After the mechanics looked at the car, it became clear that between the cost of fixing it and the very real possibility of more problems as it ages, so we decided it was time for a trade-in. We had a good 10 year run with this one, but cars do have a lifespan. After a certain point, it is like being bitten by small yippy dogs: any single bite isn't fatal, but enough of them will cause you to.bleed out. We are able to get a loan, a decent trade-off plus a military discount. So Mr. Witch will.be coming home with a new silver Camry, and I won't have to worry that he will have to.walk 5 miles home again in the rain. I am just grateful we have the money to do this. Two years ago we would have been screwed.
And this will help us reestablish credit so that we can eventually move to a better apartment. And we will have a Christmas!
Thank you all for the letting me whinge.