These were terrible cars. The ergonomics sucked, the top sucked, the engine sucked, the transmission really, really, really sucked. They did handle quite well though.

Looking at the interior of that car is a great reminder of how far we’ve come since the late 90s/early 2000s. 

Also, the Car Wizard’s favorite engine!

You can stop me from whoring myself out when you take my phone from my cold dead hands!

Then it would be your fault for whoring about elsewhere.

I’ve been saying the same thing about my 2010 since about 2018.

Broken down car out there might be a good point (although again, preventative maintenance might go a long way without knowing anything about the car other than it being an ‘08 Taurus). But as the delta in fuel economy between smaller and larger cars tends to be smaller on the highway versus in town, I’m still not sure…

This is the right answer, imo. If the Taurus is “long in the tooth” but still reliable, keep on driving that sucker. The used car market is so hot right now, despite recent (very slight) cooling off, that $10k isn’t going to get you a vast improvement on the Taurus, I fear. Like, I’m driving a 2009 Pontiac right now.…

This. Unless it is having mechanical issues keep the old car.

I miss the stupid but awesome option.

Very true. Problem is, there’s no reliable Subaru of recent-enough vintage to be had to where purchase, taking care of deferred maintenance, and putting a set of winter (or at least 3 Mountain/Snowflake rated mild all-terrains) tires on it for $10k. The inland Pacific NW/intermountain West value those (and pretty much…

Yep.  10k buys a lot of gas.

the devil you know...

Point taken. A 10k budget still isn’t going to get much, and will just open up a new set of unknowns. I guess I’m in a similar situation- a 2010 150k Ford sedan that is starting to show its age, but is cheap to own, and there is nothing new I’m willing to pay over MSRP. I’m old. My advice to college kid would be to…

Tree-fiddy.

Fuel economy is for sissies. You want to overland some shit, or something.  $3250, spend the rest on weed and ski passes. 

I’ll sell you my 2007 Honda Accord EX-L V6. Like the one above but newer and a few more miles (105k). New brakes, tires have a lot of life left. 6 DISC CD CHANGER!

Unless it is truly dying, keep that Taurus going. If you *really* need more cargo space, just take the back seat out. Those cars are huge. Otherwise try to find a used Soul or Kona, nevermind the drivetrain just get proper tires.

ANY Honda Accord or Civic, 10-20 years old, with four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual. It will be, by far, the cheapest to own over the years. I would avoid automatics, as well as the V6 engines that have cylinder management (bad ones from around 2008 - 2012).

Count me in. Low mileage, low price, well-maintained. Take it home, buy it a Cat. Send it to a Porsche mechanic for a check-up. Send it to the detailer for a little love.