[Ramblin Fever]

Well, for what it's worth, I'm at 170k miles and I still have the original fuel pump too, and everything on the front end, aside from shocks, is original too.

My starter was just replaced 6 mnths & 10k miles ago, lasted a LOT longer then I ever thought it would.

If I were in your shoes, I'd definitely be looking at maybe a Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra - both are fun to drive the manuals; I say go for it! As long as your payments amount to less then what you would spend maintenance/repair wise for the Rodeo within a years time.

I'd probably try to sale your Rodeo out right though, you won't get much at trade in. In fact, you'll get ripped off, big time.

EDIT to add: that life's too short to stress over fears of whether or not certain repairs are going to be needed, our lives are hard enough without worrying needlessly over our vehicles. I say if the Rodeo's not for you, you don't need the room, and miss the driving style of a sporty car, get rid of it. Thinking back now, you have had a lot of issues with that Rodeo in less then 100k miles; when you mentioned only 94k miles, kind of shocked me, as I thought you were well over the 100k mark.

Congradulations though, on paying yours off before the 100k mark; we didn't get ours paid off until it had 120k miles.

There's times I borrow a buddies Toyota Corolla 5-spd, fun little car to drive. Not exactly sporty looking, but you can find one with sport-package for a decent price and they're great on mileage/reliability. For sure if I was a single person, no kids, dogs, kids friends, boat, different line of work, etc I would definitely own a car for sure. I've spent a lot of extra money keeping up with trucks then I ever would've spent on a car - 16" tires for one!!!