Welcome to the forum man. Seems like you and your Monte have been through some rough patches. There's a lot of good folks on here that'll help you get those patches smoothed out. Good luck with the car.

 

Welcome to MCF, the best place for Monte Carlo Anything! I feel your pain. Although mine has never been hit or broken into, (fingers crossed) I have had to bloody my knuckles doing repairs. My 02 SS was Very neglected when I got her. At times it felt like I would only get 2 weeks of good driving before the next problem would pop up. I got her in Apr of last year and between myself and my local Pepboys, she is only limping with a cane instead of sitting in a wheel chair.
Here's the thing, like you I am determined to got her to better than factory condition. And Although there were times when I didn't think she would make it, she is now at the point were I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
If you Love your Monte, don't let the little set backs get you down, you will reach a point were you know all the work you've done and all the work left to does worth the effort and Bloody knuckles.
And here, with the MCF family, you will find all the info you need to get it done right! Welcome and good Luck!

 

Thank you all for the welcome(s) and encouraging words -glad to be part of the Monte Carlo community!
I will be posting a thread in the General Tech section on my trans situation - any advice and/or help will be appreciated!