Hey guys,
So my car has gone through a lot just in the past couple years. It's a 93 Camry with 204k miles on it. First, one side of the vents stopped blowing cold air from the AC. This went on for a while. My mechanic didn't seem to want to fix it because it just seems like a lot of trouble. OK no big deal - I'll just close the vents and blow cold air from the other side. I even tried to flush the radiator and refill it but then this exposed an issue where the radiator ending up needing replacement - it leaked and I basically wasted all my money on that coolant and then paid for a new radiator. Then while driving on the freeway with the AC on not that many months ago, I heard this loud screeching sound and smelled burning rubber... I confirmed that this happens about 5-10 minutes after driving the car around with the AC on. Sounds like the AC Compressor needs replacement. And all on top of that, I pulled an idiot move and backed my car out of the carport with the driver's side door open, resulting in the door bending backwards and causing the fender to buckle in near the hinge. I did go to the junkyard to get a new fender and door and was able to slap them on. So aside from the car looking ridiculous while driving it around, it's *extremely* unbearable to drive especially when it's been parked out in the sun. Take for example today, just driving around for 5 minutes my back and legs were sweaty and I had to keep wiping my face of sweat... blowing the air isn't a good option when it blows hot. Someone suggested the spray-water bottle trick but I have serious doubts that will be very effective, considering it's not just my face that feels hot and sweaty.
Anyway, in short, I'm getting really tired of this car. We have a little one on the way and while being a one-car family might be ideal, I don't *ever* want to have to install a car seat in the Camry while the AC isn't working and considering how hot it can get in there.
What do you think guys? After all I've been through with the car, should I just at least get the AC compressor replaced (or whatever the issue is...hopefully that would be it)? Or given the current state of things, should I just sell the car as-is and look for another used Camry (or other brand/model)?