Waay back in 1998, as a Jr. in high school, I acquired a 1994 Camaro with the 3.4L V6. Not the fastest and not the best outfitted but I sure loved that car.
The car had 88,000 miles on it when I bought it, and 198,000 when I finally got rid of it to get my truck in 2006. It got me all through HS and College and never once in 8 years did it leave me stranded.
The girl I sold it to, drove it to 225,000 miles before she ran it dry of coolant and burned up the engine. Her father rebuilt the engine, they sold it and when I go visit my parents, I STILL see that car on the road.
I paid $6000 for it when I bought it and managed to sell it for $4000 when I got rid of it. I can say I got my money's worth without hesitation.
From the time I sat down behind the wheel of that car, I wanted one with 8 cylinders under the hood. For one reason or another I haven't been able to get one.
Now the goal is in sight. I owe $6500 on my truck and am on track to have it paid off in Nov. I plan to order a 2010 2SS as a birthday present to myself come Jan.
I can only hope that it will provide half as good a service as the first one and that I love it half as much. If it does I will be a happy man.