<prompt> Human: Hello!So, I have a 2013 Ford CMax w about 105,000 miles whose transmission recently blew. Dealership quoted the repair at 6500, a nearby shop quoted it at 4500. Either way, I would have to take out a small loan to repair it dont have the savings, and would be able to sell it for maybe slightly more that the repair cost even if I went for the nearby shop.Heres the thing though: the car was given to me as a gift I payed 0 for it by my father. I own the car, title is in my name and I insure it. For the record, dad doesnt care what I do with the car- car is fully mine. Car was given to me at 60,000 miles.While the car has been problem free up to this point, Im worried that due to it being a complicated hybrid and its high mileage this is just the start of a potential slew of future issues. On top of that, my parents who I consider to be very financially smart had another cmax that they got rid of at 85,000 miles, and have been telling me this last year to sell. I now feel very stupid for not selling it this last year.Im a software developer, and make a pretty good amount of money. When searching this sub for answers, I came across that thread that tells you a calculation for what price of car you could afford. While that calculation came out to me being able to afford a car around 17,000 - 20,000, I would want to be conservative and get something more in the 12,000 range that is lightly used, reliable, and under warrantyget a warranty. On top of that, my brother will taking over my phone bill sharing a contract w him this year, and I will be moving into a place with my girlfriend and will be paying potentially less rent. The dealership offered to buy my cmax for 500, but Im trying to shop it around and see if a shop or junkyard will take it for around 1000.If I even get around 1000, I would have the savings to use that to put 20 down on a 12000-ish car.Only other loan is student loans that I have been consistently paying off at a good rate.I should add that I would like to buy a house someday, and I feel like this would be a good way to continue building credit.Am I an idiot for wanting to get a newer car?Should I be fixing the cmax instead? Fixing it then selling it?  <response>: A few things. You say you dont have very much saved. This is a red flag to me. I think you are asking the right questions though. What kind of value are you going to get out of the 4,500 repair? Versus a 12,000 car? Ill add a third. Versus a 4,500 car? In the scenario you laid out, your options are to spend 4,500 or 12,000. So, I would just consider purchasing a cheaper used car that you could get similar value out of as the 12,000 car. It sounds like youve done your research. So, get the 12,000 car if you really can afford it and it will make you happy. But, I hope that you would start taking saving seriously. Create an emergency fund, pay off all debt, buy a house, invest for retirement, pay off the house, Dave Ramsey, etc. 