geekchick | well, I was afraid of that

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's a Protege, not a 626. =)

The mechanic's advice was to look at getting a used car for about the same amount replacing the engine and exhaust manifold would cost, and in the meantime just keep pouring oil into the car and drive it until it dies. May not be very long, since only one of the four cylinders passed the compression test (although the car drives really well for something in such bad shape). I may see if there's a shop around here that caters to *ahem* young men and their Civics, since they'll be completely set up to do an engine swap with no trouble and look into getting a used engine if I can. I think it makes more sense to wait and save up for a downpayment and buy something I really want. We'll see.

well, I was afraid of that

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