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.

Comments

[wolfy.livejournal.com]

Ugh sorry to hear. Seem not to be the day for cars / trucks.

Though there has been a happy note on this day. I just got something in the mail that you will be getting an email about :)

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

Assume that any used car below $10K will have deferred maintenance equal to its purchase price, if not more. I've learned this the hard way... I'll cosign a car loan if that'd help.

Sorry about your 626... I have fond memories of driving through the countryside with you, holding hands with greenery outside and the sunroof open... :)

[asetwoman.livejournal.com]

Car troubles are teh suck! Sorry to hear all this.

[n5red.livejournal.com]

I will point out that if you were interested in visiting Texas, you could probably find an older car at a reasonble price that wouldn't have any RUST!

New Mexico and Arizona are also good places to look, but I don't live there...

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Blech. *hugs* I can highly recommend, if you have to go down the new car route, the new Honda Civic. Much as I loved the Subaru, this thing has some zip and gets awesome mileage.

[madbodger.livejournal.com]

Happy to go car shopping with, if you like.

[plaidsheep.livejournal.com]

waaaaaaahhh!!! poor old car.

I've been looking at cheap new Japanese matchbox cars... the Toyota "Yaris" and one called "Fit" from Honda. There's also the basic Scion model too. All can be had for under $15K (the Fit goes for around 10). I would figure payments on something like that couldn't be all THAT bad. Not that I have any credit mind, you.

Anyway, sorry to hear about the car. This sucks indeed.