john - i like the analogy ... fish w/i chips ... LOL quite poetic mate
steve - i too dread knowing the answer but thank you for the commiserations. my problem (aside from money of course ) was the issue of space but that has been resolved for now. i have to drive other cars when at work sometimes (a few nice ones too) but i always relish getting behind the wheel of the supe again after them! . hard to explain but i feel the supe is honest about what it is and not some pricey poncey rubbish that i have to use sometimes.
ad500 - yes, the thought of giving up something i have worked so hard to personalize is very hard before even the issue of time, effort and money enters the picture.
thank you all for your kind words - this has made more determined than ever to find a way to keep it for as long as possible.