun to drive when I do drive it, but it’s just not practical right now and I think it’s time to move on. In high school, the car made me famous, and I don’t want to resurrect it just to carry along the past with me. So before I slap for For Sale sign on it, I was wondering if anyone had any advice. Anyone ever felt like selling it, then decided to keep it? Anyone ever regret selling, or not regret it? Am I crazy for wanting to sell it, did I drink something bad? Just looking for an outside opinion. I could never trust my own…
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I have an 80 Rallye that I bought about 12 years ago. 3 years ago I sold it to a friend of mine.He had it for 18 months and did nothing with it.So I bought it back and won't sell it again.So if you decide to sell,sell it to a friend.That way you might be able to get it back.Besides Pinto's are like family,when you have one they never go away.
My take on this: you need to trust your own opinion on this.  As I read your post, you are listing a lot of negatives about keeping it.  I am not sensing you are deriving any enjoyment or satisfaction in ownership of this vehicle at this time.  Sell it.  And then know that down the road, someday in the future, when the time is right, when timing is perfect, when you have the inclination, the perfect pinto will come your way and you will buy it up, and it will be absolutely wonderful.  Sure, we all have little tinges of regret about selling a favorite car ("I should have held onto it."  etc. etc.)  But at the time, we really believed were making the right decision, and you know what?  We were making the right decision.  You need to go with your gut feelings on this, and your gut feeling, if I read your post right, is that this car is a burden right now to you.  Why not sell it to somebody on fordpinto.com and make somebody really  happy?  Hey, I just thought of something else that might help you.  This example has to do with running a half marathon, but the same principle applies.  In 1999, I was running in a race that was 13.1 miles long.  Another runner came alongside me and we got to chatting as we ran the miles.  She said something to me that I will always remember. Her advice to me on the pace I was running was this: "Run the way you feel."  Basically, she was telling me to set my own pace and listen to my own body and go with that.  My advice to you is the same.  Listen to what you are telling yourself about this pinto and then have peace in selling it.  I promise you there will be another pinto in your future for you to enjoy when the time is right!  Regards!