This happened to me a few years ago, same exact issue.

These are pressed together and opening them up will likely destroy them.

The best "restoration" I've seen is someone taping off the black lines on a non GXP set and spraying on a coat of black to make all the lines black again. But this is a really tough way to do that as well.

Happy New Year!

I did do a black stone test around 100k miles and it came back positive. However, on her maiden voyage to work for the year, I've discovered why the vehicle smelled of gas so much lately, and why my fuel economy numbers are so far off the DIC when hand calculated. The fuel lines ...

Replaced the front trans mount today and the oil. Gonna save a sample for a Blackstone test. Noticed drips under the front and first thought was radiator, but the hydraulic mount had torn and just puked its guts out.

New issue, the amplifier (aftermarket Kenwood) powers on only for like 3 seconds ...

Andrew's the man!

Disagree on the 160, that is way too cold.

My car's LIM gaskets were replaced at around 60k miles in 2012. They weren't leaking yet but were definitely rough. Stupidly, I did not replace the UIM at the time. It failed at 66k or so. Second one failed at 170k approximately. We are at 251k now.

The ...

No reason to give away an otherwise good, comfy, running car. The only bad thing about it is the way it looks.

The ES is incredible. It is so quiet, comfortable, MUCH bigger inside, super fuel efficient, and feels a lot newer than a 2014. Ordered all the fluids, spark plugs, all filters for it. It ...

We did it! 50-250k took from 2011 to 2024.

Some maintenance stats:
Original trans with shift kit and cooler added. 4 fluid exchanges, still on original gasket. 3 upper intakes. 19 front wheel hubs (sorta JK)
One crank position sensor.
3 AC compressors, otherwise all original accessories, water pump ...

That's a nice parts hauler lol

I'm gonna need to deal with the S2's press in bearings next year before I can track. Just doesn't look like a good time.

Shoot him a message and he should see it if he hasn't helped you already!

The N* is known for higher RPM power, so what you are describing doesn't surprise me. Additionally, the factory transmission tuning requires quite a bit of throttle input sometimes to get it to kick down and go. I think what you are experiencing is normal, especially if it feels powerful in other ...

My 3800 powered 03 has a very "mobile" gauge as well. It really moves around, just like yours. Cold weather it'll hang out below halfway. Warm weather steady driving it'll be pretty well centered. Hot weather, AC, slow traffic, it'll go past center point.

It will also move past center if you go ...

So rust free! Very jealous. Welcome to the forums!

The KYBs felt stiffer than my (worn) FE2 suspension when I put them on. They also have easily over 100k miles on them now and still feel good.

Finally hit 100k miles, and of all places hit it on track which was awesome. In the 50k miles I've owned it now, I've gone through innumerable sets of brake pads and rotors. Did the clutch. Did some track durability/longevity mods such as brake ducting, a valve cover mod to help oil drain down in ...

Couple hundred miles away from 250k! Still kicking, and very trouble free so far this year. Never get around to doing the subframe bushings. Amazing that the car has no highway shakes...
Anyways! Here's the ole gal with the new Chicago Damen stop. Also, makes a great table for when you want to make ...

Welcome to the forums!

I think anyone looking should consider condition, rust, and maintenance above mileage, which truly matters little on these vehicles. Just me!

Thanks for keeping some of these old cars on the road and for your extensive help and knowledge.