Pay out for repairs or move on?

[gman88667733]

Morning, I've got a 2003 Kia Sorento Auto and my partner loves it. We have owned it for the past year and got it from a family member who owned it for 8 years or so. In the past 12 months we have had to get a new wheel bearing (£200), a new radiator (£300) and probably a few other little bits to add another £200 onto that. Now it appears that the coolant tank is leaking (not 100% sure yet, but there is a drip coming from the base of it) and also a major electrical gremlin whereby the engine stalls when you press the hazard button!
I am concerned that we will spend too much money keeping the car on the road, but I am not sure when to say enough is enough.
Is it worth keeping the car going for the time being? Or are we better to save a bit and get something for £2000 ideally that is more reliable? If so, what would that be?
My partner likes the high driving position and overall size of the Sorento, even if it drives like a barge.
Any ideas?


Worth noting that when we got the car, we had all new fuel injectors on it and disks and pads. The car hasn't got a lot of rust on it, although given our usage it'll probably get worse.

Edited by gman88667733 on Saturday 12th January 08:52

[gman88667733]

Okay, that does make a lot of sense. What sort of budget would get a car that I could be confident about reliability? I'm all for a Volvo estate or similar, but she wants to sit higher up.
My £2500 Octavia that I got in the summer has been good to us, other than the turbo going when we got it, it is set for a couple of years now.

[gman88667733]

All valid points! Going to change the coolant tank and leave it at that. Bit of red tape over the hazard button so it isn't pressed.