flipmack

Hey all,

new to this forum, thought I'd seek your help.

Anyway, we have a 2000 Maxima GXE with 68500 miles - I know, very low miles.

Recently got new tires and brakes and the mechanic noticed a leak...which turns out to be the rear main seal...which was estimated to be a $1200 job (yes, I took it to another place to get an estimate).

Other issues with the car:
- could use an alignment
- keep getting P1055 error (SES light), which I've fixed per the tech manual, but it keeps coming back...so, I just keep erasing the code with an OBDII scanner...which makes the SES go away for a week.
- engine hesitates and stalls sometimes - reminds me of the behavior before I got all of the ignition coils replaced.
- cosmetically, the car is nice from far away.


So, if I don't fix anything, the car is well on its way to becoming a beater, granted, a beater with an awesome engine that requires premium fuel.


I have two to three options:

Option 1: turn the car into a beater knowing that we're going to have to replace it eventually.

Option 2: fix the car with its current problems (probably $1600 - $2000 total)...knowing that other issues will probably come soon.

Option 3: trade the car in for a new cheap economy car.


What should I do?


We got about $5000 back from taxes, a $2000 bonus from work, and the economic stimulus act will give us another $1800...and we can put all of this money into a new car - or put some of it into maintenance.


Any and all opinions are welcome.


Thanks again. Looking forward to hearing what ya'll have to say!