How would you spend $1000 on your car?

[Jordan]

This is a hypothetical question that I asked myself yesterday, in part to see where I would start.  Assume for a moment that you had $1000 to spend on your car?    How would you spend it?  Assume also that the car is mechanically sound and is running how you want it to run.  In addition to some of the big items I would like to replace like my trunk floor or rechrome my front bumper and grill, there are a lot of small items, such as the side mirror, chrome strip around the windshield, or a new windshield for that matter.   Limit yourself to just the $1000, no more.  What would you do?

[Peter van Es]

With current fuel prices, how about a couple of tanks of fuel  :'(

[knockmacool]

Apart from the standard maintenance, and rust issues...
1. Paint rocker covers black (not grey! )
2. Cocomats
3. Install MP3
4. Sand blast and repaint wheels
5. Get the heat cranking properly
6. New antenna
What chances change from a thou on that lot?

[Ulf]

New tires + hooking up my old Blaupunkt with my iPod - and save the rest for fuel :-)

[Michael C]

King pins, steering box

[Cees Klumper]

Start replacing the interior ($1000 not enough, but I'd at least make a start). Original MB tex needs to retire!

[J. Huber]

Good Question Jordan! Not fantasy either as most of us will spend that next 1000 before long.

I actually ask myself this very question as I survey my car each season. For some things, a 1000 goes a long way, others obviously not. But its a good figure to work with.

Right now, if I had to lock in, I'd pick:

1. Ironically, the very thing you mentioned -- new chrome trim & A-pillar trim around a new windshield.

OR

2. If I could get the same deal from our local auto resto shop, a respray and clear coat of the front end (including removing hood, painting it on both sides & fixing the bolts.) I had the back end resprayed a few years ago for 700 and it came out great.

OR

3. Rent a flatbed and head for a small town just outside Blacklick -- and drive the rest of the way!!  

[49er]

 Buy my mechanic two RT tickets to Hawaii! I want to keep him happy

John

[badali]

I would put a new seal around the windshield.  It has some cracks and is still the original from the factory.

[Rolland]

I'm going to agree with Peter and spend $1000 on gas.  My Pagoda hasn't seen my garage in 14 months and should be for the first time in the next month or so.  We are finally getting some consistant weather for driving without rain and I'd just love to sit behind the wheel, move down the road and shift gears....

Rolland

[Sableco]

Since the prices here are a lot less than many other places, I would redo the whole interior in grade 1 genuine leather in a new color other than black, my choice would be light beige.
in 50C (120+ F) weather the MB tex is not at all comfortable during the summer months.

[JamesL]

Should: put it towards front end repairs (headlamp bowl rust) but I already have management permission to do that  so if it's an extra 1000.... probably the MB windstop screen (or a Nardi...)

[GTMSJ]

My car needs to be repainted, but 1000 won't come close to doing that, so, I'd:

1. MP3/iPod connection
2. re-key all locks to a single key
3. correct a dent and re-chrome the front bumper

[71Beige280SL]

My car runs solid and looks reasonable for 40 years old. I like the patina. I would take it to Joe Alexander and have him tell me where to start with the oily bits.