FORD = "Fix Or Repair Daily".
I personally say, if you like your vehicle, keep it. Fix it up and keep it.
When I moved here my first car was pushing 150K miles and was making noise, unidentifiable by Mr. Tire.
and too embarrassing for me to go from here to Virginia each day.
I bought my new car two months later and three years later that car is at 133K miles and I have changed the timing belt, water pump, brakes, and tires. I don't care what noise this one decides to make. I'm fixing it and keeping it.
I still want a SUV or a 5 door but I will deal with what I have for now because putting $500-1K a year into a car I've used (vs. bought used) beats paying $2400-3600 or more a year to pay off one that is getting used up anyway.
IMO, you've been here long enough to know someone with auto mechanic skills who can do the work for you for cheaper than an auto center. Buy the parts, cook or buy that guy lunch, give him some green and drive on.
