I need some rational input. Have a 2000 LC, 205K miles, owned since new. New England vehicle. Has been a tremendous truck, and has a lot of sentimental history. Current condition: Mechanically very sound. In last 8K miles, TB and full 90K service, new rotors, two new calipers, new pads. New Bilsteins, new bushings. Five new tires. It's in good shape.
Here are the issues: Rust. The rear hatch needs to be replaced. The "standard" problem. Not going to screw around with a patch fix. The windshield is a case study in a poor installation gone bad. Needs replacing, and needs a lot of rust repair work under the moulding on the top of the windshield. It's significant. The interior is is great shape other than the fact that one of our dogs has taken nice chunks out of both of the front door panels. They should be replaced. The radio is shot, and should be replaced. The fake wood trim on the console looks awful. Have a couple of interior lights that are out....doesn't bother me {the D light, seat heater light, etc}. Carpet, leather, headliner all perfect. If I keep it, I should probably source some exhaust manifolds, too. Transmission was replaced under extended warranty at 98K miles, along with the starter. At $750, back then, the warranty was a pretty good investment!
So here's the question. I know every inch of this truck mechanically. I can get a rust free hatch, and two perfect interior panels for $1200 or so. I'm guessing to do the rust work near the windshield, the right way, will be $2000, maybe even $3000.
So, to make it look right, I am guessing that I'll spend around $4000. I will also do what I can to be preventive in terms of the rust. it is what it is. If you were in my shoes, would you be thinking about doing this, or selling it, and looking for the best rust free example of a 2003, or 2004, with maybe 100K miles that you could find?
When I get done with transportation, sales tax in my state {6.25%}, and realistic pricing, my guess is that I'm looking at at least $15K, and maybe $20K for a newer one versus $4K {or more} to fix. Then again, I'll have a LC with no rust, and a lot more life. Where I get hung up is that I know this one, and I have the most detailed service records that you'll ever see. If I didn't live 150 yards from the ocean, we would not have the issue! I've been going back and forth in my head on this for quite a while.
I know the general consensus on "rust belt" vehicles. This one is solid as rock other than in those two areas......and of course it"s one can of PB Blaster for each nut to loosen underneath.
LC will be a third vehicle for the most part, and used for some longer, most often winter road trips. Whether I keep mine, or replace, I plan on owning one for at least another 25 years. We're talking a 5K miles per year vehicle within couple of years. Just can't imagine NOT owning one.
Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.
Here are the issues: Rust. The rear hatch needs to be replaced. The "standard" problem. Not going to screw around with a patch fix. The windshield is a case study in a poor installation gone bad. Needs replacing, and needs a lot of rust repair work under the moulding on the top of the windshield. It's significant. The interior is is great shape other than the fact that one of our dogs has taken nice chunks out of both of the front door panels. They should be replaced. The radio is shot, and should be replaced. The fake wood trim on the console looks awful. Have a couple of interior lights that are out....doesn't bother me {the D light, seat heater light, etc}. Carpet, leather, headliner all perfect. If I keep it, I should probably source some exhaust manifolds, too. Transmission was replaced under extended warranty at 98K miles, along with the starter. At $750, back then, the warranty was a pretty good investment!
So here's the question. I know every inch of this truck mechanically. I can get a rust free hatch, and two perfect interior panels for $1200 or so. I'm guessing to do the rust work near the windshield, the right way, will be $2000, maybe even $3000.
So, to make it look right, I am guessing that I'll spend around $4000. I will also do what I can to be preventive in terms of the rust. it is what it is. If you were in my shoes, would you be thinking about doing this, or selling it, and looking for the best rust free example of a 2003, or 2004, with maybe 100K miles that you could find?
When I get done with transportation, sales tax in my state {6.25%}, and realistic pricing, my guess is that I'm looking at at least $15K, and maybe $20K for a newer one versus $4K {or more} to fix. Then again, I'll have a LC with no rust, and a lot more life. Where I get hung up is that I know this one, and I have the most detailed service records that you'll ever see. If I didn't live 150 yards from the ocean, we would not have the issue! I've been going back and forth in my head on this for quite a while.
I know the general consensus on "rust belt" vehicles. This one is solid as rock other than in those two areas......and of course it"s one can of PB Blaster for each nut to loosen underneath.
LC will be a third vehicle for the most part, and used for some longer, most often winter road trips. Whether I keep mine, or replace, I plan on owning one for at least another 25 years. We're talking a 5K miles per year vehicle within couple of years. Just can't imagine NOT owning one.
Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.
