I was perusing this project blog section of the site...I can relate to your lack of experience on the mechanical side. I appreciate your bravery and the fact that you totally rescued a 2002 from certain oblivion, from the sounds of it.
I like that color - when I was in college, there was a car just like yours that I walked by every day for a couple of semesters. It was unusual, so I liked it.
Keep up the good work.
Scott _________________ '02ing since '87
'72 tii Euro
'06 MINI Cooper S