This car has been in the household since 2003, when it was bought to replace a 1993 Buick LeSabre that my older brother wrecked (and that was a great car!). The issue with this car was (and is) that the previous owner, an old lady, drove it maybe ten miles a week and more often than not, forgot to change the oil regularly. From the day we got it (for $1800) it leaked oil like the Exxon Valdez. Since we have had it, more things have failed and were it not for the fact that the drivetrain is mechanically sound, we would seriously have junked it.
Earlier this year, I decided that instead of junking it, I would attempt a thorough rebuild of the car to bring it back into safe, comfortable and leak-free running condition. Cosmetics are not a top priority, but those who know me will attest that somehow they DO become a top priority in the end. We'll see. The total cost of the parts was $1,000 for the following things that need doing:
1. Replace the struts and mounts all around (KYB GR-2 struts, KYB mounts)
2. Replace the rear swaybar bushings (Moog)
3. Replace the timing belt (Continental), tensioners (Toyota), and water pump (GMB)
4. Replace the spark plugs (NGK V-power)
5. Replace the crankshaft seals (Ishino), oil pan gasket (Fel-Pro) and distributor o-ring (Toyota)
6. Repair the brake light wiring harness (brake lights do not work, and no, it's not the relays, fuses, or the failure sensor)
7. Repair the front center ventilation vents (probably a disconnected duct)
8. Repair the air conditioning (needs new o-rings and a recharge)
9. Repair the rust-out on the right-rear quarter panel by cutting out the rust and welding in a section of steel sheet. Check this out. It makes the trunk fill with water when it rains: |
