Hi everyone,

I have been in the process of refreshing my 99 Monte LS for about a year now, and I am almost to the point that I want the car to be. She is so nice now that the wife calls her Bella, since a nice car needs a name, LOL.

Here is a list of what we've done with her in the last year:

Top end rebuild.
New driver's side window switch.
New water pump, thermostat, hoses, and radiator flush/fill.
New serpentine belt.
New Sony head unit, Polk 6x9's rear, Sony 5 1/4's front. (She needs an amp, though).
New struts all around.
New rotors, calipers, and ceramics pads up front, new drums and pads rear.
New tie rods and spring assemblies up front.
New paint (which required a new hood, new rear trunk lid, and new fenders, as the car had previously been wrecked but had a clean Carfax when we got it)
New rear spoiler.
Mud guards.
New American Racing Casino chrome wheels.
New Goodyear Assurance Tripletreds.
4 wheel alignment.
Auto vent shades (not shown in pics)

She's almost done, just needs the chrome strip on the front of the hood, an amp, and the windows tinted.

Many would think we're nuts for putting this much money into this car (they would probably be right, LOL) but it was a choice I gave my wife. A new (or newer) car and another car payment, or fix up the 99. She chose to fix up the 99.

Tell me what you all think, any comments are appreciated, and here are some pics:

 

Looks real nice. Glad to see someone putting some TLC into a 5th gen.

 

Spending tons of time and money on things for your car that only you will notice (like replacing worn out parts for example). Some people would call that crazy.



Around here, you're "an enthusiast" . Just kidding man.

You did a lot of good work on your 99. Looking really good!
Like Matt said, it's nice to see people keeping their older cars in such good shape. Instead of just driving it into the ground.

One of the unfortunate things about owning a car is, eventually ya gotta spend money replacing worn out parts that most people will never see. Like engine and suspension parts, and your front bumper since they'll be so far behind you. LOL.

Great job mad717!

BTW, I do know that the front bumper doesn't wear out. LOL.

When you get the windows tinted, you need to take some pics with both your Monte's.
Some interior pics would be nice too. (hint, hint)

 

way to go Mark!!! I learned recently with my dads restoration project that it takes a lot of work and a lot of care to get a car back running right. i'm sure you'll enjoy having it in tip tip shop again

 

Tell that to my front bumper cover. lol. It might not be wearing out, but its wearing away. I scrape it every time I go in and out of our driveway at work and at many other places.

 

Nice 5th generation Monte.

And super nice property you've got.

PS.secondvote for the pics of both your babies.

 

Thanks for all the nice comments everyone. The car really does ride like a new car now, and hopefully I will get the windows done shortly. I will post some more pics when I get her tinted.

 

dude if your car was white it would look just like mine, i think we got the same rims. great work man.. how many miles?

 

Thanks, Ant,

Approaching 85,000 miles, only driven about 7,000 miles per year, so I figure she's good for at least another 5 years or so.
How many on your car, Ant?You have any pics of your car?

 

Looking good, man!! I agree, it's great to see new life breathed into the old girl. I bet it is satisfying to feel the quality restored (possibly even surpassed with modern parts) to her. Keep up the great work.