cacocker

'05 is about old enough to be able to find at pick-your-part junkyards. Have you thought about looking around to find one?

I had to replace bluetooth modules on two of my cars; ebay wanted about $150 each. I found a junkyard an hour away that had two of the same model on their lot. Ran down their, pulled the BT modules and the yard charged me $15 total including tax.

I had my head gasket replaced around 98k, so a few more miles than you.

But since it was an engine out service and at least partial disassembly, the shop also did the valve cover gaskets, timing belt, water pump, some radiator plumbing that had degraded, power steering pump and the spark plugs for the hell of it.

Aren’t NA exhaust manifolds unequal length just like the Turbo ones? Pretty sure they are. Any free flowing muffler should give you rumble. You’re just not hearing it with the restrictive OEM cans.

That's a good question. I don't know the answer.

Bueller?

2009 2.5i

Long story short, my exhaust system is essentially so rusted it wont exist in the spring. Everything behind the headers has to go. The brake calipers are also malfunctioning, for a reason yet to be determined. My shop says they basically aren't moving when the brakes are pressed and the pedal is SUPER soft.

Exhaust:

The headers are still good, but I have the opportunity to get the boxer rumble on a car that hasn't had it. Any parts better than others? Full kits, headers to tips, would be ideal; otherwise I can compile parts. Taking recs.

Brakes:

If its not just air in the lines, and I need to replace parts, I'd like to upgrade to better-than-stock 2.5i calipers, pads and rotors. Maybe the spec-b setup? Or other ideas...

Just check everything else too, especially for traces of mods which have been removed. That damage doesn't seem bad though, but should be fixed to stop progressing rust.

 

If there are traces of mods you may need to do a tune as well.

 

Pay special attention to the turbo - if it has been replaced recently you may have a time bomb on your hands.

Unfortunately its an auction car, so the tune/turbo are the gamble I take for getting at its low(ish) price. Barring anything truly major that wasn't disclosed, any repair cost would probably bring it within the avg KBB for the model/age/miles.

Is that the only frame damage? Really that isn't bad

Other damage reported as satisfactorily repaired, no photos. No accident on the carfax either, though I know that's a mushy resource at best.

Hi All,

I'm looking at buying an 08 LGT but the car has a poor quality photo of some damage in the area of the spare tire well. I was wondering if the hive mind could take a look and let me know if I should steer clear or not. It looks like it was backed over a rock or a curb.

Car is otherwise clean and is being sold at a discount due to "frame damage." Which is why I want to determine if the damage is of consequence or not. If not, its a steal. If the damage is significant, I'd pass on the opportunity.

https://imgur.com/a/zML0rWN

Thanks in advance!