The air conditioning, for one --- I don't really have access to the materials for a recharge and I'd have more confidence in an experienced mechanic rebuilding the system if serious issues unfold in the process.
Granted, it IS a convertible so for the most part I don't need cold air. However, being that this is Iowa, when we hit 100+ degrees with 98% humidity it'd be nice to find a cool breeze at a stoplight. The top of my head can sunburn all it wants, but I'd like to keep the puddles of sweat off of my leather seats.
Also, there's one or two oil leaks -- I can handle the headers, but I believe one of them is the rear main, and again I want a more experienced hand on that one. Same goes for a leak in the power steering system -- I'm not sure I want to be responsible for replacing the steering box, especially if it turns out that's not where the fluid's coming from in the first place.
I have a quarter window off of its track, and no matter how much advice I've gotten from you fine people I've yet been able to remove the rear bench to get at it. I understand it's just a matter of pushing down and back on the seat in some mysterious manner, but so far no dice. To make matters worse, every single 'expert' I've talked to casually who's taken a shot at it has been unable to remove the bench as well. It seems to be a pretty stubborn bastard, and until I get past that I can't get the window back on track. Hopefully, someone who works on the things for a living will have better luck.
Now... I've noticed in either my Chilton or Haynes manual (off the top of my head, I forget which), there's mention that in SOME of the '88 GT's the bench is actually bolted down as opposed to the more familiar release catch. This could well be the case, but again I'd like to find someone with more experience to take a look at it.
In general, I love my Fiver and I plan on keeping it running for years to come. There are a lot of things I can do, and I've gotten advice here before on how to handle them, but there are also some things that I'd prefer having a professional work on. For these issues I've mentioned, as well as ones which will eventually crop up in the future, it'd be nice to have a reliable mechanic.
