I did the cash for clunkers deal with my 1990 Volvo Wagon. It got 22 mpg but the government rated it at 18 mpg combined for the program. The Volvo had over 220,000 miles on it. Still ran good but leaked and burned oil, A/C didn't work, various power window switches didn't work, sunroof wouldn't close if you opened it without helping it, rear wiper didn't work, heater fan made a horrible screeching noise unless it was on defrost, transmission would sometimes jump out of overdrive, chewed through brakes (four disc brakes with rotors that can't be turned, just replaced, about an $800 dollar job each time) - just a lot of little problems.
It might have made it to 300,000 or something real expensive could have happened soon, who knows? I figured I should jump at the chance to get $3500 for it when nice ones with no problems go for $1500 tops.
I have a really long commute so I hope to save about $100 per month on gas. And my three kids love it.
