<FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=1>Need advice on whether it's still worth fixing or junking this car. (I don't wish to pass on a head-ache to someone else.) I still love this car for the solid feel and the good overall condition.</FONT></P>


<FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=1>Some history:</FONT></P>


<FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=1>Bought the car in 1999 and then the engine blew up in 2000 - piston rod went thru bottom of engine, oil drained and hard-stop :-( After much aggravation, the used car dealer rebuilt the engine in late-2001. The engine was fine until the blow-up. After the rebuild, the engine behaved almost normal for about 4 months (but past 3 month waranty), and since then it's not. The symptoms are:</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>- Car shakes at idle and more shake when in drive (standing still). The shake is like a rocking of the entire car; overall, less felt-power (sluggish) than before. Lots of tapping noise from engine.</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>- Shiftsfrom 1st to 2nd is delayed and then thumps into 2nd. The time it takes to shift is also unpredictable</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>- smokes much at idle and then more smoke while accelerating from stand still</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>btw. from google search, found many owners of this year model have very similar problems</FONT></P>


<FONT size=1>Please advice</FONT></P>


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