I'm getting the problems fixed on my car, which I described in the thread below. Fixes will cost me $1100. It is 98 2.3 CL, almost 128,000 miles on it. It will have a new exhause manifold, a new radiator, I had the catalytic converter replaced about a year and a half ago. What else could possibly go wrong? It's a 5-speed stick shift. I guess the clutch could go out or even my transmission.

At the end of the year I need to decide if I want to hang on to it for another year or get a new vehicle. I'm making payments on it until December, I bought it 2nd hand from a dealer. That's why I want to wait until December if I'm going to get rid of it. Wondering if it's worth keeping. It still looks good and when after I get the radiator and manifold it will be mechanically flawless until my transmission goes bye-bye.

 

no, fix it for 500 bucks and keep it. I explained how below. the dealer ship will rob you blind. The radiator is not that yard, seriously, just disconnect, drain and reconnect the new one, its like taking apart something and then putting it back together, just remember how you took it apart and reverse the steps.

the header, buy an after market header and have the local muffler shop put it on for less then 100 bucks.

 

You need to take a look at the financial stand point of this car. Add your current car payments and repair annually; and comparis it to the annual car payments of a newer car. If getting a new(er) car will be cheaper annually, then I say get a new(er) car. However, if all you are paying less, I say that it's will be easier on your wallet and probably insureance (but probably not for your frustration). $1100 may sound like a lot for May, but it's sounds better than $500 + 2% APR x 60 months. Don't include the cost of preventive maintenance in this figure, since no matter how new or old, all cars needs preventive maintenance.

 

depends on how long you have had the car when it comes to your clutch...

i got my '98 2.3 with 79,000 miles and the clutch went out about a month later with around 80-81,000 miles

i love my CL and am planning on keeping it for many years to come

 

Funny you are having these problems with your car. I have a 98 2.3 CL and in the last 2 months I spent quite a bit on it. Manifold was cracked - replaced with a used one (or you can get one on ebay). Replaced intermediate pipe. Then the clutch went at 247000 Kms, about $650 CDN to fix. Right after my A/C stoppped working, turned out that my radiator fins were unravelling and got stuck in the condenser fan. I decided to save some money and fix it myself. Got a rad and a condenser fan off ebay and replaced it myself. Works great now. It may be worth it for you to fix yours too.