OK, all . . . my precious SVT is dead in the shop, I've been told the engine has gone to lunch, permanently. They (Koons Ford in Falls Church, VA) don't know precisely what is wrong, but I was told it isn't worth spending the money to determine the details, and that a new engine is needed. A factory remanufactured engine, plus labor, will cost several $K.
What would any of you do in my position ? We have almost-new, "almost-twins" (one adopted a year ago this month, the other our own birth this past July) . . . I've been laid off many months ago, with pretty lean fill-in income since . . . I'm starting college classes Monday and that cost me a lot of $$$ . . . the engine replacement will cost me roughly 15% of my personal savings . . . I must have my own car . . . well, you get the idea. To top it off, this SVT is in beautiful condition in every way, aside from the blown engine. I cannot even dream of parting it out or selling it for street value as-is. And I owe roughly $10K or so on the loan.
Technically, I do have money to buy the new engine/installation. Does it make sense to go for it ? Are there other less costly avenues to have this done ? I understand that I cannot legally have an engine from any other year installed (my SVT is a 98). I even looked at eBay for an engine, or for an SVT being sold as is for parts, but .... nothing.
I am quite obviously too upset to even think about this rationally. Any ideas ? Again, what would you do in my shoes ? Thanks for reading, and thanks to anyone with constructive advice and/or some silver lining to a very dark cloud . . .
