Sigh... just got the invoice total from my mechanic. don't know the total hours, but he dropped a few for me, on account of how I probably just paid his garage rent for the month...
The good news is that everything- and I mean everything- that needed to be done to this machine has been done. Except for the inspection, but with luck that magic sticker will appear Monday.
And as is not usually the case, this time I actually have the money lying around (sort of).
The bad news?
Just over $2000. Ouch.
But as I said, got a lot of overdue things out of the way and even got that "check engine light" (cannot pass inspection in NJ with that, and the computer will tell them if you've played with the light) to go out... it was the freaking water temp sensor. Without a diagnostic computer, I had no idea, and until recently, that gauge has been reliable. That light's been on for quite some time...

The complete list, which shows neglect but also a good record for 5 years of abuse (first time taking it in; all I've ever done is gapping plugs, changing oil and air filters, changing belts, brake pads,  and the front main seal, twice):


New exhaust manifold
Intake and exhaust gaskets
New water pump
New thermostat and sensor
Replaced head gasket; head was not damaged (Yesss!), but they had it ground out and cleaned up (seats, etc.). Lots of carbon in there... no kidding...
Replaced front main seal (let them do that for a change- that's a rough job)
New plugs, new air filter, oil change (whatever)
Tranny pan gasket replaced (trans not damaged!! Cool!!)
Front brake pads replaced; seized front caliper replaced (long overdue!)
Broken studs on rear wheels replaced (legal with 4 on each, but it's been bothering me)

And that's about it... I should probably have told them to do the rings while they're at it, but it might not actually need it. That's a tough little engine.
Can't wait to drive it again; next projects (which I'll do myself) will be a new soft top, new shocks, and a serious once-over on the interior... needs new carpeting, I think.
Two payments left... insurance will go down...
and then the transmission will fall apart, and it'll throw a rod...

Wow, glad you were willing to spend money on getting it fixed. I didn't waste my time with it when mine blew up a few weeks ago.

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That manifold cracked some time ago (#1 cylinder pipe)... probably about the same time the flange on the down-tube (where it connects to the manifold) cracked off. I was able to weld the down tube and sort of jerry-rig the connection to the manifold, but because the bolts on the end of the manifold outlet were trashed, that wasn't working out to well. Can't really be repaired, so... $$$. figures the one for the '95 model can be found for under $100... the '96 cost over $300. 

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Been there... I've never spent this much to repair a vehicle; in fact I've never paid over $700 to purchase a car before I bought this thing about 5 years ago (about $10K with the interest on the payments).
I could buy another piece of crap for $2000, or pay to have this car that I know intimately brough up to snuff for another few years of use. Now that I'm not driving so much, she should hold up well. And there's very little rust (it's stored outdoors, but with the old job, I'd often have it in indoor garages in the city for a few days a week), the drive train is in good shape... if I bring it in for regular checkups, it could last another 100K miles or more.