New Car

So my old 1988 Honda decided to pack it in on Friday night. Was turning into my street and noticed that the temperature was climbing. Pulled into the driveway and turned the engine off. Next thing I knew all the coolant was pouring from underneath the car and across the driveway. Called the RACV and after about a minute he said it was most likely my head gasket. I don't know much about cars, but I know head gasket = $$$. That has lead me to make the decision that it is time for a new car. This and the fact that:

• the roof leaks (water pools in the ceiling of the car and then pours all over my arm.
• the fuel gauge doesn't work (at least it always says it's full)
• the boot doesn't stay open (it needs re-gassing and continually falls on my head)

There are heaps of other things wrong with it, but they are the things that annoy me the most.

I've decided that I would like to buy a new car. This is something that I'm very excited about. I'm not 100% decided on what I want yet. On Saturday we went and looked at lots of cars (new and second hand) and took a few for a test drive.

At the moment I'm leaning towards a Corolla.

I haven't looked at a Mazda 3 yet, but I was thinking about checking it out too. We test drove a Ford Fiesta (fun, but very cramped) and a Nissan Micra (no guts). I would love to get a VW, but I can't afford a new one and all the second hand ones are in awful condition.

I fell sick at the prospect of spending that amount of money, but I know it will be money well spent. I have about half saved, so while I would have to take out a loan, it wouldn't be too big.