Penny the 2003 SLE

[98SSE]

Car is looking good. Love the GXP tails. Thanks for the link regarding the column, mine is needing some attention and I think I'll go ahead and try this "fix".

[nos4blood70]

Thanks man! I love them too. The rear of these cars has always been my favorite thing, now I'm extra in love.. Haha!

Also, I would follow his directions directly as to what materials to use. The pipe insulation I used has proven too soft, and over time has developed some give. The rattling issues are back, and I plan to redo it properly sometime soon. Although I'm also wondering if it might be worn sway bar bushings in front as well. Definitely spray some silicone grease in there while you're under there.

[BonnieBoy08]

Pike's Peak should stay in some form. That was a hell of an accomplishment for that car. Maybe Ben can scale down the one you have or come up with something different.

[nos4blood70]

My goal is to remove the sticker and maybe put it somewhere else on the car. Bottom of the trunk lid or somewhere under the hood. I just don't know how I feel about it on the bumper anymore. Haha.

[nos4blood70]

Spring update!
Penny is nearing 150k these days, and got a new Timken front wheel bearing not too long ago, along with some stock mufflers. Really diggin' the silence. Blackstone sent me a great oil analysis. Overall, all is well! Nabbed this cool shot the other foggy morning.

Can't wait for spring and summer to get on more road trips with this car. Still needs some odds and ends... Tie rods, another wheel bearing, got a pesky EVAP code... Small things! Miles keep rolling up.

[CMNTMXR57]

I like the top of the 'Cock poking through.

[dougtoth]

Penny has a lot more miles in her.
My 2000 turned over 240k yesterday and my brother in laws 2001 just turned 339K.
Both of these engines have never been touched.
My 2001 just turned over 140K.(just a baby yet)
My brother in law who is a Big Ford guy cannot believe it.
The 3800 is quite an engine!!!

[nos4blood70]

I like the top of the 'Cock poking through.

Sometimes, just the tip is all you need. LOL

Penny has a lot more miles in her.
My 2000 turned over 240k yesterday and my brother in laws 2001 just turned 339K.
Both of these engines have never been touched.
My 2001 just turned over 140K.(just a baby yet)
My brother in law who is a Big Ford guy cannot believe it.
The 3800 is quite an engine!!!

Yes she does! My goal is to see how far I can take this car. Blackstone said the wear looks better this time around. Less metals! Quite the motor indeed, it loves just pittering about.

[VIN_H_For_Hotness]

Nice work. Considering I got my 2.4L Grand Am up to 240,000 miles ,safe to say your car has lots of life left to it.

Which is a good thing,cause my SLE Bonnie's silver too.

[nos4blood70]

So Penny has a silver sister now! No names yet. I've had it for two weeks but only was able to drive it the day I got it, since a bunch of snow has been dumped onto us. Car is a 2000 S2000 (lol), with 51k miles. One owner, garage queen by the looks of things. Has a lot of the original stuff that came with it. A poster... A car cover... It has a new top with a glass window. Silver on red. The car is a blast and I can't wait to drive it more. No big plans for it other than routine maintenance, and then down the line, lowering springs and some wheels.







Other than that thing joining her, Penny is now nearing 170k miles. Fixed the EVAP leak. Ended up being the fuel access lock ring gasket. New tie rods happened, a new wheel bearing, an axle, new rear shocks and air lines, new motor mount from Northstar Performance. She was my portable air conditioner in the Summer when I was working downtown. She's been camping a lot more, and made it out to Colorado and back again. It just doesn't feel like she's done 170k or that I've done nearly 150k in it myself. Looking forward to another year of comfy driving.





On the way to Colorado in September.


The garage at the house we were staying in in Colorado. Beautiful property.





Hottest temp I've seen this Summer. Thank goodness for AC.


The day she passed emissions after fixing the EVAP leak.


Went to a random BMW autocross event. The common folk are so bad at driving, it made me genuinely fear for my life afterwards. lol


My Pontiac, in Pontiac, IL.

[95naSTA]

Nice shots.

Sweet on the S2K. They've held value really well.

[CMNTMXR57]

My browser has a feature that automatically blocks out any vehicles that aren't GM. So as always Penny looks good even dirty and covered in crud.

[nos4blood70]

Your browser sucks then! I know you'd enjoy driving this car Lane, since you are still a gearhead that loves driving stick and cars that involve you in the driving. I'm just bummed that it has to sit while the salt leaves the roads.

But thank you! Penny is a champ. I think I've got a great combo of vehicles. The other contender for a spot at Penny's side was a 135i, but I don't quite have the expendable income to deal with Germanitis at this time.

[CMNTMXR57]

Naw, It's the greatest browser evar.

[VIN_H_For_Hotness]

Your car is like a soul sister to my own ,haha. Keep up the good work with Penny!

[nos4blood70]

Happened a few days back! Hopefully will get at least 200k out of this thing. She feels strong but still on original transmission. Starting to get ready to do a bunch of things to it soon to get it ready for summer and hopefully prevent any hiccups.

[CMNTMXR57]

A thing happened to you too.

[nos4blood70]

Things are happening to everyone!

[SSEiMan01]

Things are happening to everyone!

Last night a thing happened to my Tahoe, it crossed 233k, I didn't get a picture though.

[CMNTMXR57]

I like when things happen.