Repair/replace engine or get another car

[darthtony360]

Hey everyone!

I have been thinking in terms of whether to repair/ replace the engine for my Honda civic1997 DX Coupe Manual with 163,000 miles or to just get another car. The head gasket and the engine blockare bad and I got opinions from two mechanics. One told me to repair or replace the engine, in which everything will cost $1200 and the other mechanic told me to expect to pay 622.00 to fix the head gasket , which indicates that engine might still work and it doesn't , then the cost of the repair will get to $1100.

I also been thinking of getting another reliable car and I'm looking at another Honda (Accord 1998-2002, CRV 1997-2001) , Toyota (Corolla 1996-2002, Celica 2000-2003) and Chevy Prizm (2002).

I even thinking in getting another Honda civic , preferably 1999 or 2000.

The reason for all this is that I'm wondering if is worth the investment in fixing the engine , while the car needs a paint job and a couple of other things. I thinking that it would be better to just get another car.

My current budget is $2,000 , but I expect to get more money at the end of month for a total budget of $3000 to do the work or get another car.

Would it be better to fix my current car or to get another civic coupe 1999-2000??

If not a civic, what you guys think about the mentioned brand and models?? Are the corollas 1996-2002 and celicas 2000-2003 more reliable than the civics 1996-2000?

I also installed a new clutch on this car only a month ago. Plus , it has a new radiator (less than 6 months), new connecting pipe, and thermostat. Water pump and timing belt were changed a couple of years ago.

 

[HeX]

I merged your 2nd post into the 1st. Keep in mind you have an edit option available so you dont over-post.

Well, its obvious the car needs some TLC and paint but it otherwise looks pretty straight.

1) Consider an engine swap after asking how much these shops would charge you for a motor swap. You could find a used identical motor for around $350, so do the math. Otherwise, you're left with a car you can only try to sell as-is for maybe $600-$800 or scrap it for around $300. Finding a buyer for a civic with a blown motor may take a while as it would likely be a mechanically inclined person who intends to fix it themselves. There's a JDM parts junkyard in Miami you may want to call up for a price on a low mileage engine.

2) Another options would be to buy a better condition same generation Civic at a good deal that needs parts you can swap from your Civic, then part-out (sell parts from) this Civic to recup funds and scrap whatevers left later.