My car started making a light knocking noise when I started it up, but after it warmed up it would go quiet. I assumed it was just the cold weather causing the engine to work harder so I didn't think anything of it. Then after about one month and a half, I was driving on the highway when it started making that knocking sound and it wouldn't stop. When I pressed the gas peddle it seemed to get louder, then when I stopped pressing the gas it got louder still - it sounded similar to a helicopter and it got louder. The floor by the peddles started vibrating and the car died and I coasted to the side of the road. I tried to start it up again and after about 10 minutes it started and I limped it down the road until it repeated and died yet again. I tried to start it up again but it wouldn't go. I had to have it towed and was told by the mechanic that the motor went out. It will cost more to fix than what the car is worth, so I'm stuck with selling a junk car that I can't even trade in.

To be fair, the car was very poorly maintained when I got it and its 19 years old now with around 197,000 miles I think.