I recently signed up to post some questions about my new ride.. now.. before really reaching into my wallet to keep it on the road, I've been having existential types of doubts. This may be a long post.. but props if you can help me make a decision.

THE QUESTION: Will I be investing into this car only for it to leave me stranded or eat all my cash trying? I picked it up a few months ago for $600. Dash reads 130k. Salvaged title, I've registered it, I've been driving it, really enjoy it (aside from it's few issues) and now it needs a new transmission. It's become undrivable.

At the moment I'm looking at $750 for a tranny from a junk yard (a bit of a gamble... but found what may be the exact model nearby) + $7-800 of labor quoted from a competent mechanic.

I don't mind the idea of spending a few grand in the long run (thinking $3000 tops over the next few months) so long as it remains the stylish thang that it is, but becomes a smooth reliable daily driver. Is that too much to wish for? Perhaps, if it's lucky enough, it'll get finished off one day with a fresh coat of paint...


THE GOOD

The engine seems strong. When it shifts hard and gives the engine the chance to accelerate fully, it seems to have plenty of power.

The interior is awesome.. the story goes that some old man was maintaining it and pimping it out for wifey, then something happened, and they donated it to charity, it went to auction, some guy bought it, rode it around a bit, didn’t wanna have to deal with it, that’s where I come in.

The front seats are from a newer SL (with electric controls) and tan, the rest is dark red interior. The the upholstery is in great condition, the dash is doing pretty good, carpeting clean and seemingly redone, steering wheel nice, maybe glove compartment a bit bent but still good, wood trim still looks clean and smooth, sunroof and all but one power-window work, one door lock leaks (but they stayed locked), vibrates a bunch and needs an engine support rubber thingy.. seems like simple stuff I can deal with till I take care of it sometime in the future.

Also it came with two aluminium wheels off a newer SL, I was told they’re worth a bit.


THE BAD

The transmission needs to be changed.

The alignment seems a bit off, drives straight but tends a bit to the left, mostly only when accelerating and braking. This shouldn't be too expensive to get done by an expert, right? Could it also be bushings or bearings? Also brakes might have something to do with it. Brake light flickers/comes on from time to time.

It leaks oil. It used to leak a lot of oil, leaving a nice black piss puddle wherever it parked. After an oil change and washer installation it started leaking less. Still leaks a bit.. seems like a non-issue aside from the stain at my office parking spot...

Need to put money into getting the exterior looking good. Wanna eventually put on matching wheels/hubcaps. Clear coat is peeling.. some panels are completely without clear coat, other panels it’s peeling off. Might consider getting the paint job retouched if it isn’t ridiculously expensive.

CONCLUSION

At this point.. It’s no longer drivable due to the transmission. I’m already stranded and back on my motorcycle.. so it's probably either invest in keeping it on the road or buying a boring reliable car...

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