Need Help Putting 98 Convertible Completely Back To Stock Options

[TangledHeart]

Hey All
I have a 98 Convertible 5 speed, Black on Black
I am trying to just clean it up a bit by replacing parts and trying to return it back to complete OEM parts. I know this isn't the forum for selling, (cuz I already checked that out) but I thougt maybe I could get some direction. You have nooooooooooooooo hard it is to find even a single 6 gen car in a wrecking yard! It took me threeeeee months to find a air filter box so I could pass smog. The guys that owned it before me, did Mickey Mouse shizz throughout the car... Sad They couldn't figure out how to get the left rear window to work correctly, so they just frikken put a bolt in the track to hold it up.
Any way... Thanks in advance P
Oh, maybe someone can help me, my tranny started getting weird. It was whining in 5th. Now, as of today, it started making kinda 'clicking' noise. It seems like maybe it's tranny related, because as soon as I disengage the clutch, it isn't there. or if it is, it is very faint. When I first noticed it, it gave me the feeling of how it feels when you get a flat, and when it's airing down, you hear the sound of the road??? I dunno if that makes any sense, but I actually stopped and checked my tire.
ANY help of ANY kind would be greatly appreciated! I love my car and am limited on funds, but I figure I can do a little at a time... Peace ya'll

[TangledHeart]

Hey all, thanks for replying! I have been buried with computer issues or I would have gotten back to you earlier.
I currently live in Glendora 210 & 57
I took my car in to a transmission shop on Monday. He said it was 5th gear. I also have a cracked CV axle boot, so I also have that wonderful sound of grinding metal! It was leaking just a bit until my pop decided to take it to a local shop and have the tranny drained and refilled. NOT something I would have done, but I know he meant well. Regardless, it is now completely dry, as is the tranny. I swear, I have had such a hard time finding someone honest to work on it, I had the waterpump, timing belt, idler arm, and engine seal replaced, May 2011($480). I noticed it was leaking only a couple months later, so I brought it back and left it overnight. When I got it back, he claimed he did a pressure test, and there were no leaks. Well, I beg to differ, but I had gotten myself into helping a sister from another mother, and was knee high in her and her family shizz till she left, last Nov. She and her husband were using my car, WAAAAY more then I would have liked, but I'm a sucker for helping this that need it. I was having all kinds of issues with my car, and found out she and her husband were driving it hard and not giving an ounce of concern to how they were driving someone elses car. Since they left, I had a major tune up done, and valve cover gasket replaced. When I picked my car up TWO days and $430 later(was told estimate of $280), my water was low, engine oil not changed and low, and it was still misfiring. I was in need of a smog test, but had to replace the air leaner box and hoses. Took 3 months to find! During this time, I realized the valve cover was leaking, and couldnt get it to pass smog. When I took it back to the guy that was supposed to have done the work, he Mickey Moused the EGR solenoid. I wasnt aware what he had done until I called after the light went on, and he told me to undo the battery and drive it 50 miles before I go to try to smog it again. It still failed and had the EGR as the reason! I was livid...and still not smogged...
Ok, so there it kind of is....I have been jacked around let and right. I am on limited income since I also got jacked in my divorce. I know a lot, but unfortunately haven't the ability to do the repairs myself or I would. I am pretty handy with fixing things, which leads to the OEM stuff. I need a LOT of things beginning with the stoppers on the roof, where the top comes down. They had been forced closed, and ended being tweaked, as a result the top doesnt close completely lined up. I need a rear drivers side window switch for the console. I took my console off when I had intermittent rear passenger side window issues. I read in a forum to take the switch out and clean the gunk that builds between the contacts in the rocker switch. I did it with both, but in taking the drivers side switch apart, I accidentally cracked it. It would work, but I wont put an electrical part back half done.
I got smart and removed my cigarette lighter because the housing was broken a little. I figured I would just replace it. NOT! Try finding an OEM lighter!
Then there is the arm rest/center console hinge I need. I have a padded one and they are notorious for breaking because of the weight. I could go on, but I think if I say I would like to just replace all the trim on the console, (they painted the wood kit black and its breaking off, exposing yuck underneath) the rear drivers side window track and I think motor, I need to check more closely. I would like to get an OEM carpet kit(black) if I can get a descent price. As you can see, I'm pretty much a stickler on OEM. I wont replace anything with aftermarket unless absolutely necessary. There's a lot of little things I am spacing on coming up with to list, but just the mentioned will be a tremendous help, and ANY leads to honest mechanics???
OPINIONS please, transmission, stock rebuilt 6 months($1,200 + axle $95), or used 6 months($900 + axle $95)??

This post has been edited by TangledHeart: Oct 24, 2013 - 2:12 PM