My wife's got 160K+ on her 99 malibu (still getting 25/32 mpg with the 3.1L)and all I've done to it in seven years is replace the intake gaskets and water pump. With cheaper insurance, cheaper taxes and no car payment (assuming you own it) it's better to spend some on repairs than $350+ a month on new payments plus higher insurance and taxes. As long as those are the only problems, I'd do it.