Am I getting hosed?

I own a 1998 Honda Civic LX. It has about 206,000 miles on it. I don't know the engine size, whatever came with the car.

A few months ago I took it to a mechanic because the thermostat indicated the car was running hot. On my way to drop it off, it started smoking and the check engine light came on. He replaced the heater hose and changed my oil. The car wasn't running hot anymore, but the check engine light was still on. He said I didn't ask him to check why the light was coming on so he didn't, and before I got a chance to take it in again, the light went out.

About 5 months and 2000 miles later, the car starts running hot again. I took it to the same guy who fussed at me because the oil was really low and there was no water in the car. I didn't know I was supposed to check these between oil changes. He checked the head gasket, which wasn't blown and put some oil and water in the car. He said bring it back if it started running hot over the next week, but if there was engine damage, he couldn't fix it because he doesn't do major repairs. Four hours later I was rear-ended on the interstate and there appeared to be only minor damage.

The car seemed to be running fine after that, I thought I had dodged a bullet, but three and a half days later the gauge jumped to hot again and started sounding funny, sort of a rattling sound. I finished my errands and headed back home, about 12 miles that may have taken me half an hour. As I exited the interstate the car shut down. It would not restart.

I had it towed to a new mechanic who later told me that the there was a 3 inch gash in the radiator hose and that the engine was so overheated the walls were warped. He told me he would replace the engine with a used one from Japan for $1800. I agreed. Today he called and told me it was ready, but when I went to pick it up, he said he had trouble changing gears during the road test. He said the transmission must have been overheated as well, and he did all he could, but it also needs to be replaced. This would cost me $1100 for a used transmission from Japan. He said the car was not drivable, and I was so devastated, I didn't think to test the car myself.

Had I known so much work was needed, I never would have authorized any repair on the vehicle. Now I'm stuck to pay an $1800 bill for a car that still does not work. Does this sound legitimate? I can't afford a car note, so I'm at a loss for what to do. Could any of these problems have been a result of the car accident? Please help. :Cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: