So, my starter went out the other day.
I checked/swapped the starter fuse - fine.
I checked the little wire running to the solenoid to see if it was tight - seems OK.
I haven't done anything else, but I've been push starting it all this week. It's really not that hard! Park on a slight down slope and maybe give it a small push and jump in (even the slightest slope will get you going), then let the clutch out in 2nd gear. Pump, pump, pop! And you're off.
Still, I'd hate to do this in the pouring rain. :P Maybe I should cut the floor out and flintstone-start it!
It's been especially interesting because it's absolutely FORCING me to keep some momentum to bump start once the light turns green or the traffic gets out of the way. Otherwise I just 2nd or 3rd gear it at 15mph before I have to stop, and idle 'til the light turns. Ugh.
I think it's a good learning experience though in how to be gentler on my starter while still hypermiling.
The car's got 140,000 miles on it with the original starter, so I'm not really that surprised. *shrug* I'd rather not have to rely on my starter anyway, in case I end up getting stuck at a light on a busy highway (or an uphill!) I can bump-start in reverse but if there are cars stuck behind you, that's not really an option.
Anyhoo, A new starter is $84 (a little too rich for my tastes) A used or rebuilt one should be less. I'll look into it this weekend.