headlamps

[jpshines]

I admit, I no nothing about cars. I followed your directions and checked the faq's and various 3000gt/ stealth sites. I did find some answers to some of my quest and was able to learn a little something, so I thank you. I was not able to find a answer to a quest I posted a few months back. On almost all 3000gts from 94-99 I have noticed the headlamp housing matches the color of the car. However on the stealths from 94-99 I have noticed the headlamp housing is black. Is there a way to change the color of the headlamp housing on the stealth to the color I want. ie Do I have to stick with the black color, sticker, or what ever goes around the actual bulb, black. My car is white. If I had a white 3000gt the headlamp would also be white. Not the black that it currently is. Do the 3000gt head lamps fit on stealths? Is there a site to just buy new headlamps for the Stealth or 3000gt? I want new headlamps anyway for the stealth. If I am going to spend the $ , I don't want them to be the typical black housing. I have found sites for every headlamp in america except ours. I can find bulbs though. And to the ones that responded to my other threads months back. Not all of us are gear heads. Ask me about other things I might be able to hang. I am very new to cars but willing to learn. The reason I settled for the sohc auto before is becauuse I got a good deal on it, Of course during the time when I had the $ no one was selling turbos or sticks of these cars in arizona. Now everyone is. Mine is paid off so I would rather stick with it and try to upgrade it at least for show nif not power cause it is a beautiful car nonetheless. I had the $ at the time, even I know if there was a better car to get, go for it. I would have went for broke to get the stick turbo back then. It just wasn't meant to be.

[Stealthee]

The 94-98 3000gt and 94-96 Stealth headlights are NOT the same. They have a different shape to them on the corner. On the 94 lights you can pull the headlights apart and paint the plastic inserts. Thats what I did for mine. My car is a 94 Stealth. THe 95+ lights are lexan and are painted on the inside of the cover making it a HUGE pain to try to repaint them.

[jpshines]

thank you for the info, isthere away to seperatethe housing around the headlight? Today I took my car in because there was a burning smell. The mechanic said it was because my car was wet all on the bottom and the "gunk" was getting on my exhaust. He said the person before me didn't take good care of it and it would cost thousands to have the car fixed. I was told there was a leak but they could not find it and I would havetoreplace the hoses. He told me unles I wanted to spend more money then I got the car for I should tade or sell it. He said estimated cost would be roughly $2000-$3000 to fix it. Now to me it doesn't drive nor look like $3000 of work needs to be fixed. I am wondering if he is trying to rip me off. Is what he saying sound about right?

[Stealthee]

sounds like he is trying to rip you off or just he doesnt want to do the work.

[jpshines]

what are the most important hoses to have looked at or replaced 1st?

[Igovert500]

Sounds like he's a moron or trying to rip you off. Frequently with our cars, you will find many have not worked on them, and either are ignorant or just trying to rip you off.
I'm not sure if you are referring to vacuum hoses (those little rubber tubes throughout your engine bay) or intake piping (larger diameter rubber hoses a few inches wide).

My only suggestions would be to
a) find a new mechanic
b) go back to this guy and ask him to very specifically write down everything that he feels needs to be replaced, and give specific estimates on everything, including individual parts. Then relay that back to us, and we can help you more specifically.
Basically if the car is running strong, and has been maintained (tuneup every 60k and appropraite fluid changes) then you should be fine.
You mentioned a leak, ask him what fluid is leaking. It shouldn't be too hard to figure out what is leaking...finding the actual leak maybe difficult, but any competant mechanic could at least tell you what fluid was leaking and from what component(s).
If he means there is an air/vacuum leak and that is what he is refering to when suggesting the hoses need to be replaced...that is pretty cheap, autozone sells those for a few bucks a piece...