So I started smelling coolant in the car about a week ago and then noticed a coolant leak under the car 3 days ago. The leak looks like it's coming from the same area where the condensation from the AC leaks. The car isn't overheating and the coolant level in the reservoir just barely went down.

 

I think you nailed the diagnosis...a leaking heater core.

 

Ok more problems...argh. So I also started noticing that I had a slight misfire while driving and the CEL came on. I took it to the shop I bought it from and my assumptions were right as I read about this in a couple threads few days ago. The heater core leaked all over the number 8 cylinder (and I believe the other one closest to it) right below the hoses and caused the misfire. They told me it was filled with water in the spark plug well and they had to blow it out. It's funny cause the guy kept asking me if I got my car detailed and if they washed the motor and I actually suggested to him that it might be the leaking core so he went and confirmed it. They also bypassed my heater core for now to stop the leak and hit me with a bill for $150 which also included an oil change. The guy told me that the labor was a bitch I guess just to get to that cylinder which I think is the case when I was trying to look at the heater hoses going into the firewall.

He told me that the charge on replacing the core is about $600-$700. 7 hour job....

Is there any way to get around removing the dash to change the core. I've read conflicting instructions which tells me that you do not have to remove the entire dash. Can anyone comment on this?

 

Since you found a leak at the hose connection, maybe your heater core is okay. The leak could've traveled down the heater core tube and down onto the core. Have the core pressure tested to see if it holds pressure. If it does, then it's okay.