I'm right there with you. I have spent much more than I anticipated but was definately forewarned. These cars are built with quality parts but when they start failing, kaboom! Putting a new engine in mine now after 200K. In two years, I have spent about $1500.00 a year and doing my own labor. But, again, I don't know of too many other cars out there as old as these and still pretty much self repairable and running, and riding smooth!

PS2CHO....I was wondering, since you've already done this...when my engine is out of the car at the shop, can the friction bands be easily replaced in the transmission if it's still bolted in? The Auto Shop doesn't do tranny's but I said I could go down an do whatever I wanted while it was out. How long of a process was this for you once it was out of the car?

sptt