WOW! i got the bad news.

[Jessika]

Now I'm weighing the idea of getting it fixed (it's a 1994) and having something else go wrong, or putting the money towards something more reliable like a chevy cavalier (easy on gas and must have a CD player!)

If its a 94 I suggest just getting a newer car. That's what I did! Chwevrolets are VERY reliable and durable vehicles. I have a '92 Lumina with its engine still in pristine condition! Everything under the hood is in top-notch working order. The body adn interior I can't say the same for but it runs well even for its old age! But as all old cars tend to do, it will slowly fall apart and so instead of just fixing every little repair the car gets as we go along it was cheaper to just buy a newer used vehicle. (I don't recommend the Cavalier actually, but I've heard amazing reviews on the new Cobalt!!)

[Logan]

Good luck, whatever you decide, David.

[Lady's Human]

It all depends on how attached you are to the car. $1000 for a headgasket is a good price, but the mechanic hasn't seen what is wrong on the inside of the engine. Once the head is off the price is likely going to go up substantially.

Cavaliers are rolling pieces of tinfoil. They fold like paper in crashes, and the engines are not that reliable.

If you are looking for a used econobox, I would suggest looking at a civic (reliable, good on gas, relatively cheap) or a Focus. New I would suggest a cobalt, (very good reviews) Focus or a civic.