Haha, Amos...I've got nearly 300K on my 88 Toyota Camry st. wagon, and IT still runs like a tiger! Some of the power stuff is beginning to go, but the engine is still strong...needs a little extra oil now and then, but aside from that is a great road car. I bought my first used Toyota, a Corona station wagon, in 1973, and never looked back. I've loved all my Toyotas, they've never stranded me at the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, get good milage, even the station wagons, are the most ergonomically sensible cars I've ever used. I've got a little 88 Toy. truck I love, too. Mileage not quite as good as the Camry, but it runs fine on regular, whereas the Camry does better with med. grade. gas.

I'll be looking for another used car, probably next year, and the only other make I'd even consider is Subaru. What I'd like to try is a Prius (but those cute Cooper minis are pretty tempting too).

Good luck on your quest. If you buy from a private party, try to get a gut feel for the seller, as well as the car, and take it to a trusted mechanic, if you're really interested, just to make sure there's nothing obviously wrong with it. It's been my experience that there is always SOMEthing wrong w/a used car....you just need to make sure it's not too serious.