Here is the way expensive one.
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...203906096.html

 

@twood Thanks for the heads up! I hope that $500 repair isn't from personal experience. Ouch! Thanks for your input on the electrical issue. Electrical issues in cars can be awful. My electrical console was going out on my Land Cruiser on a regular basis for a while...that took out radio-fine, but also heat/AC and a bunch of other things....no AC in NC in summer is NOT okay. So...grateful that you feel it's not a big issue and that there is another fix if needed.

@z31freakify That one is nice! It's tough for us to take the time to get out there and back, though, so a local car is worth it for us. Nice car, though. I wish the one we were looking at was that color!

@RacinJasonWV Thanks for your opinion and for the welcome! I am so excited to be among this community of experienced and knowledgeable people. It makes all the difference in owning a vehicle like this. Thank you guys!!

So...with our gut feelings along with all your opinions, we're going for the 2003 EB! We have a deal with the seller, pending a decent mechanical check at the shop. I'm so excited! Thank you all for your help! <3 I'll be sticking around, so thanks in advance for your patience with all my bright-eyed newbie owner questions!

 

Sounds like you are doing it right. Let us know when you get it, and get lots of pics, we like pics.

 

Exactly! After posting I thought “shoot I forgot to mention sharing some photos!”

Although electrical gremlins are a pain, I feel this is easier to properly correct than rust. Rust repair to me is more like “rust patching”. You can make it much better, but the condition is still compromised and waiting to pop back up. But I’m also no body man so tend to be more comfortable with mechanical/electrical work.

Fellas, isn’t there a water intrusion aspect that impacts the GEM? From a leaky windshield maybe...
Isn't there also something to do with the gauge cluster that can cause some electrical issues to pop up?
I haven’t dealt with either of these yet so just shooting from vague memory on causal forum reading. One of the smart folks here will need to chime in with their wisdom on the subject.

 

Leaky windshield absolutely can cause issues with the GEM/VSS, depending on where the water goes obviously.

 

A few pics (with a little cosmetic work to do)... also, a pic of the switch for electrical hanging to left of the steering wheel... Thoughts on best fix for any of the cosmetic things?

Pretty clean inside; that's the sway bar that they bought but hadn't installed, yet and another crossbar for the roof + and oil filter




Need to do a little work here...reupholster? replace the cushion?

Need to address that peeling on the front corner (it's on both sides)

 

I’m interested in what people recommend for your steering wheel. If it’s like mine, what looks like dirt is actually where the coating is coming off. And attempting to clean will cause more....ask me how I know.

I can’t tell from the photo but my tan carpet is stained a bit in the center section. I had planned on buying a weathertech full front mat but they quit selling them in tan....still available in black. That is if your’s is stained like mine. Some spray can carpet cleaners work well too.

The switch is a concern and I would work to understand why it was needed and get the issue fixed at the source. Possibly a GEM repair. Keep an eye on any signs of water inside after a rain, or check it out now with a hose.

And thanks for the photos. Keep them coming! Nice looking ride.

 

@RacinJasonWV The switch was a solution to the cluster/ window/radio thing...I think someone mentioned GEM. We will definitely want to do a more thorough fix. Yup! Weathertechs are definitely on the list. That's too bad they stopped making the big ones for the front in tan. And the steering wheel...Maybe we just get a cover there. It's an easy solution and we have other priorities for the moment anyway.... Thanks!