Actually found a great article on this today at MSN.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...oureBroke.aspx

Here is a definate quote that can be attached to the lemon debate:

"There's also no requirement that you get rid of your current car once it's hit a certain mileage milestone. Today's cars are better built and more dependable than ever, which means that unless you've got a real lemon you could keep driving it past 200,000 or even 300,000 miles."

 

The most commong source of "service engine" light accompanied with poor milesage is the oxegen sensors. Prolly the chespest fix and it would hurt to get new ones after this long.

 

Used to be EVERYONE and their brother said "Don't buy the BOSCH O2 sensors. They're junk."

Unfortunately the BOSCH O2 sensors are pretty much all you can buy in the aftermarket now days. So unless you have another source you're stuck buying them.

 

What would cause an 02 sensor to go out? Are they easy to get to on the monte? I knew they were on my 3/4 ton burb. They are spendy little buggers.

I found out whey my check engine light was on...it was a little retarded. It was -20 here so I left the car run while I filled up with gas. Bad idea, that is what threw the light. Got it reset and nothing since then (over 600 miles ago). I've heard that opening the gas cap while it's running will throw a code.

Also, I just had a shop put plugs and wires in. I didn't feel like rolling the engine forward and doing it in -10 weather. The wires were original, but the guy said it looked like the spark plugs were replaced before. We'll see how my mileage does.