Bad news from the mechanic - any insight greatly appreciated!

[dghii]

Lots of good stuff here!
My 2000 Box is in pretty good shape mechanically but I'll bet that I could still identify thousands of dollars worth of work. I've never replaced struts or chain tensioners or pads. Lots of stuff like that. Car runs great! I'll do the items as needed.

First off, Need to concentrate on resolving your initial complaint.
Next, change brake and clutch fluid and see how your clutch feels.
If you're not experiencing a brake problem (vibration when braking or wear sensor illuminated) wait on brakes. This is an easy DYI and even easier to plan for as opposed to something that has to be done right now.
Trailing arms. Amazing has the TRW trailing arms (track arms) for about $115 each. Easy driveway DYI (especially if you have an impact wrench). Maybe an hour on each side including raising the car and removing your wheel.
Coil packs/plugs...Any misfires reported? Check engine light on? If not, pass on this for now.
If you want, you can visually check coils for cracks when you have the wheel off doing the track arms. In fact, why not buy new new plugs and do them while the wheel is off? $40 for new plugs.
Window mechanism...pass for now unless YOU note a problem.
Frunk and trunk struts....$15 each and 5 minutes each to replace using a flat head screw driver. You don't have to replace all 4 at once. Replace whats needed (in pairs) so the trunk or frunk doesn't fall on your head!

[speedyspaghetti]

Originally Posted by dghii

Lots of good stuff here!
My 2000 Box is in pretty good shape mechanically but I'll bet that I could still identify thousands of dollars worth of work. I've never replaced struts or chain tensioners or pads. Lots of stuff like that. Car runs great! I'll do the items as needed.

First off, Need to concentrate on resolving your initial complaint.
Next, change brake and clutch fluid and see how your clutch feels.
If you're not experiencing a brake problem (vibration when braking or wear sensor illuminated) wait on brakes. This is an easy DYI and even easier to plan for as opposed to something that has to be done right now.
Trailing arms. Amazing has the TRW trailing arms (track arms) for about $115 each. Easy driveway DYI (especially if you have an impact wrench). Maybe an hour on each side including raising the car and removing your wheel.
Coil packs/plugs...Any misfires reported? Check engine light on? If not, pass on this for now.
If you want, you can visually check coils for cracks when you have the wheel off doing the track arms. In fact, why not buy new new plugs and do them while the wheel is off? $40 for new plugs.
Window mechanism...pass for now unless YOU note a problem.
Frunk and trunk struts....$15 each and 5 minutes each to replace using a flat head screw driver. You don't have to replace all 4 at once. Replace whats needed (in pairs) so the trunk or frunk doesn't fall on your head!

Good ideas - thank you very much for the effort you put into your post... really helpful.

Do the brake/clutch fluid requiring bleeding? Or are they self-bleeding systems?

[dghii]

Originally Posted by speedyspaghetti

Good ideas - thank you very much for the effort you put into your post... really helpful.

Do the brake/clutch fluid requiring bleeding? Or are they self-bleeding systems?

The brakes and clutch both require bleeding. Neither is hard if you use a Motive type pressure bleeder. The clutch slave bleed valve is a little tough to get to...you kind of do it by feel and a lift is a tremendous help.