Time for a new car?

I drive an old car; 92 honda accord with 302,000 miles. Yesterday the starter went out. Had to get it towed back home. It also needs new timing belt and water pump. Thank GOD my other half is a weekend mechanic - not really - but he does really good work fixing cars and can pretty much install anything in a vehicle. I don't think I have had to take any of the cars into the shop for work since we have been together. I do take it in for oil changes and tires because I like to give him a break

So today he put the starter in. Next weekend the water pump and the timing belt. But he is getting tired of working on the car.


We have an old pathfinder, but that has over 200,000 miles and it isn't registered because he wants to sell it. It is really on it's last leg. I am not sure anyone is interested in purchasing the gas guzzler at this time. He really doesn't want to put any money into it since he wants to sell it. Really, I don't know the reason he wants to sell it or not renew it. It would be nice to just keep it for when I need to take all three somewhere, need to haul something, or like yesterday when the other car broke down.

he gets to drive a 2001 Ford F150 that he just bought. I am not "allowed" to use it - lol. He doesn't want me to use it for the dogs etc because he doesn't trust my driving or that I will keep it clean.

I would really like to get a new car. It would be nice to get something a little bigger - for me and the dogs. I hate having all three in the honda. It really isn't safe. And I like to have something a little more reliable. I like to travel and go places. I am worried about driving the honda to some upcoming trips I have planned

If money wasn't an consideration, this is the car I would love to have,
http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/EscapeHybrid/?searchid=426441|28124909|205370178
But money is a consideration. And right now I can not afford a car payment. Sux but I can't.

One solution is to get a part time job to make monthly payments on some larger vehicle. But to be honest, I am lazy - lol. I like my free time and have so many responsibilities/commitments when not at work.

Another solution, is to cut hack on some expenses. But where do I cut? I don't want to go to a lower grade of food for the dogs or cats. I have already cut back on my food budget to make up the extra expense of gas. Hmmmm

I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. But if it comes down to it, and push comes to shove, guess I will have to find a part time job flexible enough to fit my schedule and my upcoming commitments.

I need to remember that today the car is working again. Be glad I do have a car that runs and someone that can install the new parts for me. Imagine the $ I would have had to shell out for someone to install that part.

Must get into gratitude. Remember what I am blessed with - i always have everything i need - maybe not what I want - but always what I need.