This comic was uncannily true, but I finally decided enough was enough and got myself a new car - 2007 Toyota Corolla LE. Now I'll have more time to code stuff because I won't ever have to fix this car (ever... God says Japanese cars don't break).
It wasn't quite the 2-seater rear wheel drive convertible I was hoping to get, but at least its got a manual transmission. It's probably better I wait until I have a garage (and some rooms attached to it for sleeping and cooking and stuff) until I get a project car anyways - its hard to rebuild an engine and install a turbo kit in a driveway I'm actually really happy with it as a daily driver, and I think I'm going to take a while to enjoy NOT having to bother messing with cars.