When do I give up and buy a new (used) vehicle?

[ohstate]

2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport, 4WD, 144K miles, newer tires and brakes, maintenance up to date; now needs new heater core and evaporator coil, etc. Estimated repair $2800. (wow). Worth between 3400-4400 (KBB value for private sale) if the a/c and defrosters were working and not blowing out smoke the way they are now. Dealer prices for this model appear to be around 6K.

So, do I sell it as is/trade it in and buy a different used vehicle? I drove my last Jeep (1991, original owner) for 12 years, 190K miles before buying this one. I was hoping to get a lot more out of this replacement. Blech.

Any recs? TIA.

 

[Dutch6]

2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport, 4WD, 144K miles, newer tires and brakes, maintenance up to date; now needs new heater core and evaporator coil, etc. Estimated repair $2800. (wow). Worth between 3400-4400 (KBB value for private sale) if the a/c and defrosters were working and not blowing out smoke the way they are now. Dealer prices for this model appear to be around 6K.

So, do I sell it as is/trade it in and buy a different used vehicle? I drove my last Jeep (1991, original owner) for 12 years, 190K miles before buying this one. I was hoping to get a lot more out of this replacement. Blech.

Any recs? TIA.

If it's paid for get it fixed. As long as the motor has been taken care of.

 

[ohstate]

If it's paid for get it fixed. As long as the motor has been taken care of.

Thanks. I'm going to get a second estimate as well. It is paid for, has been since I bought it.

 

[glhs837]

$2800? Who did that estimate and the troubleshhoting that led to it? The dealership?

 

[ohstate]

$2800? Who did that estimate and the troubleshhoting that led to it? The dealership?

Local garage up in Alexandria. I've used them before, but they tend to run a tad high on their prices, IMO. Esp. compared to my former garage in SoMd (now closed). They do have to remove the dash, which adds to the cost.

 

[glhs837]

Yep, dash removal is required. I would try two locals, see what you get. Just bring it in blind, describe syptoms. See what you get.