well, I was afraid of that

[geekchick]

Time for a new engine in my car, to the tune of more than the car is actually worth at this point. My decision now is: 1) drop the money to replace the engine and fix the leaking exhaust manifold into this car and keep driving it; 2) buy a beater for about an equivalent amount of money; or 3) suck it up and just go hunting for a new car and hope to get $250 or so for trade-in on my poor little Protege.

It's not completely unexpected news, but I was hoping that wasn't going to be the answer.

On the positive side, after the last couple of days I can recommend Ferris Automotive. You wouldn't think a mechanic would recommend buying a new car rather than giving them a several-thousand dollar job. I wouldn't anyway, not based on previous experience with different mechanics. Now I'm kicking myself for not having gone to them first.