G-RELL
FULLY DIPPED LS
With a heavy heart, I'm afraid that time has come for G-Rell, the LS and LVC.
This last weekend was a whirlwind of decisions... and none came easy. I tend to become sentimental with cars.... and dare I say, a bit emotional, when their days are over.... They become apart of your life, and for me... mean more than just transportation.
Never in my life have I ever kept a vehicle over 2 years. All have left for various reasons, but most are out of boredom or just being unsatisfied (in one way or another). BUT this car has defied that for 8 years running... Yes it has many downfalls, but from a COMPLETE package standpoint, for its time (and price), its been unmatched with anything else I've owned.
For the car
it was purchased in 2008 from a local ford dealer.... and I became the second owner, with 90-100K miles.
This has been truly one of my most reliable cars i've ever owned. As far as I can remember, I've (we
) only replaced the following:
VCG and coils/plugs (once)
oil pan gasket (once)
alt (once)
front hubs (once)
swaybar bushings (once) and links (twice)
front and rear toe links (IIRC) once
Front window regs (once each)
clockspring (once)
battery (twice) But had 800w in the trunk always on.
failed a CD indash
I ended with 175k, with the original:
Motor
Trans
COMPLETE COOLING SYSTEM w degas (flushed twice)
DCCV
STEERING
AC
control arms and ball joints
shocks and springs (although cut)
All electronics + some
etc
The car:
-overheated once but was solved with a flush by the dealer
-overcharged once (with a bad alt) and had to be towed.
-and had a week of no start due to a bad wire powering the fuel sender.
It was "pushed" (i call it spirited driving) daily, yet never showed signs of aging. At the end I was still averaging 17+ (got better and better each year) with 50/50 miles, and hard driving.
It ran, sounded and rode PERFECTLY...
(Hite can certainly confirm everything above)
.....and although she wasn't the prettiest at the end (mid project), she drove like a dream.
This car was apart of a huge change in my life, and in many ways carried me through a lot.
FOR THE FORUM
Its been a wild and fun, near decade. I can say I've learned a lot, not only in car knowledge, but as an early 20's, new member when I started, I learned a lot about being a person too. I "grew up" here and have had a lot of fun, a few angry nights, and a few emotional days (mom's accident thread comes to mind)... but always, always a lot of laughs.
I hate when people leave, thanking specific members, as someone always inadvertently gets left out..... but, to Joegr, Hite, Bigrig, 1LoudLS, ANdrizzle, LS4me, Robot, Kumba, waggs, RollinLS, marcredd, Bullschmidt, (and a few older guys Reaper, 02lincoln, Travis2000... and a few others I know I'm missing), thanks for all the advice, laughs, support and talks we had over the years. Although some of us didn't always see eye to eye on things. you kept it fun to say the least.... Despite a few knuckleheads, everyday was a joy to open LVC and read. (Its going to take a while for me to break the habit of NOT opening my bookmark to here).
Many of you kept me, and many others, in a LS longer than we would have without it....but more than that, you have helped many weather tough times that can come with/while owning an LS. Although sometimes it just feels like posting the same info day after day... you all help make difference in people's lives who come here. Whether its Coil pack repairs, or advice on the thousands of motor swaps that must be out there by now.... Im sure every LS owner that's clicked on LVC has gained something from your efforts.... as I did. ..Thank you.
Its been fun calling this LS mine (cue Sarah Mclachlan song)
video
To the end:
To HITE:
Thank you for all the support over the years. you've helped make this the most enjoyable car I've ever owned. You've always been there every time i've called... and I've had a blast every time we get together...... A true friend to say the least.
At the end, it was time. Naturally things would eventually start failing, and I just had no desire to keep the car running (the wife HAD NO intention of that happening either). IF i had the space, I would have kept it... but as most know (garage build), I dont. The new rides will keep me plenty busy (in a good way I hope).
After a rough night of salvaging a few parts, and one last wash, it was time to go:
(as was it time for the Exby too.... Bone stock other than a little dip, and the sound system)
our salesman did the honors for me:
and it was done... unable to even look back.
BUT as two go, two come and a new chapter starts:
I Give you the new members of the family
2002 LS replacement : 2015 Mustang GT premium (5500 miles)
Its as loaded as they come (as far as i know)..... BUT...IT IS a 6 speed automatic with select shift. It pains to admit, but there was no way the wife could drive a manual....period. Until we're in a position for a 3rd car, it is what it is... (the paddle shifters are fun though)
2003 Expedition replacement: 2015 F150 Platinum (300 miles)
FULLY LOADED... every option... period... all the way to the massage seats....(except that backup trailer thing)...
I'll get some more pics on day....
Well, thats it boys.
I wish you all the best
I'll stick around a bit and "pop in from time to time" as they say.... I hope to see some more build threads rather than repair threads... but I know that's asking a lot.
Thank you all for the years...
G-Rell
:Beer
This last weekend was a whirlwind of decisions... and none came easy. I tend to become sentimental with cars.... and dare I say, a bit emotional, when their days are over.... They become apart of your life, and for me... mean more than just transportation.
Never in my life have I ever kept a vehicle over 2 years. All have left for various reasons, but most are out of boredom or just being unsatisfied (in one way or another). BUT this car has defied that for 8 years running... Yes it has many downfalls, but from a COMPLETE package standpoint, for its time (and price), its been unmatched with anything else I've owned.
For the car
it was purchased in 2008 from a local ford dealer.... and I became the second owner, with 90-100K miles.
This has been truly one of my most reliable cars i've ever owned. As far as I can remember, I've (we
) only replaced the following:VCG and coils/plugs (once)
oil pan gasket (once)
alt (once)
front hubs (once)
swaybar bushings (once) and links (twice)
front and rear toe links (IIRC) once
Front window regs (once each)
clockspring (once)
battery (twice) But had 800w in the trunk always on.
failed a CD indash
I ended with 175k, with the original:
Motor
Trans
COMPLETE COOLING SYSTEM w degas (flushed twice)
DCCV
STEERING
AC
control arms and ball joints
shocks and springs (although cut)
All electronics + some
etc
The car:
-overheated once but was solved with a flush by the dealer
-overcharged once (with a bad alt) and had to be towed.
-and had a week of no start due to a bad wire powering the fuel sender.
It was "pushed" (i call it spirited driving) daily, yet never showed signs of aging. At the end I was still averaging 17+ (got better and better each year) with 50/50 miles, and hard driving.
It ran, sounded and rode PERFECTLY...
(Hite can certainly confirm everything above)
.....and although she wasn't the prettiest at the end (mid project), she drove like a dream.
This car was apart of a huge change in my life, and in many ways carried me through a lot.
FOR THE FORUM
Its been a wild and fun, near decade. I can say I've learned a lot, not only in car knowledge, but as an early 20's, new member when I started, I learned a lot about being a person too. I "grew up" here and have had a lot of fun, a few angry nights, and a few emotional days (mom's accident thread comes to mind)... but always, always a lot of laughs.
I hate when people leave, thanking specific members, as someone always inadvertently gets left out..... but, to Joegr, Hite, Bigrig, 1LoudLS, ANdrizzle, LS4me, Robot, Kumba, waggs, RollinLS, marcredd, Bullschmidt, (and a few older guys Reaper, 02lincoln, Travis2000... and a few others I know I'm missing), thanks for all the advice, laughs, support and talks we had over the years. Although some of us didn't always see eye to eye on things. you kept it fun to say the least.... Despite a few knuckleheads, everyday was a joy to open LVC and read. (Its going to take a while for me to break the habit of NOT opening my bookmark to here).
Many of you kept me, and many others, in a LS longer than we would have without it....but more than that, you have helped many weather tough times that can come with/while owning an LS. Although sometimes it just feels like posting the same info day after day... you all help make difference in people's lives who come here. Whether its Coil pack repairs, or advice on the thousands of motor swaps that must be out there by now
.... Im sure every LS owner that's clicked on LVC has gained something from your efforts.... as I did. ..Thank you.Its been fun calling this LS mine (cue Sarah Mclachlan song)
video
To the end:
To HITE:
Thank you for all the support over the years. you've helped make this the most enjoyable car I've ever owned. You've always been there every time i've called... and I've had a blast every time we get together...... A true friend to say the least.
At the end, it was time. Naturally things would eventually start failing, and I just had no desire to keep the car running (the wife HAD NO intention of that happening either). IF i had the space, I would have kept it... but as most know (garage build), I dont. The new rides will keep me plenty busy (in a good way I hope).
After a rough night of salvaging a few parts, and one last wash, it was time to go:
(as was it time for the Exby too.... Bone stock other than a little dip, and the sound system)
our salesman did the honors for me:
and it was done... unable to even look back.
BUT as two go, two come and a new chapter starts:
I Give you the new members of the family
2002 LS replacement : 2015 Mustang GT premium (5500 miles)
Its as loaded as they come (as far as i know)..... BUT...IT IS a 6 speed automatic with select shift. It pains to admit, but there was no way the wife could drive a manual....period. Until we're in a position for a 3rd car, it is what it is... (the paddle shifters are fun though)
2003 Expedition replacement: 2015 F150 Platinum (300 miles)
FULLY LOADED... every option... period... all the way to the massage seats....(except that backup trailer thing)...
I'll get some more pics on day....
Well, thats it boys.
I wish you all the best
I'll stick around a bit and "pop in from time to time" as they say.... I hope to see some more build threads rather than repair threads... but I know that's asking a lot.
Thank you all for the years...
G-Rell
:Beer
