<prompt> Human: To preface this, I am trying to stay debt free.I currently own a 2005 Honda Accord. It has 225,000 miles and has been running great. It still achieves 34mpg and can fit everything I own inside it. The problem is the check engine light came on... the dealer said it was the catalytic converter and would cost 1,600 to repair. I checked kelly Blue Book and it said my trade in value was 3,000. I have money saved up and could buy a certified pre-owned vehicle outright tomorrow for 12,000, but I am looking to go to grad school this fall or in 2015.My dilemma is this; I could pay the 1,600 and hope to get another 75,000 miles out of my car and use the money saved for school or I could put the money towards another vehicle and take out low interest student loans.Any advice would be appreciated!  <response>: If you have an Auto Zone near your home work, theyll run a diagnostic for you for free, only takes about five minutes. Alternatively, Amazon has a selection of 20 Bluetooth OBD readers that allow you to read the data off your car using a computer or an Android smartphone. 