Penny the 2003 SLE

[nos4blood70]

Mine crossed 46k in August of 2011 if I remember correctly, so her current almost 111k isn't that small of a leap either.

The mileage this car will be seeing until summer should be quite nuts if my calculations are correct, at least nuts for me. At least 500-600 miles a week. I wonder how it'll hold up. And what will break next. Hahaha!

[haro1225]

That's nearly the same rate as my mileage, I got it with 116k almost exactly 3 years ago and it's just under 166k. Although I'm putting it away for the winter this year so it's going to slow down.

[nos4blood70]

Couple of pics of Penny from the recent months. Still chugging along quite soundly for the most part. Nearing 120,000 miles.



Booty is still dented.. Haha.




17 is my favorite number so I couldn't miss 117,000.




Random artsy snap took one morning while filling up.


And another...


Exploded headlights.


And a retrofit to stock comparison picture.


Plans for the car haven't changed. Gonna keep driving it until the wheels fall off while putting in as little money as possible. She's been treating me well lately, so no complaints! Gas is so cheap, I've been driving everywhere. Can't beat those nearly $1.50 prices.

[CMNTMXR57]

Hey, look at those dash lights...

[nos4blood70]

Dash lights are something I'll always love and cherish in these cars, especially after being deprived for so long. I had the cool blue light go out on the passenger side climate control and immediately had to fix it.

[BonnieBoy08]

Car is looking good Carl! Gonna make it out to the meet this year in June?

[nos4blood70]

Thanks buddy.

I can't say for certain yet. I am graduating this May and don't know what life will be like yet. If I can make it, I certainly shall try. The 2013 meet was so much fun, I hope I can make it a couple more times.

[98SSE]

Looking good! I really need to get me a set of retrofits....

[1oldman]

Looking good! I really need to get me a set of retrofits....

I think almost all of us would - lol! - BC

[1oldman]

Looking good! I really need to get me a set of retrofits....

I think almost all of us would - lol! - BC

[BatmoVille]

Those headlights are bad ass. Im eventually going to have my stock base model as close to Bruce Wayne's Lambo as possible. LoL was thinking I'm gonna have to clean these fogged out lights eventually. I like the projectors though...

[nos4blood70]

Defogging them is pretty easy, just gotta wetsand and polish them up.

[1oldman]

Those headlights are bad ass. Im eventually going to have my stock base model as close to Bruce Wayne's Lambo as possible. LoL was thinking I'm gonna have to clean these fogged out lights eventually. I like the projectors though...

It's time for me to do mine again too. You may want to think about what I want to do. Get a pair of HID's from Carl (nos4blood70). The look fantastic and the lighting is superior. - BC

[nos4blood70]

Sorry gents, but I'm not making them anymore..

Too much work for me versus what I earn from them. And it simply takes too long, life is just too busy.

[CMNTMXR57]

So you don't want to make a set for a Suburban I take it? :p

[BatmoVille]

Yea, I saw the wetsand & varnish technique. Probably give it a go weekend. Maybe even black out my reflectors.

HID lights would be preferred though of course.

[nos4blood70]

I'll make some for the Burb simply because you're local and you're a friend.

Retrofits are awesome, and I think many people could manage to make them on their own! Just requires time and patience.

[nos4blood70]

Took Penny on quite a trip this past week. Drove from Chicago to Colorado. The car performed flawlessly, and I'm very proud of it for making the almost 3,000 mile trip without a hitch. That said, I did have my full set of tools, a spare alternator, MAF sensor, coils, ICM, coolant elbows, thermostat, jumper cables, as well as a bunch of fluids in the trunk for emergency purposes.. It all fit into a milk crate and I might just leave it in the trunk from now on! I slept a night in the car, which wasn't as bad as I thought. With the heated seat on, it was rather comfy. She also climbed Pikes Peak, which was quite a challenge for her. The altitude and steepness were giving her a decent work out for sure. I've never felt the effects of altitude on a car before, so it was something that freaked me out at first. Had to get her a sticker to put on above her exhaust as a badge of honor. The only bad thing about the trip was how expensive 87 octane was, since in CO it passes as midgrade. I did not feel comfortable putting 85 in the car, especially given the altitude and never ending hills. In any case, the car was close to achieving 30 MPG average for the entire trip. Given the idling, cruising at 80+ and some mild traffic, it was much better than I would have expected from it. The trip made me appreciate the car a lot. Still a little reluctant to dump the $600+ of suspension parts and other misc stuff that it sort of needs into it, but we shall see what happens come tax return season. The symphony of noises the car produces just might make me go crazy enough to finally do it. It's hard to spend money on something that is still functioning.. Haha. Luckily, most of the trip was all highway, where there were no noises. In any case, Colorado is extremely beautiful. There were so many different kinds of people, and yet they were all kind and courteous. The food was amazing, and I tried some new crafty beers which I really liked. The views are gorgeous, and I hiked enough to make my legs sore. I'd recommend a trip down there to anyone.

[WhiteArrow3800]

You pack a few more parts than I do, but I've got a few tool sets that I carry 24/7. But that's quite the trip! I'd love to make it out to Pikes Peak one day.

[CMNTMXR57]

What was the purpose of this trip? This was stuff I loved to do when I had my Harley. Just get on it and go.

I have never, ever, carried spare parts with me on any trip.