Need some advice...

[sarotara]

I have a 1991 Buick Park Avenue Ultra (non-supercharged) with 140k miles on it. I've had it for about 2 years now and it's a nice car. I've done quite a bit of work on it:
- battery replaced
- starter replaced
- ignition lock cylinder replaced
- rear struts replaced with Monroe Sensa-Trac
- alternator replaced
- ignition coil pack replaced
- transmission cooler replaced
- brake drums, rotors, pads, etc. replaced
- new tires
- all ball joints replaced
- water pump replaced
- pvc valve replaced
- thermostat replaced

However, right now the car is beginning to have a number of other issues which need to be taken care of. It would cost about $2000 to fix everything below (a lot of these I can do in my garage, some I can't). All of the below need to be replaced or fixed
- rack and pinion
- front tie rod ends (they're loose)
- front struts (they're making horrible squeaking noises)
- all brake lines and brake proportioners (they're rusted over)
- intake manifold gasket (getting oil leaks from under it)
- timing chain (about time to do this)
- exhaust system (catalytic converter to muffler (inclusive)) (looks like catalytic converter fell apart inside due to rust, there is a lot of rattling noises from the exhaust system in certain rpm ranges)
- blower motor (rattling and grinding)
- trunk water leak (water probably coming through back window)
- engine or transmission mounts (car jerks when accelerating from red light or stop sign) (could it be the transmission going out?)

I believe the car also has a rear main bearing seal leak. It's slow, but it's there. Very expensive to fix and I can't do it myself.

Anyway, the question I have for you guys is whether I should get rid of this car and buy a new used one (I have about $6k to spend and I was looking at a 2001-2004 Chevrolet Impala or Mitsubishi Galant) or spend the $2000 fixing everything (besides the rear bearing seal) that's wrong with this one. I'm not sure what to do since if I spend money fixing my Buick and the rear bearing seal fails catastrophically or the transmission goes out then I will have wasted $2000 on the car. However, if I buy a used car I'm buying a car that could have potential problems (I know the Impalas occasionally have transmission problems). Please help me decide!

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by sarotara

Anyway, the question I have for you guys is whether I should get rid of this car and buy a new used one (I have about $6k to spend and I was looking at a 2001-2004 Chevrolet Impala or Mitsubishi Galant) or spend the $2000 fixing everything (besides the rear bearing seal) that's wrong with this one.

Let's say, you invest 2K in miscellaneous parts for the PA and then transaxle fails, of course your 2K is wasted; unless you spend another 2K, for a complete rebuild! Now, if that were to happen, you would have 4K invested in a 1K car!!! Only you, can be the judge of whether this is a wise decision for you to make. Remember, most used cars need some preventative maintenance before they are road worthy anyway, and all used cars (without a warranty) will have cost associated repairs as they are driven and mileage goes up. This decision could be a “coin toss” in my opinion. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose!