I'm not opposed to getting the Buick repaired but it's having some bad uoas too with high lead/iron which is my biggest concern
Link for reference to 2 UOAS.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3530699/02_Buick_Century,__Pennzoil_Ul
and here's the big list....
needs control arms on both sides, has a phantom intake leak letting dirt into the engine that i can't find, has a phantom brake leak (sometimes it doesn't leak at all, sometimes it leaks really slow), a/c charge leaks from Schrader valve or elsewhere, needs wheel bearings, has rusty rocker panels, clear coat gone on front bumper and starting to go on rear bumper, also has some electrical gremlins with voltage dips and flickering lights sometimes randomly possibly just a bad re manufactured alternator that's been on for a fewer months.
Also has the P0420 code possibly bad oxygen sensor, or this cheap catalytic convertor already went South, also the low washer fluid sensor stopped working! Lol I guess that's everything.
Maybe now you can see why I want to get out from under it or is that list not that bad?
As far as my finances go, I am the only one working right now, I make decent money I'd say, (depending on who you are) my wife is looking at getting a job very soon, she has a bachelor's degree in accounting so hopefully she can land a good job, the only debt we have is her student loans but I have a very low credit score from a recent chapter 7.
She will need the good car for possible long commutes and I am going to get the Taurus fixed to drive to work which is less than 4 miles.
I should make enough money for a car payment, I just don't currently have a savings, which is why I'm using the tax return to do something.
As far as the Buick transmission goes, I'm starting to have trouble finding the right mechanic and getting more worried about doing the triple edge unit since the cost is going to be $3,000 if I use the mechanic while wants to charge me $900, I am leaning towards the pro transmission rebuild for $2300 again, since he's got a 3yr/36k warranty, I am going to bring him a list of what triple edge puts in their rebuilds and gauge his reaction to if he can match it and go from there.