Finally found someone to take a look at my truck and planned to take it to him on Monday. It wasn't an hour later, my car decides it wants my attention to, the engine light comes and its leaking antifreeze bad. Just had the waterpump changed and can't tell where it's leaking from.

The stupid car has been nickel and dimeing me to death this last year so I am thinking of trading it in on a new Focus.

Question is, should I fix it or just go trade it in? How much money could I lose on the trade in? It's a 2005 Taurus with 130k and a rebuilt tranny 10k ago.

 

Without seeing it or knowing condition/options and with the leak I'd guess you'll get a true $1K-$2K tops for it. They'll fix it, make it look pretty and ask $5K and probably sell for $3500 assuming no rust or body damage.

The real value will be on what you think you'll save on not needing to fix anything for the next 3-5 years with a new car.

 

The transmission on these cars is the weak link, but yours is new. If the leak is from a head gasket, dump it. If it's a simple leak, I'd keep it and run it till it craps out completely. The 3.0 is a stout engine.