passat problems

i've had my passat for a year now and all i've had were problems, but i love it so.
1) my auto tranny is going out and id like to put a manual tranny in it, but i need some insite.
2) i've got an oil temp. light that flashes and makes a ticking time bomb sound that scares the piss out of me, but only after ive gone a mile or so.
3) heater core nuff said
4) speedometer stoped working

please, someone help me. i love my vdub, but sould i just scrap it?