Hey everybody!

After a long and depressing economic downturn in my life (like I'm the only one, right?), I finally was able to get my life back together.

After being underpaid for 5 months, then unemployed for 2, I finally got a great job paying way more than I ever made!

The first thing I did was get my 1993 Fleetwood back. I took a loan out with a guy I knew and gave the car as collateral. I wasn't able to pay him back for 5 months! I was suicidal not knowing if I would ever see my baby again. The next thing I did was cut my internet back on so i could get back to this site. I was never really active here, but you guys provided me with so much help and camaraderie, I couldn't wait to be a part of it again.

Now you guys are coming to my hometown this summer! I can't wait. Now my mission is to fix the caddy in time for the meet. A lot of work to be done, on a short budget. I'll be asking for a lot of help...:D

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy future segments of "The Chicago Project"...

Take care,

Arturo

no worries, im living proof you can keep a caddy running on almost no money. i work after school and ive lost two jobs in one year. despite this im still somehow able to keep my car going. good luck on your project!

See you in August. My '90 is currently going strong but I have a lot of work to do on my '88 before it is even safe to drive. I am like you, working part time and going to school full time so I never have the amount of money I want to keep my car in top shape.

Woot! Good to have another member coming to the meet, especially with a FWB! I hear ya guys when it comes to money v. car. I work full time and still find myself having to space the projects out so I can afford to fix them.

Woot! Good to have another member coming to the meet, especially with a FWB! I hear ya guys when it comes to money v. car. I work full time and still find myself having to space the projects out so I can afford to fix them.

I thought your magical Benz was perfect. :)

Welcome back Arturo! We spoke several times before but never got to meet up, hopefully this year!

Absolutely! I'm picking up some tools and a few things for an oil change/ minor check up...

The Chicago Project is probably gonna start with full engine tune up and checking out belts, leaks, etc. Then moving down to tranny. I'm very worried about the original trans on there. More worried about the price to rebuild/replace. Then moving on to suspension.

Elias, I went to that mechanic you recommended on Belmont ave a few years back. He did a good job, overall. I might stick with him for the big stuff if he's not too busy or expensive.

Guys, please feel free to voice you opinions on engine work, trans, suspension, anything. I'm not mechanically inclined, so I will need all the help I can get. Suggestions are more than welcome. Think of it as a group project!

Thanks again...

Guys, please feel free to voice you opinions on engine work, trans, suspension, anything. I'm not mechanically inclined, so I will need all the help I can get. Suggestions are more than welcome. Think of it as a group project!

IMO you shouldn't really worry about the trans. An automatic trans never really dies to the point of needing a whole new one, it just stops working correctly. It will cost you the same amount of money to rebuild it when it is working properly as compared to no longer having a few gears. Drive it until it is no longer drivable and then have it rebuilt. Until then, don't worry and just keep an extra $2k saved up somewhere in case it ever happens.

Welcome back to the Cadillac Ownership , you know maintenance is pretty cheap over fwd caddies as well as most germans