Jared_Guynes
Member
Hey All,
I picked up my 1996 L300 with 72k miles on it for $12k in December. I bought the car via Cars & Bids, and then flew up to see it after getting some serious paint correction and detail work done to it. Remarkably, the van has NO rust anywhere on it, or under it, and overall I have to say the condition is fantastic. People are shocked to see how clean it is considering its age. Even so, looks is only one thing, so I had the car shipped down to Florida to get work done at KARR Automotive.
The trip alone in an enclosed trailer was $2200 one way. So now I am at $14k in.
Kellyn and the team went over the car nose to tail, and suggested the following maintenance and changes to the car. In addition to this there are some upgrades I requested, like installing a snorkel, ladder, torsion bars, a EGT gauge, and a 110v cubby adapter. Here is the total list of work being completed there.
1. Complete Vehicle Inspection
2. Diagnose Driveability Concern (Emission / Fuel / Ignition)
3. Fuel System General Service
4. Diagnose Gauges ( Tachometer)
5. Evacuate and Recharge R134A Air Conditioning System
6. New Air Conditioning Compressor
7. New Timing Cover and Drive Belts
8. New Radiator Coolant Hoses
9. Power Steering Service
10. Brake System Service
11. Differential Fluid Service (Front)
12. Differential Fluid Service (Rear)
13. New Diesel Fuel Filter
14. Transfer Case Fluid Service
15. Manual Transmission Fluid Service
16. Lube, Oil and Filter Service
17. Valve Adjustment Service
18. New Valve Cover Gasket
19. Drum Brake Service (Rear)
20. New Steering Tie Rods
21. New Transmission / Transaxle Mount Bushings
22. New Disc Brake Pads, Rotors & Calipers (Front)
23. New Good Karma Front Bash Plate
24. New Upgraded Torsion Bar Set
25. New Shock Absorber Bushings
26. New Control Arm Bushings - Front Lower
27. New Stabilizer Bar End Link Bushings
28. New Suspension Leaf Spring Bushings
29. New Flat Style Snorkel Intake
30. New Rear Door Ladder
31. New 60mm EGT Gauge
32. New 110v Dual Plug Cubby
Now, with all of that work, the parts & labor estimate is at about $13,000.
So that will put me at $27k invested. I also have sales tax, registration and some other expenses, but at this point I don't really care. lol
Mostly I am just EXCITED to get my van and start enjoying it, but I can say of all the cars I have bought over the years, this is the only one that was running and driving that I still somehow found a way to spend another $10k+ on just to still have the same engine, turbo and transmission lol.
I picked up my 1996 L300 with 72k miles on it for $12k in December. I bought the car via Cars & Bids, and then flew up to see it after getting some serious paint correction and detail work done to it. Remarkably, the van has NO rust anywhere on it, or under it, and overall I have to say the condition is fantastic. People are shocked to see how clean it is considering its age. Even so, looks is only one thing, so I had the car shipped down to Florida to get work done at KARR Automotive.
The trip alone in an enclosed trailer was $2200 one way. So now I am at $14k in.
Kellyn and the team went over the car nose to tail, and suggested the following maintenance and changes to the car. In addition to this there are some upgrades I requested, like installing a snorkel, ladder, torsion bars, a EGT gauge, and a 110v cubby adapter. Here is the total list of work being completed there.
1. Complete Vehicle Inspection
2. Diagnose Driveability Concern (Emission / Fuel / Ignition)
3. Fuel System General Service
4. Diagnose Gauges ( Tachometer)
5. Evacuate and Recharge R134A Air Conditioning System
6. New Air Conditioning Compressor
7. New Timing Cover and Drive Belts
8. New Radiator Coolant Hoses
9. Power Steering Service
10. Brake System Service
11. Differential Fluid Service (Front)
12. Differential Fluid Service (Rear)
13. New Diesel Fuel Filter
14. Transfer Case Fluid Service
15. Manual Transmission Fluid Service
16. Lube, Oil and Filter Service
17. Valve Adjustment Service
18. New Valve Cover Gasket
19. Drum Brake Service (Rear)
20. New Steering Tie Rods
21. New Transmission / Transaxle Mount Bushings
22. New Disc Brake Pads, Rotors & Calipers (Front)
23. New Good Karma Front Bash Plate
24. New Upgraded Torsion Bar Set
25. New Shock Absorber Bushings
26. New Control Arm Bushings - Front Lower
27. New Stabilizer Bar End Link Bushings
28. New Suspension Leaf Spring Bushings
29. New Flat Style Snorkel Intake
30. New Rear Door Ladder
31. New 60mm EGT Gauge
32. New 110v Dual Plug Cubby
Now, with all of that work, the parts & labor estimate is at about $13,000.
So that will put me at $27k invested. I also have sales tax, registration and some other expenses, but at this point I don't really care. lol
Mostly I am just EXCITED to get my van and start enjoying it, but I can say of all the cars I have bought over the years, this is the only one that was running and driving that I still somehow found a way to spend another $10k+ on just to still have the same engine, turbo and transmission lol.
