Looks like it could be bad news for Seumas Ruaraidh. They're testing him to see whether it's worth trying to put a new oil pump in, or if it's a new engine.
Being down to one car is a problem, we're so far out. (Better that your situation but not by much.)
Two months until Consumer Reports publishes their used car report for 2011, but at least I found a summary from 2010. Running two old cars the way we do (12 and 19 years), with seemingly almost 10% downtime for one or the other, I think we need a third car. Unlike when we bought Ealabhan, I'm not really taken by the low-price cars. But one's a pickup (Ford F-150) and I've missed having a pickup ever since we let go of Truck ('74 Datsun) in 2000. I wonder if I could find one with a stickshift?
I got an extra truck recently. A Ford Ranger.
Don't make the mistake I did. This truck has no storage room at all.
My suggestion, if you go with the F-150, get an extended cab of some sort. You may never have an extra passenger, but room for groceries would be nice.
Plus, if you're going to have a truck, it seems proper to have some tools; jumper cables, scissor jack, pipe for the lug wrench, and so forth.
I also remember seeing an ad for a device; connect an electric motor in place of your bell housing and add a few extra batteries. Presto! Instant hybrid vehicle!